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FEBRUARY 12-18, 2010 CHECK US OUT AT SCOREATL.COM VOL 6 NO 7 02 I SCORE Get In The Game!

ALW A Y S AT SCOREA TL.COM FEBRUARY 12-18, 2010 SCORE ATLANTA I 03 ™ STARTING SHOT OF THE CCAANN’’TT LINEUP MMIISSSS THIS WEEK PUBLISHER/EDITOR I.J. Rosenberg GENERAL MANAGER Bob Houghton WEEK… Columnist Foster Lander discusses the Colts- MANAGING EDITOR Alex Ewalt Saints and how it affected both ART/CREATIVE DIRECTOR DJ Galbiati 4 BUSINESS MANAGER Marvin Botnick starting ’ legacies. SALES MANAGER Mark Mayo SALES ASSOCIATE John Saunders BEAT WRITERS Josh Bagriansky (Falcons), Stephen Black Braves beat writer Fletcher Proctor takes (), Jason Boral (Thrashers), Dave Cohen (Georgia State), a look at the club the week before all Ricky Dimon (Tech), Alex Ewalt (Preps), 5 Rajesh Gupta (Hawks) Fletcher Proctor (Braves) players report to . STAFF WRITERS Cranston Collier, Joe Deighton, Zander Lentz, Brian Penter, Foster Lander, Brian Jones, Jason Murdock CONTRIBUTORS Tad Arapoglou, Dean Zindler, Kevin Dankosky, In our Score More section, Jason Boral Mitch Evans, Matt Judy, Tony Schiavone, Richard Diamond, shares his thoughts on the Thrashers’ Joe Haines, Brian Katrek, Chris Dimino, , Matt Stewart, Fred Kalil, Nick Cellini, Phillip Leopold, Dave Marshall, Greg Smith, Steak 11 handling of the trade and Shapiro, Mike Cather, Beau Bock, Hal Lamar, Chris Cotter, Roy what it means for the future. Hickman, Dave Cohen, John Olah, Jeff Woolverton, Chris Voss, Bob Rathbun, Courtney Capps, Bill Hartman, Chuck Dowdle, Shannon Alderman, Dan Kamal, Dennis Scott, C.C., Hal Lanier, Catch up with the latest on our college beat Jeff Batten, Micah Hart, Ben Wright, Alan Vasquez, Andrew Vedlitz, Brian Jones page; Mark Fox (pictured) has his UGA squad SPECIAL CONTRIBUTORS , , Barry Bloom 15 playing good basketball as the team moves ™ SCHOOL farther into SEC play. LISTING TEAM SCOOP AND VOICES INSIDE AT SCORE

E For the second year in a row, Score Atlanta CHEROKEE/FORSYTH: Cherokee, Creekview, Etowah, Forsyth Central,

North Forsyth, Sequoyah, South Forsyth, West Forsyth, Woodstock COVER DESIGN BY DJ GALBIATI H will be webcasting the state traditional

COBB: Allatoona, Campbell, Harrison, Kell, Kennesaw Mountain, Lassiter, COVER PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE T Marietta, McEachern, N. Cobb, N. Cobb Christian, Pebblebrook, wrestling finals at Gwinnett Arena in their Pope, S. Cobb, Sprayberry, Walton, Wheeler

N entirety. We will be bringing you the action live DEKALB: Chamblee, Columbia, Decatur, Druid Hills, Dunwoody, Lakeside, SCORE LIST-KATREK HAWKS Marist, Miller Grove, M.L. King, Paideia, Redan, St. Pius X, Southwest BROTHERS IN RED: Feb. 3 was a big 6 8 O at GHSA.tv, with expert analysis and cameras DeKalb, Stephenson, Stone Mountain, Tucker day for lots of football signees across the state, but the FULTON: Alpharetta, Blessed Trinity, Centennial, Chattahoochee, Douglass, SCORE MORE FALCONS - GA STATE on all five mats. The event will be archived Grady, Lovett, Mays, Milton, North Springs, Northview, Riverwood, moment must have been especially memorable for 11 12 Roswell, Tri-Cities, Westminster, Woodward Academy afterwards at GHSA.tv. Going to the event? GWINNETT: Berkmar, Brookwood, Buford, C. Gwinnett, Collins Hill, Dacula, Newnan’s Ogletree brothers, who signed with Georgia. 13 CALENDAR 14 MEDIA-AD INDEX Grayson, Greater Atlanta Christian, Meadowcreek, Mill Creek, Norcross, Pick up Score’s official guide to the finals! North Gwinnett, Parkview, Peachtree Ridge, South Gwinnett, Wesleyan Alec (left) and his twin Zander (right) are two of the GORDON: Calhoun, Gordon Central, Sonoraville state’s top defenders. Photo courtesy of Rob Saye. 15 GA TECH - UGA

ALW A Y S AT SCOREA TL.COM 04 I SCORE ATLANTA Get In The Game!

Mistakes, missed opportunities doom Colts in Miami as Brees cements legacy n recent years, the Super Bowl has come to Pierre Thomas. Had the kick well-thrown ball from Manning. record for completions — and two touch- Idown to a singular, defining play, one that failed — one wrong bounce, a better set of Later in the half, the Colts made yet downs. He had always struggled to gain wide- casual viewers and fans alike will remember hands on the football — the Colts quite like- another critical error on a third down deep in spread national recognition even while put- forever. Super Bowl XLIV’s outcome, howev- ly would’ve broken the game open, and their territory. On a third-and-1, Indy chose ting up prolific regular season numbers, but er, was derived from a series of gutsy decisions Payton’s decision would forever have been to run up the middle behind an undersized Brees’ performance in Miami plants him made by , dubious ones by Indy’s lampooned. One bounce was all it took, and offensive line instead of allowing Manning squarely on a level with Manning and Tom Jim Caldwell and a few timely plays made by as has been the case all season, New Orleans to pick up a first down through the air. When Brady. The win cements his legacy as one of some of New Orleans’ unsung heroes. Let’s got one more to roll their way. smallish Mike Hart got stuffed the best — and most underappreciated — sig- play armchair for a little while. It may have taken a great bounce to and the Colts were forced to punt, New nal-callers of his generation. Trailing 10-6 at halftime and kicking off, give the Saints a major boost, but by mak- Orleans received the ball back in great posi- On the other hand, is just Payton had simply said to and kickoff ing just a few crucial plays, tion to tack on a score to end the half — and beginning to create his legacy. The native specialist “ambush” in the could have prevented New Orleans from added a field as time Louisianan by way of Indiana University, locker room — the Saints’ name for their taking over the game. The Colts were up ran out. Trying to pound the ball in that sit- Porter started from day one and played well. onside kick. Though he’d never executed an 10-3 midway through the second quarter uation would make sense for most NFL Quietly, unassumingly, Porter worked his way onside kick in a game and rarely practiced for when young receiver Pierre Garçon — a teams, but not for the league’s 31st-ranked back from a wrist injury last year before step- such a situation, Morstead placed an sixth rounder in 2008 that had emerged as rush offense. Manning can find a way to ping in front of to nab a Peyton absolutely perfect bouncer that caromed off one of ’s favorite targets pick up a yard or two, and why not stick with Manning pass. He pointed ahead with an out- the Colts’ . After a scrum that this year — dropped a crucial third down the man who got you there? stretched left arm, carving a path through lasted more than a minute, New Orleans’ pass. After the miscue, the Colts ran only All the second-guessing of the Colts which to run, darting through the hole and (a Roswell High School and three offensive plays for the rest of the half, does not, by any means, take away from the etching his name into Super Bowl lore. Georgia Tech grad) emerged from the pile and Manning threw no more passes. Sure, brilliant work of Drew Brees and Manning and several other Colts gave chase, with a recovery that shifted momentum dras- drops can be a part of football (look no fur- Tracy Porter. Brees, easily the NFL’s most but their efforts were futile — there would be tically. Now, the Saints had good starting ther than Terrell Owens, potentially a future accurate passer (70.6 percent), again torched no catching the Saints on this night. field position and put it to good use, scoring Hall of Famer), but there’s no excuse for a solid defense to the tune of 288 yards while Lander can be reached at six plays later on a 16-yard screen pass from Garçon being wide open and dropping a completing 32 of 39 passes — a Super Bowl [email protected].

ALW A Y S AT SCOREA TL.COM FEBRUARY 12-18, 2010 SCORE ATLANTA I 05

A look at the ’10 Braves the first week of Spring Training; Damon still in play? o adapt an idea from Notre Dame asked to play first base — a position he’s drooling. Nate McLouth in centerfield could TFootball, the motto of the 2010 Braves only played in a handful of games — as well very well bring the Gold Glove back to may just be “win one for the skipper.” As the as protect Chipper Jones by batting fourth in Atlanta and his speed on the basepaths is a Atlanta Braves franchise enters the 2010 sea- the lineup. Glaus 27 home runs in 2008 weapon that Cox can use to put pressure on OUT FRONT son, manager Bobby Cox enters his final but missed most of last year with a shoulder the Phillies in the division. season as Braves manager and, this week, injury. If Glaus can rediscover his form of As far as making the playoffs, the enters his final Spring Training with the club just two years ago, the Braves lineup will schedule sets up well for Atlanta with no (pitchers report on Feb. 17-18, and the rest of feature some sorely needed pop. Glaus’s Boston or on the slate. the league reports on Feb. 23). The Braves should be in contention The Braves management there- for the wild card throughout the sea- fore elected to forgo a rebuilding son, and if the team can benefit from effort and instead has cobbled the schedule, perhaps one final run together a squad capable of giving at a division title could send Bobby its long-time manager one last Cox out on top. I predict the Braves shot at a second World Series title sneak into the postseason via the with Atlanta. Unlike the last few wild card and from there, it is a crap- seasons, however, this team shoot. Hanson, Jurrjens and Hudson should be able to make the play- would be a nice postseason rotation offs, though most likely it would and if the Braves do make the post- Orlando’s Champion Stadium is what be in a wild card role. season, it likely means another all- Any discussion of the Braves star year from McCann and valuable the Atlanta Braves call home during must start with the rotation, just as contributions from the rookie Spring Training each year, and it’s the discussion always did during Heyward and newcomer Glaus. This almost time for them to get back into the the Braves’ magical run in the team, from all reports, loves its man- early 1990s. The team moved out ager and wants to send him out the swing of things (pitchers and catchers last season’s best pitcher, Javier right way. What better way than a report this Wednesday and Thursday, Vazquez, but did so because some playoff run with perhaps a trophy while the rest of the league’s players will of the young guns proved they presentation at the end? could more than handle the load. LAST HURRAH: Bobby Cox has enjoyed a run that few managers have had in show up on Feb. 23. Can the team make Tommy Hanson and Jair Jurrjens the majors, reaching five World Series during his time in Atlanta. Photo courtesy IN THE MARKET FOR DAMON … a run at a wild card berth in Bobby Cox’s form the best under-25 one-two of the Atlanta Braves. The Johnny Damon watch is still last season as manager? All Braves punch this side of Tim Lincecum on in Bravesland and it appears that and Matt Cain, and Tim Hudson and Derek acquisition will also enable all-star catcher the Braves may in fact be finalists for the photos courtesy of the Atlanta Braves. Lowe both bring experience to the park every Brian McCann to slide down to the five-hole, former Yankee . Several teams, time they pitch. Hudson pitched well enough a spot he is more suited for. McCann has including the , Oakland Nate McLouth and Melky Cabrera as the after coming back from Tommy John surgery some power and hits for a high average, and A’s and the Blue Jays, have report- starting with youngsters Jordan that the team decided to re-sign him for a if he isn’t asked to do so much in terms of edly dropped out of the running for the for- Schafer and competing to home team discount. Derek Lowe struggled power, he can relax and stroke dou- mer Red Sox, Royals, Athletics and make the team. The Sporting News projects his first season in Atlanta but still posted 15 bles as he did early in his career. Yankees player, leaving just Detroit and that Heyward will be given ample opportuni- wins and was strong to start the 2009 season. McCann’s defense has also improved Atlanta as potential landing areas, accord- ty to win the starting job in spring training This year’s bullpen has been totally ren- over the last two years. Early in his career he ing to Yahoo! sports. The 36-year-old free and Schafer won the centerfielder spot last ovated, with Rafael Soriano and Mike was well known for calling a superb game but agent hit .282 with 24 home runs and 82 year in spring training, only to be sent back Gonzalez out and and Takashi now he can gun down potential base runners. RBIs as the New York Yankees won the down to Class AAA Gwinnett before an Saito in. Both Wagner and Saito are former The Braves defense overall is a question franchise’s 27th World Series title. For injury was discovered. With both young out- all-stars that should be able to close out mark, however, as several new additions pre- Damon, it was his second championship fielders perhaps just one season away, a games if need be. Wagner is sixth all-time in vent a grade from being given. Melky after he won one previously with Boston in long-term contract isn’t expected to be saves and the lefty can still deal. Cabrera is penciled in to start right now and 2004. According to Yahoo!’s Mark Miller, offered to Damon. Damon reportedly turned he would be an upgrade over the lead-footed Detroit, per the Detroit Free Press, would down a two-year deal from New York earlier NEED MORE POWER … Garret Anderson of one year ago, but if only be interested in adding Damon if this offseason, believing he could get more On the offensive side of things, the team youngster Jason Heyward makes the club, Tigers management decides to up its pro- years and money from another team. may have solved its two-year question of a Cabrera is pushed into a platoon with Matt jected 2010 payroll. All photos courtesy of the Atlanta cleanup hitter after the team dealt Mark Diaz. Heyward’s arm has been awing minor The Braves, meanwhile, may be content Braves. Proctor can be reached at Teixeira. Newcomer Troy Glaus will be league scouts, but his bat has them simply to just enter spring training with , [email protected].

ALW A Y S AT SCOREA TL.COM 06 I SCORE ATLANTA Get In The Game! SCORE LIST BY BRIAN JONES

SUPER SAINTS: It’s party time in NESSLER HONORED: Brad THUMBS UP TO THUMBS DOWN TO The Big Easy because the New Nessler, a national sports broadcast- Orleans Saints defeated the er and a longtime native of Atlanta, ‘WHO DAT NATION’ NO MORE KOVY on Sunday to win won the Furman Bisher Award for their first-ever Super Bowl. The scene Sports Media Excellence on 1 on Bourbon Street when the game 6 Tuesday. Nessler is great at calling was over was amazing, and the games, but I think he does an even parade on Tuesday was even better. better impression of Larry Munson. NOT-SO-SUPER THRASHERS: DAMON TO ATL?: It’s a strong While the Saints are celebrating, possibility because Jonny Damon is here in Atlanta the Thrashers are still still a free agent and he said that trying to find their way, trading away the Braves are on the top of his list. former first-round picks Ilya I know that the guy is 36 years old, 2 Kovalchuk and Kari Lehtonen. Let’s 7 but if you look at the outfield now, hope that GM Don Waddell has a plan you could make the argument he to get the Thrashers back on track. would be the best player out there. After many years of disappointment, First Dany Heatley, then Marian the New Orleans Saints did the Hossa. Now Ilya Kovalchuk is the third STARS IN DALLAS: It’s that GEORGIA ON SEC’S MIND: unthinkable and defeated the Thrasher superstar to be traded and time of year when the NBA’s best That was the case on National come together and play in the All-Star Signing Day as 65 players from the Indianapolis Colts to become Super leave the franchise in a big hole. They Game, which will be played at the state of Georgia signed with SEC Bowl champions. Drew Brees was got three young talented players and a new Cowboys Stadium in Dallas this schools. Georgia led the way with named MVP for his performance, first round pick in return, but they are 3 season. I’ll be rooting for Joe Johnson 8 14 players while Vanderbilt signed throwing for 288 yards and two going to have trouble winning games and Al Horford, but it’s going to be the nine. Now if UGA can only do the without the team’s leading scorer. Kobe and LeBron show. same for basketball, they will be set. . START YOUR ENGINES: COME ON UP: Jason Heyward Al Horford Indianapolis Colts NASCAR is back in action, as the and Mike Minor are two of the 18 The center for the Hawks will show the The Colts are one of the most consistent Daytona 500 will take place this non-roster invitees that will make the world his talent as he takes part in his first teams in the NFL when it comes to the Sunday. Jimmie Johnson is the trip to for Braves spring train- NBA All-Star game on Sunday. Joe Johnson regular season, but the postseason is a favorite, but all eyes will be on Danica ing which, will start in full next week. will join him as well, but with Horford different story. They fell to the Saints in 4 Patrick as she makes her first 9 Both of these players are expected to selected he is the first drafted Hawks player the Super Bowl, which means they have NASCAR start in the Nationwide fare well in the bigs and they will since Kevin Willis to make the team. only one Super Bowl Championship under event on Saturday. She will be good draw a lot of fans this spring. for the sport in more ways than one. their belts during the Peyton Manning era. IT’S BROOKLYN’S WORLD: It Brad Nessler NEW CLASS IS IN: Before the was announced on Tuesday that Brad Nessler is one of the best sports Donte Stallworth Super Bowl, the NFL announced supermodel Brooklyn Decker will broadcasters around and he was rewarded Even though he was reinstated by the NFL com- seven new members to be inducted grace the cover of Sports for his efforts on Tuesday, winning the missioner Roger Goodell, Donte Stallworth has into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Illustrated’s swimsuit edition. OK, to look for a team to play for as he was cut by Jerry Rice, and John I’ve seen the pictures of her, and Furman Bisher Award for Sports Media the . Stallworth just served a 5 10 Excellence. Nessler is a long-time native of Randle lead the list, and with the cer- I’ve come to this conclusion: Andy year-long suspension by the NFL for being emony taking place in September, it Roddick (Brooklyn’s husband) is Atlanta and got his broadcast career started charged for DUI manslaughter after he hit and should be one for the ages. one extremely lucky guy. at WGST in 1980. killed a 59-year old man.

CRUNCHING THE SANITY NUMBERS STOP SPECULATING AT LAST Lots of folks are asking when Tiger will be Tiger doesn’t know when he will be back. We The Thrashers’ record back. Everyone seems to have their own ideas, don’t know much, but it seems that he and Elin “There was a lot more I could have done on Nov. 28 after a win and some of those ideas even make sense. are trying to keep their marriage together. 14-7-3 One that doesn’t was an Australian If this is the case, I don’t see how he can off the field and in the film room that over Philadelphia writer who decided Woods would be know at this time when it would be could have elevated my game to a back next week at the Accenture right to return to golf. At some point, Matchplay Championship. In case the two of them will decide when it different level. I was complacent at you missed it, Tiger lost two spon- is right to take this next step. The team’s record the time, somewhat lazy, and I settled sors through this whole ordeal, Maybe they already have, but I for mediocrity. I thought what since and Accenture is one of them. He don’t think so. They have bigger 11-17-5 is not going to play in an issues right now. And if they don’t I was doing was enough.” Accenture sponsored event ever know when he is going to play, how again. Read that sentence over can anyone else know? Record (at press time) again if you like, as there is no way Brian Katrek can be heard on 790 - Eagles and former Falcons quarterback since trading Ilya to sugar coat it. The Zone’s “On The Green with Brian talking about his career before My answer is this, I don't know Katrek” Sundays from 8-9 a.m. and can 1-1 Kovalchuk when he will be back. More importantly, be reached at [email protected]. he was incarcerated for dogfighting

ALW A Y S AT SCOREA TL.COM FEBRUARY 12-18, 2010 SCORE ATLANTA I 07

ALW A Y S AT SCOREA TL.COM 8 I SCORE ATLANTA Get In The Game!

Hawks finishing strong before All-Star break or all the talk that Atlanta has kind of hit a the Oklahoma City Thunder on Feb. 2. Joe Fmidseason lull and seems more or less Johnson will make his fourth appearance in cruising into the All-Star break, the team has the midseason classic and it will be Al won six of its last 10 games. Horford’s first. Atlanta started off last week in More important than All-Star games, the Oklahoma City, where the Hawks fought back Hawks must find a way to finish out the reg- from a 13-point deficit but could not beat the ular season strong, as currently only one game Thunder. Joe Johnson had a monster 37- point separates second position from fourth in the game in the 106-99 defeat. Eastern Conference. Atlanta’s final regular In a mid-week road game against the season push starts Wednesday night as they Clippers, the Hawks found themselves take on the Clippers on the road. It seems like down again, much like the Oklahoma City the only time the Clippers make the news is game, going into the fourth quarter. for their lack of winning. This was the case However, with a second-half boost, Joe over the last week, as Mike Dunleavy was Johnson scored 34 points and helped propel forced to step down as coach, but will still Atlanta to victory, 103-97. remain the team’s G.M. Atlanta has been very Finally, Atlanta put on a strong showing good against teams below .500 this season for a sold-out Philips Arena and national audi- posting a record of 16-6. With a win against ence on Friday as the team beat 91- the Clippers in recent memory, hopefully, 81 behind a crippling fourth quarter. Josh Atlanta can use the game as a strong jumping Smith set the tone with his energy and filled off point towards finding a way to the top of up the stat sheets, recording a triple-. the Eastern Conference. Smith finished with 18 points, 14 rebounds Photo of Josh Smith courtesy of and 10 assists. Photographic Arts. Gupta can be reached at The Hawks’ Saturday game with the [email protected]. Wizards was postponed due to the raging snowstorms on the East Coast. The game will be made up on March 7, according to the league. On Tuesday, the Hawks brought their sea- son road record up to even at 12-12. A road win over Memphis, a likely playoff team, by the score of 108-94, brought the team’s over- all record to 33-17, just a game back of Orlando for second place in the East. STARS HEAD TO DALLAS … The All-Star break is upon us and with it comes a time for Hawks fans to enjoy the fact that two players in Joe Johnson and Al Horford will get the honor of playing in the game with 22 of the most elite players from around the NBA. However, if you choose to focus on the negative, there will cer- tainly be a place for you during the game, as there is one very noticeable omission to the All-Star roster in Josh Smith. There is still time for the very deserving Smith to be added to the ros- ter, as injuries could force some of the selected players out. Whatever the case, Smith has been very under- standing when interviewed about getting snubbed. He is currently averaging 15.1 points, 8.5 rebounds and 3.9 assists per game, all while converting 50.8 percent of his field goal opportuni- ties. Not to mention, if you didn’t know, he can also block a shot or two. Smith became the youngest player ever to reach 1,000 career blocks against

ALWAYS AT SCOREATL.COM FEBRUARY 12-18, 2010 SCORE ATLANTA I 9

ALWAYS AT SCOREATL.COM 10 I SCORE ATLANTA Get In The Game! METROMETRO ATLANTA ATLANTA

FOOTBALLFOOTBALL SIGNEES SIGNEES Courtesy of Steve Slay/AJC

CLASS AAAAA Rodney Hunter – Old Dominion MILTON Jordan Boatright – Samford Brandon Smith – Miles DUTCHTOWN NORTH CLAYTON STOCKBRIDGE CENTRAL CARROLL MOUNTAIN VIEW Jerome Davis – Kent State ALPHARETTA Zach Lonas – Georgia Southern Brad Beaty – West Georgia Juan Burnett – Elon Quinton Spencer – Johnson C. Smith Scott Christensen – Bemidji State Torian Box – North Carolina State Antonio Anthony – Tusculum Elijah Adamiak – Appalachian State William Wright – West Georgia Michael DeWalt – North Greenville Michael Bennett – Georgia Hudson Reichsteiner – Shorter J.J. Brink – Lenoir-Rhyne Nick Lombardo – Washington & Lee Malcolm Strong – Marshall Devon Carter – Grambling State Jamiele Britt – Tusculum Tyshawn Holley – Albany State Justin Burns – Delaware Reid Webster – Clemson Kyle Cregge – Navy Trevor McBurnett – Georgia Southern Steven Thomas – Tusculum FAYETTE COUNTY Clarence Jackson – Mississippi Isaiah Johnson – North Carolina CHESTATEE NORTH ATLANTA Kolton Houston – Georgia Connor Hollenbeck – Washington & Lee Jeremy Grable – Valdosta State A.J. McDonald – Appalachian State Mike Thornton – Georgia Clarence Swain – Morgan State Matthew Smith – Tennessee Tech Tech JUCO Brantley Beck – Air Force Laronte Archie – Tusculum Du’Von Milsap – South Carolina Brandon Terry – Wake Forest GRAYSON Eric Mitchell – North Greenville Ephesia Tisdale – Concordia (AL) Winston Williams – Lehigh Brando King – East Mississippi JUCO Ben Souther – Air Force Justin Browning – Tusculum Andrew Swope – Hutchinson (KS) Joe Champaign – Navy MORROW Eric Odonkor – Georgia State Franchot West – Southern FOREST PARK Marcus Maynard – Kentucky Christian Anthony Jordan – Bethune- JUCO BERKMAR Kori Gaines – Brigham Young Bernard Agurs – Edward Waters Bradley Roby – Ohio State Doral White – Valdosta State Michael Wilson – Stillman NORTH SPRINGS Deuntez Williams – Tusculum COLUMBIA Cookman Shawn Green – Georgia Tech Norman Booker – Hampton Jarrell Alexander – Independence Brandon Stanley – Eastern Kentucky Michael Ugenyi – Army Troy Culpepper – Clark-Atlanta Chaz Moulder – Tusculum CALHOUN Ean Pemberton – Austin Peay (KS) JUCO Willie Udofia – Air Force UNION GROVE FORSYTH CENTRAL STONE MOUNTAIN Travis Elesby – Morehouse Kedron Aker – U.A.B. Terry Williams – East Carolina Sean Mateer – Western Carolina BROOKWOOD Darrien Carmichael – Edward Waters Brian Williams – Indiana Jordan Akins – Central Florida NORTHGATE Cornelius Cook – William Penn Darius Montford – New Mexico Prep JUCO NORTH HALL Nash Nance – Tennessee William Clemmons – Edward Waters John Belt – Valdosta State Kasey Morrison – Samford Malcolm Poindexter – Savannah State Chris Gilzeane – Alabama State David Nelson – New Mexico Prep JUCO Donovan Barker – Brevard Daniel Blitch – Wake Forest Cody Ralston – Central Florida HARRISON Michael Craig – Edward Waters POPE Drew Bullard – Georgia Tech Toby Slagle – Carson-Newman Jonathan Gordon – Lincoln (PA) Lucuis Ray – Howard Julian Suber – Georgia Southern Austin Cain – Coastal Carolina Da’Rick Rogers – Tennessee Cory Dixon – Morehouse Marcorus Garrett – Columbia (Preferred Walk-On) HERITAGE-CONYERS Terique Hall – William Penn Ivan Robinson – Newport News RIVERWOOD Christian Turnipseed – Charleston Jatavius Mehrjooyah – DuPage Grant Ramsey – Vanderbilt John Holman – Hutchinson (KS) JUCO Devin Homes – Brevard OLA Derrick Harris – Alabama A&M Apprentice Randall Logan – Lafayette CAMPBELL GREATER ATLANTA CHRISTIAN (IL) JUCO Donovan Johnson – Wofford Rufus Jenkins – Brevard Joey Carman – Davidson LaDexter Hughley – Louisiana College Tank Sessions – Florida State Khalil Priddie – Robert Morris DeShaunte Glass — Fort Valley State KELL Jourdan Patrick – Edward Waters REDAN Dareon Mays – North Carolina A&T Garry Peters – Clemson Dylan Leonard – Columbia Kierri Issac – Alabama A&M Darrick Walker – New Mexico Prep JUCO Beaux Hebert – Nicholls State Jon Jiminez – Wingate Julian Horton – Arkansas Darrius Wakefield – Edward Waters Jaques Gholston – Valdosta State Hampton Mizell – Valdosta State Domineek King – Lincoln (PA) David Wray – Clark-Atlanta SOUTH ATLANTA CENTENNIAL Cole Kropacek – Jacksonville Corey Simmons – South Carolina Akil Williams – Edward Waters Anthony Williams – Georgia Tech HILLGROVE ROCKDALE COUNTY Devante Lawrence – William Penn Joshua Davis – Tusculum Ben Carpenter – Samford Cody Tomlinson – Samford Damien Willis – ASA (NY) JUCO RIVERDALE Synjyn Days – Georgia Tech Rashawn Binns – Tusculum DeAntonyo Murray – Clark-Atlanta DRUID HILLS Martin Jenkins – Clemson Isaiah Gresham – Valdosta State Edwin Walton – Valdosta State WALTON Kendall Dials – Shorter Derek Sibley – Tennessee State John Foster – Charleston ST. PIUS HEARD COUNTY Antonio Morgan – Morehouse KENNESAW MOUNTAIN asheem Hill – Lafayette Kyle Tippins – Alabama State MUNDY’S MILL Lavelle Westbrooks – Georgia Southern Brandon Burrows – Georgia K Anterrio Stanley – William Penn Brian Gee – Cornell Santez Emory – South Carolina State David Yankey – Stanford Steven DeCarlo – Elon Ben Peterson – Shorter Devon Washington – Tusculum Omari Jones – Georgia Southern Matt Gilbert – Georgia Southern Tavares Staten – New Mexico DUNWOODY Justin Harris – Cornell ROSWELL Kyle Woestmann – Vanderbilt Prep JUCO Dalen Claytor – Georgetown (DC) HENRY COUNTY LASSITER SANDY CREEK Cole Moon – Georgia State CENTRAL GWINNETT NEWNAN Chris Boyd – Vanderbilt HIRAM Don Steib – Delta State Rashad Williams – Georgia Southern Markeith Ambles – Southern Trokon Gaye – Valdosta State Hutson Mason – Georgia Dylan Cook – Savannah State Cedric Byrd – Presbyterian Alec Ogletree – Georgia Rashad Hoyle – Southern WESTLAKE Cary Wilder – Tusculum TOWERS California Griffin Roelle – Valdosta State Leighton Gasque – Middle Lacy Coleman – Louisville Lance Holder – Valdosta State Zander Ogletree – Georgia Keegan Hughes – Nebraska Emile Blackmon – Tuskegee Daran Williams – William Penn FLOWERY BRANCH Dylan Shaddix – Georgia Military Rip Rowan – Austin Peay Tennessee State Jarrett Davis – Louisville Miles Gooch – Virginia Jamal Ransby – Georgia State (Preferred Walk-On) Nathan Isles – North Carolina A&T Darian Williams – William Penn Darius Kimbrough – Valdosta State Antwon Jackson – Valdosta State JUCO CHEROKEE Marcus Stokes – Western Carolina Mario Rolland – Garden City (KS) JUCO Devon Hughes – Buffalo Chris Teagle – Valdosta State Richie Leone – Houston Tony Jacob – Central Florida Isaiah Johnson – Georgia Tech Connor Shaw – South Carolina Shavarez Smith – North Carolina Josh Smith – Tusculum Duvall Smith – North Carolina Central Arthur McDowell – Tuskegee Rajion Neal – Tennessee TRI-CITIES WASHINGTON Central Lladmar Thompson – Tusculum LUELLA JONESBORO NEWTON Darius Robinson – Clemson Michael Spaulding – Georgia Southern Rashad Rivers – Miles GAINESVILLE Dietrick Bonner – Virginia Tech Jonathan Smith – Austin Peay Qudral Forte – West Virginia Darius Stroud – Hutchinson (KS) Justice Ejike – Georgia Southern SHILOH Eric Simmons – Kentucky Charlie Zemko – Air Force Daunte Carr – Arkansas Antonio Goodwin – Auburn JUCO COLLINS HILL Horace Clemons – Coffeyville (KS) JUCO Sheldon Hutchins – Kentucky Christian Nicholas Bingham – Rochester Michael Taylor – Florida TUCKER Tai-ler Jones – Notre Dame LAKESIDE-ATLANTA Jimmy Bayer – Lenoir-Rhyne Kyle Dickey – Tusculum Bart Lindsey – Robert Morris (MN) JUCO SEQUOYAH Maleek Allen – New Mexico Prep JUCO David McConnell – Gardner-Webb Pablo Montilla – Tusculum WEST FORSYTH LOVETT Chris Caspari – Valdosta State Anthony Johnson – Kentucky Christian Devonta Bowen – Louisburg (NC) WOODSTOCK Somto Okeke – West Georgia Quenton Brown – Central Florida Justin Owens – West Georgia Derrick Perry – Tusculum Ben Emert – Wake Forest Jonathan Carkhuff – Davidson Josh Cunningham – Kentucky Christian M.L. KING JUCO Corey Carmichael – Middle Dalton Trevino – The Citadel Lorenzo Bryson – Tuskegee Teryan Rucker – North Greenville Brent Riley – Charleston Southern Nathan Teter – West Georgia Taylor Mack – Connecticut Zach Davis – Tulane Fred Allen – Morehead State NORCROSS Bobby Freeman – Davidson Tennessee State Seantavius Jones – Valdosta State Alberto Sanabria – Air Force Charles Perkins – Georgia Tech Cleveland Andrews – Concordia (AL) Geremy Davis – Connecticut Eugene Glenn – Air Force Michael Seymour – Campbell SOUTH PAULDING Marquese McNeil – Erie (NY) JUCO Blake Sims – Alabama Parker Sebastian – Harvard LITHONIA WOODLAND-STOCKBRIDGE Bryce Bell – Savannah State Max Garcia – Maryland Lawrence Massey – Morehead State Evan Wilson – Illinois Ryan Ayres – Georgia Tech Devin Scott – Navy Thomas Sprague – Youngstown State Chryston Floyd – Savannah State Tray Butler – Georgia Southern CREEKSIDE Mack Brown – Florida Terry Hollingshed – Gardner-Webb Zach Hemmila – West Georgia Ronald Simons – Erie (NY) JUCO RIVERSIDE MILITARY Jimmie Kitchen – Tennessee State Alex Findura – Georgia State Cearies Driskell – Valdosta State Kevonne Byard – Tusculum Adrian Hubbard – Alabama SOUTH GWINNETT CLASS AAAA Cody Hunt – Olivet Nazarene GRADY Aaron Gambrah – Georgia State Jordan Roman – Alabama A&M Robert Green – Mars Hill Chris Eruchula – Olivet Nazarene Arius Wright – Western Kentucky Jazzin Anderson – Valdosta State ALCOVY Broderick Sellers – Savannah State WHITEWATER Chris Walton – U.A.B. Brandon McKinney – Georgia WOODWARD ACADEMY John Lee – West Virginia Wesleyan Nic Hall – Concordia (AL) Eric Callaway – Valdosta State Gary Wilkins – Furman Jeff Ashley – Wofford Military JUCO LOGANVILLE SOUTHWEST DeKALB Desmin Moore – St. Augustine’s Dameon Herring – Tusculum NORTH FORSYTH Jonathan Krause – Vanderbilt Taylor Halpin – Lenoir-Rhyne JACKSON Henry Anderson – Stanford Morgan Bailey – Georgia Tech Jabari Carney – North Carolina Artavius Morgan – Valdosta State Ant Hill – Concordia (AL) Steven Hester – Lenoir-Rhyne ALEXANDER Blake Jarigue – West Georgia Jamal Aquil – Shorter Will Bryant – Duke WESTMINSTER Storm Johnson – Miami (FL) Tech JUCO Karon Stanley – West Virginia Wesleyan Dustin Lane – Tusculum Ryan Marks – Furman STEPHENSON Dion King – Lafayette Neiron Ball – Florida Juwan Thompson – Duke Andrew Bridges – Vanderbilt Brandon Clark – Clark-Atlanta WINDER-BARROW Cameron Myers – Tusculum Martin Adebowale – Presbyterian MARIST Steven Coates – Jacksonville State Chris Head – Marshall DACULA Trent Demeritte – Savannah State CLASS AA Cory Phillips – Gardner-Webb NORTH GWINNETT Miles Ashmon – Fort Valley State APALACHEE Randolph Carroll – Lenoir-Rhyne Isaiah Cook – North Carolina Tech JUCO Quendarius McKibbons – Alabama State CLASS A Darien Lane – Shorter Aldrickious Shumake – Eastern Justin Dickens – Mercyhurst Kelvin Billups – Johnson C. Smith John Ansley – Valdosta State AVONDALE EAGLE’S LANDING CHRISTIAN Mike Crawford – Wofford Marques Dixon – Tennessee CLASS AAA Kentucky Cordero Dixon – Buffalo Tyrone Cornileus – Miami (FL) Reggie Battle – Lenoir-Rhyne JOHNSON-GAINESVILLE Joshua Bowen – Olivet Nazarene Justin Moore – Georgia Tech Stanley Glass – North Carolina CARROLLTON Darrien Hudson – Antelope Valley DOUGLASS Rahmon Swain – Kent State JuWuan James – Tennessee James Farmer – Tusculum Jeffrey Haney – Lenoir-Rhyne Gilberto Espinoza – Virginia Union Justin Davis – Olivet Nazarene Hugh Williams – Georgia Tech JUCO Jared Cooley – Shorter (CA) JUCO Tommy Gooden – Jackson State Caleb Watkins – Olivet Nazarene Jon Gibson-Green – Carson-Newman Idris French – Concordia (AL) Tony Hoard – Pikeville Sharrod Golightly – South Carolina Josh Owens – Austin Peay Matthew Hardeman – Trinity (Preferred Walk-On) Chas Presnell – Chattanooga Garrison Smith – Georgia Cody Gower – Quincy Denzel Hartley – Johnson C. Smith Demarcus Jackson – North Anthony Prophet – Savannah State International Jon Lee – Air Force Joel Smith – Jacksonville State LANDMARK CHRISTIAN MARIETTA Ayo Ojolola – Murray State Thomas Hubbard – St. Francis (IL) Carolina Tech JUCO Oliver Kathalay — Eastern MAYS James Swindle – West Georgia Ken Malcome – Georgia Michigan Josh Gebhardt – Georgia Southern DULUTH Perry Beasley – Samford David Park – Pennsylvania Jabari Johnson – Kentucky BANNEKER Tyrell Adams – West Georgia MARY PERSONS Greg Franklin – U.A.B. Jacob Johnson – Tusculum Jonathan Mincy – Auburn Joel Myou – Trinity International Hamilton Gardner – Columbia Austin Shepherd – Alabama Tres Houston – Tulsa D’Mario Turner – Grambling State CARTERSVILLE Tevin Davis – Valdosta State Chris Mooney – Columbia Eric Robinson – North Carolina Tyreek Phillips – Furman MOUNT PISGAH Broderick Simpson – Texas Trey Sims – South Alabama Kenny Ladler – Vanderbilt Toby Johnson – Hutchinson (KS) JUCO Tim Wynn – Georgia State Nate Newborn – Shorter Jonathan Major – West Georgia Southern Jeremiah Mahoney – Concordia (AL) Shaun Kitchens – Auburn Tech JUCO Kendall Roberson – Buffalo Fedale Hall – Air Force Kyle Sarjeant – Army McEACHERN NORTHVIEW Gary McIndoe – LaGrange DeMarco McNeal – Tennessee State MAYNARD JACKSON Max Thompson – Valdosta State MILLER GROVE T.J. Stripling – Georgia CARVER-ATLANTA EAST PAULDING Rajaan Bennett – Vanderbilt Armond Mitchell – Belhaven Demetruce McNeal – Auburn Jose Avelar – Lincoln (PA) NORTH COBB CHRISTIAN Cameron Fordham – Louisiana State Jonathan Brooks – Middle Naim Wakeel – Chattanooga Darryl Byrd – Charleston DeMarius Matthews – Georgia State BLESSED TRINITY Arlen Nibbs – Bethune-Cookman Mamion Hambrick – West Georgia Denzel McCoy – Georgia Tech Edward Passmore – Concordia (AL) D.J. Williams – North Carolina Tech JUCO Tennessee State Quinnterrius Woods – North Brendan Johnson – Alabama A&M Autavious Earls – Lincoln (PA) Brian Lackey – Savannah State Tarik Milner – Jacksonville State Joshua Polk – Presbyterian Calento Hairston – Hutchinson Carolina Tech JUCO Deric Scott – U.A.B. Oscar Simms – Lincoln (PA) Jeremy Phillips – Marist Troy Postell – Shorter PARKVIEW Blake Rennels – Belhaven CHAMBLEE (KS) JUCO Jake Skole – Georgia Tech WALKER ETOWAH Kalik Barnes – Appalachian State Jordan Rhinehart – Tusculum Art Norman – North Carolina State Blake Summers – Valdosta State SPRAYBERRY CEDAR GROVE McNAIR Davis Feder – Brown Joey Gilkey – Presbyterian MILL CREEK Raymond Sanders – Kentucky Robert Bryant – Austin Peay Demario Dixon – Morehouse Desdan Hester – Eastern BUFORD Ryker Goodell – North Carolina Ricky Fawbush – Lenoir-Rhyne PEACHTREE RIDGE Chris Sharpe – Middle Tennessee State DOUGLAS COUNTY MOUNT ZION-JONESBORO Reese Bulmash – Austin Peay Jamel Dobbs – Navy Michigan Shawn Artz – South Alabama WESLEYAN Central Trent Tignor – Auburn (Preferred Walk-On) Stephen Atwater – Georgetown (DC) Ronnie Shields – Kentucky Kenneth Preston – Alabama State Karon Hodge – Tuskegee Jerick McKinnon – Georgia Southern Willie Favors – Wofford Victor Sheppard – Concordia (AL) Jessel Curry – Auburn Ian Barnard – Appalachian State

ALW A Y S AT SCOREA TL.COM FEBRUARY 12-18, 2010 SCORE ATLANTA I 11 E R

O N.Y. Cosmos, Marlins memorabilia appraised Crazy but true: the Saints are champions ach week, Score Atlanta’s Dean season game was between the Atlanta The New Orleans Saints are Super Bowl For two weeks the Saints defense EZindler answers your questions Falcons and the . champions! Raise your hand if prior to heard about how it wasn’t going to be able about sports collectibles and memora- First game stadium tickets are popular the start of the season you thought you’d to stop Peyton Manning and that vaunted bilia. Here’s what our readers were won- among collectors. A pin was also given be reading that. (Put your hand down offense. Their defense took that challenge dering this week: out to commemorate the event. A full because no one believes you.) and rose to the occasion. They held the M Dear Dean: My father was a big ticket is worth $20, while the pin is $10. NY Cosmos fan and got a real NASL Being the first game in the Dome, it was No one could have predicted that Colts to 17 points. Holding any team to 17 ball that was signed by a lot of the play- well attended. The new building didn’t the Saints would come out and dominate points is a good defensive showing, but ers, including Pele, Franz Beckenbauer help much with the Falcons’ play as they the first three quarters of the season, but when you can hold Peyton Manning and and Giorgio Chinaglia. I’ve not seen finished 6-10 that year. they did just that. Drew Brees led the the Indianapolis Colts to only 17 points, anything like this listed on the sites I’ve Dear Dean: I have a 1993 Florida team to a 13-0 start before eventually that’s better than good; it’s great. E searched, but seen that Pele’s signature Marlins baseball that was autographed losing their last three games. They had If the Saints victory does anything, can be quite expensive. Do you have any by the entire team. What is it worth? no momentum going into the playoffs, it gives hope to all other struggling fran- idea as to the value of this item? Dear Sunshine: Although there but it didn’t matter in the end. They were chises. Your bumbling team could one Dear Shoot and Score: In the mid weren’t many great players on this team, great for most of the regular season, and day be a world champion with a few R to late 1970s there were perhaps no big- it is the first year of the Marlins baseball just good enough in the postseason. good business moves that seem ques- ger stars in New York than the New York organization. Since it is the first year of Their opponents, the Indianapolis tionable at the time they’re made. The Cosmos. The team included some of the the ball club, it would have some histor- Colts, were no slouches either, but when Saints are made up of a bunch of misfits biggest names in soccer and was built to ical appeal to autograph collectors. The it mattered most, their Hall of Fame and cast-offs, but they came together O win championships. Your team signed ball is worth $75. As bad as the Marlins soccer ball is worth $800. Quality of were in their first year, winning only 64 quarterback Peyton Manning completed and made it work. If they can do it, then the signatures can affect the price. games, they didn’t finish last in their a pass to Tracy Porter, who scored the so can the likes of the , Dear Dean: I have a first game tick- division. The New York Mets, winning game-clinching . , Cleveland Browns and et in the Georgia Dome in 1992 along only 59 games, held that position. Unfortunately for the Colts, Tracy that who have had more bad memories C with a pin from the first game. Any value? Want to know what your item is Porter plays for the New Orleans Saints. than good memories. Congratulations to Dear Ticket Man: On Aug. 23, worth or have a question about a partic- There’s never really a good time to throw the Saints and the city of New Orleans. 1992, the Georgia Dome hosted its first ular sports item? Email me, Dean a pick-six, but the fourth quarter of the C.C. can be reached at

S Atlanta Falcons football game. The pre- Zindler, at [email protected]. Super Bowl is by far the worst time. [email protected]. S C

Controversial but long-rumored Kovalchuk trade makes waves in Atlanta sports scene O t the beginning of the season I did- ties in getting this trade done. anyway, and by all accounts Don to stay in Atlanta, but at least it says to R An’t think this would be possible. Hours before the trade was Waddell made the best lemonade he the fans that we are willing to ride the After covering the Atlanta Thrashers for announced, a statement was released could with the lemons he was handed in horse that brought us here and if almost two years, I thought there was no stating that Kovalchuk and the team had regards to possible trade scenarios, Kovalchuk leaves at least we did our way this could happen. No, I’m not talk- been unable to reach an agreement on a Waddell opened himself up to some crit- best to keep him in town. Rarely should E ing about the fact that Ilya Kovalchuk new long-term deal and that most likely icism by making this public statement. personnel decisions be made with the actually got traded, but instead the fact the star would be traded in the coming In my opinion, this is a move made reaction of the fans in mind, but in a that Don Waddell could make a move days. Waddell then went through the out of fear of what the future will hold hockey town struggling to gain a foot- that could spark so much debate and bad details of what was offered to for the Thrashers franchise both this ing, this one should have. M feeling; that is, except among the New Kovalchuk, and what he turned down, in year and going forward. After one of the As for what Atlanta got in return, I’ll Jersey Devils and their fans. hopes of swaying fan opinion to his side best starts in franchise history, Atlanta let a rival NHL manager give his opinion. In case you found yourself under a by showing how willing the team was to has fallen into a scrum with eight other In Oduya Atlanta got a “safe player,” not

rock, last week the Thrashers traded the keep its captain in town. teams for the final three playoff spots exactly the ringing endorsement fans will O team’s all-time leading scorer, Ilya Now here it bears pointing out that and the team’s recent struggles give no want to hear. As for Bergfors and Kovalchuk, to the Devils in exchange for the Thrashers have consistently not pro- indication that the team will be one of Cormier, they bring a total of 13 NHL defenseman , forwards vided any contractual information for the top eight teams in the Eastern goals scored, and a one-year Quebec R and and players signed with the team. Obviously, Conference. But instead of rolling the Major Junior Hockey League suspension New Jersey’s first-round selection in the it is the team’s right to do so; but to pull dice and relying on your captain to bring for elbowing an opponent. That makes 2010 NHL Entry Draft. Now, before a 180 right before your all-time leading you through these troubled times, he is the only question that remains: when do even getting to the pieces acquired in scorer is about to walk out the door sold off to the highest bidder. they start selling the jerseys? E exchange for Kovalchuk, let’s look at seems a bit strange. So while Kovalchuk A playoff appearance wouldn’t Boral can be reached at how the situation was handled by all par- might have left at the end of the season guarantee that Kovalchuk would elect [email protected].

ALW A Y S AT SCOREA TL.COM 12 I SCORE ATLANTA Get In The Game!

With Saints on top of the world, can Falcons emulate New Orleans’ run? he rivalry between the Atlanta Falcons ity helped him back to the top in New back much like for New Orleans. pened in New Orleans. But teams like the Tand New Orleans Saints is a longstanding Orleans, as he flourished in an offensive sys- The return of speedster Harry Douglas also 1999-2000 Rams and this year’s Saints have one. However, it hasn’t exactly been an annu- tem perfectly tailored to his abilities. gives them a deep threat out of the slot as shown us that anything can happen in the al battle between two successful teams. Until Enter Matt Ryan. Clearly, both he and and did NFL. Couple that unpredictability with a now, that is. The Falcons’ new path has been Brees have established themselves as franchise this season. And Atlanta also has the safety young team that is already considered one well documented over the past few seasons, quarterbacks, but it goes deeper than that. Like blanket at tight end, where ’s of great potential league-wide by most finally giving fans hope for a franchise that Brees, Ryan is no stranger to the film room, production dwarfs that of . experts, and there is an argument that the had not experienced back-to-back winning constantly studying his opponents. And also Then there’s the defensive side of the ball, Falcons may be able to make those improve- seasons until this year and last. similar to his divisional counterpart, Ryan is an area where both teams failed to impress in ments this offseason. But it’s the sudden success of the Saints the undisputed leader of the offense. Although 2009-10. Atlanta struggled all year, especially The defense will also have to get a boost that should really have home fans excited. The not quite as vocal as Brees, teammates of all in the secondary after being hit hard by from the returns of Peria Jerry and William rise of the Saints to an NFC South Title, and ages stated that they were already beginning to injuries. This proved too much to handle for a Moore, last year’s first- and second-round most importantly a Super Bowl championship, look to Ryan for support this year. unit that appeared undermanned in the first draft picks who suffered season-ending the first in their history, should be a sign of There are also some parallels in regards place with inexperienced and unproven players injuries and didn’t contribute. And add in encouragement. Both of these teams have a lot to who Ryan and Brees throw the ball to. such as Brent Grimes, Chris Houston and Tye another offseason for general manager of similarities on the field as well. Although one could easily make the argument Hill leading the way. It was much the same Thomas Dimitroff, the 2009 Executive of the Start at the quarterback position, where that the Birds are actually stronger at the posi- story for New Orleans, where they finished Year, to improve the team through the draft Drew Brees officially cemented himself as tion, the teams have their big-play threats in 20th in total ‘D’. But there was one crucial dif- and free agency. Just like the Saints did last one of the league’s great signal-callers. Once and . But both ference between the two: the Saints defense year by acquiring pieces like veteran Darren a young quarterback out of Purdue, Brees sides also have shown the desire to spread the always found a way to create turnovers, and the Sharper, the Falcons can dramatically struggled early in his career with the San love, giving the ball to all kinds of different extra possessions for their vaunted offense improve their team with a few strategic moves Diego Chargers before being jettisoned out of players through the air. Atlanta will benefit made them an almost unstoppable force. and put themselves in position to win big. town to make room for Philip Rivers. But from the return of a healthy Jerious Norwood, Atlanta will have to make some major Bagriansky can be reached at Brees’ attention to detail and leadership abil- who gives them a big-play threat out of the improvements to duplicate what just hap- [email protected].

Panther football adds 29 new athletes; Johnson leads with triple-double oing into football signing day, one of the pri- “We needed to find a lot of big people that are Panthers beat William & Mary behind Crystal onds left to secure the win. Said head coach Gorities was to focus a little more on the defen- tough and agile enough to do what is required Johnson’s triple double of 12 points, 11 assists, Rod Barnes, “We executed really well in the sive side of the ball as well as to just get bigger of big people in our sport today.” 10 rebounds and four steals, while Danyiell first half and made shots; in the second half we overall. With 23 signees and six transfers, this sec- Fourteen of the new players are from the McKeller added 18 points, nine rebounds. … were getting a lot of the same looks but we did- ond signing class totaled 29 new student-athletes. state of Georgia, including Metro Atlanta Meanwhile, coming off of their best win of the n't shoot as well and as a result we weren’t able Twenty of the 29 newcomers are defensive play- high school products Cole Moon, a running season, a 61-57 upset of then-first place to put the game away.” … Catch the Rod Barnes ers, and 10 are offensive or defensive linemen. back from St. Pius X, DB Eric Odonkor from George Mason, the Panthers men’smissed an radio show Mondays from 4-5 p.m. on “Last year, if a good player wanted to Peachtree Ridge, DB Demarius Matthews opportunity to put back-to-back wins together Newstalk 1160, WCFO-AM. come, we felt like we had to take him, regard- from McEachern, OL Tim Wynn from Mays, when they could not hold off William & Mary, Dave Cohen is in his 27th season as the less of position, and it just so happened that DL Alex Findura from Woodland-Henry, and losing their homecoming game 59-56 in front “Voice of Georgia State Basketball and we got a lot more offensive players,” said DB Jamal Ransby from Newnan. of the best Sports Arena crowd of the season head coach Bill Curry. “So this year, we went (2,347). W&M’s Marcus Kitts scored on a lay- Baseball on WRAS-FM (88.5) and works on right to work on defense. Another intent this ON THE HARDWOOD … up with 27 seconds remaining and Quinn the football radio crew at Furman University year was to find big folks,” Curry continued. In women’s basketball action, the Lady McDowell hit two free throws with nine sec- in Greenville, S.C.

ALW A Y S AT SCOREA TL.COM FEBRUARY 12-18, 2010 SCORE ATLANTA I 13

Seabrook at 404-957-3331 or e-mail ball players of all skill levels. There are two Gwinnett BASKETBALL [email protected]. County camps this year. Please visit our website GYMNASTICS Hawks. February 17 at Los Angeles Clippers 10:30 PM. Gymnastics Classes at Gymnastics AcademyofAtlanta. February 19 at Phoenix 9 PM. February 21 at Golden (www.harlemlegends.com) or call 404-837-6719 HOCKEY for additional camps. Ongoing - 3126 Cobb Parkway Kennesaw, Ga. For State 8 PM. February 22 at Utah 9 PM. February 24 Thrashers. February 12 at Minnesota 8 PM. February information call 770-975-8337 or visit vs. Minnesota 7 PM. 13 at Chicago 8:30 PM. www.gymnasticsacademyofatlanta.com. Club Sport, "Where Atlanta Comes To Play!" VOLLEYBALL Gymnastics Classes at Gwinnett Gymnastics Center Registration Ongoing - Men's League plays on Gladiators. February 12 vs. Charlotte 7:35 PM. Gwinnett Sports Center. Registration ongoing. For February 13 vs. Charlotte 7:35 PM. February 14 vs. information call Jerry Robison at 678-491-0203 Ongoing - 927 Killian Hill Road Lilburn, Ga. For Sunday evenings at the Brookhaven Boys & Girls information call 770-921-5630. Club. For more info or to register visit Florida 4:05 PM. February 19 at South Carolina or visit www.gscfun.com. www.usclubsport.com 7:05 PM. February 21 vs. Charlotte 4:05 PM. Suwanee Sports Academy. Ongoing. Volleyball training Atlanta School of Gymnastics in Lawrenceville. Suwanee Sports Academy. Ongoing. Basketball train February 24 at Kalamazoo 7:30 PM. and development for boys and girls grades 3-12. Ongoing. Classes for tots through teens. Cheerleading ing and development for boy and girls grades K-12. Peachtree Booster Club. Ongoing - Pickneyville Roller VolleySkills, VolleyStars, VolleyTraining, and classes for ages 5 and older. For information call Hockey Rink. Fees: $95 for 12-game season, $30 770-277-9434. Rising Stars, Future Stars, Suwanee Basketball out-of-county fee. For information visit www.pbsports.org. OnCourt Player Development, a year-round com League, On Court Player Development, nationally- prehensive player development program. For more The Little Gym of Snellville. Ongoing. Noncompetitive recognized year-round comprehensive player devel SOCCER information, contact Mary Carnell at 770-614-6686 gymnastics and motor-skills development classes opment program. For more information contact Challenged Soccer. Ongoing. For mentally and physi x108 or visit www.ssasports.com. and camps. For ages 10 months-12 years. For Mike Brown at 678-541-0176 or visit www.ssas cally disabled youngsters. For information call Ken information call 770-982-0901 or visit ports.com. Higgins at 770-985-0434. SWIMMING & DIVING www.tlgsnellvillega.com. Mark Price Shooting Lab. Ongoing: Personalized pro Hall of Fame soccer clinics. Ongoing on Fridays Swimming lessons. Ongoing - Alpharetta City Pool - fessional shooting instruction through one-on-one Clarkston Community Center. For under-6 through Alpharetta, Ga. - 1825 Old Milton Parkway. For RACING coaching and state-of-the-art technology at under-12 players. Fees: Free. For information call information call 678-297-6107. Richard Petty Driving Experience. February 19-21 at Suwanee Sports Academy. For more information, Atlanta Motor Speedway. contact Mike Brown at 678-541-0176 or visit 404-508-1050 or visit www.clarkstoncommunitycen Gwinnett Aquatics. Ongoing - 2800 Quinberry Drive www.ssasports.com. ter.org. 5:30-7 PM. and Bethany Church Road. For ages 5-18. Swim Open Recreational Basketball. GSL -- Georgia Sports Competitive Amateur Soccer in Atlanta For more team and lessons available. For information call Leagues. Georgia’s Best Sports Leagues. Registration information, visit www.majesticsoccer.com. 770-972-4055. OFFICIATING ongoing. We offer “Top Gun,” “B,” “C” and Co-Ed Senior Water-Exercise class. Ongoing - Mountain Park Club Sport, "Where Atlanta Comes To Play!" Flag styles of play around Atlanta. We play ALL year round. TENNIS pool - Lilburn, Ga. Fees: $1 per class. For information Football, Softball, Soccer, Basketball, Volleyball. Earn For more information please contact (678)799-0159 or Technique Clinics. Ongoing - Bitsy Grant Tennis Center call 770-546-4650. 10-10:50 AM. money officiating. Training provided. For more info . Tuesdays (serve/volley) and Saturdays (forehand/back email [email protected] or visit email [email protected]. Visit hand). Fees: $18. For information call 404-790- SwimAtlanta Sugarloaf at Kid’s Village. Ongoing. Swim www.georgiasportsleagues.org. 4772 or email [email protected]. 2 PM on team, lessons, lap swimming, master’s program, www.usclubsport.com. Saturdays, 6:30PM on Tuesdays. water aerobics and scuba available. For information 9RCorp Sports Officials. Ongoing. Provider of sports BASEBALL Tennis camps for kids. Ongoing weekly. Lost Mountain call 678-442-7946. officials for multiple sports including basketball, flag Prospect Watch. Ongoing - Buckhead. Baseball pitching Tennis Center. For information call 770-528-8525. football, & softball. Looking for additional officials. and hitting lessons by a former college and minor YOUTH REGISTRATION For information call Dennis Reagan at 404-213- league coach. For information call 404-869-7966 0588 or email [email protected]. or visit www.eteamz.com/tryouts. LACROSSE Soccer-Soccer Alley. Ongoing - 3265 Roswell Road- Lacrosse. Ongoing. Registration for 1st-8th grades. For Atlanta. For information call 404-266-0762 or visit Georgia Lacrosse Officials Association. Needs boys Adult Baseball League Metro Atlanta. Ongoing. MSBL yo uth and High School officials for 2010 season. 18+, 28+, 38+, and 48+. Sunday League contact information call 404-216-5870, email www.starsoccerclub.com. info is 770.785.2588, e-mail [email protected]. [email protected] or visit www.bagat Tucker Youth Soccer. Ongoing - 2803 Henderson Road Games are played Spring, Summer, and Fall. Great MSBL 18+ Saturday League contact info is 770- awaylacrosse.com. Tucker, Ga. For information call 770-414-0538 or way to earn extra money and get some fun aerobic Double Stixx Lacrosse. Ongoing - Leagues, Travel exercise. For more information, please visit 436-8114, e-mail [email protected]. MSBL Teams and Tournaments for youth, high school and visit www.tysa.com. 18+ Midweek Wood bat league contact info is Track and Field - Peachtree City Flash Youth Track www.GALAXREF.com or email adult’s boys and girls. More information about the [email protected]. 770-436-8114, e-mail [email protected]. best lacrosse programs in Georgia can be found at Team registration. Ongoing - Riley Field - MSBL 18+Fall League contact info is 770-436- www.doblestixxlacrosse.com or by contacting Peachtree City, Ga. For ages 6-14. For information 8114, e-mail [email protected]. For more Chris Smith at [email protected] or call 770-631-3552 or email [email protected]. ATLANTA SPORTS COUNCIL information about our Atlanta Adult Baseball League, 404-550-5322. Gymnastics - Georgia Gymnastics Academy. Chick-Fil-A Bowl. Dec. 31, 2010. Georgia Dome. For please visit our website at www.AtlantaMSBL.com. Ongoing. For registration in Lawrenceville call 770- tickets, call 404-444-4444. TNT Sports. Ongoing. Baseball pitching and hitting les RUNNING 962-5867; in Suwanee call 770-945-3424. To reach the Atlanta Sports Council call 404-586- sons by Rob Blair, former college coach, Snellville. ATC Hearts & Soles 5K/Mile. Feb. 13. Decatur, 8:00 8510 or visit www.atlantasportscouncil.com. To set up a free pitching or hitting analysis call AM. www.atlantatrackclub.org. Gym Elite. Ongoing. Registration for ages 2 and older. 678-344-5876. SweetH2O Sweetheart Half Marathon. Feb. 13. Cheerleading for ages 6 and older. For information MISC. Jack City Baseball. Ongoing. Baseball pitching and hit Lithia Springs, 8:00 AM. 770-949-8453 call 770-242-0678. Pool Tournament. Nightly - Ongoing - Sean Patrick’s ting. Instruction with former pro Keith Whitner. 18-y Run the Reagan Half Marathon/10K/5K/Mile. Feb. Youth Soccer Training. Ongoing. Start age 3 and up. Bar & Grill - Buckhead. Fees: No cover. For infor looking for high school players. The new location is 13. Snellville, 8:00 AM. 770-518-8002 For information, call 678-714-7454 or e-mail mation call 770-650-5723. 8 PM. inside Velocity Sports in North Gwinnett. For more Help Mend Broken Hearts 5K. Feb. 13. Kennesaw, [email protected]. Suwanee Sports Academy. Pre-K Athletics for 2, 3 and 4 information call 770-633-0948 or visit jackcity.net. 9:00 AM. 678-429-7546 www.atlantasilverbacks.com/indoor. 25th Annual Spartan 5K and Little Spartan Sprint. year-olds introduces the basic skills needed to play Feb. 13. Athens, 9:00 AM. 706-769-6593. Corpus Christi Youth Basketball League Registration basketball, soccer, and t-ball. Also, there is a unique FOOTBALL Sweetheart Run for Sight. Feb. 13. Centerville, 8 AM. 478- is now underway for our 29th season! Boys and after school program that provides students with a Collins Hill Athletic Association. Ongoing. Accepting girls ages 5 through 14, any skill level, are wel applications for qualified coaches in all age groups. 972-2609. weekly sports curriculum along with the after school For information email Craig Deneau at Love Walk/Run 5K. Feb. 13. Savannah, 7:45 AM. come. Cost: $90 per child/$85 for siblings. Fee classroom setting. For more information, call 770- [email protected] 912-236-4226. includes uniforms, field trips, skills clinics, 9 614-6686 or visit www.ssaports.com. Grayson Athletic Association. Ongoing. Football I Love the Beach 5K Run/Walk. Feb. 13. St. Simons games and more! Register while space is still Club Sport. Club Sport opens registration for summer coaches needed for eighth grade and all age groups. Island, 8:00 AM. 912-638-2396 or available Saturdays October 11 & 18, 2008, 10 leagues on May 1st with league play beginning in June. For information call Duane Davis at 678-300-0282 www.goldenislestrackclub.com. AM to 12 PM. Location: Corpus Christi Church Club Sport is Atlanta's recreational sports and social Sweetheart Run 5K & Mile. Feb. 13. Tifton, 9:00 group with over 10,000 participants each year on 1200 or visit www.gaasports.org. AM. 229-386-5200. Sports Arena, 600 Mountain View Drive, Stone Flag Football. GSL -- Georgia Sports Leagues. Georgia’s Mountain, GA 30083. For info, call 770-469-0395, teams in 120 leagues. Each season Club Sport offers Largest Flag League. Registration ongoing. We offer CAMPS email [email protected] or visit the league’s leagues in flag football, softball, soccer, sand and indoor 7-Man, 8-man, Youth and Co-Ed styles of play Nike Basketball Camps. Camps located in Snellville, website (www.ccybl.net). volleyball, basketball and more. Club Sport is where around Atlanta. We play ALL year round. For infor Roswell, Kennesaw, Oxford and 0894-4297 to find Atlanta comes to play! For more information about Club mation please contact (678)799-0159 or email out which dates suit your campers best. SOFTBALL Sport, upcoming events, photos or interviews with the [email protected]. Visit www.georgias Club Sport, "Where Atlanta Comes To Play!" Club Sport, "Where Atlanta Comes To Play!" Registration owner, please contact Rich Alvarez at 678-994-0793 portsleagues.org. Registration Ongoing for Sand & Indoor Leagues and Ongoing for Men's & Coed Leagues League games ext. 818 or visit www.usclubsport.com. Arena Indoor Football. Ongoing. Youth and Adult Tournaments League games played every day and GOkickball "Atlanta's Premier Social Experience". Providing Leagues. Youth 7 vs. 7; Adult 6 vs. 6. For informa night at the Brookhaven Boys and Girls Club. For played at multiple locations throughout the Metro Area. social, co-ed adult kickball leagues throughout metro- tion, call 678-714-7454 or e-mail info.indoor@atlantasil more info or to register visit http://www.usclubsport.com/ For more info or to register visit www.usclubsport.com Atlanta centered around having a good time, meeting verbacks.com. www.atlantasilverbacks.com/indoor. Harlem Legends. The Harlem Legends have scheduled AYSA Spring Season. Ongoing - North Park - Cogburn new people, and playing recreational games of kickball Capitol City Officials Association. CCOA is accepting their 2009 Shoot for the Stars Basketball & Physical and Bethany - Alpharetta. Fees: If Alpharetta Residential at local parks. Registration is open now for spring season. ongoing registration for the upcoming GHSA High Fitness Camps. The "Shoot for the Stars Youth Property Tax IS NOT PAID at the primary residence of Join the fun! For more information and to register, go to School season in football. We hold weekly training Basketball Camps and Clinics" are a unique form of the player, then the Non-City Resident Fee must be www.gokickball.com/atlanta. Special Score Atlanta 15% meetings. For more information, contact Irvin learning experiences geared towards young basket paid. After Jan. 13, $10 late fee is charged. off discount code: "Score15".

ALW A Y S AT SCOREA TL.COM 14 I SCORE ATLANTA Get In The Game!

Brees throws monkey wrench in pundits’ predictions guess starting any media column off with- have done with two healthy legs. Personally, I the US knock out host France in the Fed Cup Iout mentioning the Super Bowl would be believe that Indy should be making no excus- quarterfinals and America will now face foolish, so I’ll go ahead and talk about it. es as injuries are a part of the game and the either Serbia or Russia in late April. Oudin The Saints took home New Orleans’ first Colts still could have won if Manning had not was made top billing by Team USA after Super Bowl title last week and it was a party, thrown a pick-six or if Reggie Wayne had not Serena Williams and Venus Williams both party, party on Bourbon Street after Drew dropped a sure touchdown or if the special said no to representing their country over the Brees and company claimed the title 31-17 teams had recovered the onside kick to start weekend. Both claimed that ownership over Peyton Manning and the Colts. Brees was the second half. Freeney wasn’t involved in duties and NFL responsibilities would pre- able to outshine Manning, the quarterback that any of those plays. vent them from being able to play but NFL everybody, including yours truly, was already officials came out and said that was simply chalking up as one of the top five QBs of all WELCOME BACK, CHRIS … not true. The Williams sisters recently time and without question the best of this gen- Speaking of 680 The Fan, Christopher bought into the and opted eration. Drew Brees not only knocked Rude returns to his self-titled morning show out of playing for America so that they might Manning down a peg to give Tom Brady the Monday, Feb. 15, after missing the last few be able to participate in various parties and lead again, but Brees also put his name up into months while on medical leave. The morning owners meetings at Super Bowl XLIV. It the discussion. Now the talk is focused on The show has actually not missed a beat with Buck would be a shame if Oudin brought Team Big Three of Brady, Brees and Manning Lanford filling in, but it will be interesting to USA to the finals and only THEN did the SCORE ATLANTA instead of just Manning over Brady. see how/if Rude can slide right back in with Williams sisters want to play. ADVERTISING INDEX Frankly the new discussion is sort of Perry Laurentino and Leo Mazzone. Perry 790 The Zone ...... Cover refreshing in that the Manning vs. Brady took on more of a point/lead role without Rude ON THE SMALL SCREEN … debate was getting old. Now the guys from and I wonder if Rude will resume his role as Finally, two reality shows about athletes Army...... 9 PTI and Around the Horn will have some point or if Perry will continue running point. recently made their debut on cable TV. BET is Atlanta Falcons ...... Cover new fodder for a while. airing Michael Vick’s “Road to Redemption” The week leading up to the Super Bowl WGCL IN THE ZONE … show Tuesdays at 10 p.m. while American Atlanta Hawks ...... 2 wasn’t just all about Manning’s ascension to Sports Radio 790 The Zone and CBS male figure skater Johnny Weir is getting Atlanta Thrashers...... 2 the best QB of this generation or “how will Atlanta have joined forces, and 790 The some pub with “Be Good Johnny Weir,” air- the Saints overcome Katrina to win?” Dwight Zone is now up on WGCL’s website. The per- ing on the Sundance Channel. Weir is sched- Cool Beanz ...... 3 Freeney’s ankle was all the buzz in the final sonalities have blogs and articles on CBS uled to walk with the American contingent in Georgia State ...... 12 days leading up to the big game and the Atlanta’s site and are now appearing on the this Friday’s Olympic Opening Ceremonies GHSA.TV...... 14 speedy defensive end played and registered a newscasts as well. The partnership was in Vancouver, Canada. sack. For Colts apologists out there, certainly announced back in late October. Proctor can be heard on The Official Hooters ...... Cover, Back Page we will hear all offseason how his presence Visit on 790 The Zone, brought to you every Man’s Best Friend ...... Cover would have shifted the game and how Peyton OUDIN CARRIES THE FLAG … Monday night by Score Atlanta, and provides would be 2-0 with a healthy Freeney. On 680 The Marietta Daily Journal and the AJC color commentary on the GPB/Score Atlanta Mikael’s Auto Spa ...... 4 The Fan, the guys on The Rude Awakening were all over Marietta-native Melanie weekly high school basketball webcasts Monster Supercross ...... 7 even made the point that Freeney made an Oudin’s participation in the Fed Cup for every Tuesday night on gpb.org. He can be impact with one leg; imagine what he could Team USA. Oudin won two matches to help reached at [email protected]. North River Tavern ...... 5 Play It Again Sammy ...... 10 TO ADVERTISE IN SCORE ATLANTA: Copyright 2010 Score Atlanta Publishing, LLC. All rights reserved. Rhodes Bakery ...... 10 CHECK OUT THE Score Atlanta is published every week on Fridays. Views expressed in Score Atlanta are not necessarily the opinion of Score Atlanta, its staff or Ringling Bros...... 8 404.256.1572 advertisers. Score Atlanta does not knowingly accept false or misleading NEW AND IMPROVED editorial content or advertising nor is Score Atlanta responsible for the content or claims of any advertising or editorial in this publication. No Ron Veal Football Camp ...... 14 content (articles, photographs, graphics) in Score Atlanta may be used SCOREATL.COM! for reproduction without written permission from the publisher. Special Olympics Georgia ...... 4

ALW A Y S AT SCOREA TL.COM FEBRUARY 12-18, 2010 SCORE ATLANTA I 15

Fox Hounds split home games; football class ranked lowest in Richt’s tenure he hoops Dawgs dropped a midweek The win was the Dawgs’ third of the the first time in the history of the program LADY DOGS OVERCOME NEMESIS … Tgame against Arkansas but rallied to beat year over a ranked foe, with all three wins in the loss. Da’Rick Rogers of Calhoun made the No. 18 Vanderbilt on Saturday night to earn coming at home. Fox’s club travels to Auburn on switch due to his close ties with Calhoun their second conference win of the year. “I was very pleased with our defense Wednesday night before hosting South quarterback Nash Nance, who was offered by the Vols late in the process. Georgia (10-11, 2-6 SEC) ended the tonight,” Fox said. “Plus, the other day’s game Carolina on Saturday. Despite the attrition to their class, the first half of their SEC slate with a rousing 72- (the loss to Arkansas) made me a little nauseous, Bulldogs did land several promising players. 58 rout of the Commodores, who came into so I’m happy that I’ll be able to eat tonight.” FOOTBALL CLASS LESS THAN ELITE … Among the 19 that signed were defensive the game tied for first in the East with a 6-1 The loss to the Razorbacks on Georgia fans have become spoiled by linemen Garrison Smith, T.J. Stripling and recruiting success in the Mark Richt era, as conference record. Travis Leslie and Trey Wednesday night was the latest in a discour- Mike Thornton, three of the top players at his classes are typically ranked by all recruit- Thompkins once again led the way for aging stretch of late-game collapses by the their position in the Southeast. Transfer Jakar ing services in the top 10 in America. Hamilton from Georgia Military College Georgia, as each player totaled 17 points in Bulldogs. Georgia has led in the second half However, last Wednesday, the Bulldogs signed should contribute next year along with the win. The two stars also led the Bulldogs in all but one of their SEC games, but has a class that not one service had in the top 10. Newnan’s Alec Ogletree at the safety position in rebounds, with Leslie hauling in eight to struggled to close games out. The Dawgs led The loss of three defensive coaches that while offensive lineman Brent Benedict from Thompkins’s seven. Arkansas by 15 at the half, but fell 72-68. Richt fired seemed to take its toll on the pro- Jacksonville was very highly sought-after as Georgia finally got past its recent sec- The loss was UGA’s third in a row after gram, as a handful of longtime defensive well, though he will require time to heal from a serious knee injury. their upset win over Tennessee. commitments signed elsewhere. Also, the top ond-half woes, as Bulldogs rallied from an player in the state according to many and one Georgia also signed a last-minute sur- eight-point deficit at the start of the second Thompkins led Georgia with 21 points of the best prospects in prise to the class in Lonnie Outlaw, a 6-7 wide half to take a commanding 14-point lead with while Leslie added 14. Dustin Ware and America de-committed from UGA the night receiver from Wilcox County. just under four minutes left on Ricky Jeremy Price each scored 11 points in the loss. before Signing Day only to sign with Black can be reached at McPhee’s three-pointer. The Dawgs donned silver uniforms for Tennessee the following morning. [email protected].

Women’s hoops rolling while men cling to life; football hires N.C. State’s McCollum n underwhelming three-day stretch of bas- seven rebounds against Duke, added 16 and seconds left for the winning margin. John-Tyler Griffin finished in a tie for 10th Aketball for the Georgia Tech men’s team got was named ACC Rookie of the Week for the Montgomery finished with a game-high 20 place at the event, which crowned Stanford as off to an inauspicious start last Thursday at third time this season. points while Brigitte Ardossi chipped in 15. the overall team champion. Cameron Indoor Stadium. One month after edg- The Yellow Jackets (17-6, 5-4 ACC) vis- Ardossi recorded her fifth double-double Next up for the Yellow Jackets is a Feb. ing Duke 71-67, Tech fell listlessly to the Blue ited Miami on Wednesday, but results were of the season on Monday as the Yellow 21-23 trip to the Puerto Rico classic. Devils, 86-67. Kyle Singler poured in a career- not available at press time. The path ahead for Jackets (20-5, 6-3 ACC) had a far more rou- high 30 points for Duke, which led by double- the Jackets consists of a difficult road test at tine night at Clemson. In addition to Ardossi’s FOOTBALL HAPPENINGS … digits throughout the second half. Zachery Wake Forest (17-5, 7-3 ACC) on Saturday, 17 points and 13 rebounds, Deja Foster Head football coach Paul Johnson Peacock led the Yellow Jackets with 11 points, then a home date against struggling UNC scored 16 on 7-of-13 shooting as Tech ham- announced on Tuesday the signing of Andy but none came after the first six minutes of play. (13-10, 2-6 ACC). The Tar Heels have stum- mered the Tigers 68-53. McCollum to be the team’s new defensive line Georgia Tech returned home two days later bled in conference play, only tallying wins With the victory, the Jackets have coach and recruiting coordinator. McCollum and appeared to be handling N.C. State just as against Virginia Tech and N.C. State. A Roy reached the 20-win mark for a fourth consec- spent the past three seasons as the linebackers easily as Duke had taken care of the Jackets on Williams-coached Carolina team has never utive year. After six days of rest, the women coach at N.C. State. Thursday. The Wolfpack trailed by 16 points missed the NCAA tournament, but the Heels will look for win No. 21 when they host McCollum joins the reigning ACC cham- with less than 4:30 remaining in the game have lost seven of their last nine heading into Florida State on Monday. pions, whose 2010 schedule was announced before wreaking havoc with a full-court press last Wednesday night’s game against Duke. last Thursday. Tech will open with two non-con- against which the Jackets were utterly hopeless. GOLF FINISHES SIXTH … ference games, the first at home against 2009 Turnovers, missed free throws, and a ROAD WARRIORS … Georgia Tech’s golf team shot a final- MEAC winner South Carolina State before a whole bunch of a chaos later, Tech held on 73- The women’s hoops team took to the round 6-under on Saturday afternoon to fin- Sept. 11 visit to Kansas. The only change on the 71 when N.C. State’s Julius Mays came up road for a recent two-game trip and came ish in sixth place at the Mauna Lani ACC slate is N.C. State replacing Florida State. short with what would have been a game-win- away with impressive victories at Maryland Invitational on Hawaii’s Kohala Coast. Georgia Tech will host the Wolfpack for the ning three-pointer. Lost in the fray was a 22- and Clemson. Georgia Tech edged the Sophomore James White recorded a 5-under first time since 2005 on Sept. 25. point performance from Peacock. Derrick Terrapins 61-60 on Friday as Alex 67 to tie for sixth place in the individual com- Dimon can be reached at Favors, who scored eight points and grabbed Montgomery drained two free throws with six petition along with junior Kyle Scott. Junior [email protected].

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