NBA Star Reggie Evans Shares Message Of Hope With Century CI Inmates
August 7, 2014
The odds may have been stacked against Reggie Evans. But the power forward for the NBA’s Sacramento Kings has always been known for his rebounding — both on and off the court.
Evans grew up in the Pensacola Village projects. Drugs are often a way of life in Pensacola Village, and Evans fell into the trap as a dealer. He ended up in the Escambia County Jail, not behind bars, but visiting a cousin. That was his wake up call, and basketball became his escape.
“I’ve been around it (jail),” he said. “I feel like I can relate to prisoners because I’ve had friends and family members in jail.”
Recently, Evans spoke to about 300 inmates inside Century Correctional Institution.
“I told them to never give up, no matter their situation,” Evans told NorthEscambia.com after his prison visit to Century. “No matter where you are in life, even in prison, you are in a position to have an impact on yourself, on others.”
“Y’all have influence, and you need to make that a positive thing,” he said.
Pictured top and inset: NBA star Reggie Evans of the Sacramento Kings speaks to about 300 inmates at Century Correctional Institution. Pictured below: Lt. Jeremiah Mccabe, Rentry Coordinator Sgt. Jack Coppenger, Reggie Evans, Asst. Warden Jonathan Hutchins, Thomas Brame, Mrs. Joi Evans (Reggie’s wife) and Warden John Sloan in the Century CI chapel. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Hot-Hitting Jackson Defeats The Blue Wahoos 9-3
August 7, 2014
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos offensive woes continued Wednesday to start its five-game series against the Jackson Generals.
The Wahoos managed just three runs in their loss, 9-3, and now have averaged 2.3 runs in its last 11 games. On the season, Pensacola ranks last in the Southern League in runs scored with 465.
Meanwhile, Jackson has been the hottest hitting team in the league since June 1, hitting .279 as a team. Against Pensacola last night its nine hits included three home runs by D.J. Peterson, the second-best prospect in the Seattle Mariners organization, Patrick Brady and Jody Lara, who hit a grand slam in the top of the ninth inning.
“They got some guys who can swing the bat from what I’ve seen,” said Blue Wahoos Manager Delino DeShields.
He added that he hasn’t enjoyed watching his team struggle at the plate.
“It’s tough, especially when you know you’re better than that,” DeShields said. “That’s just the way it is sometimes.”
Lively gave up two solo home runs to left field with winds gusting to 20 mph and gave up five earned runs in six innings. After earning his first win in his last start by taking a no-hitter into the eighth inning, the Gulf Breeze High School product is still seeking his first win at home.
For the moment, though, Lively’s three strikeouts allowed him to take back the minor league baseball lead in strikeouts with 149. Over his previous eight starts with the Wahoos, opposing Double-A batters are hitting .195 off Lively.
DeShields said he walked to the mound to speak with Lively in the sixth inning with men on second and third base to remind him that first base was open against Jackson’s Dario Pizzano and he was followed by catcher Steve Baron, who is hitting .175. Pizzano ended up doubling in two runs that put the Generals ahead for good, 5-3. Lively struck out Baron to end the sixth.
“I told him (Pizzano) wasn’t his guy,” DeShields said. “Lively just made a lot of mistakes tonight.”
The three bright spots from the Wahoos opening game with the Generals? The Washington High School drum line in the fourth inning, Ross Perez and Juan Duran.
Perez singled up the middle to center field to extend his Wahoos season-high hitting streak to 13 games. During the streak, he’s hitting 22-49, or .449, with 1 home run and 13 RBI and has struck out just three times.
Duran also looked strong at the plate by knocking three doubles – all to the outfield wall – and he scored twice. He is now hitting .245 on the season with a team-leading 15 home runs and 48 RBI and is second in doubles with 18, one behind Travis Mattair.
The second game of the five-game series with Seattle Mariners Double-A affiliate the Jackson Generals gets underway at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday. RHP Daniel Corcino (9-9, 4.29) takes the mound for the Wahoos and is scheduled to be opposed by the Generals LHP Tyler Olson (6-6, 4.21).
Northview Preseason Game Against Escambia Academy Canceled; Garnet And Gold Game Planned
August 6, 2014
Northview High School’s preseason kickoff game August 22 against the Escambia Academy Cougars has been canceled.
The Florida High School Athletic Association would not approve the game because Escambia Academy is a not a member of an organization that is part of the National Federation of State High School Associations, according to Northview Principal Gayle Weaver.
Weaver said the school is finalizing plans for a Garnet and Gold game with just the Chiefs at 7 p.m. on August 22.
The Northview Chiefs will open the regular season on the road at Bozeman at 7 p.m. on August 29.
Escambia Academy is private school located in Canoe, Ala. The Cougars are members of the Alabama Independent School Association, which is not a NFHS member association. The Cougars will open their regular season at home against Autauga Academy of Prattville, Ala., on August 29.
Wahoos Fall In Series Finale
August 5, 2014
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos (17-28, 48-67) fell in the series finale, 3-2, to the Tennessee Smokies (23-22, 56-58). With the victory, the Smokies took the series over the Wahoos 3-2.
The Wahoos got out to an early lead in the first inning after a Yorman Rodriguez triple and a Ryan Wright RBI single. Pensacola extended their lead to two in the fourth inning and again it was the top of the order that came through for the Wahoos. Wright walked to start the inning and moved to second on a Chris Berset groundout. With two outs in the inning, Kyle Waldrop produced an RBI single.
The Smokies responded with a run in the top of the fifth inning and it was catcher Taylor Davis’ two-run double in the sixth inning that proved to be the difference in the game. RHP Tim Adleman replaced starter Michael Lorenzen in the fifth and took the loss for the Wahoos. Lorenzen went 4.0 innings and allowed 1 R/ER on three hits. Adleman went 1.2 innings and allowed two runs on three hits.
Smokies starter Eduardo Figueroa got the no-decision and went 5.0 innings, allowing two runs on five hits. Figueroa struck out six batters and only walked one. Reliever Lendy Castillo earned his first win of the season out of the bullpen; he went 1.0 innings and struck out two batters.
The Wahoos threatened in the top of the ninth and loaded the bases with two outs, but Frank Batista got Travis Mattair to fly out to end the contest. It was Batista’s ninth save of the season.
Pensacola is off Tuesday and returns to Pensacola Bayfront Stadium for a 10-game home stand on Wednesday at 6:30 pm against the Jackson Generals. RHP Ben Lively (1-5, 3.48) will make the start in the series opener and he’ll be opposed by LHP Cam Hobson (6-9, 4.14) of the Generals.
by Joey Truncale
Photos: Summer Volleyball
August 4, 2014
T.R. Miller High School in Brewton hosted their annual volleyball play-date recently at Brewton Middle School.
The event featured varsity and junior varsity games from nine high schools, including T.R. Miller, Northview, Flomaton and Jay.
“Both teams competed well and are showing much progress,” Northview Coach Barbara Luker said, adding that scores and stats were not kept because it was summer play.
For a photo gallery with the Northview varsity and JV teams, click here.
Photos by Kayleen Amerson for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Smokies Even Series With 4-1 Win Over The Wahoos
August 4, 2014
Addison Russell blasted a two-run home run in the first inning to help lift the Smokies over the Blue Wahoos 4-1 at Smokies Park Sunday afternoon.
Robert Stephenson (L, 5-8) was on cruise control after Russell’s homer. He went on to retire 14 Smokies batters in a row until he hit Albert Almora with a pitch following a groundout to start the sixth inning. Lars Anderson put the game out of reach later in that inning with a two-run double.
Stephenson was being dueled on the other side by Smokies right-hander and Cubs No. 6 prospect Pierce Johnson (W, 4-4). He took a no-hitter into the sixth inning. Stephenson broke it up at the plate with a two-out single. Johnson retired the next batter, Yorman Rodriguez, on a line drive to second base. He picked up the win after working 6.0 shutout innings allowing just two hits and a walk with six strikeouts.
Stephenson was charged with 4 R/ER on just three hits with two walks and seven strikeouts over 6.0 innings in the loss.
Pensacola put together a threat in the ninth inning but had to settle for just one run despite bringing the tying run to the plate.
Brodie Greene had the Wahoos only multi-hit game of the afternoon, going 2-for-4. Ross Perez extended his team-high hitting streak to 12 games with an RBI single in the ninth.
The Blue Wahoos will take another shot at the series win on Monday night. RHP Michael Lorenzen (4-5, 2.57) will start against Smokies RHP Eduardo Figueroa. First pitch is set for 6:15 p.m. CT at Smokies Park.
by Tommy Thralll
Wahoos Beat Smokies 2-1
August 3, 2014
Juan Duran homered in the seventh inning with two outs to break a 1-1 tie, and the Blue Wahoos bullpen held on for the 2-1 win at Smokies Park on Saturday night.
The Smokies got their lone run in the first, when Jon Moscot (W, 6-10) issued a bases-loaded walk to Christian Villanueva. Moscot went on to turn in a great start logging 6.0 innings with four walks and five strikeouts. He allowed just five hits on his way to his sixth win of the season.
Seth Mejias-Brean tripled home Pensacola’s first run in the fourth to tie the game at one. Smokies right fielder Jae-Hoon Ha over ran the line drive leading to the triple which scored Chris Berset from second base. In the seventh, Juan Duran worked the count full after falling behind 0-2 before launching the go-ahead and game-winning home run into the left field stands.
Fabian Williamson followed Moscot into the game with two scoreless innings before Shane Dyer (S, 14) pitched a perfect ninth for the save.
Cubs top pitching prospect C.J. Edwards started for the Smokies, but was limited to just 3.1 innings before reaching his pitch limit. He allowed just 1 R/ER on two hits with a pair of walks and five strikeouts. Tony Zych (L, 4-5) took the loss in relief for Tennessee. The home run was the only hit and run he allowed over 1.1 innings.
The Blue Wahoos were able to hold Smokies shortstop Addison Russell to just a 1-for-4 game, making him just 2-for-13 in the series against his hometown team.
Pensacola can win the series with a victory on Sunday afternoon. The Wahoos will send RHP Robert Stephenson (5-7, 4.19) to the mound against Smokies RHP Pierce Johnson (3-4, 2.98). First pitch is slated for 1:00 p.m. CT at Smokies Park.
Smokies Walk Off Over Wahoos 2-1 In 10 Innings
August 2, 2014
The Tennessee Smokies scored in the bottom of the 10th inning to break a 1-1 tie for a 2-1 win over the Pensacola Blue Wahoos on Friday night at Smokies Park. Christian Villanueva, who broke up last night’s no-hit bid, singled home Albert Almora for the winning run evening the series at a game apiece.
Pace High grad, Addison Russell, got the scoring started with a solo home run in the bottom of the first inning. That would be the only Smokies run until the 10th, it was also Russell’s first hit of the series. Pensacola got even with a two-out RBI single from Ross Perez in the top of the third inning. Perez now has five RBI over the last two games.
Daniel Corcino started for the Blue Wahoos and pitched well without recording a decision. The right-hander retired eight straight after Russell’s first inning home run. He allowed just the 1 R/ER over 6.0 innings with three strikeouts, a walk and only four hits. He dueled most of the night with Smokies starter Corey Black. He also allowed just 1 R/ER over 6.0 innings with seven strikeouts and two walks.
Offensively, the Wahoos had three hitters with multi-hit games. Perez, Brodie Greene and Juan Duran all finished 2-for-4.
The Smokies loaded the bases on three walks in the seventh inning, but Ben Klimesh got the final out of the inning before working a scoreless eighth inning. After working a perfect ninth inning, James Walczak allowed the winning run in the 10th to suffer the loss. Smokies reliever Frank Batista picked up the win after one scoreless inning in the top of the 10th.
Pensacola will turn to RHP Jon Moscot on Saturday night. The Smokies haven’t named a starter yet for the middle game of the series. First pitch is set for 5:15 p.m. CT from Smokies Park.
by Tommy Thralll
Lively Flirts With No-Hitter In Wahoos 6-4 Win
August 1, 2014
Blue Wahoos starter Ben Lively (W, 1-5) took a no-hitter into the eighth inning as he earned his first Double-A win on Thursday night at Smokies Park. It was the furthest a Blue Wahoos pitcher has taken a no-hitter since Daniel Corcino and Wilkin De La Rosa no-hit the Mobile BayBears in 2012. Despite Lively’s strong start, Pensacola still had to hold on for a 6-4 win to open the five-game series with Tennessee.
Lively walked Smokies catcher Luis Flores leading off the third inning, and that was the only base runner he allowed until Christian Villanueva singled through the left side of the infield with one out in the eighth inning to break up the no-hitter. The walk was quickly erased on a double play a batter later allowing him to face the minimum until Villanueva’s single. Jonathan Mota singled behind Villanueva to chase Lively from the game. He was finished after 7.1 innings with just the two singles allowed, one walk and six strikeouts.
Pensacola scored early and often against Smokies starter Felix Pena (L, 0-1), who was making his Double-A debut. Pensacola took a 1-0 lead with three hits in the first inning. Ross Perez doubled home two more runs in the third before Seth Mejias-Brean and Juan Duran hit back-to-back home runs in the fourth inning. Pena was charged with the loss after allowing 5 R/ER over 4.0 innings.
Perez paced the Wahoos offensively with a 3-for-4 game and four RBI. Yorman Rodriguez also had a big day with a 3-for-5 night and three runs scored.
The Smokies rallied for all four of their runs against Blue Wahoos relievers Drew Hayes and Ben Klimesh in the eighth after Lively exited the game. Shane Dyer (S, 13) was able to restore order with a scoreless ninth inning to preserve the win and earn the save.
Pensacola will go for their third straight win in the second of the five-game series with Tennessee on Friday night. The Wahoos will send RHP Daniel Corcino (9-9, 4.44) to the mound against Smokies RHP Corey Black (5-2, 2.93). First pitch is set for 6:15 p.m. CT from Smokies Park.
by Tommy Thrall
Northview Mini Cheer Camp Set For Next Week
July 31, 2014
The Northview High School cheerleaders will host their annual mini-cheerleading camp next week.
The camp will be held August 5 from 4-6 p.m. and August 6 from 1-3 p.m. Registration is $25 for the camp or $35 for the camp and a shirt. The camp is open to anyone age three through the eighth grade. Mini-cheerleaders will admitted into the first Northview football home game for free and cheer the entire first quarter with the varsity NHS cheerleaders.