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Page 2B THETHE NORTH NORTH GEORGIA GEORGIA NEWS NEWS June June 2, 2021 2, 2021 SportsSee the Sports Section at nganews.com Football: Offense is the focal point during Perry’s first spring By Todd Forrest “[He] stood out as a kid Sports Editor that’s going to give it his all, no [email protected] matter what,” Perry added. According to Perry, his staff is nearly complete, minus Incoming Panthers coach one additional assistant coach. Michael Perry caught the first He is also bringing back a few glimpse of his new squad in ac- familiar faces in James Avery, tion when Union County hosted Justin Byers, Parker Daniel two weeks of spring football and Paul McBride. Former of- last month. fensive line coach Neil Setzer Beginning May 10, Perry will handle the middle school and the Panthers used the sub- coaching duties. sequent 10 practices to become The Panthers will hit the acquainted with one another ground running on June 7 with while using the opportunity to a full summer slate of practices install a few new wrinkles on and camps. Union County is offense. (Incoming defensive scheduled to participate in a coordinator Thomas Nelson pair of 7-on-7 tournaments later was still coaching Murphy, in the month. The first is slated North Carolina during their for June 24 at Towns County, postseason, so Perry concen- and the second coming one day trated on offense in the spring. later at White County. The North Georgia News will “I’m very excited to be spotlight Nelson’s arrival with a here and everyone has been so feature interview in next week’s welcoming to me,” he said. “I edition.) hope we’re able to put a [prod- “I didn’t have a complete uct on the field] that the com- staff because some of the guys munity can be proud of.” had to fulfill their teaching ob- ligations at their other schools, but just for me, it was about seeing what I have and to be around the kids as much as possible and get our offense implemented,” Perry said about Gage Barnes (35) is all business after dropping the Heard County quarterback for a loss during last year’s State Tournament. According to Perry, the 69 kids that came out for Barnes could see a larger role, on both sides of the ball, as a junior this fall. Photo/Todd Forrest spring practice. “Murphy was guys, so that definitely shows the tight end role nicely fol- high praise for his returning leaned on heavily on defense, still in season so I let Coach the benefits of the way things lowing two stellar seasons at signal-caller and Underwood’s as well. Logan Helcher and Nelson worry about them and were done here in the past,” linebacker. Meanwhile, junior potential replacement at tight Caiden Tanner both did a lot we just focused on offense.” he said. quarterback Logan Helcher end, but admitted that he still of good things at quarterback. Perry noted the simi- Additionally, Perry is was in the midst of an up-and- has his work cut out for him on I’m extremely pleased with the larities between his new of- confident that his squad took a down 2020 campaign when he the heels of the program’s first starting point but we still have a fense and the previous system, significant step toward address- suffered a pair of late-season losing season in a decade. long way to go. We have to get recognizing that he doesn’t ing two concerns entering 2021: injuries, forcing senior safety/ “Gage Barnes really better at every position.” expect a steep learning curve Tight end and quarterback. wide receiver Kaston Hemp- stood out to me at our tight Rising junior safety/wide as a result. Union County gradu- hill behind center for the final end or H-back position,” Perry receiver Wilson Walker’s non- “I don’t think it’s going ated do-everything senior Noah month. But after just two weeks said. ‘He did a lot of really good stop motor also caught Perry’s to be a big transition for the Underwood, who stepped into of tinkering, Perry delivered things and he’s going to be attention. Michael Perry Softball preps for busy summer, opens with June 7 youth instructional camp By Todd Forrest Sports Editor [email protected] Following a disappoint- ing close to the 2020 season, Union County softball is eager to get a jump on its 2021 re- demption tour. Despite spending most of season ranked among the top-five teams in Class AA, and securing the regular season region title a week early, the Lady Panthers struggled down the stretch -- losing its last four contests and stumbling to third place in the Region 8-AA tour- nament before getting bounced in the first round of State. However, Union County loses only two senior starters and returns 13 players that recorded a varsity hit in the shorter-than-usual 2020 cam- paign. And unlike last year, when COVID-19 denied the Lady Panthers their preseason, head coach Stephen Mitchell will have plenty of time to sort through his large crop of returnees in order to uncover a starting-nine. L-R: Assistant Coach Kaitlyn Payne, then-junior Aubrie Banton and head coach Stephen Mitchell during last year’s Region 8-AA Tournament at UCHS. Photo/Todd Forrest On the heels of last running. UCHSLadyDiamondClub/ ticing until the Georgia High month’s spring tryouts that in- But most importantly, locale.x=en_US. School Association dead week Local Racing Report: Tri-County serted 10 new freshmen into the Mitchell hopes the campers will For additional details, that typically coincides with By Blake Lynch No. 05 Shawna Harkins came program, summer workouts and develop a love for the game. contact Coach Mitchell at July 4. Then, the Lady Panthers Racing Reporter in fifth. Crate: No. 14 Danny Led- games will get underway later “We’re going to have [email protected] or dive right into preseason ac- North Georgia News this month. But before taking a little fun too,” said Union (770) 328-5975. tion with contests vs. Lumpkin ford was the winner. No. 12 Daniel the field, UCHS softball is host- County’s fourth-year coach. Assistant coach Kaitlyn County on July 5 and 7. Brasstown, NC - Tri- Wilson came in second. No. 7 ing a youth instructional camp “We’re going to play some Payne may also be contacted As in years past, Union County held its annual Memorial Jason Deal was third. No. 30 Dav- next week for ages 6-14. games with them and have a will participate in the Franklin Day race on Thursday May 27 with enport Dillbeck was fourth. No. at (706) 994-3755. 108 Chuck Southard was fifth. The three-day camp runs good time and do some team- County Mountain Summer a $1000 to win in each class and In case of inclement post-race fireworks. Modified Hobby:No. 27 June 7-9 from 9 a.m. to noon at building type of activities.” weather, the camp will be League starting July 12. The the UCHS softball field. The price for the camp Street Stock: Alex Vance’s Mike Davidson took the checkered moved to one of the indoor week of July 19, the Lady Pan- No. 95 car took home the win. flag. No. 37 Michael Barnett was Instructors will include is $75. Make all checks pay- facilities. If there is a possibility thers travel to Carrollton for a second. No. 81 John Howard was able to the UC Lady Diamond No. 21 Troy Turner was second. members of the Union County for severe weather, all the day’s two-day camp before resuming No.44 Chuck Sims was third. No. third. No. 42 Johnny Guilizi was Lady Panthers softball team, Club - 153 Panther Circle, activities will be canceled. play at Franklin County during 32 Logan Exum was fourth. No. fourth. No. 88 Ricky Smith came coaching staff and possibly Blairsville, Ga. “If you need anything the final week of July. 01 Jacob Lynch rounded out the in fifth. alumni. Payments may be mailed or if there is anything I can do The regular season is top five. Pony: No. 441 Matt Garrin The camp will cover or dropped off at the front to help, please don’t hesitate expected to begin at home on FWD: No. 19R Sean Rice took home first place. Coming in various aspects of softball office of your child’s school. to call or email me,” Mitchell Thursday Aug. 5. On Saturday, took the win. No. 192R Robby second was No. 16 Jamie Cross. fundamentals including, but Payments may also be made reiterated.” Aug. 7, Union County wel- Lynch was a very close second. Third place went to No. P11 Joey not limited to hitting, bunting, through PayPal at the follow- Following the camp, comes Commerce and Dawson No. 7 Dustin Hooper placed third. Payne. No. 01 Phil Wood was fielding, throwing and base ing link: https://paypal.me/ Union County will begin prac- County for a three-game slate. No. 05 Glenn Coker was fourth. fourth place. Buy 4 select tires & get up to a $100 rebate or 40,000 points *05/21/21 - 06/14/21 ~ rebate is by mail points are fordpass and = $200 2450 W US HWY 64 Murphy, NC 28906 Service hours Mon-Fri 7:30 Am - 6PM 800.388.2897 KING Sat 8 am - 4 pm sun closed kingfordsales.com Page 3B JuneTHE 2,NORTH 2021 THEGEORGIA NORTH NEWS GEORGIA June 2, NEWS 2021 Page 3B Summer basketball returns to UCHS, games underway June 8 Lady Panthers youth basketball camp scheduled for June 14-15 By Todd Forrest on some of those freshmen Sports Editor to come in and really help us.