Softball: Jay Beats Laurel Hill; West Florida Over Pace
April 8, 2015
SOFTBALL
Jay 13, Laurel Hill 3 (5 inn.)
The Jay Royals beat Laurel Hill 13-3 Tuesday in Jay. The Lady Royals will host the Lady ‘Canes of Flomaton Thursday afternoon.
West Florida 11, Pace 6
Pictured: The Lady Royals of Jay beat Laurel Hill Tuesday. Photos by Diann Tagert for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Florida Targets October For Black Bear Hunt
April 7, 2015
The state this October would open its first black-bear hunting season in two decades, under a set of rules that will be reviewed next week.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has proposed that about 275 black bears be killed in mid-October as part of a two-pronged effort to control the woodland creatures and reduce the risk of dangerous interactions between bears and the state’s growing population.
Along with the proposal about reducing the bear population through a one-bear-per-hunter hunt, the commission during an April 14 meeting at Florida A&M University also will consider rules about the proper maintenance of garbage containers for businesses and homeowners. Bears are often attracted to populated areas by garbage.
The commission could vote on the changes during a June meeting.
Diane Eggeman, director of the commission’s Division of Hunting and Game Management, said the hunt is simply another step in managing the bear population.
“The bear population has grown for the last 15 years or 20 years, steadily and pretty rapidly, based upon all the information that we have,” Eggeman said. “So our job, of the agency, is to manage that growing population and the best tool to manage that population growth across the board is to use hunting.”
The feeding rules for bears are intended to clarify when people might be in violation for repeatedly failing to secure garbage cans or dumpsters.
The call to re-implement the hunt follows a number of bear attacks that occurred across Central Florida the past couple of years.
However, the proposal is opposed by the Animal Rights Foundation of Florida and the Humane Society of the United States.
Kate MacFall, the Humane Society’s Florida director, said the state is only listening to a handful of “trophy hunters” instead of doing more to make people aware of bears and to enforce codes regarding trash containment.
“We don’t think we need to decrease the bear population, we need to reduce the conflicts for everyone’s benefit,” MacFall said.
She also questioned how the hunt will reduce conflicts.
“The bears being hunted are the big bears deep in the woods, because you can’t go hunting in the neighborhoods. That’s not how it works,” MacFall said. “Those deep in the woods, those are not the problem bears. And the bears going into human trash are the problem. And those are the ones not being hunted.”
Eggeman responded that the hunt is needed to keep the bear population in check.
“The more the (bear) population grows, the more likely bears move out of the wildlife and into neighborhoods,” Eggeman said.
While the current number of black bears in Florida is an estimate, Eggeman noted that Florida is the only state that has more than 600 but doesn’t have a hunting season.
Florida has an estimated 2,500 black bears in the four regions of the state — the eastern Panhandle, Northeast Florida, east-central Florida and South Florida — where the hunts would be conducted. Each area had more than 200 bears by a 2002 estimate.
Black bears were placed on the state’s threatened list in 1974, when there were between 300 and 500 across Florida. At the time, hunting black bear was limited to three counties.
In 1994, the hunting season was closed statewide.
By 2002, the state black-bear population was estimated at 3,000. A decade later the bear was removed from the state’s list of threatened animals.
Meanwhile, the state has recorded a 400 percent increase in bear-related calls over the past decade.
This year, the hunt would begin Oct. 24 and continue for a week. However, the number of days could be shortened if the “harvest objective” is reached in fewer days.
“The season timing would coincide with high bear activity and before denning begins,” a commission staff presentation on bear hunting says. “Cubs would be old enough to be independent. This timing was chosen to avoid overlap with deer-dog hunting or training seasons.”
The cost for a bear permit is proposed at $100 for Floridians, $300 for non-Florida residents. The daytime hunts would be prohibited within 100 yards of any game-feeding station. Hunters would be allowed to use bows, crossbows, muzzle loading guns, rifles, pistols, revolvers and shotguns. Dogs would be prohibited from hunting bear, but leashed canines could be used to trail shot bears.
by Jim Turner, The News Service of Florida
Pictured: A black bear at the Wild Oak Farms Apartments in Cantonment in 2012. NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
Northview Tops Freeport; Tate Earns Two Wins
April 4, 2015
Tate 14, South Pointe 6
Tate 2, Lewisville, SC 1
Tate 4, Pace 3 (JV)
The Tate Aggies added number 17 to the win column with a 14-6 win over South Pointe. Trace Penton pitched the win. Branden Fryman was 2-4 with a RBI, Mark Miller was 3-5 with 6 RBIs, Logan Blackmon 2-4, 2B and RBI. Win number 16 earlier in the day for the Aggies came with a 2-1 defeat of Lewisville, SC. Michael Sherrill earned the save. Hunter Worley was 1-2 with 2 RBI, Sawyer Smith 2-3, two 2B. Aggies will face Clover, SC, on Saturday.
Northview 5, Freeport 4
The Northview Chiefs beat the Freeport Bulldogs 5-4 in a district game Saturday. The Chiefs are next set to face district rival Jay at 6 p.m. Tuesday in Jay.
Pictured: Northview beat Freeport on Friday. Photos by Ramona Preston for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Tate Beats SC Team; Tate JV Over Northview; Jay Softball Over Baker In Six
April 3, 2015
Tate 5, Fort Mill (SC) 3
Tate 2, Northview 0 (JV)
On a long spring break road trip, the Tate Aggies beat Fort Mill (SC) 5-2 Thursday. Mark Miller pitched the win for the Aggies striking out four. Miller was 2-3 with an RBI for the Aggies. Branden Fryman was 2-4 with a run, Cole Halfacre was 2-4 with a RBI, Hunter Worley 2-3, Josh Kean 1-3 with a run, and Jacob Saulnier 1-4 wit ha RBI.
SOFTBALL
Jay 13, Baker 2 (6 innings)
The Jay Royals beat the Baker Gators 13-2 in district softball Thursday night. Dana Blackmon pitched six, striking out five, and going 4-4 at the plate. Michaela Stewart 2-4, 2R, RBI; Harley Tagert 2-3, 2R, RBI; Samantha Steadham 1-3, 3R, 2B, RBI; Destiny Herring 1-4, 2R, 2B, RBI. The Lady Royals will host Laurel Hill on Tuesday.
Pictured top: Samantha Steadham at bat for the Lady Royals Thursday at Baker High School. Pictured inset: Dana Blackmon pitched the win in six and went 4-4 at the plate. Photos by Diann Tagert for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Northview Beats PCA; Jay Gets Four-Homer Win Over Holmes
April 1, 2015
BASEBALL
Northview 12, PCA 1
The varsity Northview Chiefs beat Pensacola Christian Academy in Pensacola Tuesday 12-1. The Chiefs will take a week break before their next game on April 7 as they host the Jay Royals in a district game.
SOFTBALL
Jay 7, Holmes County 5
Destiny Herring and Samantha Steadham each had a home run for the Royals, and Emily Dobson had two including a two-run homer for the win in the seventh. Herring pitched seven for Jay, striking out three. The Royals will travel to Baker on Thursday.
Pictured: Northview at Pensacola Christian Tuesday. NorthEscambia.com photos by Ramona Preston, click to enlarge.
Northview’s Newsome Signs In Football, Track With Iowa School
March 31, 2015
Cameron Newsome is set to continue his athletic career as a dual-sport athlete at Waldorf College in Forest City, IA. Newsome, a senior at Northview High School, has signed a letter of intent play football and compete in track and field for the Warriors.
“He’s got a good future because of his athleticism and the skill set he has,” Waldorf football coach Kent Anderson said.
At Northview, Newsome was a four-year varsity letter winner in both sports.
A four-year starter on the gridiron, the 6-foot-2, 175-pound wide receiver helped the Chiefs win the 2012 Class 1A state championship. Northview won back-to-back district and regional titles in 2011 and 2012. As a senior, Newsome was selected to the Pensacola Sports Association (PSA) All-Star Game.
“He’s a talented wide receiver,” Anderson said. “He’s got nice reach, tracks the ball well and does a lot of good things naturally. We’re expecting him to compete.”
Newsome also saw time as a defensive back, kick returner and punt returner for the Chiefs, who reached the state playoffs the past four seasons.
A track and field standout, Newsome owns Northview school records in both the high jump and triple jump. He qualified for regional competition in the high jump as a junior, setting a new school mark at 6 feet, 4 inches.
Joining the Warriors, Newsome has the ability to contend with the best jumpers in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA).
“Cameron is a very talented athlete that is currently capable of meeting an NAIA national-qualifying mark,” Waldorf track and field coach Kendrick Clay said.
Waldorf is currently competing in its inaugural track and field season. The addition of Newsome helps elevate the program.
“As we begin our 2015-16 seasons, he will most likely be able to help Waldorf College establish a presence not just at the regional level, but potentially the national level as well,” Clay said. “We are excited to bring aboard any committed athlete that is capable of helping our program progress.”
Newsome was also active in basketball at Northview, where he was a three-year letter winner. He guided the Chiefs to the playoffs in his final two seasons and was named to the PSA All-Star Game as a senior.
The son of Vivian Morel, Newsome is still weighing his options as he decides on a college major. He’s excited to continue his education and athletic career at Waldorf.
“It is truly a blessing,” Newsome said. “It means the world to me and it is something I have worked towards since I was a kid. It is just a dream come true.”
Newsome said those who pushed and motivated him along the way have greatly influenced the success he’s enjoyed throughout his career.
“I would like to thank all of my coaches for making me into the great player I am today and my mom for staying on me day in and day out to do what I love and to pursue my dreams,” Newsome said.
Pictured top: Cameron Newsome ties his Northview school record high jump at 6 feet, 4 inches at a March 11 meet.
Tate Hosts District Special Olympics (With Photo Gallery)
March 28, 2015
The 19th Annual Escambia County School District’s Special Olympics Spring Games were held Friday at Tate High School with over 500 student athletes. Over 600 Tate student volunteers assisted as “buddies” and event workers.
The event began with Special Olympic athletes running with the Special Olympics Torch around the track. There will was also an Olympic Village with plenty of fun and games, and even a petting zoo, for the athletes to enjoy after they completed their track and field events.
Athletes received the traditional gold, silver and bronze medals for top finishes, plus a participation medal for all athletes.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Northview Tops Central; NHS Over Neal; Tate Beats Monroe; Tate Over Pines
March 28, 2015
Northview 13, Central 6
Northview 6, W.S. Neal 1 (JV)
The Northview Chiefs beat Central Friday night 13-6. Thomas Moore had a home run for the Chiefs, along with three RBI’s as he went 2-5 at the plate for the Chiefs.Quentin Sampson was 2-5 with a RBI; Brian Cantrell 2-5; Brett Weeks 2-5 with a RBI; Roman Manning was 2-4 with two RBIs; and Aaron McDonals was 1-5 with a RBI. McDonald pitched the win for the Chiefs allowing five hits and five runs, two errors and three strike outs. The varsity Chiefs will travel to PCA on March 31; the JV will travel to Tate on April 2.
Tate 7, Monroe 0
Trace Penton pitched the win as the Tate Aggies beat Monroe 7-0. Sawyer Smith was 2-2 with a run and RBI; Mark Miller was 2-4; Stephen Harris was 1-2 with two runs; Hunter Worley was 1-3 with a run and double; and Josh Kea was 1-1 wih two runs, two RBIs and two SB.
Kississimee Klassic
Tate 2, Pembroke Pines 1
Pictured: Northview versus Central. NorthEscambia.com photos by Ramona Preston, click to enlarge.
Jay Lindsey Named Tate Interim Head Football Coach
March 27, 2015
Jay Lindsey has been named the interim football coach at Tate High School.
He will hold the position through the spring as Tate follows school district policies in advertising the job, according to Tate Principal Rick Shackle.
Lindsey was offensive coordinator for the Aggies last season. He has nine years coaching experience, including his time at Tate and years at Pace High school.
Lindsey’s appointment follows the resignation of Ronnie Douglas, who stepped down to spend more time on his car wash business ventures.
Jay Tops Northview; Tate Wins In Kissimmee Klassic
March 27, 2015
Jay 4, Northview 4
The Jay Lady Royals defeated the Northview Lady Chiefs 7-4 in a game that was called early due to rain. For the Lady Chiefs, it was the final game of the regular season before the district tournament that begins April 13 in Freeport. The Lady Royals (11-5) will host Holmes County Monday at 6 p.m.
Tate 10, Harmony 2
The Tate Lady Aggies topped the Harmony Longhorns 10-2 Thursday night in the first day of the Kissimmee Klassic. The Aggies scored at least one in every inning. Tori Perkins pitched the win, allowing five hits, two runs and striking out nine. Casey McCrackin 1-4, Savannah Rowell 1-4, Tori Perkins 2-4, Elizabeth Werdann 1-2, Lauren Brennan 1-2, Savannah Ullrich 1-3, Rachel Wright 1-4, Samantha Burks 1-3, Kristin Quina 1-1.
Pictured: Jay at Northview Thursday night in Bratt. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.