Lee University senior forward Summer Lanter from Soddy-Daisy was named Thursday to the United Soccer Coaches’ 2017 NCAA Division II women’s All-America second team. The USC formerly was the National Soccer Coaches Association of America. A two-time Gulf South Conference player of the year and a first-team all-region selection, Lanter scored 20 goals this year, including eight in the Lady Flames’ six-match postseason. They finished 17-4-2 and reached the national tournament’s round of 16. “What a great way for a truly special player to end her career,” Lee coach Chris Hennessey said in a school release. “To be named one of the best players in the nation is truly a testament to the level she played at all season long.”
» Lee is leading the GSC all-sports standings after the fall season, with first-place league finishes in women’s soccer and men’s and women’s cross country and a top-six finish in volleyball. The men’s soccer team went 6-6-4 and barely missed qualifying for the GSC tournament. Lee is first in overall and women’s points and sixth in the men’s standings. “I am so proud of the student-athletes and coaches this fall,” athletic director Larry Carpenter said in a Lee release. “To be leading the All Sports Trophy standings at this point is quite an accomplishent, but we have a lot of work to do to remain there.”
Raylon SmithSoftball
» Whitwell High School pitcher and third baseman Raylon Smith recently signed scholarship papers to continue her softball career at Walters State Community College in Morristown, Tenn. Smith batted .333 last season and had an earned run average of 2.55 for the Lady Tigers, who before advancing to the Class A state tournament won the District 6 and Region 3 championships. “She’s a competitive player,” Whitwell coach Rebecca Castle said. “She’s a positive leader for her teammates. She’s an awesome young lady. Not only is she a great role model on the field, she’s also a great role model in the classroom.”
Basketball
» The Lee basketball teams began GSC play Thursday evening with a 63-25 women’s victory and an 82-63 men’s win against visiting Auburn-Montgomery. Taylor Boggess had 14 points and seven rebounds and Shelby Brown and Erin Walsh scored 12 each for the Lady Flames (6-1), who from a 2-2 tie scored the next 18 points. Boggess and Walsh each was 4-for-7 on 3-point shots, and Abby Bertram had seven assists while Carrie Cheeks and Brown had 10 and nine rebounds. For the Flames (5-1), Colton Blevins scored 14 points and Ryan Montgomery and Parker Suedekum added 11 apiece, Suedekum with four assists. Chase Cullen grabbed nine rebounds.
» Reed Dungan and Sean Chisolm scored 21 and 20 points as Dalton State won 95-62 in its Southern States Athletic Conference opener Thursday at home against Brewton-Parker. Dungan made five 3s for the Roadrunners (6-2), who got 14 points and eight assists from Isaiah Box and 10 points, nine rebounds and four assists from Raheem England.
» Bryan College won the men’s game 70-56 after losing the women’s contest 70-66 in Appalachian Athletic Conference games at Point University. Caleb Tuck hit six 3s in scoring 25 points in the win for the Lions (7-4, 2-2), while Terrance Scales had 15 points and 13 rebounds, E.J. Bush 13 points, Oteriah Lee nine assists and Brice Cusick seven assists with nine points and eight rebounds. For the Lady Lions (6-3, 3-2), who were outscored 20-9 in the fourth quarter, Amber Levi scored 18 points and Deandra Luna had 12 points, seven rebounds and five assists.
» Caleb Haynes’ career-high 28 points led Covenant College to an 89-85 victory over visiting LaGrange in their USA South opener Thursday night. Patjo Twagirayezu added 22 points and nine rebounds for the Scots (2-1), and Berto Dryden had five assists.