A “pink out” will be the theme today when Central hosts Red Bank in a District 6-AA softball game at 4:30 p.m. All profits from the gate and concessions, along with other contributions received, will be donated to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation.
Each team bought specially made jerseys that incorporate the use of pink for the game. The Lady Pounders participated in a “pink out” softball game at Meigs County last season.
“I think it’s important for the girls,” Central coach LeeAnne Shurette said. “We have a few moms that are cancer survivors, so we just decided to do a ‘pink out.'”
Shurette said she asked Red Bank about being the opponent, anticipating it would be a key game with a substantial crowd. As it turns out, Central would remain atop the district standings with a victory. Should the Lady Lions win it would create a three-way tie for first with East Ridge included.
“We don’t want to take the focus off the game and what’s at stake, but we thought this game would be a good way to reach people with it,” Shurette said. “We can always use the money, but this is a good cause. We pray to goodness that none of these girls ever have to deal with breast cancer. Hopefully one day there will be a cure so they wouldn’t have to face it.”
Trojan Classic set
The annual Soddy-Daisy Athletic Shop Trojan Classic baseball tournament will begin on Thursday with two games at Soddy-Daisy and another at Hixson. Soddy-Daisy, Sequatchie County, Hixson, Knox Halls and Coffee County are in one pool and Red Bank, Ooltewah, Cleveland, Knox Bearden and Wilson Central in the other.
The tournament will be held at Soddy-Daisy, Hixson, Ooltewah and Red Bank with the championship semifinals at 1 p.m. Sunday at Soddy-Daisy and Hixson. The semis will match a pool champion against a pool runner-up. Championship is at 4 p.m. at Soddy-Daisy.
Football combine Saturday
Red Bank is again hosting the XL 212 football combine for high school football players from rising freshmen through rising seniors.
Approximately 30 athletes already have registered for the event. Registration fee is $79 online (at www.XL212.com) or $99 on site. Those who excel may be invited to the Elite 1 football camp in Atlanta led by former Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Terance Mathis.
Hodges hitting .300
Former Baylor player Wes Hodges is hitting .300 for the Columbus Clippers. The Clippers are the Cleveland Indians’ Class AAA team. Hodges, a shortstop at Baylor who’s playing third base for the Clippers, had a home run, five doubles and seven RBIs through Sunday’s games.
Cory Gearrin, who played his high school baseball at Rhea County, has appeared in five games for the Gwinnett Braves. In 5.1 innings through Sunday, he had struck out seven, walked four and allowed six hits and three earned runs. He was credited with a hold and has finished three games.
Georgia state tennis
The Class AA third-ranked Calhoun girls’ tennis team highlights eight Georgia teams who begin play in the Georgia state tennis tournament this week.
The Lady Jackets (16-0), who recently won the Region 7-AA meet, will host second-ranked Georgia Atlanta Christian at 3:30 Wednesday. The Calhoun boys will host eighth-ranked Lovett.
The Heritage boys began the year with a 14-match win streak but the Generals lost their last two matches and fell to a fourth seed. They will travel to Class AAA seventh-ranked Lambert (14-1) for a match today at 5 p.m. LaFayette’s girls will travel to West Forsyth for a match Thursday.
Both Dalton tennis teams qualified for state. The Catamounts away from powerful Atlanta Marist travel to Forsyth Central, but the Lady Catamounts will face defending AAAA state champion Marist.
In Class A, the Gordon Lee girls will host Fellowship Christian Wednesday at 4 p.m. and the boys travel to Mount Pisgah Christian for a 4 p.m. match Thursday.