Side out! Volleyball lost to North Cobb Christian last Thursday, and split Tuesday, sweeping Clarkston before falling to Pace. Hailee Swain had 12 kills and 10 digs vs. North Cobb, while Lauren Helmer and Nora Godfrey excelled in the Clarkston/Pace split…JV lost to King's Ridge Tuesday but good strong play from Vandy Neumeyer. Gabby Tavel starred Wednesday in a split with King's Ridge (loss) and Mt. Bethel (win)…8^th grade swept Trinity Christian last week in a great team effort. They fell to Pace and GAC Wednesday, despite good outings from Ellison Losin, Emme O'Neill, Crosby McMullen, and Adair Weeks…7^th grade dropped a 2-1 decision to Trinity Christian last week - Lila Jones and Auldyn Patak both starred. They beat Pace 2-0 and GAC 2-1 Wednesday, with standouts including Banks Ferrero (passing), Riley Dorsey (digs), Rylee Swain (hitting), and Blakely Bryan (passing and defense). 
 
Touchdown! Football topped Douglass High 38-14 Friday, with scores coming from Nemo High (2), Nick Morgan, Jamie Savula, and Zach Jackson. Jackson James and Zach Jackson both had interceptions, while Morgan was also stellar on defense…JV upended Lumpkin County 43-13. Scores came from Sam Chasteen (2), Harper Crandall, Aidan Jones, Christian Williams, and Hunter Laughlin. Tate Voigt also came up big on the line, while defensive stars included Finn Ferrero (2 forced fumbles), Grant Bradley (2 sacks), and Luke Payne (one interception and great return) …MS Crimson blanked Red Bud 42-0; Ryan Woods rushed for three TDs and Bennett Burroughs added two more. Brayden Bailey had an interception, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery, and Thomas Dougherty had a defensive score…MS Gold shutout Red Bud 6-0; Parks Hudgins had the TD, Miller Laughlin recovered a fumble forced by Hudgins, and Xavier Bergman, Garrett Evans, and Cole Smith starred on the defensive line. 
 
Running Bears! The cross country squad competed in Canton Saturday, with top girls including Gracie Cavallo, Beatrice Jones, Colin Welden, Bev Benedict, and Kate Ponder. Leading the boys were Gavin Miles, Walton Sullivan, Tucker Gleeson, Marshall Irvin, and Ethan Ganucheau. Cate Wassenaar and Brooks Scarborough were two of many of the JV stars…MS girls' took 3^rd among 19 teams in Canton, with Anna Blaire finishing 9^th overall to lead. The boys were 8^th among 21; Cooper Knowles placed 9^th to pace the squad. For the JV, Caroline Treadway, Penny Kent, and Emily Hudson led the 4^th place girls while Andrew Gossett, Ben Ashley, and Merrick Morehead ignited the 7^th place boys. 
 
Base hit! Softball lost at Seckinger Monday and 12-4 to Southwest DeKalb Tuesday at home. Against Southwest, Ava van Matre went 2-for-3 and Hannah Herman drove in three. Vivian Early also hit well …MS – in tournament play - edged Marist 6-5 Monday, beat Westminster 9-1 Tuesday, and split Wednesday, losing to Pace 3-0 before beating Marist 7-6.  Emily Gainer (1 hit, 2 RBI), and Perry Drake (9 strikeouts) starred vs. Marist, while Drake and Asher Gleeson combined for a 1-hitter vs. the Wildcats. The Wednesday Pace loss was a pitching duel; the Marist win featured key late hits from C.R. Kolb, Drake, and a sacrifice fly by Whitney Laundon. 
 
Until next time,
 
"The whole process of growth is letting go of thoughts." – Lester Levenson
 
From the desk of Sports Information Director Dunn Neugebauer