Northview Reclassifed By FHSAA; Number Of Games May Be Reduced
March 4, 2009
Northview High School has dropped one class under reclassifications released Tuesday by the Florida High School Athletic Association, joining Jay in Class 2A. And another big change is coming to non-football sports in Florida, with new limitations on the number of games that can be played proposed by the FHSAA.
In boys and girls basketball, Northview will be in Class 2A District 1 with Jay, Baker, Freeport, Pensacola Christian and Ponce De Leon. The same class for girls volleyball will include the same schools, minus Ponce De Leon.
Under the reclassification originally proposed by the FHSAA, Northview was in Class 3A, a class that includes schools with a 2008 fall population of 522-1305 . Northview had 544 students during the October week used by the FHSAA to determine the new classifications, but schools in the lower 10% of the population breakdown of each classification have the option of playing down one classification if it is deemed more suitable for district travel reasons.
Class 1A is for schools with 521 or fewer students, plus those that “play down” like Northview.
In preliminary district alignments released in December for football, Northview remained in District 1-2B. Under the “play down” rule, the Chiefs requested a move down one district to District 1-1A, also the same district as the Jay Royals.
Contest Limits
The FHSAA has proposed reducing the number of games in a number of Florida high school sports. (See graphic at bottom of page.)
Under the proposed rules, the number of proposed varsity boys and girls basketball games would drop from the current 25 to 20. For junior varsity teams, that number would drop to 15.
The same drop would be imposed for high school baseball and softball in Florida. Instead of the current 25 games, varsity teams would play 20 baseball games and junior varsity teams would play 15.
Volleyball would face the same major cuts, from the current 25 games to 20 for varisty and 15 for junior varsity teams.
Junior varsity football would drop from eight games per season to six.
The contest limits would be dropped under the proposal for other sports as well. For cross country teams, the current allowed 13 meets would drop to 11 for varsity and 8 for JV.
Golf would decrease from 14 matches per year to 13 for varsity and nine for junior varsity.
Pictured below: This graphic shows the changes proposed by the Florida High School Athletic Association.
Flomaton Football Star Tony Ellis Appears In Court
March 3, 2009
The Flomaton High School football star arrested on multiple sexual abuse charges involving a minor has asked to be tried as a youthful offender.
Tony Ellis, 18, was indicted by an Escambia County (Ala.) grand jury for enticing a minor into a vehicle for immoral purposes, sodomy II, and sexual abuse. The alleged victim is 12-years old.
Ellis asked an Escambia County (Ala.) court for youthful offender status. His arraignment has been delayed until the court decides if he will receive that youthful offender status or if he will tried as an adult.
Ellis is currently free on bond posted a volunteer coach that coached Ellis at one time in youth baseball.
Authorities have said Ellis picked up the 12-year old girl, a girl they say he knew, on December 15 from Pollard-McCall School and attempted to have sexual relations with her.
School officials say Ellis was suspended from his classes at Flomaton High School, including all extracurricular activities, and is attending the county’s alternative school.
His high school career included at least 1,500 rushing yards per year for each of the last three years at Flomaton. Ellis, who is 5-foot-9, had over 5,000 rushing yards in his high school career with the Canes.
NHS Softball Player’s Leg Healing; 8-12 Weeks To Play Again
March 3, 2009
Northview High School softball player Amber McMillan — the girl in the photo that shows her leg being broken — was at the Andrews Institute Monday afternoon to find out more about how bad her leg is.
Mom Donna McMillan says that it will be 8 to 12 weeks before there is any chance for Amber to play softball again.
The doctor said Monday that the original surgeon did a great job, Donna said. Amber still has a rod in her leg that begins just below the knee and ends near her ankle. It will be about six months before doctors know if the rod will need to be removed.
Now, Donna said, Amber will being physical therapy four times a week. She will be able to return to Northview as soon as she can put weight on her leg and the swelling decreases.
NorthEscambia.com ran a story about Amber last Friday and the amazing photo that shows her leg at the moment it was broken. Click here for that story.
Pictured above: Northview softball player Amber McMillan’s left leg is broken in tournament game in Dothan. Her Submitted photo by Scott Harris, www.scottharrisphotos.com for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Softball Returns To Century
March 1, 2009
Dwindling interest and competing leagues led to not having a girls’ softball team participate in Century Little League last season. But a renewed effort from Century Little League’s Board of Directors has brought back the fun.
Submitted by Joel Borelli
When asked what obstacles needed to be overcome league president and Century resident Kevin Merchant, said “It wasn’t easy, especially given the fact that last year we didn’t have a team. Sometimes it’s harder to get something back after you lost it than it might be to start something new.” He went on to explain that a lot of children go to school at Bratt or Walnut Hill and make friends there. It’s only natural for them to want to play sports with their friends and that’s okay, but the unfortunate result is that some children end up playing for the Northwest Escambia League and not Century.
He was quick to point out that, “We still have a lot of children available to us. The key was finding the right person to coach the team, an enthusiastic person, willing to go the extra mile and go out there and recruit. And we found that with Coach Tara Jones.”
When I caught up with Coach Jones on her second day of practice she agreed it wasn’t easy, especially with no team to draw girls from last season. She reiterated though, that the simple act of recruiting made all the difference.
“Talking with friends, neighbors, everyone I know,” she says was the formula for her success. And although it’s still early, she’s excited about her team. “I’ve got three girls who played minor league ball with the boys last year. I’m really counting on those girls to come out and do their best and to help the others that don’t have the experience. We’ve got some girls that can hit the ball too,” she added . And while she believes her team will compete well, she admits she has a ways to go in putting it all together. “I’ve got my starting shortstop, my catcher, and a few other positions, but I’m still trying to identify the rest, especially pitcher.”
The impact of the return of softball in Century goes well beyond the city limits. Around the league teams are, “Tickled, excited,” says Kevin. “It’s a win-win situation. The additional team added to schedules helps the entire tri-county league and improves the competition. It also helps the league when it comes to All-Stars. An expanded talent pool results in more girls to choose from so the league can field the best possible All-Star team.” His excitement doesn’t end there either. “I don’t see why we can’t get two or three girl’s softball teams going and sustain them,” he states.
So how does that happen? What does the future hold for Century softball and what has to be done to sustain the hard work already done in laying this foundation? Like all non-profit, volunteer-run organizations, Century Little League must rely on support from the community. In Century, that starts with the city’s participation. Kevin made it perfectly clear how great an asset Century has been to the league. “Century is a fantastic partner with us, there’s so much that they do. Every year they donate money and they don’t charge us to run the field lights, among other things. These go a very long way to making Century Little League a success. They also allow us to operate the concessions ourselves which really helps us raise additional funds.”
Beyond the city’s help, Kevin recognizes that the citizens themselves must pitch in, be they parents of children or just those that want to volunteer, and he reached out to them a few weeks ago. “We recently hosted a Fun Day at Showalter Park.” The day sported games the kids could play, a home run derby, fast pitch competition, races, and those types of things. “We opened it up to the whole town too. We didn’t want it to be for just the kids playing baseball or softball. We wanted whole families to come out and have a good time.” In spite of the bad weather the turnout was good and he’s looking to build on it for next year. Cheerfully doing his part to raise money, Kevin took a good soaking in the dunk tank that day, despite the chilly weather.
As for the business community, Kevin states, “We receive a lot of support from local businesses, which really helps, but we could always use more. In this economy especially, there are parents out there who just can’t afford to pay the registration fees and that’s just too bad.” When asked about other suggestions for community involvement he had a unique idea. “I think the churches might help us some and I plan on contacting them. There are over 30 churches in Century and if each one sponsored just one child’s registration fee that would get thirty-plus more kids out here having fun, playing ball, and the positive impact sports has on children is worth the investment.”
When asked to give us a prediction on Century’s success around the league this year, he said, “Coach Wes’ National League Tee Ball team has a real good chance to win it all. We have two really good minor league teams and then Coach Jones’ softball team looks like it has a shot too.” And Coach Jones got in on the fun too, saying with a smile, “I’m seeing some wins for us this year.”
While Kevin and I were talking I took the opportunity to ask him about the rest of Century Little League and according to him the outlook is good. Tee Ball participation is way up and this year Century is fielding two minor league teams as well, but he was quick to say that kids are still welcome to come out and play, especially eleven and twelve year olds, the weakest turnout age for Century this season. If you have a child 12 and under you can bring them by the park any Monday, Tuesday, Thursday or Friday from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. to sign up.
Joel Borelli serves as a board member for the Century Little League.
Pictured top: Catcher Cheyanne Merchant and Coach Tara Jones practice. Pictured inset: Shortstop Samanta Bathea. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com.
Photo Album: Flomaton Beats Escambia County High
February 28, 2009
The Flomaton Hurricanes pickup up another win in the Escambia County Tournament Friday afternoon beating Escambia County High School.
It took 10 innings, but the ‘Canes beat the Blue Devils. Tyler Coleman and Keegan Lambeth each had a home run for Flomaton.
In Thursday night action, the Hurricanes beat the T.R. Miller Tigers 9-7.
Click here for more photos from Mike Newton Photography.
Pictured above: Action as Flomaton beat Atmore Friday afternoon. Submitted photo by Mike Newton Photography for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Canes Beat Miller In County Tourney
February 27, 2009
The Flomaton Hurricane beat T.R. Miller in the County Tournament last night in Flomaton.
The ‘Canes beat the Tigers 9-7.
The games resume at 1:00 today with Flomaton playing Escambia County High School. The tournament was scheduled to end Saturday, but it was moved up to Friday due to the chance of rain on Saturday.
Click here for more photos from Mike Newton Photography.
Pictured above: Action as Flomaton beat T.R. Miller Thursday night. Submitted photo by Mike Newton Photography for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Amazing Photo Catches Northview Softball Player’s Leg Being Broken
February 27, 2009
An amazing photograph shows the moment Northview softball player Amber McMillan’s leg was broken in tournament game against Enterprise High School in Dothan, Alabama.
“She loved it,” mom Donna McMillan said of Amber’s reaction to the photo. “She’s got the ball, signed by all of the players, the pants that had to be cut off of her and the photo that she plans to frame and put in her room.”
Amber, 16, is improving, Donna said. She’s not in a cast…she has a metal rod in her leg, and she’s on crutches. She’s expected to be healed in about six to eight weeks.
Amber will visit the Andrew’s Institute in Gulf Breeze Monday afternoon to find out more about her treatment and when she will be able to head back to school.
“She plans to play in the district tournament,” Donna said. But Amber’s mom and her dad Mac don’t agree with that optimistic outlook.
Amber has always been active in sports, playing softball since she was four-years old. She’s participated in softball, volleyball, cheerleading, track, basketball and golf. And the broken leg was her first ever injury.
After the accident, no one was sure exactly how Amber’s leg was broken — until they saw the photo.
As for the play itself…the photo shows Amber catching the ball as her leg was broken. She held on to the ball and got the out.
Pictured above: Northview softball player Amber McMillan’s left leg is broken in tournament game in Dothan. Submitted photo by Scott Harris, www.scottharrisphotos.com for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Chiefs Beat Pcola High 5-0; Updated Story With Stats
February 25, 2009
The Northview High School varsity baseball team shut out Pensacola High School Tuesday night in Bratt. The Chiefs beat PHS 5-0. Pictured above: Scooter Hamilton at bat. Pictured below: Brad Lowery hits for the Chiefs. Pictured bottom: Patrick McPherson scores. Submitted photos by Heather Leonard for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Hitters for Northview- Reid 1-3 1 R, Stuckey 1-3, 2b (double), 1R, A. Lowery 1-3, 1R, Hamilton 1-3, 1 RBI, Langhorne 0-3, 1R, 1RBI, Mcphearson 0-3, 1R, B. Lowery 0-4, 1RBI, Foster 0-3, 1RBI, Sheets 0-2, 1RBI, Burkett 0-1. Pitchers- B. Lowery 6 IP, 2-H, 0-R, O-ER, 3-BB, 8-K’s, 1-HB/ Hanks 1-IP, 1-H, 0-R, 0-ER, 2-BB, 0-K, Northview 1-W, 2-L, 0-T.
All the runs came in the fourth, started by a Langhorne hit to second which scored two runs, after an throwing error to first base on a play on Langhorne, then A. Lowery got on base by a fielders choice which put Langhorne on second, Mcphearson was put on base with a hit by pitch, which loaded the bases, Sheets got on with a error and moved in 1run and keeping bases loaded again, Hamilton got on base with an error and moved in one run, B. Lowery had a sacrifice to score the final run. Chiefs were able to hold off PHS with solid pitching and error free defense to win the game.
Stats submitted by Rodney Burkett.
Ball Registration In Molino And Walnut Hill Today; Last Day For NWE
February 21, 2009
Registration was held at two area ballparks today, including Bradberry Park where today was the last day to register.
It was the last day of registration for Northwest Escambia Little League at Walnut Hill’s Bradberry Park. Registration is also going on at for the Molino Recreation Association at Don Sutton Park. Details for both parks are below.
Registration for Northwest Escambia Little League baseball continues each Saturday until February 21 from 10 a.m. until noon at Bradberry Park in Walnut Hill.
The cost is $35 for the first child from a family, $25 for the second child and free for each additional child. A copy of each child’s birth certificate is required for registration.
This year, NWE will offer Wee Ball for children ages 3 and 4 on the brand new “Drew’s Field”
- Wee Ball — ages 3 & 4
- Tee Ball — ages 5, 6 & 7
- Minor and Major League Baseball — ages 8 to 12
- Minor and Marjor League Softball — ages 8 to 16
- Junior and Senior League Softball –ages 13 to 16
- Junior and Senior Leage Baseball — ages 13 to 16
- Machine Pitch Baseball — age 8
For more information, call 327-6722 or 327-6155 after five p.m.
Registration will be held each Saturday for the Molino Recreation Association at Don Sutton park in Molino. Registration will continue each Saturday from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. through February 28. The annual draft will be February 28 at 3 p.m.
Registration fees have been reduced this year due to the economy. This year, registration fees are $50 for the first child, $45 for the second, $40 for the third and free for additional players from the same family. A birth certificate copy is required to be on file for each child.
Teams for the Molino Recreation Association will include:
- Wee Ball –ages 3 & 4
- Tee Ball — ages 5, 6 & 7
- Baseball — ages 8 to 15
- Girls Softball — ages 8 to 16
If you would like to coach or just help out on your child’s team, you can sign up on the day your child is registered. For more information, call 587-4090.
Field Of Dreams: Bratt Residents Get Look At Their New Park
February 13, 2009
Clark Caraway begin work on his dream of a community park in Bratt 10 years ago. For the first time, he saw that dream in black and white Thursday night.
Caraway and several other Bratt residents even formed Bratt Community Park, Inc. back in 2001 to work toward the park.
Fast forward to Thursday night…Caraway sat in a public meeting at the Shiloh Free Will Baptist Church as Joy Jones from Escambia County’s parks and recreation department presented preliminary plan drawings for the Bratt Regional Park on Highway 4.
About 30 area residents learned that preliminary plans for the park include a paved, 8-foot wide walking/biking track around the perimeter of the park. There will also be exercise and rest stations positioned along the track.
Plans also call for one or two fenced softball fields, a half-court basketball court, a covered pavilion and playground equipment for children of various ages. The softball fields will not be lit for night play; in fact, the park’s hours will follow that of other county parks — sunrise to sunset.
The money is already in the bank, so to speak, to fund the park’s amentities. District 5 Escambia Commissioner Kevin White has $200,000 in LOST (Local Option Sales Tax) funds set aside to fund the park’s development.
“We are trying to use the money we have to accomodate everybody on this park,” White said.
Some members of the audience Thursday night questioned if a recreation building, perhaps one large enough for an indoor basketball court, could be built on the propery. Jones said she did not believe that was possible with current funding. Other residents questioned lighting the park to keep it open until a reasonable time at night, running drinking water and other items not included in the concept.
Jones will work on finalizing park plans and options. She will have those plans posted on the county’s web site within 30 days, and the county will hold another public meeting within six weeks for public review.
Also at Thursday night’s meeting, White praised Kale and Donna Schneider who traded 57 acres of mostly wetlands that county owned on Hanks Road for their 13.19 acres at the corner of West Highway 4 and Bratt Road for the park.
“He stepped up to the plate to better his community,” White said of Mr. Schneider.
The new park will be located along Highway 4 between Bratt First Baptist Church and Northview High School
Pictured above: Clark Caraway discusses the new Bratt Regional Park at a Thursday night public meeting at Shiloh Baptist Church. Pictured below: Joy Jones (left) from Escambia Parks and Recreation discusses preliminary Bratt Regional Park plans with a local resident. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
