Ware County High School
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March 2010
by Larry Purdom, WCHS
She hopes her teammates can accompany her, but whether they do or not, Ware County High School rifle team member Macy Crawford has qualified to go to state competition.
“I’ll go and compete as an individual, but we’re all hoping the team qualifies too,” says the WCHS junior.
Crawford qualified after a meet at the WCHS Shooting Complex against Groves High, firing 291 out of a possible 300.
“We thought that score was good enough to qualify her for state,” said rifle team head coach Maurice England, “but we delayed the announcement until we checked around and were sure. We discovered that 291 is just about the highest score in the state this year. We discovered she’s the only one to shoot over 290.”
For a bowler, a perfect score of 300 indicates all strikes. For a shooter, 300 signifies every bull’s-eye was hit. The score of 291 is as close to perfection as, well, a gnat’s wing.
“I knew I was getting close. Teammates were keeping up with my score. At the end, on the final few shots, my heart was just racing,” Macy recalls.
Even though she is facing individual competition at state in mid-March, she’s hoping the whole team can compete.
“We are all so supportive of each other,” Macy explains. “We shoot individually, but we really feel like family. It would be great for all of us to go; it would be a shame not to, but either way, I’ll look to do my best and represent Ware County High the best I can.”
Macy, who is in her second year on the team, is the sister of Michael and Malachi Crawford. Michael graduated last year after a successful stint on the WCHS rifle team, and Malachi currently attends Wacona Elementary School. Her parents are Mike and Michelle Crawford.
“I’ve never really hunted, but my father always has. I used to accompany Michael to matches and thought I’d give it a try,” she explains. “I’m glad I did. Coach England is very positive, very encouraging, and the team members are too.”
The markswoman claims to have no secrets to her success. “I just follow Coach’s instructions,” she says.
However, there is that dietary thing. “We practice four days a week, and I don’t drink anything with caffeine in it during the week. You don’t want any ‘shakes’ when you’re in competition,” she says.
Shooters are also helped by the heavy jacket and pants worn during matches. “You’d be surprised. They really help keep you from shaking,” she emphasizes.
She says she is also helped by the new shooting center at the former home of Emerson Park Elementary School.
“The WCHS shooting complex is the best place we shoot, by far,” she admits.
Macy is left-handed, but shoots right-handed.
Shooters can score 10 possible points per target, per position. They shoot in three different positions: prone, standing and kneeling. There are 10 targets per sheet.
Crawford shot a 100 prone, a 95 standing and a 96 kneeling for her state-qualifying score of 291.
by Larry Purdom, WCHS
A bevy of head coaches, assistants and student-athletes braved the chill of February to begin preparing for the spring sports schedule in the cold of winter. That hard work in what turned out to be a wet February is now paying dividends. Here’s a roundup of spring sports at Ware County High School.
by Larry Purdom, WCHS
The 2010 Ware County baseball team should be stronger this year with seven returning starters from last year. Seniors leading the way this year are Les Evans, Clint Conoly, T. J. Musgrove and Kip McCarthy. Other returning players that either started or saw action last year are juniors Taylor Abbott, Mac Arnold and Roman Roberson.
Several young players are contributing this year including sophomores Chase Morris, Dylan Carter, Seth Melton, Tyler Ray, Cody Sanders and Jordan Tiner. Freshmen Grayson Yeomans, Alex Stephenson and Josh Aspinwall have shown promise in early workouts.
The pitching staff is in good shape, anchored by veterans Les Evans, Bryant Hayman and Blake Cannon. All three players are college prospects. The catching corps is as deep as ever at Ware County with T. J. Musgrove, Bryant Hayman, Blake Chaney, Kip McCarthy and Dylan Carter.
“As long as we continue to concentrate on the fundamentals and focus on ‘team,’ this Gator squad will be very special. We need to step up early and play good baseball in the early part of the season to build confidence, because region 2-AAAA is always tough in baseball. Last year’s region champion, Wayne County, returns a lot of players. Statesboro, South Effingham, Effingham, Brunswick and Glynn Academy all play outstanding baseball, so if you get into the state playoffs, you’ve earned it,” said head coach James Conoly.
Photography by Larry Purdom
by Larry Purdom, WCHS
Ware County tennis has high hopes to contend for the region title as they take the courts this spring. Under a new coaching staff, Ware County netters are looking forward to the 2010 season. Coaches Nate Mooneyhan and Ross Bedford take the helm of the squad. Coach Bedford will head up the boys’ varsity team while Coach Mooneyhan will be directing the girls varsity.
The boys varsity tennis team will be led by No. 1 seed Huntur Soper. Huntur is a sophomore at WCHS and in his second year of varsity competition. A competitive squad is rounded out by three seniors returning to the court. Taylor Brooks, Cliff Crummy and Brain Dyson will fill out the top four seeds. Promising play from WCHS net stars Nick Saxon, Jake Williams, Johnathan Abernathy, Troy Thompson, Taylor Murray, David Williams and Nathan Carter has Coach Bedford excited about this year’s season. “I’m looking forward to seeing these young men in match play. They are young, but have the talent to compete in the region,” said Coach Bedford.
“My interest in tennis started when I began playing in middle school,” explains girls tennis coach Nate Mooneyhan. “I was back and forth in those three years between baseball and tennis, but eventually focused strictly on tennis. I began taking lessons on Jekyll Island and played varsity singles all four years of high school at Ware County. Although this is my first year of teaching, I always knew that I wanted to eventually coach tennis. It is such an honor to finally have that opportunity at my alma mater.”
This year’s girls varsity team is extremely young but talented. There are only two upperclassmen on the team. Our senior leadership will be provided by Mary Trimm, who also plays varsity soccer. “Skill is always great, but leadership is irreplaceable,” adds Coach Mooneyhan. Erin Collins is the other upper classman and she is a junior. The surprise of the young season has been the play of Rachel Denton, a freshman. She is playing well enough to work her way up into the singles rotation. Maggie Delk will be another strong player. Finally, Molly Smith and Katelyn Bloch have stepped up their game and will form a strong doubles tandem.
Region 2-AAAA is always a tough one to win and is shaping up to be strong again this year. Glynn Academy has been at the top for some time now and that doesn't seem to be different this year. They are the team to beat, and all teams will be gunning for them. “Hopefully, we will have the opportunity to play them in the region tournament, which will be hosted by Ware County High School, and come away with a region title,” adds Mooneyhan.
Photography by Larry Purdom
by Larry Purdom, WCHS
Last year’s Gator track team had difficulty at the end of the season, but a lot of young athletes stepped up and helped out tremendously. For the girls team, Ware sent two young ladies to the state meet. Amber O'Hara, now a sophomore, qualified for state as a freshman in the 800-meter run, while junior Tanekia Johnson qualified in the 1600 as a sophomore.
“We were very young but also very promising,” adds WCHS boys track head coach, Gerald Anderson. “The girls work hard and we expect to see big improvements out of them this season. Danielle Sharpe, who is a junior, is one of the big surprises we hope to see this year. Her work ethic is relentless; she settles for nothing less than the best, and that is what we are looking for out of all of our athletes.”
Two Gators also made it to the state meet. Jimmy Staten, who graduated in 2009, qualified for the shot put and discus throw. Senior Matthew Garmen qualified for the mile run. Unfortunately, he missed qualifying in the two-mile run by 1/10 of a second.
“Matthew is an awesome young man who works harder than any kid I know,” adds Coach Anderson. “He comes to every practice and meet with a ‘refuse-to-lose’ mentality and has a really bright future in front of him. As coaches, we have been really proud of what he can accomplish and we know that he will be back on top again this year.
“Other guys we expect to step up are junior Richard Taylor and seniors Willie Roach, Adrian Mack and Walter Anderson. Rick Taylor and Willie Roach could be our workhorses this year; we will put a lot on them in the sprints and relays. They have worked hard in the past, and we look for them to put the team on their back and lead us to where we want to be. Adrian and Walt are both hurlers and quarter-mile runners for us. They are the kind of guys who, no matter where they’re placed, will work hard to be successful. All of these guys have been to the state meet before, so they know what kind of hard work and dedication it will take to get there.”
In addition to Coach Anderson, WCHS track coaches include head girls coach Alesia Gibson, and assistants Alvin Nelson, Jimmy Francis and Joe Eichfeld.
Photography by Larry Purdom
by Larry Purdom, WCHS
“The WCHS girls soccer team has a positive outlook for the 2010 season. We look forward to this year’s season with new hopes after having a rebuilding year in 2009,” says girls head coach Michael Cook. “We have a great group of seniors that add valuable experience to the team. Our talented freshmen and sophomore players are ready to step up and contribute on the field.
“The majority of the girls have been playing year-round, which will ideally increase the level of play for this spring. Most of our players went to the team camp this summer, and that also has improved them individually and as a team. We believe that our region is extremely competitive but expect to be among the mix this year for the playoffs.
“Our soccer players are very fortunate at Ware County High to have a newly-renovated soccer complex completed this year on the site of the original Ware County High School. The soccer complex has four practice fields with one of those being lighted. This facility also has a concession stand and locker room to help with our season.”
Photography by Larry Purdom
by Larry Purdom, WCHS
“The WCHS boys’ soccer team is coming together nicely for 2010,” says head coach Tony Voyles. “We have chosen our team, and have a good mix of experience, athleticism and new faces. We have some work to do in order to get set for our first matches, but everyone is working hard and putting in the effort.
“The senior class is very strong this year, and everyone is contributing on the field. Mikey Harris, Logan Scott and James Strickland are helping solidify our defense. Hunter Ingalls, Justin McQuaig and Jet Thornton are running the midfield, and they really get us going in the attack. A.J. Hendrix and C.J. Jones are putting the ball in the back of the net. This class has some great leadership, a ton of athleticism and plenty of soccer smarts.
“We have eight juniors on the team this year, and there is a lot of talent there as well. Joel Betancourt, Tate Parada, Jimmy Reed and Caleb Thrift are playing multiple positions this year and are helping out all over the field. Mart Hopkins is a big part of the defensive unit. James Bowman and Dale McDowell are strengthening the midfield, and Zach Griffin has returned to help score goals.
“We have no sophomores on the team but have a great group of freshmen. There are only four, but I believe all four could be starting before the end of the year. Carlos Joyner and Cameron Gibson are two very fast and aggressive defenders that can hold their own against anyone. Seth Starling is a high-level midfielder who has the ability to control a game. Lastly, Ali’I Mitchell is a striker that just has a knack for finding the goal.
“If the coaches can find the right combination of players and tactics, then I feel this team can compete with anyone in the region. Our feeling is we can make a run in the region and state playoffs and really surprise some people. We look forward to seeing exciting soccer and excited fans at Memorial Stadium this season.”
Photography by Larry Purdom
February 2010
by Larry Purdom, WCHS
When Dan Hughes was a student at Ware County High School in the early ‘90s, he sighted down the barrel of a .22 caliber rifle as a member of the 4-H rifle team, refining what his father had taught him many years before. He still uses a gun sight today, but it’s a bit more expensive than the ones he used at Ware High. The sights he uses now are attached to a multi-million dollar F/A-18C jet fighter. Yet he still credits his days on the WCHS rifle team with getting him where he is today.
“That’s literally true,” he says from his base at Oceana Naval Air Station outside Norfolk, Virginia. “I did pretty well on the rifle team coached by Maurice England. I always wanted to attend the United States Naval Academy, so I sent some of my scores to the Naval Academy’s rifle coach, Ray Anti. He said, ‘I want him on our rifle team,’ and seven days later, I was accepted at the Naval Academy. I truly do owe it to Coach England and the rifle team.”
In those days, it was the 4-H rifle team. These days, Coach England is still instructing young shooters for the Ware County High rifle team. “Dan was one of our earliest team members, and he was one of the best,” agrees Coach England. “I’ll always think it special that he gives credit to his service career to the WCHS rifle team.”
His mom and dad, Elaine and Daniel Hughes, still live in the area. Many South Georgians will remember his mother, who was a much-beloved teacher for 30 years, mainly at Wacona Elementary School.
“I joined the rifle team at the urging of my two best friends from those days, Dan Hall and Matt Eddy,” Hughes remembers. “I’m glad they convinced me to check it out; otherwise, I don’t know what school I might have ended up at. We’re still friends, and we exchange Christmas cards. There’s no friends like old friends.”
After a successful high school career that saw him earn individual state honors during the summer of 1991, Hughes entered the Academy. “I remember I had always wanted to attend the Naval Academy,” says the former farm boy from Jamestown, a rural community on the north side of Waycross. “I remember coming home in the eighth grade and telling my mom I was going to attend school there. I remember her answering ‘Okay, whatever,’ or something like that, but it’s worked out just like I predicted in the eighth grade, thanks to God and my entire family.”
Each year that Hughes was on the Academy’s rifle team, the midshipmen went to the NCAA finals and finished in the top five. Hughes remembers some of the toughest competition came from schools such as West Virginia and Kentucky. “Those were some real Jed Clampett-type shooters. You know - the ones who don’t just say they’re going to shoot the wing off a fly at 500 paces. They tell you which wing!” He lettered each year in rifle at Navy and concluded his college career as captain of the team. “We also beat Army all four years. That was really special,” he recalls.
Since graduation from the Naval Academy in 1995, he’s settled into his Navy career. Hughes, who will be 37 in December, currently serves with the U.S. Joint Forces Command in Norfolk, Virginia. LCDR Hughes will soon become Executive Officer of his own F/A-18C squadron and then Commanding Officer. “I’m very proud of the upbringing and the friends for life I made at Ware County High. I feel very blessed, and I owe so much to the coaches and friends I made there,” admits the WCHS graduate.
In addition to Coach England, another Ware High mentor who Hughes pays homage to is veteran baseball coach James Conoly.
“Dan was what you would want your son to be like,” says Coach Conoly today. “He was hard-working and strived to be the best he could be at whatever he was doing, whether in the classroom or on the athletic fields. Although not the fastest or the strongest, he was a fierce competitor as a varsity defensive back in football and as a varsity outfielder in baseball. He was extremely coachable and never made key mistakes, always solid at his position. He was the ultimate team player and was willing to do what it took to help his team win.
“Dan was always goal oriented and I knew his life would be successful,” continued the veteran coach. “If you had a team of Dan Hughes, you would have a dream coaching job and win a ton of games.”
The admiration and respect is returned double by LCDR Hughes. “To me, Coach Conoly is the epitome of what a high school baseball or football coach should be. I’ll never forget the lessons he taught me about sports and about life. In my own family, whenever I’ve tried to coach any of our children, I’ve always tried to emulate Coach Conoly.”
With those lessons and the support of his wife, Julie, and children Jason, Helen, Luda, Galina, Joshua, and Jacob, LCDR Hughes has gone on to have a successful career in service to his country.
“I went for two of the hardest achievements at Annapolis, aerospace engineering and landing a jet on an aircraft carrier. I don’t know if he helped me on the former, but whenever I’m landing on the carrier, I remember how Coach England always told us to take dead aim at the target and go right at it. That carries over from a hunting rifle to an F/A-18.”
Photography submitted by Ware County High School
January 2010
by Larry Purdom, WCHS Sports Correspondent
Building on the momentum gained last year, this year’s edition of the Ware County High Gator basketball team is ready to take their game to the next level – playoff success.
“We came so close last year. We were in every game we played and we knocked off some of the perennial powers in our region,” says second-year head coach Ed Dowling. “This year’s group wants to go beyond just putting up a good showing and take it to state.”
Last year, Ware lost to Statesboro at home, 54-52, when the Blue Devils were ranked as the No. 4 AAAA team in the state. Statesboro went on to advance as far as the Elite Eight in the AAAA state playoffs. The Gators also beat Brunswick by two at home. The Pirates made it to the Sweet 16 round. Ware also gave Glynn Academy, another Elite Eight team, fits before yielding.
“Region 2-AAAA has great athletes with experienced, respected and extremely knowledgeable coaches. Coach Turner of Brunswick, Coach Dickey of Effingham, Coach Moore of Glynn Academy, Coach Keeler of South Effingham, Coach Hill of Statesboro and Coach Jones of Wayne County are all warriors and great mentors of the game,” Dowling emphasizes. Three of the region teams made the Sweet 16. Two of them made the Elite Eight. “Basketball competition is great in Region 2-AAAA every night you play,” adds Dowling.
Ware is led by returning senior Jimmy Wilkins, a First Team All-Region performer. “He’s a great shooter and plays great defense,” said Dowling.
The backcourt is led by 6’6” point guard Quentin Edwards, who made Region Honorable Mention last year as a freshman. “Quentin has gotten great experience and exposure playing AAU teams since he was in middle school. He has yet to reach his potential, but he knows that and he realizes what is expected of him now and what he needs to reach the next level of play.”
The surrounding cast is just as important with seniors Deion Williams and Walter Johnson, juniors Jarred Miles, Cameron Howard, T.J. Cooper and Dee Merritt, along with sophomores Chase Morris, Tavares Davenport and Josh Bennett.
“Last year was a growing year for us,” added Dowling. “We were exceptionally young. There were times during each and every game that four freshmen and a sophomore would be the five players on the floor. We had some fine young players, but they lacked confidence in themselves to finish a close game successfully. Everyone has certainly improved this year. However, we are still very young and I am interested in how we deal with adversity and hard competition. We’re in a good cycle with a bunch of talented sophomores growing up, led by some upperclassmen who are very competitive.”
Preparation for the 2009-2010 season got underway early, with workouts during June at Gatorland. Team members participated in summer camps at Valdosta State University and at Tattnall County High School.
“We are working hard to correct our shortcomings from last season. I really controlled the play of our players last season,” added Dowling. “I didn’t feel we were experienced enough to make defensive reads on the move in transition. Our half court offensive game was very good. We have progressed with a better understanding of the game and I intend to allow more play with the talent we have.”
“We play an exciting brand of basketball sure to entertain the fans, and we have been in every game we play,” said Dowling. “We have utilized full court pressure defense this season along with sound half court defense. We transition well. The players are making good reads and decisions. We have some guys with natural talent, who eat and breathe basketball. The staff pretty well knows what each player is capable of doing and we are allowing them to do just that. We want to win and have fun doing it.”
To help in that endeavor, Dowling has assembled a true Gator coaching staff. Assistant head coach is Tre Hill, a third-year Ware assistant coach and Class of 2000 graduate of WCHS, who went on to have a stellar career at Brewton Parker before spending two years at Wheeler County. “We are fortunate to have Coach Hill at Ware County High. We’re building for the future in our coaching staff too, and Coach Hill is our future,” added Dowling.
Another former Gator “big man” is varsity assistant and head junior varsity coach Adam Brooks. Coach Brooks brings vast post knowledge to the program. UGA graduate Gerald Anderson heads up the ninth grade team. Coach Anderson brings basic fundamental work and play and discipline to the program. “Just what we need for our freshmen,” added Dowling. Others on Dowling’s staff include community coach Kensell Bennett, a mountain of a man who assists with the inside game. Coach Bennett, a former Gator, brings great post experience to the program. Coach Damien Robinson, another former Gator basketballer with great knowledge of the game, assists with the perimeter players.
“After we came so close to putting it all together last year, our players are ‘chompin’ at the bit’ to get the victories and advance as far as we can this season,” emphasized Coach Hill. “They’re taking pride and are all as excited as the coaches are.”
Photography submitted by Ware County High School
December 2009
Football Philosophy 101 With Head Coach Ed Dudley
by Larry Purdom, WCHS Sports Correspondent
After spending his playing and football coaching career in the Atlanta area, Ed Dudley left his post at Walton High School in Marietta and came to Swamp Country this year to take the reins of the Ware County High Gators. In his first year at the helm, his squad made the AAAA playoffs as the second-ranked team in Region 2. Along the way, he noticed some big differences about football below the gnat line.
“The first thing I noticed, and a big reason I brought my family south to begin with, was the importance placed on youth sports in this area. In the metro area, you’re competing with every intersection and crossroads where your players can get distracted and pulled away from that commitment you need for success on the field. A lot of things get in the way. Down here, there are fewer impediments and less distraction. That allows you to focus in more on the game.
“Come game time, both fans and players have an easier time getting to the game. In Atlanta, the schools of Walton and North Gwinnett weren’t that far apart geographically, but it might take you over two hours to make the trip, what with the traffic. Here, everybody goes to the game and gets there a lot easier. Where ever you are, that 12th man is an important part of any team’s success. In South Georgia, it’s easier for that 12th man to get to the action.”
He’s also noticed a difference in style of play.
“Although north Georgia is catching up, all the teams down here seem to play a more physical game and overall team speed is another plus. I don’t want to oversimplify, but it seems like the whole team is faster.”
Then there’s that thing about small-town U.S.A. that’s so important to parents and a young family.
“That’s one of the big reasons we moved down here. My wife Lynn and I wanted that small town atmosphere in which to raise our family. We wanted that experience for our kids,” says the father of 12-year-old Gordon, nine-year-old twins Sam and Mary, and six-year-old Margaret.
“At Walton, we had our circle of friends that we sort of ‘hung out’ with,” he explains. “But in Waycross, everyone is your friend. They slap you on the back and ask about your family. You see ‘em all the time. They’re your neighbors and friends. That’s just the kind of atmosphere we wanted for our family.
“About the only thing I agree with Hillary Clinton about is, in a lot of ways, it does take a village to raise a child. In a tight-knit community like Waycross, people all look out for one another, like they used to.”
That includes several teachers at Ware County High School.
“When I got here, I found out about a tradition I had not seen before. There’s a group of ladies, headed up by Ms. Phyllis Poller who teaches in the ninth grade, of feeding the whole team on Wednesdays. They’ve been doing this for years here, on their own. The other day I saw a student going down the hall with big cans of green beans. He was headed to the cafeteria to help Ms.Poller cook. You just don’t see those type things in the big city much anymore. Everybody chips in down here. Even in these dire economic times, the business community and everybody else pitches in to help the Boosters Club care for the team.”
Big city or small town, Dudley still believes in the positive effect team sports, and especially football, can have on a young man still growing up.
“Football is just about the last place a kid can become a man without a bunch of lawyers standing around taking notes on legal pads. In our litigious society, football is still a training ground for young men. Society frowns on contact and violence. Football offers a setting of controlled violence where a young man can test himself.
“It also is a wonderful way for a youngster to be involved in something bigger than himself. Football requires so much team work. It depends on 11 different guys all doing the same thing in unison. Some guys will never touch the football, yet they are integral to the team. Everyone’s got a job to do. It’s a great training ground.”
That applies to Dudley’s personal life too.
“The youth coaches I had growing up, they all played a role in who I am today. At St. Pius, I wasn’t Catholic, but between the nuns and Coach George Maloof, I learned what it meant to be self-disciplined and to work hard to succeed. Coach Maloof was at St. Pius for 25 years and won two state championships there. (Tech fans will also remember Maloof as the guy who scored four touchdowns against Georgia his senior year on the Flats.) His motto was, ‘Do the best you can with what God gave you.’ I remember that to this day.”
In the end, it all comes down to the ancient Greek ideal, Dudley says.
“You’ve got to be disciplined mentally, physically, and spiritually. Those truths are no less true today than when ol’ Socrates, Homer, or whoever it was first talked about them. Football is a way to instill all three qualities in our young men. Down below the gnat line, it just seems like it’s more conducive for that, community-wide.”
Gator head coach Ed Dudley still believes in the enduring truths, and football led him there.
Photography by Larry Purdom
by Larry Purdom, WCHS Sports Correspondent
Ware County High Head Coach Mike Ranew is in his 27th year at the Lady Gator helm. In that time, he’s found two things that have stood the test of time: mold your scheme to the skills of your players and assemble a good staff. This year, as usual, he’s done just that.
The Lady Gators are young this season, but they can fly. Quickness will be their ally throughout the roundball campaign. Among the 26 players Ranew fields in varsity and JV, there are four juniors, nine sophomores and 11 freshmen. He lets them run.
“I know we’ll have our share of growing pains, but we’re excited about our young basketball players,” admits Ranew. “We’re not big, but we are fast. We try to use that to our advantage. We look to make some transition baskets this year. On defense, we bring pressure out of the man-to-man with zone traps and presses. We can play defense. But we lost two seniors last year who were 75 percent of our offense. Our offense has got to step it up.”
The Lady Gators have only two seniors. Nicole Williams is a three-year starter down low, while Precious Mobley is good off the bench at the point. “We depend on Nicole for good floor leadership. Both she and Precious have been with us all four years,” says Ranew.
In the starting mix are Junior Tanickia Johnson at one guard while sophomore Amber O’Hara brings the ball up. Marquita Poole is a sophomore forward. Kacee Meeks is at the post, and Janice Hyers, playing her first year on the varsity, helps at forward while Chari Heard stands in at guard.
As usual, Ranew predicts it’ll be another dogfight for Region 2-AAAA supremacy.
“Last year Brunswick was the No. 1 seed going into the tournament, and then Effingham won the region. It was really competitive,” the veteran coach recalls. “This year, Statesboro might be the big dog. They were young last year. Effingham was all seniors last year. Brunswick lost two senior starters, but they’re always tough. Glynn Academy’s the same way, always competitive. Whoever wins it will have earned it.”
Ware mixes it up with its region mates early, with games with Statesboro, Effingham and Wayne before Christmas. This year, there’s no holiday tournament, but they play into the holidays with a December 21 matchup against neighbor Charlton County before games start again on Saturday, January 2.
“I divide our season into three parts: before Christmas, after Christmas and the (region) tournament. The top four teams go after the region tournament and the highest seed hosts the tournament. We’d like to be in both categories at the end,” Ranew says.
And as for that other thing, his staff consists of a veteran coach in her own right and a recently-graduated Lady Gator who excelled in the college ranks. “Alana Meeks coached at Lanier before, and Erin Etheridge graduated in 2004. She played two years at Southern Union and finished at Alabama State. I like the mix of coaches we have,” says Ranew. “I like the mix of ages too.”
Photography by Larry Purdom
New Wrestling Coach Set To Take ‘Grappling Gators’ To Next Level
by Larry Purdom, WCHS Sports Correspondent
Ware High’s new wrestling coach Joe Eichfeld has an ambitious plan to take Gator wrestling to new heights, and he has the experience to show for it.
Eichfeld is a wrestler who earned his singlet in the tough area north of Philadelphia, where wrestling is taken as seriously there as high school football is in South Georgia. He helped lead his high school team to four consecutive state championships. From there he went to Trenton State where he took second in the conference his senior year. During his time at Trenton, the team always finished in the top 10 in its division and hosted the Division III tournament one of those years.
“In high school, we had a coach who taught that wrestling was the only sport that mattered,” he recalls. “It was a private school, so the coach could probably get away with things there he couldn’t have at a public high school.
“We never had a day off. Weekends, holidays… every day was a day to get in some sort of wrestling activity. The morning began with running at 6 a.m. and ended with wrestling practice into the night. I don’t know if he could have done that in a public school, but it instilled in all of us a dedication to the sport and the character lessons it can teach,” Eichfeld says. It’s that kind of dedication he hopes to instill in a Gator wrestling program still trying to find its way on the mat.
Eichfeld comes to Gatorland after 14 years at neighboring Brantley County High.
“We took kids there who had never wrestled before and placed second in the region last year. We also took two individuals to state. Wrestling is kind of new to this area of Georgia, but we’re looking to instill some ‘Gator Pride’ in the program,” he emphasized.
Helping the first year coach is assistant Matt Collins, who is entering his third year with the Gator wrestlers. “Matt has been invaluable already,” Eichfeld said. “Since he’s been here two years already, he knows the ropes in Region 2-AAAA.
An area that Eichfeld focused on early and one that may not always have been at the top of area wrestling programs is conditioning. “You certainly need strength to be a wrestler, but I’m a big believer in conditioning. If you start going in the tank in the third period, you’re going to lose the match. Conversely, we want our wrestlers to be able to draw on their reserves of stamina in that final round in order to get the win.”
The search for stamina includes conditioning at the beginning and at the end of practice.
“That’s when your body is most tired. If we can get strong then, our wrestlers will have that burst of extra energy needed to close out a match with strength. Remember, wrestling works all the muscles, including the one in your head. Mental toughness is also a big part of the sport.”
The wrestling room at Ware County High is not a fancy place. The only adornments are wrestling mats and the five simple words that are painted on the wall: Respect, Commitment, Discipline and Hard Work.
“It takes all five,” Eichfeld emphasizes. “You’ve got to respect yourself, the team and your opponent. You’ve got to be committed to giving your best each time you’re on the mat. Discipline is essential to being prepared every practice and match to do your best, and you don’t get any of that without hard work.”
Most high school sports are team sports; in wrestling, it’s you and the other guy, one-on-one. Coach Eichfeld looks to emphasize both aspects. “Certainly we want each of our wrestlers to excel, but at the same time we are going to stress the team aspect. If the event comes down to the final match, we want our wrestlers to understand what they need to do in order for the team to win the match.”
In producing the well-rounded, dedicated high school wrestler, there’s one more area Coach Eichfeld wants to focus on: the character-building aspect of the sport. “I started high school as an inexperienced freshman and made it to the top. Wrestling as a sport got me through high school because it taught me discipline. I wasn’t the best wrestler, but I was one of the hardest working. I want to instill that spirit in our Gator wrestlers. In the third period, if your opponent is running out of gas, all that hard work and dedication will pay off.”
As for wrestling style, Eichfeld heads up an aggressive group. “We are in one of the toughest wrestling regions in AAAA,” he says. “Effingham won state last year. South Effingham was third in state and Glynn Academy is always strong. We’ll have our work cut out for us getting out of the region, but we want to be known as an aggressive team with tenacity and relentless pursuit of victory.”
Unfortunately for local fans, Ware only hosts three matches this season. The team hosted the first Swamp Duel meets on November 21 with 10 area teams. It will host McIntosh Academy, Glynn Academy and Pierce County on January 12 and Brantley, Glynn and Irwin counties on February 2. The Gators will certainly be an experienced team, with 19 meets scheduled before the region tourney.
After coming south, Coach Eichfeld married a South Georgia girl. He and his wife Tara live in Brantley County. Joe has one daughter, Kayleigh Eichfeld, and two stepdaughters, Hannah Belle and Kayla Thrift.
Photography submitted by Ware County High School
by Larry Purdom, WCHS Sports Correspondent
Before the first shot is fired in competition, it’s already been a winning season for the Ware County High School rifle team. That’s because the team has moved into its permanent home after several seasons of shooting, basically, wherever they could.
With the closing of the Waycross National Guard Armory, the team lost its latest home. When news of the closing came, longtime rifle team head coach Maurice England went looking for a more permanent location. He found it at the gymnasium of the former Emerson Park Elementary School near the WCHS campus. The result is a shooting complex the whole community can take pride in.
“We’re tickled pink,” admitted Coach England. “We are definitely proud to call this home. This is the first time we have ever had something like this.”
As he talked, England surveyed the wide gym with plenty of secure storage space, set firing line, good lighting and targets placed on permanent supports at the far end.
“No offense to any other school, but we’ve shot in dining halls, cafeterias, classrooms and gyms where they had to set it up and take it down. They were all as good as they could be, but nothing compared with what we have here now. This took a lot of work by some dedicated people, and we are very grateful.”
First to get the ball rolling was John Gibson, head of maintenance for the Ware County school system. He was followed by members of his staff, rifle team parents and volunteers, along with invaluable help from the WCHS Athletic Boosters Club.
“This also would not have been possible without the help of the Ware County Sheriff’s Office and the Waycross Police Department, who got on board early with tremendous support,” added Coach England.
The veteran mentor, who has headed up the rifle team since the days it was the Ware County 4-H rifle team, also gives credit to another individual without whom he says none of this would be possible: his wife Louise. “If I’ve been there from the beginning, then so has she,” he emphasizes. “From day one, she has kept all the stats and records all the scoring. She’s as important, if not more so, than me.”
It was Louise and daughter Patricia who returned from the Georgia 4-H Center at Rock Eagle one day with the news of a new shooting program involving BB guns. From there the competition evolved from .22 rifles to a small bore program to the present-day air rifles.
Team members shoot a .177 precision air rifle. In a typical practice, shooters will aim and fire 150 to 200 times from the three positions: standing, kneeling, and prone.
With all the hoopla involving football and basketball this time of year, it’s often forgotten that the WCHS rifle team has been one of the most successful at Ware. Under England’s instruction, the team won three consecutive National Championships (1994-96) in addition to State titles in 1986, 1987, and 1990-97.
It takes time to develop a great shooter from a good shooter. The team got together in mid-August to begin practicing. With the start of competition, they’ll compete into March. Other teams expected to give Ware stiff competition in their shooting region, different from other sports in 2-AAAA, include St. Vincent’s and Benedictine out of Savannah, Glynn Academy and Brunswick.
“It’s a long season. It takes a lot of dedication,” admitted England. “We’re thrilled to have our permanent home and hope that this facility will complete the pieces of the puzzle and ensure we return to the top ranks of high school rifle teams.”
Photography submitted by Ware County High School
October 2009
Volleyball Preseason
by Larry Purdom, WCHS Sports Correspondent
With interest building in the shorts-clad netters, third-year head coach Gina Howell fields her largest turnout ever this year and Ware will have its first junior varsity to go along with the top shirts.
“We’re excited about this year. We feel we’re turning the corner in girls volleyball at Ware County High. A lot of people have worked hard to get us to this point, including some dedicated student-athletes,” said Coach Howell. “We’re extending a big invitation to the community to come out and see a very exciting sport.”
There’s a youth movement in WCHS volleyball with a large freshmen turnout. Nine players return including seniors Dee Powell, Kelly Fraser and Brittany Mixon, who will provide leadership. “They’ll be good for us, plus we’re building for the future,” said Howell. “We’re now getting young players into the system. The middle schools are getting into it.”
There’s one other advantage to being on the volleyball team, Howell points out. “We have quite a few dual-sport girls, including several basketball players. It’s hard to beat volleyball for hand-eye coordination. We think it helps the girls.”
The Lady Gators will play a tough schedule, featuring Region 2-AAAA games almost exclusively. Most matches are slated to also include JV action. Ware will open on the road against Glynn Academy and Liberty County, followed with Ware hosting the same teams on September 9. Other home dates include hosting South Effingham on September 17, while Brunswick High and Toombs come to the Gator Den on September 22. Just before the Region tournament begins on October 15, Ware invites both Brunswick and Glynn to town on October 6. All matches begin at 4 p.m. except for a 9 a.m. eye-opener on September 12 as the Lady Gators participate in a tourney hosted by Glynn Academy.
Most of the attention at a volleyball match focuses on the net, and that’s where Brittany Mixon will be stationed as a setter to hitters Dee Powell and Chelsley Herring. But Coach Howell has high praise for one who plays far away. “You’ve got to have a good back-line defense in six-person volleyball and we have an awesome player in junior Chari Heard. She’s a great back-line player and passer.” In volleyball language, that position is called a “libero.”
A lot of the preseason work went into conditioning. “We were so close last year, but we were weak closing out matches. We need to be stronger at the end,” said Howell.
Others involved on the varsity include Laurel O’Neal, Taylor Saenz, Sabrina Milkas, Sarah Thrift, Andrea Calvillo, Lora Thompson, and Shequoyah McPherson
Getting valuable experience on the junior varsity are Frankie Hall, Dalaisha Kendell, Katelyn Bloch, Kalissa Boatright, Morgan Todd, Vonsenita Mitchell, Rachel Bailey, Katie Rittenhouse, Rodesha Davis, Iesha Adams, and Tiesha Adams.
Crystal Taylor is the manager, Rudy Benson is the libero tracker, and line judge is Sydney Simmons.
Photography submitted by Ware County High School
September 2009
by Larry Purdom, WCHS Sports Correspondent
Last year, the Lady Gator softball team didn’t take the diamond with trowels and mortar in hand, but they did lay a firm foundation. It’s that foundation that this year’s edition hopes to build on.
Effingham County is still the team to beat in the region, but the Lady Gators are gaining on them fast. “We beat them once last year, and they were state-ranked,” said Coach Kirkland. “We had a great chance to beat them in the second game, but we didn’t close out the game well. That’s one of the things we are going to work on doing better this year, closing out our close games to get the win. We’re tired of being close. We want to finish the drill.”
The work to finish better this season began just as the school year ended, with participation in summer ball and summer leagues. “We worked really hard all summer,” Kirkland said. “We were in two tourneys, plus we had excellent turnouts for our informal workouts throughout the summer.”
“It starts from there, both Mary and Amber are veterans, and it continues throughout our infield and our outfield where returners are being backed up by some talented younger players. We only lost four starters off last year’s team,” Kirkland said. “Our middle schools continue to do a good job of preparing our freshmen for high school fast pitch softball and we appreciate all they do.”
Lindsey Howard, who led the team in batting average most all of last season, backup pitcher Evan Todd, and Nicole Williams round out a talented senior class. Trimm, Howard, and Kelsey Chandler made the All-Region team last year and hope to repeat this season. Chandler is a sophomore this year.
To help them close out games stronger, the Lady Gators worked hard on conditioning in the offseason. “They’re strong, they can run, and they can hit,” emphasized Coach Kirkland. “They’ve done all we have asked of them during the offseason. Now it’s time to start the official season.”
Seeing duty both in the infield and the outfield will be juniors Kelsey Hullett and Kaycee Meeks. In addition to sophomore Chandler are Maggie Delk, Britney Roberson, and Gabbi Markle. Two freshmen expected to see action with the varsity are Gina Crumbley and Jade Skinner.
Making up the junior varsity are sophomores Aisha Ashley, Hannah Bennett, Aaron Boyd, Marcia Briggs, Hanna Cox, Amberlea Gibson, Brook Kirk, and Suzie Trimm. Freshmen include Emily Gibson, Kelsey Howell, Candace Smith and Marina Thrift.
Competition began well for Ware with a 9-1 season-opening win over AAAAA Coffee High at Gator Field Tuesday, August 11 − a game that saw senior Trimm allow only one hit and one earned run. The Lady Gators participated in an area softball tournament hosted by Brantley County High School, but held at Waycross’ Trembling Earth Recreation complex the following weekend. Region competition kicked off shortly after as Ware headed to Statesboro for a matchup with the Lady Blue Devils Tuesday, August 18. The Lady Gators will host Richmond Hill, Wayne County, Glynn Academy, Effingham (DH), and Brunswick High this season.
The varsity’s efforts will be backed up by a strong junior varsity program, coached by veteran diamond mentor Alaina Meeks, a former head coach at Lakeland, and former WCHS athletic standout Adam Brooks. “Both Adam Brooks and Alaina Meeks will also be helping to coach the Varsity. Alaina has been a head coach before while many will remember Adam from his days as a WCHS Gator,” added Kirkland. “We feel we’ve got a solid, veteran coaching staff to go along with a solid, experienced team.”
“We’ve always been strong defensively,” said Kirkland. “Our bats really came through late in the summer, especially in the Recreation Department state tourney in Donaldsonville. If we can get our hitting to go with our defense, we should be pretty tough. We’ve still got a couple of spots to decide on, but we’ll be pretty versatile. We’ll be two- or three-deep in spots. From the seniors on down to the freshmen, they are working hard. They want to get better and be the best they can be. They’ll never quit. They try ‘til the last out.”
Photography submitted by Ware County High School
