Anna WardRed Bank's Marjorie Smith recently signed scholarship papers to continue her volleyball career at Tennessee Wesleyan.
Last fall Smith was a Times Free Press Best of Preps third-team selection. She was the kills and blocks leader for state-tournament participant Red Bank, which won the Region 3-AA and District 6 championships, and she was chosen most valuable player of the district tournament.
"Marjorie, overall, is an outstanding athlete," first-year Red Bank coach Savannah Nelson said. "She has a passion for the sport. She always cared about how she played, and always cared about her teammates. She wanted them to do just as well. She always worked hard and pushed herself at practice."
Signal goes 4-0
There was no championship game, but the Signal Mountain baseball team went through East Hamilton's Hurricane Classic last week unscathed in four games. Host East Hamilton finished 3-1, losing the head-to-head with Signal by 5-4. The round-robin field included Soddy-Daisy, Rhea County, Hixson, Boyd-Buchanan and Gwinnett (Ga.).
Grant Gaibraith was the tournament MVP, and Signal teammates making the all-tournament team were Drew Lowry, Briston Reese and Seth Wicker. Other all-tournament members were East Hamilton's Nick Woods, Drew Cantrell, Davis Dunn and Jared Price; Rhea County's Cameron Wilkerson and Westin Ray; Hixson's Garrett Layne; Soddy-Daisy's Reed Cranmore; and Boyd-Buchanan's Bray Wilson.
Ward to Dixie State
Girls Preparatory School held a scholarship-signing ceremony Thursday for All-America swimmer Anna Ward, who's headed to Dixie State University in St. George, Utah.
Dixie State is an NCAA Division II school that just completed its first swimming season, and Ward said that is part of the excitement for her. GPS coach John Woods said Ward's versatility makes her an especially good fit for a young program.
"I think it will be a great place for her. I think she can be a very important part of the team, just as she has been here," Woods said. "She can swim just about everything. They'll be able to put her about anyplace they need her."
The 5-foot-2 Ward is one of the GPS captains and has been part of school-record 200 medley and 400 freestyle relays, both with All-America times. She's had all-state recognition as well.
Once Dixie State coach Benjamin Rae contacted her about the beginning of this school year, Ward really didn't look elsewhere, she said.
"I really like the city. It's near a lot of national parks," she said.
Covenant for Lewis
Bradley Central senior and recent ProStar Fastpitch addition Cassidy Lewis has announced her intention to play softball for Division III Covenant College.
"Cassidy is an extremely athletic player that has spent time in both the infield and the outfield," ProStar CEO Steve Chattin said in a release. "She possesses a strong arm, sure hands and untapped potential in her offensive game."
Further, Chattin said, "We always stress to our girls to find the right fit regardless of classification. We believe Cassidy has found that fit. She is a 4.0-plus student with a strong ACT score that can also play softball."
He said he could envision her at shortstop or any other position except pitcher and catcher for the up-and-coming Lady Scots.
"Once I visited Covenant College I knew I had found a home," Lewis said. " My heart was not in attending any school but Covenant."