Local Roundup: Southern beats State in exhibition

The Georgia Thunder 16-and-under softball team won their first four tournaments of 2008, taking home the championship trophies at Cordele, Milledgeville, Covington and Dublin. The Thunder team is coached by Jeff and Missy Rainwater and is based out of Effingham County. The team is composed of 11 girls from Effingham, Bulloch and Screven County. Thunder is a very young 16-and-under team with 8 of the 11 girls young enough to play in 14-and-under. The remainder of the 2008 season was devoted to an attempt to win a berth to the Class-A USA/ASA Nationals in Owensboro, Kent. With the success at the start of the year, the Thunder entered the second phase of the season playing in 5 USA/ASA Qualifiers in Georgia, Florida, North Carolina and Tennessee. A berth to the Nationals is normally only awarded to the team that wins the qualifier. The Thunder did not achieve the lofty goal they set out for, but still considered the season a great success. While in the quest for a berth, the Thunder placed as high as seventh place twice, ninth twice and even beat a few of the teams that qualified for Nationals. Shelby Duff and Alexis Mercer of the Thunder were invited to play at Nationals with the Atlanta Vipers. The Vipers placed 33rd out of 144 of the best teams in the country. Also, Whitney Smith, Bridget Devlin and Marla Thompson were invited to the ASA Southern Nationals held in Orlando to play for the East Cobb Bullets. Looking ahead to 2009, the only player leaving will be Duff who has to move up to the 18-and-under age group. The remaining 10 girls will be a real threat to qualify for the 2009 USA/ASA Nationals in South Dakota. - photo by Special to the Herald

7-11-08 Tennesse ASA Qualifier website — The Georgia Thunder 16-and-under softball team won their first four tournaments of 2008, taking home the championship trophies at Cordele, Milledgeville, Covington and Dublin. The Thunder team is coached by Jeff and Missy Rainwater and is based out of Effingham County. The team is composed of 11 girls from Effingham, Bulloch and Screven County. Thunder is a very young 16-and-under team with 8 of the 11 girls young enough to play in 14-and-under. The remainder of the 2008 season was devoted to an attempt to win a berth to the Class-A USA/ASA Nationals in Owensboro, Kent. With the success at the start of the year, the Thunder entered the second phase of the season playing in 5 USA/ASA Qualifiers in Georgia, Florida, North Carolina and Tennessee. A berth to the Nationals is normally only awarded to the team that wins the qualifier. The Thunder did not achieve the lofty goal they set out for, but still considered the season a great success. While in the quest for a berth, the Thunder placed as high as seventh place twice, ninth twice and even beat a few of the teams that qualified for Nationals. Shelby Duff and Alexis Mercer of the Thunder were invited to play at Nationals with the Atlanta Vipers. The Vipers placed 33rd out of 144 of the best teams in the country. Also, Whitney Smith, Bridget Devlin and Marla Thompson were invited to the ASA Southern Nationals held in Orlando to play for the East Cobb Bullets. Looking ahead to 2009, the only player leaving will be Duff who has to move up to the 18-and-under age group. The remaining 10 girls will be a real threat to qualify for the 2009 USA/ASA Nationals in South Dakota. - photo by Special to the Herald

Georgia Southern took an early lead in the second half and never looked back winning the first exhibition game of the season 2-1 over Georgia State.

Georgia Southern scored with only two minutes left in the first half to tie the game at one goal apiece. Junior Mark Beville (Apopka, Fla.) scored the game tying goal off a pass by senior Julian Donaldson (Aurora, Colo.).

The men’s soccer team then came out of the locker room at halftime and took a 2-1 lead early in the second half, when senior B.J. Reine (Baton Rouge, La.) scored off an assist by freshman Joe Madigan (Centennial, Colo.).

Georgia Southern did not surrender the lead and played strong defense the rest of the half. Senior Jon Kinsler (Ormond Beach, Fla.), sophomore Austin Steele (Kennesaw, Ga.), and sophomore Stephen George (Lawrenceville, Ga.) provided strong defense and helped keep Georgia State to only one goal.

Junior Joey Ralph (Evans, Ga.) made nine saves in the cage, helping shutout Georgia State in the second half.

Georgia State scored first with an unassisted goal by Linus Warendh, fourteen minutes into the first period, to go up 1-0.

Junior Jon Cox (Alpharetta, Ga.) had a solid performance with three shots on goal.

Georgia Southern returns to action Friday with a 5 p.m. exhibition match at North Georgia.

BCEC dinner

Bulloch County Eagle Club Preseason Dinner and Rally will be held Thursday at 6:30 p.m. in the Russell Union Ballroom on campus.

The pep rally will be at the Rotunda immediately following dinner. Tickets are only $15 and you are encouraged to buy them well in advance.

SHS season tickets

Season tickets for Statesboro High football games are currently on sale at the school.

Season tickets for both reserved and general admission seating will be on sale in the front office beginning at 8:30 a.m. Statesboro plays six home games this season at Womack Field and the season opener is August 29 against Josey.

Little Eagles Camp

On Saturday, Georgia Southern University football will again offer the Little Eagles Camp followed by ‘Meet the Eagles’ presented by Trapnell Dodge. The event will take place at Paulson Stadium.

Head football coach Chris Hatcher, his staff and players will offer the Little Eagles Camp in the morning. Sign up will take place from 9-9:45 a.m. for children ages 4-12 and the event is free. Little Eagles Camp will run from 9:45-10:45 as campers will participate in various football drills.

Following the Little Eagles Camp, the public is invited to Bishop Field House for ‘Meet the Eagles’ presented by Trapnell Dodge. This will be the first chance to get the 2008 schedule posters and fans can get autographs and their picture taken with members of the Eagle Football program.

Fans can also purchase football season tickets, the 2008 football media guides and the University Store will be on hand to sell Georgia Southern merchandise, all while meeting GUS and the cheerleaders.

For more information contact the sports marketing department at (912) 478-1500.

Portal football fundraiser

The Portal football team is selling bushels of “Georgia Green” peanuts for $35 a bushel.

All orders must be placedprior to Saturday where patrons can pick up there prders. Call (912) 865-2492 for more information.

Statesboro Hall of Fame nominations

The Statesboro Athletic Hall of Fame Committee is accepting nominations for the 2008 induction. A nominee must be a graduate of Statesboro High School, William James High School, or Marvin Pittman. In order to be considered, one must be an alumnus from one of these institutions for at least fifteen years.

A nominee will be considered in the following areas: high school athletic participation; high school athletic awards, records, and recognitions; college athletic participation; college athletic awards, records, recognitions, and scholarships; high school and college non-athletic extracurriculuar activities; accomplishments after high school and/or college (contributions to community); leadership and character

Nomination forms can be obtained at the Statesboro High School main office or from Snooky’s Restaurant. In addition, a form can be obtained from the Statesboro High School website:

(www.bulloch.k12.ga.us/shs) For additional information, contact Kathy Tucker at 852-9205. Forms must be received by Saturday, August 30, 2008 in order for the nominee to be considered for the 2008 induction.

Sprint South conditioning program

The Sprint South AAU track and field program will begin its offseason conditioning program in September.

The program is free and open to anyone aged six-18 for any sport. Just visit www.sprintsouth.com and fill out the entrance form.

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