Spartan Spam
Tuesday, January 17, 2006
>>SPARTAN BOOSTER #303
>>January 17, 2006
___________________________________________________________
TODAY! TUESDAY, JANUARY 17
4:15pm 7th grade girls basketball: Woodward Academy at GAC; P.E. Gym 4:15pm 7th grade boys basketball: Woodward Academy at GAC; Bradford Gym 4:30pm JV girls basketball: GAC at Blessed Trinity 4:30pm JV boys basketball: GAC at Blessed Trinity 5:30pm 8th grade girls basketball: Woodward Academy at GAC; P.E. Gym 5:30pm 8th grade boys basketball: Woodward Academy at GAC; Bradford Gym
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 18
Varsity wrestling: GAC & Yeshiva at St. Francis Day School; Roswell GA Junior High wrestling: GAC at St. Francis Day School; Roswell GA
THURSDAY, JANUARY 19
4:30pm Varsity swimming & diving: GAC at Lovett 5:30pm 8th grade girls basketball: Blessed Trinity at GAC 5:30pm 7th grade girls basketball: GAC at Blessed Trinity 6:30pm 8th grade boys basketball: Blessed Trinity at GAC 6:30pm 7th grade boys basketball: GAC at Blessed Trinity
FRIDAY, JANUARY 20
4:00pm JV girls basketball: GAC at East Hall 5:00pm Junior High diving: GAC at Marist Championships 5:30pm JV boys basketball: GAC at East Hall 7:00pm Varsity girls basketball: GAC at East Hall 8:30pm Varsity boys basketball: GAC at East Hall
SATURDAY, JANUARY 21
Junior High wrestling: GAC, Pace & Holy Innocents at Lovett 9:00am Junior High swimming: GAC at Marist Championships 10:00am 7th grade girls basketball: Buford at GAC 11:15am 7th grade boys basketball: Buford at GAC 12:30pm 8th grade girls basketball: Buford at GAC 1:45pm 8th grade boys basketball: Buford at GAC
Postponement:
The 8th grade girls and boys basketball games scheduled for last Saturday, Jan. 14, at Buford were postponed until Monday, Jan. 30th. The girls will play at 4:30pm, and the boys will play at 5:45pm at Buford Middle School.
______________________________________________________________
>BASKETBALL
CRUNCH TIME: SPARTANS HAVE 4 REGION GAMES REMAINING BEFORE TOURNEY
GAC girls 62, Lumpkin County 38
NORCROSS — Greater Atlanta Christian used a 21-8 scoring run in the second quarter to put the game out of reach as it rolled past Lumpkin County 62-38 on Saturday. Kiki Swainer led GAC with 11 points and D’Nay Daniels had 10 points. [Jan. 15 Gwinnett Daily Post]
Lumpkin Co. boys 53, GAC 52
NORCROSS — Lumpkin County was able to defeat Greater Atlanta Christian in the final minute of Saturday’s game to take at 53-52 victory. Taylor Wood and Reece Wiedeman each had 19 points for the Spartans (10-10, 4-5), while Lumpkin County was led by Marlon Hall with 20 points. [Jan. 15 Gwinnett Daily Post]
GAC girls 60, Providence 36
LILBURN - D'Nay Daniels led Greater Atlanta Christian (15-4, 7-1) with 16 points, 12 rebounds and five steals as it defeated Providence 60-36 on Friday. Mollie Mitchell added 10 points.
Carli West led Providence (8-10, 4-5) with 10 points. [Jan. 14 Gwinnett Daily Post]
GAC boys 54, Providence 42
LILBURN - Taylor Wood scored a career-high 24 points and grabbed a game-high
15 rebounds as he led Greater Atlanta Christian (10-9, 4-4) over Providence
54-42 on Friday in Region 8-AA.
GAC put the game out of reach with a 9-0 scoring run to start the second half. Reece Wiedeman chipped in with 15 points for the Spartans. [Jan. 14 Gwinnett Daily Post]
Wesleyan overpowers GAC girls
By Brandon Brigman, Staff Writer
Jan. 11 Gwinnett Daily Post
NORCROSS — When Wesleyan lost to Briarcrest, Tenn., over Christmas break in the finals of the Deep South Classic it woke up the Wolves.
A week ago when the girls basketball power nearly let a 20-point lead slip away, the Wolves knew they let the game get too close.
After Tuesday’s game against third-ranked Greater Atlanta Christian, it appears No. 1 Wesleyan is starting to put it all together.
The Wolves used a dominating fourth-quarter performance to top GAC 61-43 in the rivalry game of Norcross private schools.
“We got really pumped up for this,” said Sarah Delk, who scored 17 points despite suffering a mild concussion in the second half when she collided at midcourt with a GAC player.
“It seems like lately we have been playing in a cycle of beating ourselves.
We just realized after the Buford game that we have to step it up.”
Wesleyan led 40-29 to start the fourth quarter and with five minutes left in the game turned up the pressure. It forced turnovers and used easy layups to build a 20-point lead and led by as many as 26 at one point.
“When we play as a team we are pretty unstoppable,” said Wesleyan girls coach Jan Azar. “We had a few letdowns that we need to get out of our system, but I’m very pleased with our hustle.”
Bria Smith scored the first basket of the game and it was the only time GAC led the entire night. Wesleyan followed with a 10-0 run with the help of six points from Delk.
Wesleyan (15-2, 8-0) led by as many 12 points in the second quarter, but GAC was able to chip away at the lead to make the game 24-17 to end the half.
GAC (14-4, 6-1) made it a four-point game with baskets from Sarah Grace Pate, Smith and Julio Stephens, but that was the closest the Spartans could make the game.
Le Le LeSeur scored baskets on three of Wesleyan’s next four possessions as the Wolves built their lead again.
Elise and Carolyn Whitney opened the fourth with strong defensive play that allowed Wesleyan to put the game out of reach.
“We obviously have to shoot the ball better,” said GAC coach Mike Mitchell.
“Delk played a great game for them tonight. We just have to try and do what we are supposed to do better.”
Whitney finished with 14 points for Wesleyan, while LeSeur had 11.
GAC was led offensively by Kiki Swanier and Julio Stephens with eight points each.
Wesleyan boys 50, GAC 40
By Brandon Brigman, Staff Writer
Jan. 11 Gwinnett Daily Post
Tanner Smith sank six free throws in the final 1:08 of the game to give Wesleyan a 50-40 win over region foe Greater Atlanta Christian. The win came just a day after players learned that head coach Bill Bufton would not be back next season.
“Definitely, no doubt we wanted to win this game for him,” Smith said. “It was a shock when he told us. We said we wanted to play hard and play strong in the game because that’s all he wanted us to do.”
Wesleyan led 36-26 to start the fourth quarter and nearly let the lead slip away. GAC rallied to make it a four-point game with less than three minutes to play after Brock Bennett hit a 3-pointer.
Wesleyan (14-3, 7-1) then went to the foul line the rest of the game to pull out the victory.
“I think in the first quarter they played inspired, but I think it became a burden later on in the game,” Bufton said of the effect his status had on his players. “Maybe it was a distraction.”
Howard Thompkins led Wesleyan with 16 points, while Smith added 12. Peter Karempelis scored 11 points, all in the first half.
GAC was led by Taylor Wood with 19 points and Reece Wiedeman had 10 points.
No doubt who's No. 1: Wolves let No. 2 Spartans know they're tops in AA By LARRY HARTSTEIN Jan. 11 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
For now, the gap between the top two teams in Class AA remains substantial.
No. 1 Wesleyan hand-delivered that message to No. 2 Greater Atlanta Christian on Tuesday, turning a four-point third-quarter lead into a comfortable 61-43 win.
The Wolves used the formula that earned them back-to-back state titles:
harassing defense, fast breaks and pretty passing. After GAC closed to 29-25, Wesleyan went on an 11-0 run and kept pouring it on in the fourth quarter.
Although not as dramatic as past encounters, the rivalry game between Norcross private schools was typically intense. Players crashed to the floor trying to grab loose balls, take charges and finish in traffic.
Wesleyan's Sarah Delk, who led all scorers with 17, suffered a mild concussion in one third-quarter scrum. But she was all smiles afterward.
"Coach talked to us before the game about how we need to go out and show everyone that they may be No. 2, but that's still No. 2, and we need to show we're No. 1," said Delk, a 6-1 junior. "This is a huge win for us because it's on the road against our big rival."
GAC's leading scorer, D'Nay Daniels, saw her first minutes since spraining her left knee two weeks ago. But she didn't look like herself, shooting
2-for-8 and playing tentatively.
Spartans coach Mike Mitchell would not use the injury as an excuse.
"The big thing was the rest of us didn't do a very good job at times," he said. "When we made mistakes, they capitalized and that's why they are where they are."
Wesleyan improved to 15-2, 8-0 in Region 8-AA. GAC fell to 14-4, 6-1.
As usual, Wesleyan's Whitney twins wreaked defensive havoc. Elise made five steals to go with her 14 points, and Carolyn had six points, five assists and three steals. Power forward Lé Lé LeSeur scored 11, including six in the decisive third quarter.
No team in Class AA has Wesleyan's balance.
"None of us go out there thinking, 'This is going to be my night,'" said Delk, who drove around her defender repeatedly. "We all go so hard and we want it so badly that if one person is having an off night, other people will fill in and step it up."
None of the Spartans broke double figures. Kiki Swanier and Julio Stephens scored eight, Bria Smith and Courtney Samuels six.
Wesleyan now has played three strong games in a row. Coach Jan Azar credited a team meeting after the Buford game, when Wesleyan's 18-point lead dwindled to four.
Though Wesleyan won, it was part of a pattern in which the Wolves let opponents hang around, Azar said.
"Game after game, we were playing close," she said. "It's a lot more fun to give 100 percent for four quarters. That's what we're looking for, and that's what we're getting right now."
SENIOR NIGHT SET FOR JAN. 28 HOMECOMING
Athletic Director Tim Vick reports that Senior Night for basketball players, pep band members, and basketball cheerleaders will be at halftime of the boys' varsity basketball game on Saturday, January 28th, which is also Homecoming. There will be two varsity games against Providence Christian that afternoon: girls at 5:00pm and boys, 6:30pm. The Homecoming Court ceremonies start at 4:00pm in the Bradford Gym.
LADY SPARTANS RECORD (16-4)
--------------------------------------------
GACS 46-55 Marist
GACS 74-30 Chestatee
GACS 75-58 Shaw
GACS 75-35 Lovett
GACS 49-22 Paideia
GACS 81-28 Banks County*
GACS 57-51 Cartersville
GACS 67-12 Union County*
GACS 67-22 Rabun County*
GACS 76-40 Jefferson
GACS 57-39 Buford*
GACS 57-28 Walton
GACS 43-53 South Gwinnett
GACS 55-63 Spartanburg SC
GACS 40-38 East Hall*
GACS 41-25 Dawson County*
GACS 60-34 Chestatee
GACS 43-61 Wesleyan*
GACS 60-36 Providence Christian*
GACS 62-38 Lumpkin County*
*Region game
VARSITY BOYS RECORD (10-10)
-----------------------------------------
GACS 60-47 Cross Keys
GACS 63-53 Blessed Trinity
GACS 54-47 Blessed Trinity
GACS 69-52 Banks County*
GACS 61-71 Union County*
GACS 96-44 Rabun County*
GACS 55-79 Jefferson
GACS 64-63 Buford*
GACS 68-54 Habersham Central
GACS 56-64 Mill Creek
GACS 67-36 Jackson County
GACS 65-70 Christ the King School (NC)
GACS 59-60 Marist
GACS 68-62 Westminster
GACS 60-75 East Hall*
GACS 54-64 Dawson County*
GACS 49-69 Chestatee
GACS 40-50 Wesleyan*
GACS 54-42 Providence Christian*
GACS 52-53 Lumpkin County*
*Region game
BOYS CLASS AA
COACHES' POLL
[Source: www.gasports.com]
---------------------------------------
1. East Hall*
2. Greenville
3. Manchester
4. Dublin
5. Lovett
6. Darlington
7. Greene County
8. Wesleyan*
9. Bleckley County
10. Albany
*Region 8-AA team
LADY SPARTANS & 3 OTHER REGION 8-AA TEAMS DOMINATE CLASS AA TOP 10
GIRLS CLASS AA
COACHES' POLL
[Source: www.gasports.com]
---------------------------------------
1. Laney
2. Wesleyan*
3. Model
4. GREATER ATLANTA CHRISTIAN*
5. Dodge County
6. Holy Innocents'
7. Buford*
8. Screven County
9. West Laurens
10. East Hall*
*Region 8-AA team
JV GIRLS BASKETBALL
Coach Tony McDonald reports:
Lady Spartans JVs (12-0) remain undefeated
Our JV Lady Spartans continued their winning ways with a 30-22 victory over Providence last Friday evening. This was a huge come back from and 8 point deficit the first half.
The team was led by Anjelica Wilcox with 15 points including three treys and
4-for-4 from the foul line. Hope Wooster also put in a big effort with 6 rebounds and 5 steals.
The team returns to action this afternoon [Jan. 17] at 4:30pm at Blessed Trinity, and Friday at East Hall with a 4pm tipoff. Come out and support the future of Lady Spartan basketball.
8TH GRADE GIRLS BASKETBALL
Coach Chan Means reports:
The 8th Grade Lady Spartans improved to 12-0 with wins over Jefferson, Blessed Trinity and Lovett last week.
Saturday we defeated Jefferson 36-15. The girls played amazing team defense
giving up only 1 field goal in three quarters. We had 10 girls score in
this game. Chaney with 12, Briana, Madeline and Haley each had 4 points, Clarke 3, Amanda, Katie, Emery, Blake and Alex each had 2 points. Emery 6, and Amanda 5, led the team in rebounding. Briana had 5 steals and Chaney 5 assists. For the 11th win of the season the Lady Spartans defeated Blessed Trinity by a score of 43-28. Briana led the scoring with 18 points. And the 12th win of the season came against Lovett this past Friday by score of 25-9. Chaney Means led the scoring for the Lady Spartans with 8 points.
Next up is Woodward Academy at GACS today [Jan. 17] at 5:30. Come out and support the Lady Spartans.
.........................................................................................
>WRESTLING
Wolves qualify for state dual wrestling tourney
Jan. 15 Gwinnett Daily Post
For the second consecutive year and the second time in school history, the
Wesleyan Wolves qualified for the state dual wrestling tournament.
Wesleyan (17-10) defeated Greater Atlanta Christian 56-10, Buford 43-27 and
lost to Lovett 50-12 in the finals to place second at the Region 4-AA duals
on Saturday.
“Everyone wrestled pretty good,” said second-year Wesleyan coach Jeff
Bedard. “We lost a couple of matches to Lovett that we shouldn’t have, but
I’m really proud of all the kids hard work. It’s starting to pay off.”
Brendan Patterson (125 pounds), Jay Heflin (135 pounds) and Kelby Smith (189
pounds) all went undefeated, while freshman 275-pound wrestler Andrew
Patrick won a big match for the Wolves in the semifinals against Buford.
Wesleyan will face the Area 1 champion next week at the Class AA Dual
Championships in Macon.
COACH JEFF HARSH REPORTS: [reprinted from Senior High Announcements]
The Spartan wrestling team had a good night Tuesday night in a home match
featuring Dawson County, leaders in AA wrestling, and Landmark Christian,
one of the better teams in A wrestling.
In our first match against Landmark Christian, the Spartans wrestled very
well and came out with a victory by a score of 54-18. Having pins against
the War Eagles were Travis Elrod, Mason Deal, Ben Hixson, Christian Fretz,
Corbin Reynolds, Andrew Deneen, and Chris Alston.
In our second match against Dawson, the Spartans were leading for most of
the match but fell behind 31-45 in the end.
GAC tops Landmark Christian
NORCROSS — Three wrestlers for Greater Atlanta Christian scored pinfalls as
the Spartans defeated Landmark Christian 54-18 Tuesday night.
Travis Elrod (112 pounds), Mason Deal (119 pounds) and Ben Hixson each had
pins against Landmark. GAC also competed against Dawson County and lost
45-31.
[Compiled by Scott Smith Jan. 11 Gwinnett Daily Post]
2005-06 SPARTAN ROSTER
Name / Grade
Alex Davis 10
Andrew Classon 11
Andrew Deneen 12
Ben Golden 10
Ben Hixson 11
Chris Alston 9
Christian Fretz 10
Cody Davidson 9
Corbin Reynolds 9
Drew Schoepf 9
Locke Hoover 9
Mason Deal 11
Michael Phelps 11
Travis Elrod 9
Head Coach: Jeff Harsh
Asst. Coach: Bob Harsh
CLASS AA WRESTLING
COACHES' POLL
[Source: www.gasports.com]
---------------------------------------
1 LaFayette
2 Dublin
3 West Laurens
4 Pepperell
5 Lovett
6 Cook County
7 Toombs County
8 Wesleyan
9 Darlington
10 Calhoun
VARSITY WRESTLING SCHEDULE (*Home matches noted)
Jan. 18 GAC and Yeshiva at St. Francis Day School; Roswell GA
Jan. 20-21 Class AA Dual Championships; Macon GA
*Jan. 26 Buford and Wesleyan at GAC
Jan. 27-28 GAC at Bowdon Tournament; Bowdon GA
Jan. 31 GAC and Chamblee at Dunwoody
Feb. 3-4 Traditional Area Tournament
Feb. 10-11 Traditional State Tournament
JUNIOR HIGH WRESTLING SCHEDULE (*Home matches noted)
Jan. 18 GAC at St. Francis Day School; Roswell GA
Jan. 21 GAC, Pace Academy and Holy Innocents' at Lovett Duals
Jan. 24 GAC and Walker at Woodward Academy
Jan. 28 GAC at North Chattahoochee Middle School Conference Tournament
....................................................................................
>SWIMMING & DIVING
SWIM TEAM REPORT [reprinted from Jan. 9 Senior High Announcements]
Although the final scores did not claim the Spartan team as the victors in
[Jan. 6] meet against Wesleyan and Providence, the GAC clan reestablished
themselves as contenders for the big meet to come in February.
The girls’ medley relay team of Patricia Williams, Emma Eisler, Ali Slack,
and Annalise Peters bettered their State Qualifying cut by better than 3
seconds (!:57.48).
The boys’ medley relay team of Sean Frendt, Tom McArthur, John Toll, and
Michael Hughes answered with an identical 3-second better time in the State
ranks (1:48.84).
Ali Slack in her first individual appearance this season, solidified her top
2 State ranking in the 50 free (24.42) and the 100 free (53.37). John Toll
became the 4th ranked in the State for the 100 fly with his race Friday
night (53.96). Almost all swimmers had personal bests for the evening. The
final scores for the boys: Wesleyan – 309, Providence – 173, GAC – 148.
Final girls’ scores: Wesleyan – 317; GAC – 228; Providence – 106.
For Saturday’s meet vs. Paideia, the scores for the boys were Paideia – 97;
GAC – 70. Girls’ scores were GAC – 103; Paideia – 65 . We will receive
official times from that meet later this week.
Wesleyan sweeps GAC, Providence
Jan. 10 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Host Wesleyan swept a three-way swim and dive meet Friday against Greater
Atlanta Christian and Providence. The girls scores were Wesleyan 317, GAC
228, Providence 106; boys scores were Wesleyan 309, Providence 173, GAC 148.
The boys winners were:
200 medley relay, GAC (Sean Frendt, Tom McArthur, John Toll, Michael
Hughes);
200 free, John Toll, GAC;
200 IM, Rich McMurry, Wesleyan;
50 free, Michael Hughes, GAC;
1-meter diving, Alex Eversbusch, Wesleyan;
100 fly, John Toll, GAC;
100 free, Michael Hughes, GAC;
500 free, Lawrence Buckley, Wesleyan;
200 free relay, Wesleyan (Greg Gossett, Buckley, Fred Akers, Jordan Dale);
100 back, Stephen Durham, Wesleyan;
100 breast, Josh Sharpe, Providence;
400 free relay, Wesleyan (Matt Gossett, Buckley, Jordan Dale, Greg Gossett).
The girls winners were:
200 medley relay, Wesleyan (Caiti Troyer, Hannah Machemehl, Caitlin
Reynolds, Meg Reynolds);
200 free, Meg Reynolds, Wesleyan;
200 IM, Caitlin Reynolds, Wesleyan;
50 free, Ali Slack, GAC;
1-meter diving, Maggie Worthington, Wesleyan;
100 fly, Meg Reynolds, Wesleyan;
100 free, Slack, GAC;
500 free, Caitlin Reynolds, Wesleyan;
200 free relay, Wesleyan (Jessica Landis, Katherine Rosenkranz, Catherine
Schamp, Kristen Taylor); 100 back, Alex Bufton, Wesleyan;
100 breast, Emma Eisler, GAC;
400 free relay, Wesleyan (Jenna Worsham, Meg Reynolds, Bufton, Caitlin
Reynolds).
GACS SWIMMING STATE QUALIFIERS
[Source: www.gasports.com]
EVENT.....GENDER....SWIMMER OR
TEAM....GRADE...TIME...SCHOOL....CLASSIFICATION
200 MedRel F Greater Atlanta Christian Relay 12 1:57.48 Greater Atlanta
Christian AAAA-A
200 MedRel M Greater Atlanta Christian Relay 12 1:48.84 Greater Atlanta
Christian AAAA-A
200 Free M John Toll 12 1:47.95 Greater Atlanta Christian AAAA-A
200 IM F Emma Eisler 9 2:19.68 Greater Atlanta Christian AAAA-A
200 IM M John Toll 12 2:05.30 Greater Atlanta Christian AAAA-A
50 Free F Ali Slack 11 24.42 Greater Atlanta Christian AAAA-A
50 Free F Annalise Peters 12 26.07 Greater Atlanta Christian AAAA-A
50 Free M Michael Hughes 12 22.62 Greater Atlanta Christian AAAA-A
50 Free M John Toll 12 23.26 Greater Atlanta Christian AAAA-A
100 Fly M John Toll 12 53.96 Greater Atlanta Christian AAAA-A
100 Free F Ali Slack 11 53.37 Greater Atlanta Christian AAAA-A
100 Free F Jessica Pate 12 56.54 Greater Atlanta Christian AAAA-A
100 Free F Annalise Peters 12 57.18 Greater Atlanta Christian AAAA-A
100 Free M Michael Hughes 12 51.72 Greater Atlanta Christian AAAA-A
200 FrRel F Greater Atlanta Christian Relay 12 1:51.73 Greater Atlanta
Christian AAAA-A
200 FrRel M Greater Atlanta Christian Relay 12 1:37.74 Greater Atlanta
Christian AAAA-A
100 Back F Jessica Pate 12 1:02.33 Greater Atlanta Christian AAAA-A
100 Brst F Emma Eisler 9 1:10.64 Greater Atlanta Christian AAAA-A
400 FrRel F Greater Atlanta Christian Relay 12 3:55.20 Greater Atlanta
Christian AAAA-A
400 FrRel M Greater Atlanta Christian Relay 12 3:38.96 Greater Atlanta
Christian AAAA-A
2005-06 SWIMMING & DIVING SCHEDULE
Day / Date / Meet / Type / Opponents / Location / Start
Thursday Jan. 19 Varsity swim & diving at Lovett 4:30pm
Friday Jan. 20 Junior High diving at Marist Championships 5:00pm
Saturday Jan. 21 Junior High swimming at Marist Championships 9:00 am
Friday Jan. 27 Varsity diving at Metro Championships at Westminster 4:00pm
Saturday Jan. 28 Varsity Swimming Preliminaries at Metro Championships
Westminster 9:00am
Saturday Jan. 28 Varsity Swimming Finals at Metro Championships at
Westminster 7:30pm
Wednesday Feb. 8 Varsity Diving at State Championshipa at Westminster
1:00pm
Friday Feb. 10 Varsity Swimming Preliminaries at State Championship at
Westminster 5:00pm
Saturday Feb. 11 Varsity Swimming Finals at State Championship at
Westminster 6:00pm
____________________________________________________________________
EMMA LENE PHILLIPS: GACS PIONEER PASSES AWAY
A note from Chancellor Jesse Long & President David Fincher
Emma Lene Phillips died [Wednesday] afternoon. Those of you who are GAC
alumni or were part of the school in the first two decades will probably
remember well her influence, enthusiasm, and commitment to making Greater
Atlanta Christian possible. All of us, whether recent to the GAC family or
“old” vets, owe a great debt to her for helping make our mission possible.
When you picture commitment, you picture Emma Lene, and she showed it with
her life and her family. She was one of the founders and early presidents of
LACE, and her family fully joined in the effort. Her husband, Lofton
("L.A.") was a board member, as is her son, Steve, today.
Two daughters, Joy Sharp (active GAC volunteer) and Jill Southerland
(Spartan Store staff member) are alumnae. Nine grandchildren are currently
with us or have already graduated from GAC. Through them all, we see Emma
Lene’s steady direction and her genuine gracious spirit. (Jesse notes that
it’s evident to all who knew them that L.A. overmarried.)
In each era, God raises up His servants for a special purpose. Whether you
knew Emma Lene or not, she is a part of your work today. Other emails will
share about the arrangements for her, but right now we hope you will thank
God for a giving Christian woman who believed in your work.
Remember the stories of those like Emma Lene who sacrificed for us today,
and let’s honor their work by our own. [photo below]
Jesse Long and David Fincher
__________________________________________________________________
>THE BEST OF GAC ANNOUNCEMENTS [reprinted from
>www.greateratlantachristian.org]
Broadway is coming to GACS! Disney’s “Beauty and the Beast” will be our
Homecoming musical for 2006. Tickets are on sale now in the Student-Family
Center in the Community Relations office on the second floor. Tickets are
$5.00 for students and $7.00 for adults. The show times are: Thursday,
January 26 at 7:30. Friday, January 27 at 7:30; Sunday, January 29 at 2:00
and 7:30. Come and find out if anyone can learn to love a beast!
Homecoming is January 28. The Homecoming Ceremonies will begin at 4:00 pm
in the Bradford Gym, followed by the Varsity basketball games against
Providence Christian Academy. After the games there is a parent sponsored
dance at the Gwinnett Civic Center from 8:30 pm until 12:00. A letter has
been mailed to all high school students with additional information. The
parents sponsoring the dance will be accepting registration in the cafeteria
on Fridays. If you have not received a letter by the end of this week, call
Mrs. Wagoner at 770-243-2263.
Please make a note that the school address has changed. We no longer have
the P.O. Box. All correspondence to GACS should be addressed to 1575 Indian
Trail Road; Norcross, Ga. 30093-2614.
Reminder of the Coat Dress code for JH and SH: only GAC uniform outerwear is
permitted. The Spartan Store has a new delivery of 200 wool coats for the
JH and SH boys. Please bring any gently worn jackets, sweaters, coats,
sweatshirts, hats, and gloves to the JH lower and upper hall drop off boxes
to help support “Jackets for Jesus”.
Mark you calendars for every Monday in January, February and March for the
JH Parent to Parent Meeting from 2:15 – 3:00pm in the Wista Worthen Meeting
Room located in the Student Family Center.
2006 SCHOOL CALENDAR
January 26-27, 29 Homecoming musical: BEAUTY AND THE BEAST
January 28 Homecoming Court; 4pm; Bradford Gym
February 17-21 Winter Break
March 23, 25 Spartan Spectacular
March 31 Grandparents' Day (noon dismissal)
April 3-7 Spring break
April 28 Junior/Senior Banquet
May 5 Celebration Dinner
May 25 Commencement
See the school calendar online at
http://63.243.64.130:84/default/d01/01/2006?display=M&style=B&positioning=A
________________________________________________________
|
| KING'S GATE THEATRE
|
| Jan. 26-27 & 29.....BEAUTY AND THE BEAST; Homecoming Musical
| Feb. 10-11............FRESHMAN FOLLIES
| Mar. 10-11............DINNER THEATRE
| Mar. 17-18............VISION SHOWCASE
| May 11-13............COMEDY OF ERRORS
|
| [reprinted from the GACS PARENT CONNECTION]
|_______________________________________________________
>REGION 8-AA NEWS
BILL BUFTON: A CLASS ACT
By Will Hammock, Sports Editor
Jan. 12 Gwinnett Daily Post
Bill Bufton was no doubt shocked. We all were.
His Wesleyan boys basketball team was winning. It had been state ranked. It
was fresh off a win over Buford, the No. 2 team in Class AA. Bufton's star
player, Howard Thompkins, was on a scoring spree.
The road to a sixth straight state tournament appearance looked set. All
signs pointed to a bright future for Bufton at Wesleyan.
Then a week ago Wesleyan headmaster Zach Young informed Bufton that he felt
it was time for a change of leadership in the boys basketball program at the
end of the season. In short, he was told that the final game of this season
would be his last as the Wolves coach.
Certainly the coach of a 14-3 team doesn't expect such news. How could you?
The players in his program didn't plan on it, and they were understandably
upset.
I wasn't real happy with the decision either. I have developed a good
relationship with Bufton since meeting him nearly 10 years ago.
When members of the media began asking Bufton about Wesleyan's decision,
which was announced to the team on Monday evening, he could have spouted
off. He could have taken shots at Young or Wesleyan, as some angry coaches
might have done.
But Bufton took the high road. He handled it with class, and informed his
players to do the same.
A letter he read to his players included this instruction: "Your initial
reaction might be of shock, anger, and hurt, but please put it aside. I want
you to know that I am at peace with this decision. I am grateful for the
opportunity I have had at Wesleyan for the past 7 1/2 years. It has been a
great opportunity and experience for me and my family. I only wish Wesleyan
the best in the future."
By not stirring things up, it shows how much Bufton cares about the school
and its basketball program, one that he built into a state power. Three of
his children will graduate from the Norcross private school - two of
children are seniors - and he has two younger children in seventh and 10th
grade at Wesleyan. Whether his younger kids are able to finish at Wesleyan
is up in the air.
So is Bufton's coaching career. He has the option to remain at Wesleyan in
his faculty position, but he could look elsewhere for a coaching job.
He'll end up coaching somewhere. Some school will be lucky to have a veteran
coach with 300 plus wins, but more fortunate to get a guy with such class.
Bufton out as Wesleyan boys basketball coach
By Will Hammock, Sports Editor
Jan. 11 Gwinnett Daily Post
Bill Bufton found out last Thursday that his successful run as Wesleyan’s
head boys basketball coach is over after this season, and he informed his
team of the news at a Monday night practice.
Bufton read a letter to his players that included the following passage:
“The administration of Wesleyan School has decided they want a change of
leadership in the boys basketball program at the conclusion of the season.”
The coach, in his eighth year as head of the school’s boys basketball
program, went on to say in the letter that “because I respect authority and
have a sincere love for Wesleyan, I will not be the basketball coach next
year.”
Essentially Bufton was given the choice to wait until the end of the season
to let them know about Wesleyan’s decision, or tell his players now. He
chose the latter.
The players, like Bufton, were shocked that the coach of a 14-3 team wasn’t
being retained after this season. He has led the Wolves to five straight
state tournaments and has them on track for a sixth this season. In his 22nd
year as a head coach, he has more than 300 career wins, including a 127-87
record at Wesleyan.
“I discussed it with my wife and five kids, (my oldest son) Beau was home
from college, and our first reaction was to keep it quiet until the end of
the season,” Bufton said on Tuesday. “But I didn’t want it to get out there
somehow and then do damage control. I wanted to tell my players first.”
Bufton will coach his team the remainder of this season. He has the option
of returning as Wesleyan’s Dean of Students and eighth grade Bible teacher
for the 2006-2007 school year, but said he likely will pursue another place
where he can coach basketball.
Two of Bufton’s children, Brett and Alex, are seniors at Wesleyan and his
oldest son, Beau, attends Baylor University. But his two youngest children —
Ashlyn is a 10th-grader and Alyson is a seventh-grader — both attend
Wesleyan and that may influence his decision to leave.
Wesleyan headmaster Zach Young didn’t go into details about his reasons for
making a change in the basketball program, but indicated it wasn’t about
wins and losses.
“In my view it was time for a change in the boys basketball program,” Young
said. “It was about telling him of something that was going to happen (at
the end of the season) rather than wait until the end of the season to tell
him. I thought it was fairer to tell him and give him time to make his next
step.
“I thought it was better to tell him and let him decide when to (let his
players know).”
Bufton said the news caught him and his players off guard. Former players
have called the coach regularly since word got out of his departure, and he
received more than 50 e-mails from current and past Wesleyan parents on
Tuesday.
“(The players) were shocked, angry,” Bufton said. “They’re a little
distraught right now. But we’ve still got games to win this season. I’m not
going to bail on them and they’re not going to bail on me.”
Bufton's tenure as coach will end after this season
By Larry Hartstein
Jan. 11 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Wesleyan's Bill Bufton confirmed Tuesday night that he'll be relieved of his
head-coaching duties at the end of the season.
"The administration wants to make a change," Bufton said before his Wolves
played at Greater Atlanta Christian. "They think it's in the best interests
of Wesleyan. I respect that. Obviously I don't agree with it, but I sure
respect it. They've been very good to me for the last 7 1/2 years."
Bufton said he has been asked to remain dean of students for Wesleyan's
middle school but is not sure whether he'll stay or pursue another coaching
job. He said he was informed of the decision last Thursday, and the players
were told Monday.
Bufton said he was proud of the Wolves' accomplishments in his tenure, which
include several 20-win seasons, a region championship and a current No. 7
ranking in Class AA. He said he was prouder of the close relationships he
has built with current and former players.
"I'm going to finish the last half a year with the same integrity and
character as the first 7 1/2 years," he said.
>SPARTAN ALUMNI NEWS
Sherill Baker becomes UGA's all-time steals leader
By Corey Clark, Staff Writer
Jan. 14 Gwinnett Daily Post
She doesn't even remember the play.
Sure it was the 343rd steal of her career and moved her ahead of legendary
Olympian Teresa Edwards into first place on the all-time University of
Georgia list, but Sherill Baker honestly doesn't remember the play at all.
"I really don't," she said with a laugh.
It seems when you've done it as many times as Baker has, the steals have a
tendency to run together. After all, it's doubtful Rickey Henderson
remembers every base he stole either.
For the record, Baker's record-breaking theft came in the second minute of
the Bulldogs' road victory over Ole Miss last week. Baker, playing in her
customary role on top of Georgia's 2-3 zone, deflected a pass and drove
downcourt for an easy layup.
Just like that, Baker had supplanted Edwards, who is considered one of the
top female basketball players of all time.
Minutes before the Bulldogs' next game, Sunday in Athens against Florida,
the former UGA superstar presented Baker with a game ball.
"It was amazing," Baker said. "It was unbelievable. The emotions that ran
though me when she gave me that ball, it really was incredible."
Just to show that her record was no fluke, Baker went ahead and picked up
two steals in the first minute of the Bulldogs' 89-70 win over Florida.
The senior finished with four and now has 77 on the season and 354 for her
career.
The Greater Atlanta Christian grad leads the nation in steals with an
average of 5.1 per game (nobody else in the country averages more than 4.0)
and is just 20 steals away from the all-time SEC career record, held by Tan
White of Mississippi State. Former Meadowcreek and South Carolina star
Jocelyn Penn is second on the list with 359 career steals.
Baker has difficulty explaining how she does it, how she consistently
deflects passes, strips ball-handlers, creates turnovers.
During a two-game stretch earlier this season, Baker had an astounding nine
steals in back-to-back games vs. Loyola Marymount and Middle Tennessee.
"I don't know," she said, "I just try to anticipate and get into passing
lanes. I try to use my quickness as an advantage."
Smart move. There are few guards in the country that have Baker's quickness
- in fact there may not be an equal anywhere in the nation.
And she doesn't just use her extraordinary athletic gifts on defense either.
Like Rickey Henderson, she does more than just steal. A lot more.
Baker is second in the conference in scoring, averaging 18.8 points per game
- Georgia sophomore Tasha Humphrey leads the SEC.
The 5-foot-8 guard is also averaging 4.9 rebounds per game and 3.4 assists,
and has played all 40 minutes in seven games this season.
"I take a lot of pride in my whole game," Baker said. "And my defense has
helped me get a lot of easy baskets on the other end."
But everybody already knew she could play defense. Baker has been a theft
artist since she arrived in Athens, setting a UGA freshman record for
steals.
This year she's become a potent scoring threat. She has scored a career-high
25 points in three games this season, including Thursday night at No. 1
Tennessee, and is the only Bulldog to hit double figures in all 14 games.
Her shooting percentage is also way up, from a .408 percentage last year to
a .542 percentage this season.
"I worked on my jumpshot a lot in the offseason," Baker said.
Though her scoring average has risen dramatically, she says she hasn't made
a concerted effort to shoot more this season. It's just worked out that way.
"No, you don't want to force anything," Baker said, "you want to be relaxed
out there."
It appears Baker is certainly relaxed.
And she's definitely at peace with the decision she made four years ago to
attend UGA and play for head coach Andy Landers.
Asked if she can believe it's already been four years, she pauses before
finally answering: "I mean, it's gone by fast I guess. But actually going
through the process every day, going through practice, it's been rather
slow. But I've enjoyed myself. I don't regret it at all."
The speech-communication major hopes to get a job in television broadcasting
after her basketball career is done, though she definitely wouldn't mind
taking her black-bag act to the WNBA before exploring that avenue.
As for now, with this season and this team, Baker thinks a national
championship isn't completely out of the realm of possibility.
"No doubt, we can do it," Baker said, "it's going to be hard, it's going to
be extremely hard. But I know we can do it."
Former GAC coach Tom Kelsey scores big win
Former Greater Atlanta Christian boys basketball coach Tom Kelsey led his
Belhaven College (MS) basketball team to a big upset last week, an 88-83 win
over host LSU-Shreveport, the No. 5 team in the country. Kelsey resigned
from GAC after the 2004-2005 season to take the head coaching job at
Belhaven, an NAIA program in Jackson, Miss. [Jan. 17 Gwinnett Daily Post]
>SPARTAN PHOTOS ONLINE
Martin Photography link
http://martinphotography.morephotos.com/mp_includes/index.asp
Gwinnett Daily Post link
http://gwinnettdailypost.mycapture.com/mycapture/index.asp?view=yes&groupingid=2649
---------------- PHOTO GALLERY BELOW ---------------
1. Wesleyan’s Ali Watt (10) pulls down a rebound over Greater Atlanta
Christian’s Courtney Samuels (25) during Tuesday’s game. [photo by James
Nedock/Gwinnett Daily Post]
2. GAC's Bria Smith drives past Wesleyan's Elise Whitney, who had five
steals to go with her 14 points. [photo by Vino Wong/The Atlanta
Journal-Constitution]
3. Mrs. Emma Lene Phillips presents a check from LACE to GACS President
Jesse Long in 1971.
4. GAC grad Sherill Baker is having her best season at the University of
Georgia. [photo reprinted from Jan. 14 Gwinnett Daily Post]
5. Brock Bennett breaks the Lumpkin County defensive pressure.
6. Brett Johnson gets a "no-call" from the referee at midcourt.
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