Tony Ellis, LFO, softball coachLakeview-Fort Oglethorpe softball coach Tony Ellis resigned that duty late last week, according to a news release from the Catoosa County Board of Education.
Ellis coached the Lady Warriors for eight seasons after replacing Chip Liner in 2004. Ellis' teams went 233-60-4 and won six region championships. Each of his teams made it to the state playoffs, where LFO twice finished as the runner-up. His 2011 team won 26 games and the region title and made it to the Class AA final four.
Ellis met with his players briefly Thursday to inform them of his resignation, but they were not allowed to ask questions.
Ellis and athletic director Todd Windham declined to comment. The two-sentence release from the county office did say, according to LFO principal Terri Vandiver, "Mr. Ellis will continue to teach at LFO High School."
Ramblers look ahead
After pulling off one of the major upsets of the first round of the GHSA boys' basketball playoffs, the LaFayette Ramblers have their sights set on another one in Wednesday's second-round game at Booker T. Washington.
LaFayette (20-6) shocked third-ranked Walnut Grove on Saturday, 68-61, for the program's first playoff win since 1982. Coach Tommy Swanson said his players are back to work and trying to put the win behind them.
"I'm just so proud of our guys," he said. "The key was we didn't get too up or down during the game and we kept getting after them defensively. Our guard play was excellent and [post] Lance Estus really made them change their defensive game plan with his play inside in the first half."
Washington (19-9) defeated Troup County 65-54. The Atlanta school lost in the second round last season to Murray County.
Cumberlands signs five
The University of the Cumberlands in Williamsburg, Ky. recently signed five area players to football scholarships. The five are Isaiah Hayes from Brainerd, Drew Chambers from Signal Mountain, Jake Ables from Soddy-Daisy and Tyner's Chandler Patrick and Bobby Hendricks.
Hayes is a linebacker and running back, Ables a linebacker/defensive lineman, Chambers a defensive lineman, Patrick a linebacker/fullback and Hendricks a running back/receiver and defensive back.
Moore to Eagles
East Hamilton quarterback/receiver and punter Chris Moore will sign with Carson-Newman on Tuesday. Moore is expected to compete for the Eagles' kicking and punting chores.