By Mitch Blomert
mblomert@gainesvilletimes.com

JHS golf team takes fifth in state
Brueshaber shooting 85, Individual State Runner-up
BY JUSTIN POOLE
The Jefferson Lady Dragons golf team has a lot to be proud of, finishing fifth in state and having a team member finish as the Individual State Runner-up.
The State Tournament was in Waycross at The Lakes golf course. The team had shot a 190 for the tournament, which won the ladies fifth place, the highest Jefferson has ever finished in the state tournament.
“This is the highest finish for the Lady Dragons in school history for the state tournament,” said head golf coach Tom Parker. “I am so proud of the girls for the effort and desire they showed throughout the season.”
The team was lead by Jennifer Brueshaber who shot an 85 and was named the Individual State Runner-up.
According to Parker, this is the first time Brueshaber has played the game.
“Brueshaber only began playing golf just this season,” Parker said. “She picked the game up as an outlet for the springtime, and fell in love with the game. [Brueshaber] went from a non-player in the first couple of matches to winning region and finishing second in the state.”
The only senior on the team, Kimberlee Tolbert, ended her high school career with the state finish.
Tolbert shot 105, Kara Perry shot 123, Rebekah Branch shot 107, and Brueshaber shot 85, giving the Lady Dragons a total of 190.
“We had only one person returning to the team, Tolbert,” said Parker. “Therefore, I did set our goals beyond what I thought we could accomplish. [The team] exceeded everything and then some. The best part is they are all coming back next year except for Tolbert who is the only senior. The team will definitely miss her leadership, however I believe she has done a great job of passing on the tradition of hard work to her teammates.”
Next year Jefferson moves into Region 8 AA and Parker said that the team will be looking to continue their success of four straight region titles and two top 10 state finishes.
Brueshaber will lead the team next year, and according to Parker, will be supported by Rebecca Soldwish, Kaley Valezquez, Rebekah Branch, Kara Perry, and Summer Bartek.

Staff Reports   |   Story updated at 12:21 AM on Saturday, April 26, 2008

JEFFERSON - Jefferson’s Jake Fields led a home run derby Friday as he hit three and his Dragons teammates contributed three more in a 14-4 Region 8-A win over Social Circle. The Dragons were able to shut the door on the visiting Redskins in just five innings.

Hill, who had three home runs and eight RBIs Wednesday in Jefferson’s 15-5 win over Prince Avenue, had three homers and five RBIs against Social Circle. He was joined in the home run circle by Blaine Skaggs, Chris Beck and Tyler Hill.

The Dragons (17-3, 16-0), which won its second consecutive region title in the win against Prince Avenue, pounded out 16 hits.

Besides Fields, players with multiple-high nights included Skaggs (two hits, two runs, one RBI), Hill (two hits, one run, one RBI) and Jed Gurley (two hits, three runs).

Jefferson will play at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday at Towns County

Undefeated Dragons beat Tigers 15-5
BY JUSTIN POOLE
In what is becoming typical fashion for the Jefferson High School Dragons, the guys easily defeated the Commerce Tigers, Tuesday afternoon. The next game is against Prince Avenue Christian at home, Thursday. Then The Diamond Dragons will honor the seniors Friday night before the game with Social Circle.
The Dragons are on a roll this season having not lost a game since starting region play. Jefferson remains the top sitter in Region 8-A and has moved up to the sixth spot in the latest coaches poll.
The Tigers were no exception as the Jefferson Dragons took an early lead scoring five runs in the first inning. Blaine Skaggs, Chris Beck, Tyler Hill, Lucas Redd, and Jake Fields all scored in the first inning. Fields had a three run homer, which was just his first of three homeruns of the night and 8 RBIs. Hill also had a three run homer in the second.
“[Fields had] four hits, three homeruns, that’s not a bad day,” said coach Tommy Knight. “I am sure he will take that. He swung it good for us.”
It was the fourth inning until Commerce put a run on the board, with Jake Flint knocking one right over the fence. Jefferson had Skaggs as the starting pitcher, staying in three innings. Chris Swancey came on the mound in the middle of the fourth. Skaggs and Swancey both pitched four strikeouts.
“I was really pleased with Skaggs and Swancey’s pitching, they threw really well” Knight said. “That is going to help us once the playoffs get started.”
HEBRON
After only six innings, Jefferson repeated the March 25 victory over Hebron. In both games against Hebron, The Dragons have defeated the Lions 11-1.

Jefferson remain undefeated in region 8A
BY JUSTIN POOLE
After a double shutout, the Diamond Dragons have their sights firmly set on the state playoffs.
The Jefferson High School Diamond Dragons maintain their hold on the top spot in Region 8-A after a doubleheader wins against Tallulah Falls, Tuesday. Jefferson won 15-0 and 13-0 against Tallulah.
Head coach Tommy Knight, in an interview before the game, cautioned that despite Tallulah Falls not being as tough a team as some of the other competitors the team would still have to be mentally prepared to play the game.
Whatever preparation the team took, it worked. In the first game, Jefferson rolled Tallulah in the third inning, scoring 12 runs adding to the three runs already on the board. In the second game, Jefferson stretched out the scoring a little, putting four runs up in the first, three runs in the second, and six runs in the fourth.
On the mound, Chris Swancey pitched the first game only having one hit on 11 batters. Jake Fields took the mound in the second game pitching the first two innings and Justin Rampley came in for the save. Both Fields and Rampley had four strikeouts.
“It was a good game,” said Knight. “We got to play a lot of guys.”
COMMERCE
Jefferson swept Commerce in a 9-0 victory April 8.
Taking advantage of the Tiger’s pitcher, Jefferson scored the bulk of their runs in the second inning. Anthony Dowker had the most hits for the Dragons, while Chris Beck had 3 RBI’s.
On the mound for Jefferson, Blain Skaggs is credited with the win. Jake Fields, Chris Swancey, and Beck all had time on the mound pitching against the rival team.
Jefferson will have to face the Tigers once more before the season is over. The Dragons will be at Commerce, Tuesday, April 22, to take on the Tigers.
ATHENS CHRISTIAN
The Dragons faced the Eagles of Athens Christian, last Thursday, April 10. Despite the Eagles scoring in the first and Jefferson not taking the lead until the fourth, The Dragons still defeated Athens Christian 3-2.
Beck, once again, performed on the mound pitching 10 strikeouts.
“Beck is the guy that every time we put him on the mound, we have a good shot of inning no matter who we are playing,” said Knight.
LAKEVIEW ACADEMY
In the second highest scoring game of the year, Jefferson crushed Lakeview Academy in a 14-2 triumph, April 11.
Last Friday, Jefferson traveled to Gainesville to take on the Lions. According to Knight, Jed Gurley got the bats going. Gurley had 5 RBI’s during the game.
“It was a close ball game until Jed got us going,” said Knight. “We went through the first few innings not swinging the bat to well, but after Jed hit the homerun we got going, hitting is contagious.”
PLANNING AHEAD
Jefferson still has six games before the first round of state playoffs.
The next victim for the Dragons is Hebron Christian Academy this Friday, April 18 at home. Earlier in the season, Jefferson overwhelmed Hebron 11-1. Knight said that Beck and Blinn would both be ready to go to the mound against Hebron. The Hebron Lions are currently fourth in the region. The game starts at 5:30 p.m. Next week, Jefferson once again face rival Commerce. The game is at Commerce and starts at 5:30 p.m.

Jefferson prepares for final track meets
BY JUSTIN POOLE
Dragon tracksters continue to set season best performances. The Dragons have two more meets and the Jefferson Relays before the state meets.
The next event for the team is at Lexington facing Oglethorpe County and Athens Academy, April 8.
LOCH JOHNSON INVITATIONAL
Jefferson was one of 18 schools competing March 22, in Athens, and the only single A school present. The men’s team finished 12th in 16 events.
Some of the top performers for the men include Tyler Porter, first place in the pole vault at 13’6”. Jeremy Deremer, 4:53.00 in the 1600m, 2:11.31 in the 800m.
Ronnie Lewis, 38’5.5” in the triple jump, 39’1” in the shot put. Wesley Milton, 2:07.78 in the 800m. Derrick Perkins, 17.31 in the 110m hurdles. Travis Surrell, 11:48.68 in the 3200m.
“As usual we fared a little better, as far as score goes, in the field events,” said men’s coach Tim Corbett. “I was pleased with our performance and our overall response to conditions in our first invitational of the season after the previous two Saturday cancellations. The bottom line, we improved in several areas.”
The Lady Dragons also did well at Athens finishing 9th in 16 events. Top performers for the team include Kaylee Lopez, second place finish in the 1600m at 5:58 and fourth in the 3200m at 13:10. Brianna Caudell placed fifth in the discus 92’10”, Summer Bartek placed sixth in the discus at 92’.
“The Jefferson girls did very well at the Loch Johnson Invitational,” said ladies coach Kristen Polstra. “There were a lot of new personal bests that weekend and many people placed despite the hard competition.”
NORTH HALL / COMMERCE
The Dragons hosted North Hall and Commerce, March 25. Jefferson’s men won scoring 74 points, to Commerce, 49, and North Hall, 46.
Some top performers include Porter and John Sharpton placing first and second in the pole vault, 12’6”. Dexter Morgan and Josh Kles first and second in the discus at, 141’4” and 130’6”. Lewis and Morgan first and second in the shot put, 41’10.50” and 40’4”. Elijah Wright first in the 110m hurdles, 16.19, and in the 300m hurdles, 43.52. Perkins placed second in the 110m hurdles, 17.35, and in the 300m hurdles, 47.62. Sharpton placed second in the triple jump 40’4.5”. Milton placed first in the 400m dash, 54.51. In the 4 x 400m relay, Wright, Sharpton, Jeremy Deremer and Milton placed first, 3:39.32.
The Lady Dragons also won scoring 76, Commerce, 56, and North Hall, 31. Marcayla Hester broke the triple jump record with a jump of 34’7.5”. The previous record was at 32’6” set in 2001.
COMMERCE
The last meet before spring break for the Dragons was a dual against Commerce, March 27. Once again, Jefferson defeated Commerce.
The winning performances for the men include: Porter in the pole vault, 12’6”, Morgan in the discus, 144’6”, Milton in the 400m, 53.5 and 800m, 2:10, Deremer in the 1600m, and Jonathan Herrington in the 3200m.
For the Lady Dragons winning performances include Karrie Champlin in the long jump, 14’11.5”, Carla Carreno in the high jump, 4’8”, Hester in the triple jump, 33’10”, and 400m, 1:03.8, and Caudell in the 300m hurdles, 18.09.
Jefferson comes back from spring break to prepare for the Jefferson Relays on April 12.

Dragons Varsity Girls and Boys Golf

April 8th Tues.     3:30PM  Apalachee at Traditions
April 10th Thurs. 3:30 PM Banks County at Hammers Glen
April 14th Mon.   3:30 PM East Hall at Chicopee
April 15th Tues.   3:30 PM Jackson County and Buford at Traditions
April 17th Thurs.  3:30 PM Commerce and East Hall at Sandy Creek
April 21st Mon.    TBA       Region Tournament at Sandy Creek
May 5th   Mon.     TBA       State Tournament at Sandy Creek

Feb 26 Tue 4:45 PM Elbert County (8-AAA)
Feb 28 Thu 4:30 PM Franklin County (8-AAA)  
Mar 06 Thu 4:30 PM North Oconee (8-AA)
Mar 10 Mon 4:30 PM Commerce (8-A)*
Mar 11 Tue 4:30 PM Hebron Christian Academy *
Mar 13 Thu 4:30 PM Towns County (8-A)*
Mar 14 Fri 4:30 PM Athens Christian (8-A) Home-Rain Mar 17
Mon 4:30 PM Woody Gap (8-A)*
Mar 18 Tue 4:30 PM Tallulah Falls (8-A)*
Mar 20 Thu 4:30 PM Lakeview Academy (8-A)*
Mar 24 Mon 4:30 PM Franklin County (8-AAA)
Mar 26 Wed 4:30 PM Athens Academy (8-A)*
Apr 07 Mon 4:30 PM Athens Christian (8-A) Away

Apr 15 Tue 9:30 AM 8A region Championship Away-8A region Championships
Apr 16 Wed 1:00 PM 8A region Championships Away-8A region Championships
* Denotes Region Game