Lady Yellow Jackets honoring military

Arkansas-SEMO Live Blog

Lookout Valley's Lady Yellow Jackets will have a "Salute the Troops" day when they host Sale Creek and Ringgold in volleyball Thursday afternoon. Action is scheduled to begin at 4:30 with Lookout Valley against fellow District 6-A member Sale Creek in a nondistrict match.

The Lady Panthers play Ringgold at 5:30. A brief ceremony recognizing the community's military veterans is set to take place before the Lady Jackets face the Lady Tigers at 6:30.

"We've had several students who are serving, and have served," Lookout Valley coach Pat Conard said. "We're just trying to recognize them."

Conard said her players are selling patriotic bracelets this week to commemorate the occasion. They also plan to decorate their black-and-gold trimmed gymnasium in red, white and blue.

Money from the gate, as well as any additional donations, will be forwarded to the Special Operations Warriors Foundation (www.specialops.org). The charity was recommended by Doug Mitchell, who is retired from the U.S. Army. His daughter, Katelyn, is a junior outside hitter for Lookout Valley.

No. 2 hosts No. 1

A meeting of No. 1 and No. 2 will take place at McCallie on Friday when the second-ranked Blue Tornado host Ensworth in TSSAA Division II-AA football.

McCallie moved up to No. 2 and Baylor to No. 3 in the state rankings that were released Monday afternoon. Baylor has an open date Friday.

Elsewhere in the polls, Signal Mountain climbed to No. 3 in Class 4A, Notre Dame entered the top five at No. 5 and McMinn Central made its initial poll showing at No. 9 in 3A, Marion County is No. 6 in 2A and South Pittsburg and Copper Basin are Nos. 9 and 10 in Class 1A.

Trion quietly on rise

The Trion softball program is no stranger to success, but this year could hold special promise. With rival and multi-time state champion Gordon Lee now in Class AA, the Class A Lady Bulldogs hope to seize the opportunity when the postseason begins next month.

Trion (14-3, 8-2 in Region 6A-A) is ranked No. 5 in the latest Georgia public school power ratings, led by a lineup batting a collective .423. Coach Jason Lanham, also the school's baseball coach, manages a game much like he does in the spring. The aggressive Lady Bulldogs have 95 stolen bases.

"We're hitting well and the girls are always looking to take the extra base," Lanham said. "Jaden Morris, Kiki Evans and Rayven Lawrence are each hitting above .500, and we've gotten good pitching from Payton Henderson and Lindsey Shepherd."

Trion, currently at its highest ranking, is the likely No. 2 seed behind Mount Zion in the region tournament with high hopes of hosting a state playoff series.

"When Gordon Lee left it created a power void in Class A, and we hope to fill it," Lanham said. "It's a great opportunity at least for the next two years. It's like we've said in baseball, why not us?"

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