The GHSA fastpitch softball postseason begins in less than a month, and teams with state title aspirations are hoping to kick things into high gear.
The annual SCORE International Tournament is Friday and Saturday at Chattanooga’s Warner Park, where some of the top programs from northwest Georgia and the rest of the Peach State are set to test their mettle. Among the six state-ranked teams is host school Gordon Lee, coached by Dana Mull.
The tournament is always a big stepping stone to preparing for the playoffs for Mull’s ultrasuccessful program, which has won a state title 10 out of the past 12 seasons.
“I have always been a firm believer that a strong nonregion schedule is what helps prepare you for the region games and postseason,” Mull said. “The field is strong, and we usually end up with a couple of state champions that come to the tournament, so we are hoping this year is the same.”
Joining the Lady Trojans as ranked entrants are area programs Calhoun and Heritage plus Dacula, Jefferson and Atlanta-area private school Wesleyan.
Dade’s Sullivan back
Dade County football coach Jeff Poston said top running back Braylon Sullivan will return Friday when the Wolverines (2-1) play at North Carolina’s Swain County. Sullivan sustained a shoulder injury early in last week’s shutout win at Marion County.
In Sullivan’s absence against the Warriors, sophomore Evan Koger stepped in and rushed for 211 yards and two touchdowns, a performance that did not surprise Poston.
“Evan Koger showed exactly what I knew he was capable of this past Friday,” Poston said. “He started out a little hesitant in the first half, but once he gained a little confidence, he was off to the races. I’m excited to have him step into that role and help us keep Braylon on defense a little more. Having two capable guys at that position is a luxury.”
Defensive turnaround
Boyd Buchanan’s defense has been one of the area’s best through the first four weeks of the high school football season.
The Buccaneers (4-0), who have a state ranking of No. 2 in TSSAA Division II-AA, have allowed 17 combined points, to Davidson Academy and East Region foe Christian Academy of Knoxville in runaway wins. Last year they allowed 95 points against the same two teams.
Boyd Buchanan opened with a 62-0 victory against Greenback and beat Howard 38-0 last week.
Opponents are just 8-of-49 on third- and fourth-down conversions against the Bucs, who have not allowed a rushing touchdown and have given up an average of 1.7 yards per carry. First-year Boyd-Buchanan head coach Gary Rankin’s defense also averages a pair of sacks per game and has nine interceptions.
On offense, the Bucs’ ground game has helped the team post an 841-165 advantage over opponents in rushing yardage heading into Friday’s region game at Silverdale Baptist.
Star performers
Girls’ soccer: Baylor’s Jada Cooper has scored a pair of goals in three consecutive victories for the Lady Red Raiders, including a 3-0 win over Boyd Buchanan in which she also had an assist. … Silverdale Baptist’s Brooke Bolton scored four goals in an 8-0 win against Collegedale Academy.
Volleyball: Soddy-Daisy senior Candyce Yother has compiled 25 blocks in the past four matches, which included eight against Baylor and seven in a five-set victory versus Chattanooga Christian. … Boyd Buchanan’s Calla Brady had 28 digs in a three-set sweep of Arts & Sciences. … Sale Creek’s Ava Higgins had 16 kills and six aces in a sweep of Marion County. …Walker Valley’s Madi Oran and Erin Sisson combined for 29 kills in a win against Ooltewah.
Compiled by Patrick MacCoon and Lindsey Young. Contact them at sports@timesfreepress.com.