In The Game: Brain Surgery Allows NHS Player To Take The Field
May 24, 2009
Friday night’s Garnet and Gold game at Northview High School ended in a tie, but it was a huge victory — and answered prayers — for one family.
On November 19, Nathan Therrell underwent brain surgery at the Miami Children’s Hospital to remove something the size of a grain of rice that has caused years of problems for him. It’s called a hypothalamic hamartoma, also called an “HH”. The HH is not a tumor, nor is it a cancer; it is a tissue growth.
Last season, Nathan was sidelined by the HH, serving as the team’s manager and water boy. He stood on the sidelines, watching every play, dreaming of the day he would be on the field. Friday night, that dream became a reality as coaches put Nathan Therrill #72 in the game.
Nathan’s aunt, Kelly Sims, said Nathan has done well since the surgery. Best of all, he has been seizure-free since the surgery, receiving an “all clear” from his doctor.
“Nathan has recovered from the surgery far better than expected. He seems like a total different kid,” Sims said of her nephew. “God does answer prayers and Nathan’s family would like to thank everyone that helped during the time of fund raisers and for any donations that were given.”
“The family is very thankful for everything including the prayers that were sent out for Nate,” she added.
A typical HH like the one removed from Nathan’s brain causes seizures, a problem Nathan had for four years. His were originally controlled by medication, but the medicines failed to work, his mother Tina Therrell said. Doctors tried radiation and laser treatments, but none worked. That led the family to decide to have the surgery to remove the HH from the middle of Nathan’s brain.
Pictured top: Nathan Therrell ready to play in the Garnet and Gold game Friday night at Northview High School. Pictured middle: Nathan Therrill watches a Northview football game last season. He served as the team’s manager water boy. NorthEscambia.com file photo.
NWE Names Maille Kilcrease Little League Queen
May 24, 2009
Maille Kilcrease was crowned the 2009 Little League Queen at Bradberry recently. The girls sold votes for a penny each, with a portion of the proceeds to sponsor the park.
The first place winner was Kylie Brook. Other contestants included Amber Gilman and Ronnie Belanger.
Pictured above: 2008 NWE Baseball Queen Brianna Parker crowned her successor recently, 2009 NWE Baseball Queen Maille Kilcrease. Pictured inset: Contestant Amber Gilman. Pictured below: Contestant Kylie Brook, 2008 Queen Brianna Parker, 2009 Queen Maille Kilcrease and Ronnie Belanger. Submitted photos by Wendy Aliff for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
A Wet Spring Football Game: Northview’s Garnet And Gold
May 23, 2009
It was a win-win game for the Northview Chiefs Friday night with the school’s intrasquad game ending in a tie after an overtime period. At the end of five rainy quarters, the Garnet and the Gold were tied at 6-6. Both teams picked up a touchdown in overtime, ending the game with a tie.
For a complete NorthEscambia.com photo gallery with the best plays from the game, the cheerleaders, the band and lots of wet fans and umbrellas, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Northview Chiefs Honor Baseball Players At Annual Banquet
May 13, 2009
The Northview Chiefs honored their varsity and junior varsity baseball teams Tuesday night during their annual awards banquet.
After finishing second in the district, Head Coach Sid Wheatley said he’s looking forward to next season when the Chiefs will be in a new district that includes teams like Baker and Jay.
“We’re losing a great group of seniors, but we’ve got a good group coming in,” Wheatley said. “We are excited about next year.”
Click here for NorthEscambia.com photos from the award banquet.
The Chiefs honored the following players:
Junior Varsity
- Academic — Michael Lowery
- Outstanding Pitcher — Colton Sims
- Outstanding Offensive Player — Joshua Scott
Varsity
- Academic Award — Luke Killam
- Rookie Award — Dabney Langhorne
- Chief Award — Patrick McPherson
- Most Improved Player Award — Austin Lowery, Dakota Stuckey
- Iron Man Award — Brad Foster
- Outstanding Defensive Player — Austin Reid
- Outstanding Pitcher Award — Brad Lowery
- Outstanding Offensive Player — James “Scooter” Hamilton
Senior Awards
- James “Scooter” Hamilton
- Brad Foster
- Brett Hanks
- Alex Abbott
- Luke Killam
- Patrick McPherson
Other members of the Varsity team were juniors Heath Burkett, Brad Lowery, Seth Leonard, Austin Lowery, Dakota Stuckey, Austin Reid and Aaron Chancery; sophomores Austin Arrington, Colton Sims and Dabney Langhorne.
Members of the JV team were: sophomores Mike Lowery, A.J. Lambert, Jansen Bodiford, Taylor Martin, Derek Lewis, Tyler Brooks and Joshua Scott; freshmen Brandon Sheets, Jamie Gafford, Hunter Black, Josh Hammond, Cole Commander, Chance Jackson, Tanner Brooks, Tyler Hester and Austin Albritton.
Pictured above: Northview baseball senior players (L-R) Brett Hanks, Alex Abbot, Patrick McPherson, Luke Killam, James “Scooter” Hamilton and Brad Foster. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Time To Register For 5K Race For The Blueberries
May 10, 2009
The Blueberry Jamboree 5K Race for the Blueberries will take place on Saturday, June 13 in Barrineau Park.
The race begins at 8 a.m. at the Barrineau Park Community Center & Historical Society at 6055 Barrineau Park School Road and ends at Touchablue Berry Farm at 7100 Molino Road.
Wheelchairs will start just before 8 a.m. and walkers will start just after 8:00. Transportation will be provided for participants back to the starting point.
Pre-Registration is available by filling out and turning in the 5K Race for the Blueberries entry form. Registrations must be postmarked by Friday June 5. Registration will also be available on the day of the race, from 6:30-7:30am.
The event is hosted by Escambia County Neighborhoods and Community Services Bureau and UF/IFAS Extension. The Blueberry Jamboree is sponsored in part by NorthEscambia.com.
Northview Teacher Wins Bike Ride Event
May 7, 2009
Northview High School teacher Natalie Nall was the female division winner in the nearly 30 mile Habitat for Humanity bike ride from Brewton to Atmore.
A total of 28 riders made the 29.5 mile pedal-power trip from Brewton to Tom Bryne Park and Atmore’s Mayfest on Saturday. Nall was the first female to reach Atmore, and Will Ruzic of Brewton was the first male to to reach the finish line.
The purpose of the ride was twofold — raise funds and awareness for Habitat for Humanity’s projects in Escambia County, Ala.
Today, Habitat will choose two Atmore area families to receive new homes in the future, and another home will be constructed by the non-profit group in Brewton.
At Northview, Nall services as head coach for the Chief’s girls and boys cross country teams, and she is the school’s reading coach. Nall was named the Northview High School Teach of the Year for 2008.
Northview, Jay Both Lose Tuesday Night In Playoff Action
May 6, 2009
The Northview Chiefs lost their Region 1-3A playoff bid Tuesday night by a single point, and it was also a disappointing night for the Jay Royals.
Bonifay beat the Chiefs 2-1 on the road.
Meanwhile, the Catholic Crusaders beat Marianna 12-2 in five innings. Catholic will travel to Bonifay Friday night for the Region 1-3A semifinal game.
Sneeds beat the Jay Royals 6-2.
Jones Slams Molino Softball’s First Home Run In 13 Years
May 4, 2009
For the first time in 13 years, a Molino girl’s softball player knocked one out of the park last week.
Shaniqua Jones, who plays for the 16U Lady Cats, hit one out of the park last week against NEP. She stepped up to the plate with two runners on base. On the third pitch, she sent the ball over the center field fence for a three-run home run.
It was the first home run on the season, and the first home run by a Molino girl’s softball player since 1996.
Pictured The Molino Lady Cat’s Shaniqua Jones. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com.
Fishing Rodeo For The Disabled Held In Walnut Hill
May 3, 2009
“I caught one! I caught one!”
The sounds of excitement were all around Saturday for the 35th annual Pen Wheels Fishing Rodeo in Walnut Hill.
Over the 35 year history of the fishing rodeo, it has been held at locations ranging from Ft. Pickens to the Three Mile Bridge in Pensacola. Since 2001, it has been held at Jantz’s Catfish Pond on South Highway 99, just off Highway 97.
Dozens of volunteers stood ready Saturday to help the disabled fish. They baited hooks, tossed a line and offered words of friendly encouragement. Many of the volunteers were from the Walnut Hill Mennonite Church.
About 60 disabled people were registered in Saturday’s fishing rodeo. They were from around the area, including Pensacola and Century. Several residents from the Century Care Center participated. Everything, including lunch, in Pen Wheels Fishing Rodeo is provided to the disabled for free as a project of the Pensacola Fiesta of Five Flags organization.
Click here for a complete NorthEscambia.com photo gallery.
While Jantz Catfish Pond is not open for public fishing, nearby ponds belonging to Steve Hiebert (Steve’s Sweet Corn) are open for public fishing. For more information, call 327-4020.
Pictured: Scenes from the 35th annual Pen Wheels Fishing Rodeo in Walnut Hill Saturday morning. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Chiefs Fall To Catholic; Jay Royals Win In Playoffs
May 1, 2009
Catholic High defeated the Northview Chiefs Thursday night, while the Jay Royals beat Ponce de Leon.
The Chiefs lost to the Crusaders 13-3 on the road in Defuniak Springs in the District 1-3A Championship.
Catholic (24-3) will host the runner-up in District 2-3A, while the Northview Chiefs will travel to Bonifay on Tuesday to play the Holmes County Blue
Devils in the first round of the Class 3A State Playoffs. Game time is set for 7 p.m.
Hitters for Northview were Scooter Hamilton, Patrick McPherson, Brad Foster and Dakota Stuckey.
Catholic took an early 4-2 lead by the end of the first. The Crusaders scored three runs in the second and half a dozen in the third for a 13-2 lead going into the fourth. The Chiefs had one more fun in the fourth, making the score 13-3.
Also Thursday night, the Jay Royals beat Ponce de Leon in the District 1-2A Championship in Freeport.
Jay (17-4) will host Sneads on Tuesday in the regional quarterfinals