When Tony Raymond starts heating up from outside the three-point line, the rest of the Southeast Bulloch Yellow Jackets step up their game, too.
    This was the case in SEB’s game against the Metter Tigers last Saturday, when the Jackets got their first region win of the young season and Raymond grabbed a game- and season-high 26 points, hitting three 3-pointers in the first quarter alone and igniting the Southeast Bulloch offense.
    Raymond — who played football for the first time last season and spent considerable time on both sides of the ball — is a leader on the hardwood.
    “(Tony leads) by example,” said Page. “He’s one of those quiet leaders. He doesn’t talk a lot. He just goes out there to work hard and try to get it done. That’s the main thing.”
    Also the team’s leading scorer in 2006, Raymond has added some new dimensions to his game.
    “He’s one that has been most consistent for us since we’ve started,” Page said. “He’s changed his game around a little bit. There’s still been the outside shooting, but he’s also been able to take the ball to the basket and get fouls. … He’s shooting the highest foul-shot percentage for us, also.”
    Raymond knocked down 20 points in Tuesday night’s 71-46 win over Bryan County. SEB topped the Redskins 63-50 earlier in the season.

Girls: Sacona Sherffield

    The Portal Lady Panthers are off to a 6-2 start, a vast improvement from the three-win season of 2006, and any team with so big a turnaround needs a leader.
    That’s where Sacona Sherffield steps in.
    Sherffield has led the team to three-straight wins for the second time this season. She grabbed three steals in Tuesday’s 45-35 loss to Screven, the only team to beat the Panthers this season.
    Her on-the-field and off-the-field leadership is something PHS coach Earl Donaldson has been waiting for since the junior joined the team.
    “During practice, she’s been pepping them up,” said Donaldson. “When they’re down and out, she says encouraging words to get them moving and get them going. I’ve been congratulating her because I have been waiting on that – for her to step up. She’s a natural leader who could lead the team down of lead the team up. I’m proud of everything she’s been doing the last few weeks.”
    Donaldson is quick to point out that she is always on time and she is always encouraging her teammates, traits that are rubbing off on the rest of the team. With guard Cassandra McBride still sidelined with injury, Sherffield role is magnified.