By HARVEY SIMPSON
Dispatch Sports Editor
CORDELE — Back in the Final Four for a third straight year, Crisp Academy’s Region 2-A champion Lady Wildcats start GISA state playoff competition Saturday at the Southern Pines Complex in Dublin.
Their foe in a best-of-three series that gets under way at 10 a.m. will be Region 1A’s No. 4 seed, the Georgia Christian Lady Generals who bring a record of 4-8 into action against the 13-6-1 Lady Wildcats.
“I really don’t know anything about GCS other than their record and order of finish in their region,” said Bill McWilliams who’s in the first year of his second stint as Crisp Academy’s head softball coach.
“They’ve made it this far, though, and won their share to get here so despite their losing record there’s no way we can afford to take them lightly.
“And, too, we’ve already had our share of close games with teams we sort of underrated and the way it is today you can’t take any team for granted in any sport.”
McWilliams said his players are excited about reaching the Final Four three years in a row and after finishing as the state runner-up in both 2006 and 2007 are determined to go all the way this season.
“That’s especially true in the case of (senior southpaw pitcher) Brandi Brewer who the closer she gets to the end of her high school career the harder she seems to pitch both in velocity and determination,” McWilliams said.
“She’s the type player who thrives on a challenge and our other girls are feeding off her attitude. She’s a compliment not only to our school but also to the prior coaches — particularly Sherrie Leverett — who have helped make her what she is today —a solid college prospect.”
McWilliams also had verbal pats on the back for Crisp’s two other seniors — outfielders Whitney Rawlins and Tiffany Arnett.
“Both of those girls have developed incredibly strong arms that have helped them make some all-star type throws after first coming up with some really good catches.
“Our seniors and the rest of our team members are showing an increase in excitement and anticipation.
“Each win just seems to ratchet up their desire to end the season on a winning note and there’s only one way a team can do that (by walking off the field a state champ).”
Local Sports
Lady Wildcats start Final Four state play in Dublin tomorrow
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Wildcats earn third straight title series berth
The little ol’ town of Bethlehem and its top-ranked GISA Class A state baseball team couldn’t keep Crisp Academy from achieving Friday something akin to a yule gift — a third straight state title series berth.
Paired against a host Knights’ squad that brought a sparkling 19-2 record into a best-of-three series to determine which of them would qualify for the finals, coach John Penney’s Wildcats swept their hosts by 6-1 and 9-7 scores. -
Former Crisp, NFL player to host July football camps for youths
Believed to be the only Crisp County High gridder ever to play in the National Football League, Andre Ramsey plans to conduct this summer a two-day camp he hopes will lead to others following in his footsteps.
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Cougars' Whitman signs with Jaguars
Crisp County High outfielder/pitcher Luke Whitman (seated center) signed Friday a baseball scholarship to attend Georgia Perimeter Junior College in Covington.
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Trojans' Keene, Hogg make All-Region 3-AA team
Two members of Fullington Academy’s 2012 Trojans baseball team garnered first-team All-Region 3-AA honors and two of their teammates achieved honorable mention status.
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Crisp, Westwood academies reveal schedule for GISA baseball state title series
Playing times and days for the Class A GISA state baseball championship series have been released by the competing schools.
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Spring football drills come to an end thos week for area schools
Wilcox High’s Patriots did last week what Crisp and Dooly counties and Fullington Academy will do this week and Crisp Academy won’t do at all — complete spring football practice.
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Miller tops latest horseshoes standings
Suzanne Miller maintained her first place standing after Tuesday’s weekly pitching for Crisp Horseshoe Club members.
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Coveted Patriot Awards go to Montgomery, Fuller at Wilcox fete
Presentation of the prestigious Patriot Awards to a male and female senior who in the past year excelled in specified areas highlighted Wilcox High’s annual all-sports fete held Monday night.
Recipients of those honors bestowed upon them for their academic, athletic and social achievements were basketball/track participant Shareba Montgomery and football/baseball player Bryant Fuller. Their choice for the honors was the result of voting by the school’s coaches. -
Harris going from Wilcox Patriots to Fullington Trojans
History is repeating itself for Tim Harris who in recently being named head baseball coach and defensive coordinator at Fullington Academy will be fulfilling the same duties he had when he launched a 28-year career at Wilcox High.
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No. 1 Knights await visit by No. 3 Wildcats in GISA Class A Final Four duel
As a first-year member of the Georgia Independent Schools Association and a school playing a full varsity slate for the first time, Bethlehem Christian’s baseball team has experienced instantaneous success.
Since launching the 2012 season with a 5-2 victory over the defending Class A state champion Crisp Academy team it will host this weekend in the Class A Final Four round, the Knights have indeed been on a roll. - More Local Sports Headlines
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