Memorable TSSAA Spring Fling performances by area athletes and teams
During the 2012 football season, East Hamilton football coach Ted Gatewood was blessed with some talent at the tight end position. It turns out that Hurricanes tennis coach Michael Jackson was, too.
While traditional spring sports such as baseball, softball and track are winding down, the Southern tradition of spring football practice is just kicking off at many tri-state area schools.
Moments after claiming his first-ever District 6-A/AA championship, Central's John Mitchell was sitting on the bench collecting himself when he felt a big hand on his shoulder. It was that of his father, Central head coach Jack.
The top two seeds advanced to the winners-bracket final, but it could just as easily have been the third and fourth seeds advancing in the District 6-AA baseball tournament.
East Hamilton coach Cara Stiles watched her team shake off some rust and then crush Red Bank 12-2 in five innings Tuesday in the District 6-AA softball tournament at Warner Park.
It would be the equivalent of a football team practicing tackling drills on asphalt or a basketball player using a gravel parking lot to work on his ball-handling.
This time last year Central was riding high heading into the District 6-AA softball tournament.
In the stroke of a single day, Bledsoe County went from being in position for its first district baseball championship in more than two decades to hosting a District 7-AA playoff game Thursday afternoon.
• Hannah Morrison, Marion County: She hit a home run in a 5-1 softball defeat of Whitwell.
A decade of students have made the hallway rounds since Central High School last won a district baseball championship.
• Preston Reavis, Sale Creek: He hit a home run and knocked in three runs during the Panthers' 15-1 baseball win over Van Buren County
Chattanooga Christian high school principal and soccer coach Shawn Brower recently announced his resignation, effective at the end of the season.
• Hagen Wilkey, Red Bank: He pitched a 10-strikeout no-hitter as the Lions took a 10-0 District 6-AA baseball victory from East Ridge.
* Dakota Hooker, Sale Creek: He pitched a one-hitter and went 2-for-4 when the Panthers beat Arts & Sciences in baseball.
