John Shulman has attended Baylor-McCallie high school basketball games before. But for the first time Saturday, he'll have a courtside view.
The former University of Tennessee at Chattanooga coach and 24-year coach at the college level is in his first season as head coach at McCallie, which will host Baylor in a Division II-AA East/Middle Region game at 7:30 p.m.
"It's pretty special to be a part of it," Shulman said. "It's one of those games that 20 years down the road the players can talk about being in it."
Because he's attended in the past, Shulman is aware of the hype surrounding the game and the craziness both spirited student sections provide. He said his goal will be to keep things low key.
"We've got to try to treat it like it's another game," Shulman said. "It's a region game. It's an important game. It always is for both schools."
The Blue Tornado won their first 16 games this season but had lost three of four heading into Thursday's region game at Father Ryan.
"We're trying to focus on us," Shulman said. "We've got to get back to being McCallie. If we can do that, we'll get better."
LaFayette duo moving on
Two LaFayette softball players have secured deals to continue their athletic careers.
Three-year starter Hannah O'Shields will sign with Bryan College next week after helping lead the Lady Ramblers to a third-place finish in tough Region 7-AAAA this past season. The catcher, also a three-year starter in basketball, hit .304 with 20 RBIs this season and flashed college-ready defensive skills.
"Hannah is very solid behind the plate, and she has an above-average arm," said LaFayette coach Glen Woodard, who also noted that O'Shields' throws to second base have been timed under three seconds. "The most important thing, at least for us, was she's a great leader."
Pitcher Victoria Day will continue her career at Covenant College. She won 13 games as the team's main pitcher this past season after winning seven as a junior in a split rotation role, with ERAs well under three runs each season.
"We finished third in our region, one of the best in the state, largely because of her," Woodard said. "She was a bulldog for us and did anything we asked of her."
Sledge to Motlow
Kathleen SledgeWhitwell's Kathleen Sledge has accepted a softball scholarship offer from Motlow State and will sign papers today.
Sledge visited the two-year college around the end of summer and loved it. Being from a small town, she's pleased to be going somewhere with a similar feel.
"It was the best of everything," Sledge said, "-- softball, school and it's small."
She batted .350 last season for Whitwell with two triples, seven doubles and 18 RBIs.
"She's a solid hitter," Whitwell coach Derrin Easterly said. "She doesn't get fooled very often at the plate."
Sledge, who could play third base at Motlow if needed, has been the starting catcher since she's been with the Lady Tigers. Her career goal is to become a teacher and coach.
"In all the games we played last year, I can't remember her ever having a passed ball," Easterly said. "Defensively she's one of the most solid catchers I've seen, regardless of softball or baseball. And she knows the game. It's like having another coach on the field. She's very smart, and always dependable."
Ranked teams gather
Four of the state's top 10 teams in the latest Tennessee wrestling coaches' poll will be in action in one place this evening.
Seventh-ranked McCallie will host Baylor, Father Ryan and Montgomery Bell Academy beginning at 5:30. No. 1 Baylor and the Blue Tornado will wrestle No. 2 Father Ryan and sixth-ranked MBA in a double-dual.
"We'll wrestle MBA at 5:30 and then Father Ryan at 7," McCallie coach Mike Newman said.
The meets will go a long way in deciding seeds for the Division II state duals as well as the East/Middle regional tournament, which also will be held at McCallie.
That traditional region on Feb. 7 will have a new look. In trying to balance the power and to do away with the lone out-bracket match in each weight class last year, the TSSAA shifted Father Ryan, Brentwood Academy and Ensworth to the DII West region. The top four medalists in each weight class will advance to an eight-man-per-class state tournament.
"Teams for the East/Middle Region are Baylor, McCallie, MBA, Franklin Road Academy, Knox Webb, Donelson Christian, Battle Ground Academy, Pope John Paul II and St. Andrew's-Sewanee," Newman said. "We're hoping to start around 11 and have the finals around 2:30 or 3."
Tigers top 1,000
Ringgold had two basketball players surpass the career 1,000-point plateau last weekend. Senior Kile Sholl and junior Bethany Headrick both reached the milestone against Catoosa County rival Heritage. They were recognized for the achivement before Tuesday's games against Sonoraville.
Sholl, who has earned Best of Preps honors in football and basketball, has started in basketball for four years and leads the Tigers with 16 points per game this season. Headrick, a three-year starter, is the Lady Tigers' leading scorer and rebounder with 18 points and eight rebounds per game.
"It was definitely a surprise," said Headrick, who had no idea she was nearing the mark. "I've worked very hard and it meant a lot to me. My family and Coach (Margaret) Stockburger have been behind me the whole time, and they deserve a lot of the credit."
Bruisers in state
Girls Preparatory School joined McCallie (already reported) in reaching the Division II state bowling tournament next weekend in Smyrna, and the Bruisers did the Blue Tornado one better by winning the East/Middle roll-offs. GPS won 19-8 over Father Ryan in their region final with a 7-1 victory in the final game.
In Division I girls' sectionals Saturday, Walker Valley will host Oakland at 11 a.m. at the Leisure Time center in Cleveland and Soddy-Daisy will visit Region 4 winner Columbia Central. Columbia's boys will be home against Walker Valley on Monday, when McMinn County hosts Tullahoma at Classic Lanes in Athens.