FebruaryTHE TOWNS 17, 2021 COUNTY THE TOWNS HERALD COUNTY February HERALD 17, 2021 Page 3B Towns County Sports Towns County’s Leader In Sports ooolgofk[gmflq`]jYd\f]lÛÝÛ<¤eYad‘Ûl[`]jYd\³oaf\klj]Yef]l Wrestling: TCHS qualifies two for State Huffman and Donaldson take 3rd at Lake Seminole By Todd Forrest Towns County Herald Sports Editor

Towns County seniors Gar- rett Oakes and Conner King quali- fied for last week’s Class A State Wrestling Championships with a pair of runner-up finishes at the Area 8 Tournament in Commerce earlier this month. In the 220-pound division, King earned a first-round bye before pinning Taylor Gordon of Loganville Christian to punch his ticket to the Area finals. In the title bout, King suf- fered a pinfall defeat to Com- merce senior Eliah Burns. Competing at 120 pounds, Oakes received a bye into the finals, where he fell to Commerce senior Dawson Legg via pinfall. Other Indians on the mat at L-R: Garrett Oakes and Conner King on medal stand. Photo/submitted The Chatuge Anglers, River Huffman and Miles Donaldson, won 3rd Place at their last Bass Tournament Area were 170-pound sophomore During last week’s State an end after dropping a 9-1 deci- on February 6 on Lake Seminole. Both boys want to say thank you for the support of the community and Chance Schmeltz, who placed tourney, Oakes picked up three sion to Irwin County’s Jordan the Towns County Herald! T(Feb17,F3)SH fourth after suffering a pinfall to wins to finish with a 3-2 record. Dunlap. Washington Wilkes’ Kenvonta In the opening round, he pinned King scored a first-round Jones in the third-place bout. Drew Robinson of Landmark pinfall over Bowdon’s Chris NASCAR 2021 Freshmen Ian Arrowood Christian before suffering a pinfall Solis-Gonzalez, but suffered a loss By Gerald Hodges/the Racing Reporter (145), Andrew Brinson (195), at the hands of Mt. Pisgah’s Brady to Wesleyan’s Eric Berry in the Zion Calhoun (152) and Stone Nardella. Oakes responded with second bout. During the consols, McDowell stuns with Daytona 500 win Chauncey (160) each fell one vic- pins over Strong Rock Christian’s King was pinned by Irwin’s Travis tory short of competing for third Jake McDougal and Darlington’s Cockfield, despite trailing only Michael McDowell’s first place and a trip to State. 2-1 at the time. NASCAR Cup Series win was a big Ross Tidwell. His day came to one. He led only one lap in Sunday’s Daytona 500, but that was the last and final one. He avoided a collision Kennedi Henson joins 1,000-point club between Team Penske teammates By Jerry Kendall and Brad Keselowski Towns County Herald during the final-lap for his first win Staff Writer after 357 winless starts. “I can’t believe it,” McDow- It is not often that three ell said. “I’ve got to thank God. So momentous statistical accom- many years of just grinding it out, plishments occur at any school hoping for an opportunity like this. but especially a very small school I’ve got to thank (team owner) Bob Jenkins for giving me this opportu- within just three weeks. nity. I’m so thankful. But this is just what has “What a great way to get a McDowell stuns with Daytona win. happened at Towns County High first victory—in the Daytona 500!” School with Kolby Moss passing It appeared as if Logano was the verifiable career scoring record going to win on the last lap. How- for his Indians team at Copper ever, he and teammate Brad Kesel- Basin on January 18, Vanessa owski collided in turn-3, leading to Floyd reaching the 1,000 career a multi-car pileup. McDowell was points total in a home game against able to avoid the spinning cars, and Rabun County on January 30, and was in first place when the caution Kennedi Henson reaching 1,000 flag came out following the crash on points on January 8 at Greene Lap 200, edging out Chase Elliott. County. “I saw the lights come on This is such a remarkable (for the caution), and I knew it was achievement for Henson in provid- Kennedi Henson secures a loose ball during her first game back over right then,” Elliott said. “We from injury - an OT win at Union in November. Photo/Todd Forrest had a fast car. We weren’t as good ing evidence of her perseverance as I thought we were on Thursday and dedication as most high school prior excellence on both the soft- 2018 school year. (in the Duel 150-mile qualifying Big wreck on Lap 14. athletes do not face the trauma ball field the basketball court. And your reporter has been race). I thought we did a really good Cindric in overtime time after tak- lowed by Joey Logano, Tyler Red- of having even one major knee While providing stardom as both a aware for decades as a dedicated job of executing today, staying out ing over second place from Harrison dick and William Byron. surgery, or other serious injuries pitcher and hitter but restricted by follower of Towns County bas- of trouble. Burton, the third-place finisher. The Clash was a non-points for that matter, but especially not the knee injuries at TCHS, perhaps ketball and hearing of legendary “That’s not something I’ve Jeb Burton ran fourth, fol- race. twice in barely more than three her most memorable moment in status from those who saw him done a very good job of here in this lowed by AJ Allmendinger, Bran- Racing Joke: Four expect- years. That is true for Henson, softball was hitting a home run play for Kennedi’s grandfather, race, so I’m glad we could at least don Brown, , Brandon ant fathers were in a hospital wait- however, as she tore the ACL in over the fence on the high school Edwin Berrong He was said to finish this race and have something Gdovic, Daniel Hemric and Jason ing room while their wives were in her left knee in just the eleventh softball field as a seventh grade have been a basketball player to build on for when we come back White. labor. The nurse arrived and proudly game of her freshman year and Towns County middle school with shooting, passing, and ball and try to do better.” RHODES GETS announced to the first man that he then tore it again in the nineteenth player. handling skills far ahead of what Austin Dillon ran third, fol- DAYTONA TRUCK WIN was the father of twins. game of her junior season of As for basketball, her scor- was typical during his 1941 TCHS lowed by . Ben Rhodes won Friday “What a coincidence,” he ing the previously mentioned 143 senior season and beyond. Fifth-place finisher Denny night’s Truck Series race at Day- said. “ I work for the Twins baseball basketball. team.” Not only did she have long points for a 13.0 points per game Although currently hidden Hamlin fell short in his attempt tona. to win a record third straight Day- “This is so special the big- Later the nurse returned and periods of rehabilitation after average in just her first eleven among large amounts of sports congratulated the second father on games brought anticipation to information hoarded by your re- tona 500. Hamlin won the first two gest win of my career,” Rhodes surgery but anxiety in returning stages but lost the lead during the said. “I can’t even believe this. As the birth of his triplets. to sports activity as a star softball this reporter and other observers porter, it is recalled that a Towns final cycle of green-flag pit stops. a driver, you’re always asked about “Wow, that’s incredible,” he player in addition to basketball of likelihood of her approaching County Herald article reported He took the lead in the second stage what your biggest accomplishment said. “ I work for the 3 M Corpora- stardom with no doubt thoughts of as many as 2,000 points for her that Edwin had scored just under after a cycle of green-flag pit stops is. This is it. This is hands-down it. tion.” potential reinjury which did occur career. Although the injuries pre- or just over 300 points during his and held it through the fifth caution This is the place to be. I can’t even An hour later the nurse re- a bit over two years after the first vented this achievement, Kennedi senior season at TCHS with the of the race, which waved when Joe believe it.” turned to congratulate the third man injury. Some observers speculated and her family and many fans can next highest scorer being below Gibbs Racing teammate Christo- Jordan Anderson, Cory Rop- on the birth of quadruplets. that she might not return to sports be thankful that the Covid crisis 100 points during an era of much pher Bell cut a left rear tire and spun er, Ryan Truex, Carson Hocevar, Stunned, he could barely re- activity following the second did not bring this season to an early smaller numbers of points being into the Chevrolet of Ricky Sten- Sheldon Creed, John Nemechek, ply. “I don’t believe it. I work for the injury but those thoughts did not end and prevent the achievements scored at the high school level. house Jr. Codie Rohrbaugh, Four Seasons Hotel.” fit the determination of Kennedi that she and classmates Van- In addition to his high At that point, Hamlin had and Drew Dollar were the remain- After this, everyone turned Henson. essa Floyd and Kolby Moss have school success, Edwin went on led 58 laps, bringing his total of laps ing top-10 finishers. to the fourth guy, a race car driver, reached during this season. to play for a Civilian Conserva- led in the Daytona 500 to 434, fifth- “ROWDY” KYLE TAKES who had just fainted. The nurse It has been most impressive rushed to his side. As he slowly re- to see her return for this season This is just the fourth known tion Corps (CCC) team which all-time and one ahead of Bobby BUSCH CLASH Allison. won the Busch gained consciousness, he began to and perform at such a high level, occasion for two teammates, Hen- won a national championship in mutter over and over, “We should son and Floyd in this case, to reach an Atlanta tournament. And he , Ross Chastain, Clash At Daytona last Tuesday in your reporter’s view at a more Jamie McMurray, Corey LaJoie, night. never have signed 7-Eleven as our confident level of play and greater 1,000 career points during the expressed being honored to have and Kyle Larson rounded out the Pole sitter was major car sponsor. We should never agility and speed displayed than same season. Prior occurrences played against The House of Da- top-10. leading heading into the front stretch have signed 7-Eleven...... ” during her return as a sophomore. include Indians Terry Gribble vid and The Sioux City Indians, During lap 14, Kyle Busch chicane on the final lap when Chase Weekend Racing: Racing Perhaps a procedure done during and John Nations reaching this well known professional basket- was pushing Christopher Bell’s Elliott got into his rear quarter panel. continues at Daytona for the second the second surgery said to provide achievement during the 1965 sea- ball teams of the day. And finally, No. 20, causing Bell to get into Blaney spun and Elliott lost enough week in a row. This time all three se- more protection than during the son, Lady Indians Candice Blythe Edwin amazed folks attending a the rear of Aric Almirola’s No. 10. momentum to allow Busch to take ries’ will be competing on the 3.66- first surgery has made a differ- (Thompson) and Brandy McNabb TCHS alumni game, including Almirola’s car went up the track and the lead and win. mile Daytona road course. ence in her confidence and stellar (Warren) during the 2000 season, then recent graduates participat- sparked a 16-car pile-up including “I didn’t know how it was Fri., Feb. 19; Truck Series performance level. and Eryn Cochran and Stephanie ing, more than fifteen years ago pole-sitter . going to play out or what was go- race two; Starting time: 7:30 PM Henson scored 143 points Patton for the Lady Indians during by sinking a field goal from three “We were just getting pushed ing to happen there, but I saw those ET; TV: FoxSports1. as a freshman, 378 as a sopho- the 2014 season. point range during the game at too hard too early,” Almirola said. guys go in there two-wide and I was Sat., Feb. 20; Xfinity Series It seems that athletic suc- age 80 or 81. “It’s a long, long race. Man, we were like, I don’t know if they’re going race two; Starting time: 5 PM ET; more, and 235 as a junior with the TV: FoxSports1. freshman and junior year totals of cess for ancestors and siblings, Sincere congratulations in a fine position, just sitting there to come out two-wide,” said Busch. riding around in the top two, three “Certainly, it was a tough battle be- Sun., Feb 21; Cup Series course ending with the ACL inju- as well as often far extended are extended from the Towns race three; Starting time: 3 PM ET; kinships, is often present when County Herald and this reporter and the 20 (Bell) just came with a tween those two. They were really ries those years. With a total of 756 big run and hit me really hard in a good. The 9 (Chase Elliott) was fast. TV: Fox. career points entering this season, a Towns County athlete reaches to Kennedi Henson for reaching bad spot and it turned me to the right I don’t know if he was the class of Racing Trivia Question: she needed 234 to reach 1,000 1,000 points and this is the case the 1,000 points milestone against and tore up our race car and ended the field, but the 12 (Ryan Blaney) Derrike Cope, who started this career points and she reached the as related to Kennedi Henson. what no doubt appeared at times our Daytona 500 way too early.” was definitely just fast and made year’s Daytona 500 has one 500 vic- magic number on a two point field Her sister, Kristen, was a produc- to be insurmountable odds but Derrike Cope at 62 years of aggressive moves and was doing a tory. What year did he win? goal at the 4:19 mark of the third tive member of the Lady Indians with determination and persever- age was the oldest driver to start the good job all night getting himself Last Week’s Question: Who quarter at Greene County High basketball team, including as the ance not often seen bringing this race. He has one Daytona 500 to his back up to the front each time. Those won the first Daytona 500? Answer. School in Greensboro, Georgia, second leading scorer on the team accomplishment about. And best credit and hoped to add to it. Cope two coulda, shoulda, woulda been The first Daytona 500 was held in on Monday, June 8, 2021. as a senior during the 2017 school wishes are extended to Kennedi got loose on lap 3, scraped the wall, the two to race it out for the win, and 1959. It was won by Lee Petty. Henson’s arrival as a fresh- year and just missing being a for great success in future athletic and had a DNF. This was his first maybe the 19 (Martin Truex Jr.). Just Gerald Hodges/the Racing man during the 2018 season was teammate of Kennedi who entered endeavors and especially in the 500 start since 2011. interesting how that plays out some- Reporter is a syndicated NASCAR highly anticipated based upon TCHS as a freshman during the game of life. The race was red-flagged times and what dynamic will push writer and author. You may e-mail for 5 hours, 40 minutes with 15 you into victory lane.” him at: [email protected]. laps complete after rain and light- Elliott finished second fol- Indians... continued from 2B ning hit the 2.5-mile track Sunday a pair of baskets by McTaggart with 8, and Ellis with 6 while lead- third place finish in region play afternoon. The race resumed under getting the Indians a 55-47 lead ers in assists were Ellis with 6, Ber- behind the Indians and second green-flag conditions on Lap 30 at Register now for at 2:40. rong and junior Kyle Oakes with 3 place Social Circle who survived 9:34 p.m. ET, leading to an early But once again Lincoln each, and Crowder and McTaggart a massive fourth quarter comeback Monday morning finish. Baseball, Softball and T-ball threatened by using a trey and with 2 each. McTaggart also led in by Commerce on Friday night CINDRIC WINS Baseball, Softball, T-Ball deuce to edge to within 55-52 at rebounds with 10 and was followed before getting a 64-63 overtime XFINITY SHOOTOUT registration is now open at town- the 1:35 mark only to have Berrong by Crowder with 7, Berrong with 5, win for a 10-2 region record and Austin Cindric, the reigning scountyrec.com or come by and come up with a steal near mid court Moss with 4, and Ellis with 3. Ellis 15-8 overall. champion held off Brett Moffitt in register! $60 registration fee a two-lap Overtime shootout to win includes, hat, jersey and pants. and take the ball to the basket for a led in steals with 2 and McTaggart Footnote: Some readers will Saturday’s Xfinity Series race. 57-52 Indians lead at the 1:14 mark. in blocked shots with 3. recall that stats other than scoring Obviously, coming off a lot Some age groups also receive a The Devils were unable to connect After sinking just three of were not available for the Indians of momentum winning that champi- belt and socks. for points again and Berrong added 15 field goal attempts in the first game at Lake Oconee Academy by onship last year, but nothing is guar- Registration will run a free throw at 9.1 seconds after quarter, the Indians sank a stunning press time for last week’s Herald. anteed and keep working hard,” said through the end of February! claiming a defensive rebound and 20 of 23 attempts the final three Assists leaders were Berrong, Ellis, Cindric. Baseball 14U, 12U, 10U, setting the final score at 58-52 in quarters and were 6 for 8 at the and Oakes with 3 each and Moss The runner-up finish was a 8U. Softball 14U, 12U, 10U, 8U. favor of the Indians and clinch- line, compared to 12 for 18 for the with 2. Rebounds: Floyd with career-best for Moffitt, who previ- T-Ball Co-ed 5 and 6 year old. 10U Birthdate range September ing the regular season Region 8A Red Devils. 6; Berrong, Hampton and Moss ously had one top five in the series, Player control date is Sep- 2, 2010 to September 1, 2012. Public championship. The Devils got a home court with 5 each; Crowder, McClure, a fifth at Talladega. tember 1st of Current year (2021): 8U Birthdate range September McTaggart led the Indians 78-69 victory over Greene County and Oakes with 3 each. Steals: “Once the 22 (Cindric) got 14U Birthdate range September 2, 2012 to September 1, 2014. T- in scoring for the game with 20 on Friday night and completed Crowder and McClure with 3 each up front, every time I got within a 2, 2006 to September 1, 2008. Ball Birthdate range September points and was followed by Moss regular season play with an overall and McTaggart and Oakes with 2 car length, I’d just push him farther 12U Birthdate range September 2, 2014 to September 1, 2016. with 13, Berrong with 11, Crowder 8-9 record but including 7-5 for a each. Blocks: McTaggart had one. forward,” said Moffitt, who chased 2, 2008 to September 1, 2010.