Former Dade County High School and University of Georgia star guard Ashley Houts has been hired as a women's basketball assistant coach at East Tennessee State University, head coach Brittney Ezell announced Saturday. Houts, who was drafted 16th overall by the New York Liberty in 2010 and spent the next seven seasons playing professionally in the WNBA and overseas, worked the past two years as director of basketball operations for new Tennessee coach Kellie Harper at Missouri State. "We are all excited to bring Ashley Houts back south and into our ETSU family," Ezell said in a school release. "Her unmatched work ethic and experience as a player and director of operations will be huge factors in her relate-ability with our players, recruits and staff. I have no doubt that Ashley will hit the ground running on the recruiting trail. I know she will work extremely hard and well alongside our entire staff in all facets of our program." Said Houts, who was the Southeastern Conference freshman of the year in 2007 and totaled 1,514 points, 565 assists, 398 rebounds and 319 steals in her four seasons at Georgia: "ETSU has a history of success under Coach Ezell, and I am looking forward to help continue and contribute to that. I am extremely excited about the talent on the current roster, and in particular getting to work closely with the backcourt. Being at ETSU is a wonderful opportunity." Houts represented the United States in two world tournaments during her college years.
Golf
» Chase Miller shot a 6-under-par 66 in the first round Saturday of the North Georgia Invitational golf tournament at Dalton Golf & Country Club and led the championship flight by four strokes over Taylor Lewis, Carter Pendley and Ben Rickett and by five over Parker Gray, Cody Godfrey and David Noll Jr. Sport Allmond was eighth at 72, one shot better than his Dalton State College teammates Ben Rebne and Matt Cleary. Mike Nance's 70 led the senior division by two shots over Tim Crawford, with Larry Clark at 74 and Richard Keene fourth at 75, and Neil Monroe shot a 73 to lead the super seniors by one stroke over Dick Donegan, with Buzz Alexander and Ronnie Law tied for third with 75s. Dustin Demersseman, Brandon Kimmerling and Will Morrow led the championship A flight with 72s, Hunter Brown and Drew Linkous the B with 71s, Vaughn Dickson and Joe Markham Jr. the C with a 69 and a 70, Matt Hadden the D with a 73, Clay Stephenson the E with a 72, Evan Kidwell the F with a 74 and Curt Jolly the first flight with a 78.
» Former Chattanooga Christian School and University of Tennessee at Chattanooga golfer Lake Johnson will compete Monday in 36-hole U.S. Open sectional qualifying at the Hawks Ridge course in Ball Ground, Georgia. The U.S. Open is set for June 13-16 at Pebble Beach Golf Links in California. Johnson completed his UTC career this spring.
Tennis
» The annual Tennessee Valley Open Championship runs next Wednesday through next Sunday at the Manker Patten Tennis Club, and this Sunday is the deadline for entry. In addition to men's and women's open singles and doubles and mixed open doubles, the tournament offers prize money in men's 35, 45 and 55 age groups, singles and doubles. Breakfast and lunch will be served daily, and catered dinners are on the Thursday and Friday schedules. Register at www.tvoctennis.com or call 423-266-6767 for information.