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MAY 2006 |
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Walhalla hurler signs with USC Upstate
MAY 16
WALHALLA - Walhalla High School senior Tim Fournier doesn't mind being the new kid in town. In fact, he just signed on to try it again. Joining the Walhalla Razorbacks at the start of the 2006 season, he quickly impressed his coaches and earned the respect of his teammates. Now he looks to impress a new set of coaches and earn the respect of his new teammates at USC Upstate. During a ceremony at Walhalla High School on Monday morning, Fournier formalized his agreement to attend USC Upstate in the fall and signed on as a freshman member of their pitching squad.
Now that he has signed, Razorbacks' head coach Ed Taylor expects Fournier to have an even more successful summer playing
American Legion ball. "This summer will be fine because he is even more relaxed," said Taylor. "He is going to be good." "He showed up when we wanted him to. It was all him. We just laid out a plan and he followed it." Although he has always wanted to play baseball, Fournier wasn't sure how it was going to happen until a few weeks ago. Fournier said three weeks after making a spring break visit to USC Upstate, where he watched half of a ball game, an offer arrived in the mail. "I knew I wanted to play baseball in college," he said. "I just didn't know where." Fournier was also considering another offer and wanted to make the right decision. "I went to visit the other campus and it just didn't compare. That made the decision for me." According to Fournier, the best part of his offer is that part of it is incentive-based. "The scholarship goes up with how well I do," said Fournier. "If I perform well, I will be able to get more next year." After playing just two seasons of high school baseball, Fournier has put up attractive numbers. From the mound he posted a 4-2 record with a 2.03 ERA and struck up 43 batters. In the batters' box he is just as intimidating - hitting .453 with 16 RBIs and eight doubles during the season. Fournier's parents credit his dedication to the sport for his outstanding performance. "It is very good," said Jill Fournier, Tim's mother. "We've come a long way and we are grateful to be here." The Fournier family relocated to the area from Marietta, Ga. last year. Roland Fournier adds that his son might have had a little genetic help developing into a ball player. "It doesn't hurt that he grew six inches since he was 15," he said. Before signing on at USC Upstate, Tim Fournier was able to end his high school career with a bang as he slammed his first career homerun during his last high school at bat. Fournier hopes it will be a good omen for his college career as he prepares to be the new kid in town once again. |
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CLASS OF 06
WINS BATTLE OF
THE CLASSES
May 13
After some hard
competition and
great food the
Senior Class
came out on top
in the 1st
Annual Battle of
the Classes. The
Seniors won with
a total of 190
points. followed
closely by the
Sophomores with
187 points, the
Juniors with 183
points and the
Freshman with
179 points.
Thanks to all of
the faculty, staff
and students
that made
this a SUPER
DAY.
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Razorbacks have come a long way
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Walhalla High Schools Adrian Garcia (7) fights for a loose ball against Pendleton's Alonzo Bennett in the Razorbacks 2-0 victory on May 4. Pendleton was the first of three top seeds the Razorbacks beat on their to the Class AA State Finals. |
May 13
COLUMBIA — Four years ago, as a ninth grader, Josh Stephens never dreamed that Razorback soccer would be known as a powerhouse. After making it all the way to the State Championship Game Stephens can look back on his high school career and truly understand the leaps and bounds by which the program has grown. And he says the Razors have only just begun. “I’ve been here for four years and from where we were at four years ago to where we’re at today it’s amazing,” Stephens said. “I’m real proud of these guys. The whole program, from JV on through, it’s picked up a lot. We’ve actually got some kids coming in that have even better skills.” Walhalla coach Chris Preisig said senior leaders like Stephens were a big key to his young team taking just huge strides this season. “(Josh) has really stepped up this year to be a leader on the team,” he said. “The thing that’s different is when he steps on the pitch the kids play for him. They know that he wants it because he lives soccer on and off the field. “They know that when he asks you to do something, that he’s going to try his best too. He’s going to be there for him and they respect that, and play for him. He’s definitely been a good leader and a good role model for a lot of the younger kids, especially.” Joining Stephens in the starting lineup for Walhalla were two fellow seniors, keeper Mario Salinas and transfer-student Phillip Woerner.
The grass is greener. Despite the loss, the Razorbacks were clearly able to still enjoy the experience. Stephens said the chance to play at the University of South Carolina’s Stone Stadium was more than worth the price of admission. “That was awesome,” he said. “I’ve been dreaming about this game ever since I was knee high just to get here is something amazing. “To play on a pitch like that I mean, that’s awesome. That’s probably the best pitch I’ll ever play on. I’m glad I got to finish out my high school career on this field in the State Title Game.” Razorbacks honored. Walhalla had five players selected to the Skyline-AA All-Region team and two players selected to the Class AA All-State team. Defender Cory Dunton and sophomore forward Adrian Garcia received spots of the All-State team after leading the Razors to an Upper State title. Joining Garcia and Dunton on the All-Region team were Stephens, Salinas and Victor Rojas. Naughty, naughty. Saturday’s State Championship Game was a physical one at times, though it never seemed to be on the verge of getting out-of-control or overtly violent. The officials issued three yellow cards in the match two to Bishop England and one to Walhalla. Watching each other’s back. On a soccer team, the goal keeper is basically the last line of defense the person whose responsibility it is to stop a score when no one else can. In the state title game, Walhalla defenders did a little bit of duty in net as well. At least three times during the game, Razorback defenders either slid into or stood in front of the net to re-direct shots that were on the verge of being goals. |
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Razorbacks are headed to state championship game
MAY 11
GREENWOOD - The Emerald High School boys soccer team's hopes of a third straight trip Columbia were dashed by a Walhalla Razorback squad looking to continue its upset-minded ways. Four days after knocking off top-seeded Batesburg-Leesville, No. 4 seed Walhalla ended the run for the No. 2 Vikings, 1-0, Wednesday night at Frank Hill Stadium in the Class AA Upper State final. "They just kept fighting and fighting and they pulled it together when it really mattered," Razorback coach Chris Preisig said. "They knew they were going to have to come out hard for 80 minutes. They've waited for this for so long. "We're peaking at the right time." The Razorbacks move on to the state title match Saturday for the second time in the program's history. Walhalla played Bishop England in the State Championship game in 1995 and came up a little short loosing 4-2. Walhalla will face the Bishop England-Waccamaw winner Saturday for another chance at the State title. The Razorbacks applied an offensive pressure throughout most of the first half, keeping the ball on the Emerald defensive half for long periods of time. Walhalla's offensive flurry posted seven shots on goal in the 40-minute half. "We just came out flat. We have nobody to blame here but ourselves," Emerald coach Brad Nickles said. "We talked about it. We knew they were going to come out shot out of a cannon in the first half. We just wanted to absorb it and move on, but we never recovered. "We played 40 maybe 42 good minutes instead of the 80 and that's why they're going to Columbia and we're not," Nickles added. Walhalla's pressure eventually led to the game's only goal. In the 34th minute, Walhalla's Victor Rojas blasted a left-footed shot from 17 yards out, but Emerald keeper Josh Dean dove to make one of his seven saves. However, the rebound went straight to the Razorbacks' Tyler Phillips, whose shot was enough to bounce off a diving Dean's hand into the net for the 1-0 lead.
"We figured the more we'd keep it on their side, the more we'd get shots off and that something would go in," Preisig said. "Rebounds are something we've been working on for a long time, having them frame the goal, push in for the shot and get in position for rebounds." The Vikings came out in the second half with more aggression, but were unable to find an equalizer. It's been an uphill climb for the Vikings this season. After losing 14 players from last year's repeat Upper State championship squad, the Vikings opened the 2006 season with five straight losses, including two Region 3-AA matches, and found themselves at 3-7 with the bulk of region games still to play. Emerald closed out the season with eight straight wins before Wednesday's loss to the Razorbacks, with the last six being shutouts.
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Lady Razorbacks
lose
heartbreaker in
extra innings
MAY 7
CHAPMAN - In a
game filled with
excitement
Walhalla saw its
dream of winning
a State
Championship
fade away
Saturday
afternoon by
losing to the
Chapman Panthers
5-4 in extra
innings during
the upper-state
championship.
After taking a
2-0 lead thanks
to Jessica
Reid's homerun,
the Lady Razors
looked like they
were on their
way to forcing a
second game but
Chapman quickly
rallied back to
take a 4-2 lead
in the bottom of
the 5th inning,
but with 2 outs
in the top of
the 7th the Lady
Razorbacks
loaded the bases
and quickly tied
the game back
up. But with
softball's
international
tie-break rules
putting a runner
on 2nd base
Chapman was that
much closer to
winning the game
and that's just
what they did on
a wild throw
over 1st base.
Chapman will now
advance to the
State
Championship
game to
represent the
Class AA
Upper-State
against Andrew
Jackson. We here
at Walhalla High
School want to
congratulate the
Lady Razorbacks
on a successful
year and we wish
our seniors the
best as they
move on.
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Walhalla's Reid makes right decision, headed to Newberry
MAY 6
WALHALLA - When Jessica Reid made the switch from playing baseball to playing softball at the age of 12, it didn't seem like a life-altering decision. After signing to play softball at Newberry College on Friday, the Walhalla High School senior may think differently. "I am excited," said Reid. "I can't wait." Although she is now quite excited with the move, Reid approached the situation carefully and took several months before making her decision. Reid received her initial offer from Newberry at the end of the fall season and felt pressured to signing early. "They really wanted me to sign on the early date, but I wasn't ready," said Reid. "I wanted to wait for the later signing date so I did." Reid said that it wasn't a very difficult decision to make after she made a visit to the Newberry campus. "I loved the school when I went down there," she said. Part of Reid's excitement stems from the possibility of playing during her first year with the team. "The first year they said that I would probably play second or outfield, but would try short after that," said Reid, who plays second base for the Razorbacks.
Reid made a strong impression with Newberry's head coach Joe Elston last summer while playing for the South Carolina Bandits. Although Elston had seen Reid play previously and wanted her on the team at Newberry, her performance during a three-game tourney in Florence removed any doubt. Patsy Reid, Jessica's mother, remembers the day well. "She hit a couple home runs and a grand slam," she said. "She really got his attention." "There were three games all in that one day and she had a great day." Newberry's softball program is in a rebuilding stage with Elston entering just his third season as coach. "They are trying new things and it looks like Jessica will fit in," Patsy Reid said. Some familiar faces - including some teammates from the Bandits, may ease Jessica's transition to the college level.
While much of the groundwork for a successful college career may be in place, Jessica doesn't want to leave anything up to chance. "I need more confidence," she said. "I really need to learn to step-up." Reid said that taking on a leadership role would be especially important if she made the shift to shortstop. Although her high school career is nearly complete, there is one more item that Reid would like to add to her resume - State Champion. After a rain-out last night, Reid and the rest of the Razorbacks will take the field this evening at Chapman to decide who will advance to the Class AA state title game. In order for Walhalla to advance, they must defeat Chapman twice this evening. Reid thinks that winning the championship would be a fine way to end her career - until next season. In addition to the entire Razorback softball team and coaching staff, her parents, Frank and Patsy Reid and her brother, Michael Reid, attended Reid's signing. |
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Razorbacks get Revenge
MAY 5
PENDLETON - Walhalla High School lost two matches in penalty kick shootouts, as well as the Skyline AA title to Pendleton this season - but Thursday the Razorbacks delivered when it mattered most, shutting out the Bulldogs on their home pitch, 2-0, to advance to Saturday's Upper State quarterfinals. Walhalla took an early lead at the 8:30 mark when Phillipp Woerner dribbled around the right corner and fired a crossing pass across the face of the net. Bulldog keeper Harrison Hickman reached down for the ball but it trickled through his fingers and Casey Poore was the man on the spot - standing in front of the net to easily knock it home. Walhalla coach Chris Preisig said his team had underestimated the Bulldogs in both of the previous meetings, something they were careful not to repeat again. "With AA, everybody goes to the playoffs, so the playoffs are what's important, the rest of the season is just a warm-up for it," he said. "So, they came out when it really mattered."
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Lady
Razors
Advance
to Upper
State
Championship
MAY 3
WALHALLA
- By the
final
two
innings
of
Wednesday's
elimination
game
against
Abbeville
High
School,
Walhalla
pitcher
Kristyn
Smith
had
apparently
decided
to make
an
executive
decision
- not to
even
allow
the
Panthers'
hitters
to touch
the ball
anymore.
With her
team
clinging
to a 1-0
lead,
the
Razorback
flamethrower
struck
out
Abbeville's
final
six
batters
to seal
the
victory
and
advance
Walhalla
to the
Upper
State
Championship
Friday,
where it
must
beat
Chapman
twice to
capture
the
title.
Smith
never
allowed
an
Abbeville
runner
to
advance
beyond
first
base in
the game
-
allowing
only two
base
runners
on one
hit and
striking
out 15
batters.
The
Walhalla
ace
often
looked
completely
oblivious
to the
pressure
but
admitted
after
the game
that was
not the
case at
all -
rather
she was
fully
aware of
the
stakes.
"There
was a
lot more
pressure,
I was
really
nervous
coming
into
this
game
knowing
that it
was the
fourth
time
we'd
faced
them and
we had
to have
this
game,"
she
said.
"We were
really
pumped
for this
game."
Walhalla
coach
John
Chmelar
said he
was
aware
that
Smith
was
nervous
going
into the
game.
"She was
a little
bit
nervous
going in
because
she knew
they had
seen her
recently,"
he said.
"I told
her,
'we've
been
working
with
this
rotation
all year
and
we're
not
going to
mess
around
with it
now and
I'm
giving
you the
ball.'"
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Missed
opportunity
Razorbacks fall
a little short
May 2
WALHALLA - It
sounded good.
From the time
the ball left
Cindy
Boomhower's bat,
it shot through
the air
screaming like a
bottle rocket.
It appeared the
junior had
answered her
Walhalla
teammates
prayers and tied
their Class AA
Upper State
Playoff Game
Monday with
Chapman. But
then there was a
big thump.
Boomhower's
screamer to left
field hit the
top of the wall
where it
harmlessly fell
to the ground
and with it so
did the
Razorbacks'
hopes of a
comeback in a
2-1 loss. "We
just came up a
little short,"
Boomhower said.
The Razorbacks
fall back in the
loser's bracket
where they will
host Skyline AA
rival Abbeville
Wednesday. The
winner of that
game will
advance to the
Upper State
Finals. "I hope
we get another
shot at them,"
Walhalla coach
John Chmelar
said. The
Razorbacks
(23-9) had a
great shot
Monday, but
despite getting
six hits and
forcing six
walks they
couldn't push
any runs across
when it
mattered.
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Smith's control keys
Walhalla
Lady Razorbacks Advance
MAY 1
WALHALLA - Kristyn Smith knew enough
about the strike zone to bait Abbeville
hitters into fishing outside. And when
they reached, Smith simply let her
fastballs and rise balls float farther
away. "I keep it off the plate where
they at least can't get a good hit off
of it," said Smith, a Walhalla junior.
"And then when I get that done, I pull
it off the plate even more." That kind
of control allowed Smith a complete-game
two-hitter against the Lady Panthers in
a 4-0 victory for the Lady Razorbacks on
Saturday in the first round of the Class
AA softball Upper State championship.
Smith struck out nine and walked none
for her 14th win of the year. In four
games this postseason, Walhalla has
collected three shutouts with Smith and
junior Cindy Boomhower in the circle.
"She's got a couple of different
pitches, but she's been doing a better
job of placing them," Chmelar said. "It
might not be a rise (ball) or a drop
(ball), but it's going where she wants
it. That makes a big difference when you
can hit any spot, and throw all kinds of
different pitches." On Monday, Walhalla
will get another crack at Chapman, which
beat the Lady Razorbacks 1-0 last year
in the Upper State second round en route
to a state title.
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April 2006 Archives |
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Walhalla
marches
on
APR 28
WALHALLA
- Is
having
your
no-hitter
broken
up ever
completely
insignificant?
It sure
seemed
that way
for
Walhalla
High
School
pitcher
Cindy
Boomhower
on
Thursday.
She took
one all
the way
to the
fifth
inning
against
Chesnee
before
giving
up a
one-out
single -
but more
importantly,
her
one-hit
shutout
won the
District
IV title
and
earned
the
Razorbacks
a berth
in the
Upper
State
tournament
with a
2-0
victory.
"I
didn't
think
about -
I was
just
worried
about
winning
the
game,"
Boomhower
said.
Had
Walhalla
lost the
game, it
would
have
faced an
immediate
rematch
with the
Eagles
for the
right to
advance
in
post-season
play.
The
Razorbacks
are glad
they
avoided
that.
Walhalla
coach
John
Chmelar
said
neither
Boomhower
nor
Kristyn
Smith,
Walhalla's
other
ace,
rarely
worry
about
such
accomplishments
or
statistics
- even
in less
crucial
circumstances.
"One
thing
that
you'll
find
with
Kristyn
and with
Cindy is
neither
one
particularly
cares,"
he said.
"Most of
the time
in the
sixth
inning
or
seventh
inning,
if it's
still
going,
they
don't
even
know it.
All they
know is
they
don't
want
anybody
to hit
it off
of
them."
Such an
attitude
has
served
the
Razorbacks
well in
post-season
play,
where
they are
still
unbeaten
after
the
district
portion
of the
playoffs.
Walhalla
shortstop
Tracy
Henson
said the
team
seemed
to be
playing
very
focused
heading
to the
Upper
State
bracket
-
knowing
they
could
not
afford
even a
single
letdown.
"I think
sometimes
we kind
of play
below
our
potential,
we kind
of lower
ourselves
to the
other
team,"
she
said.
"But I
don't
think
we'll be
doing
that in
the
playoffs
because,
you
know,
it's a
big
deal."
The
senior
shortstop
said it
was
important
for
everybody
on the
team to
be sharp
- doing
everything
they can
at the
plate
and in
the
field.
"I was
0-for-3
and I
still
had to
stay
focused,"
Henson
said. "I
mean I
didn't
get on
at all
but I
still
had to
stay
focused
to help
my team
out."
Danielle
Stone
drove in
the
game's
only
runs in
the home
half of
the
first
inning,
driving
a fly
ball to
the
fence in
right
field
and
legging
out a
two-run
triple.
Two
batters
earlier,
Smith
singled
into
right
field
and
Jessica
Reid
then
singled
down the
left
field
line to
set the
table
for
Stone's
triple.
Reid
went
3-for-3
in the
game -
the only
Razorback
to
record
multiple
hits.
Walhalla
had at
least
one hit
in every
inning
of the
ball
game,
but
never
more
than one
in the
same
inning
after
the
opening
frame.
Because
Thursday's
game was
originally
scheduled
to be
played
Wednesday,
and
rained
out, the
Razorbacks
will
have to
recuperate
quickly
- their
Upper
State
opener
is
Saturday
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Razorbacks
eliminated
WALHALLA - After
Tim Fournier hit
a dramatic
two-run homer
for Walhalla
High School to
send Tuesday's
playoff game to
extra innings,
Newberry catcher
Sanchez Gartman
spoiled the
party by
tripling to lead
off the eighth
inning. He would
come around to
score, thus
ending the
Razorbacks
season in
heartbreaking
fashion, 7-6.
Walhalla trailed
6-4 with one out
in the home half
of the seventh
when Mark Brandt
reached on a
strike out and
wild pitch by
Bulldogs'
reliever Jesse
Harmon. Brandt
advanced to
second, and then
third, on two
more wild
pitches before
Fournier lined a
3-1 pitch over
the right field
fence and into
the parking lot
to tie the game
after trailing
since the
opening frame.
Walhalla coach
Ed Taylor said
he thought the
blast would put
his team over
the hump, giving
them the all
momentum. "It
was a big home
run, one of the
biggest, I
thought we'd win
because of it,"
he said. Coach
Taylor said the
game was simply
a great baseball
game by both
teams and he had
no complaints
about the play
or the effort of
his squad.
"Our kids
played hard-I
mean it was
their last
game-and they
battled their
butts off," he
said. "I wish we
were going on
but we're not.
But it ain't
because of lack
of effort." |
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Lady Razorbacks Pound Gilbert
APR 25
Walhalla 6, Gilbert 2
W: Kristyn Smith. L:
Erica Clark. Hitters:
Tracy Hinson (W) 2-4,
Tish Winchester (W) 2-4,
Jessica Reid (W) 2-3,
Allison Henry (W) 2-4,
Source: Gilbert
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Razorback
shooting star
joins Erskine
APR 23
WALHALLA - If
you look to
compare the
basketball
rosters from
Walhalla High
School and
Erskine College
over the last
few seasons, you
should notice
some
similarities.
Since head
basketball coach
Cheryl Murphy
began her tenure
at Walhalla five
season ago,
three of her
stars have gone
on to play at
the next level.
And all of them
have gone to
Erskine. Amanda
Griffith, the
Razorbacks'
point guard for
the 2005-2006
season, is the
latest to join
the ranks.
Griffith, who
finished her
career as a
Razorback with
more than 1,000
points, signed
her letter of
intent on
Thursday
afternoon in the
high school's
media center.
Athletic
director Hal
Dunlap who led
the signing
ceremony said
Griffith's
success is
characteristic
of athletes at
Walhalla High
School. "It is
always a good
day when one of
our players
moves on to the
next level of
academics and
athletics," he
said. "We are
very pleased and
proud to add
Amanda to that
list."
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Show time
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Walhalla's
Saloman
Garcia
(left)
handles
the ball
in front
of West
Oak
defenseman
Dillon
McKinney.
Garcia
combined
with his
brother,
Adrian,
combined
to score
all of
the
Razorbacks
goals in
their
5-0 win
over
West Oak
Friday
night.
(Kenny
Fey)
|
WALHALLA -
Walhalla High
School sophomore
Adrian Garcia
and freshman
Saloman Garcia
made Friday's
home match with
rival West Oak
quite the family
affair - the
brothers scored
combined to
score all five
goals as the
Razorbacks won
by shut out,
5-0. Walhalla
coach Chris
Preisig said it
was pretty nice
having the
Garcia's
offensive
firepower and
his team seemed
to be hitting
its stride as
the playoffs
loom.
"I was actually
kidding around
with them about
getting all the
goals - it's the
'Garcia Show,' I
guess," said
Preisig. "This
is actually the
first game we've
played all
eighty minutes
and actually
brought our "A"
game."
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Razorbacks
remain in winners' bracket
April 20
WALHALLA - After Walhalla High School
rallied to send the game into extra
innings, Nolan Kolb laid down a
sacrifice bunt to Woodruff pitcher
Chesney Simmons that yielded a throw
down the first base line - allowing
pinch-runner MJ. Eller to score the
winning run from second base, as the
Razorbacks remained in the winners'
bracket of the District IV playoffs with
a 4-3 victory in eight innings. "I was
just hoping (Eller) got home, I was sure
he did, but I just hoped he didn't fall
down or anything," Kolb said. Kolb
picked up the win for Walhalla -
pitching two and a third scoreless
innings in relief of Preston Fletcher.
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Walhalla pitcher hurls team into next
round
April 20
WALHALLA - It was pitching at its finest
- with a few hits thrown in - as Cindy
Boomhower hurled the Walhalla Razorbacks
through the first round of the Class AA
state playoffs with a 1-0 win over
Chesnee Thursday night. Boomhower threw
a four-hit complete game shutout, while
Chesnee's Brandy Bishop gave up just
five hits, and one earned run. However,
the run credited to Bishop was enough to
give Walhalla the win. The Razorbacks'
head coach John Chmelar said it wasn't
the margin, but the victory that
mattered.
"After the game I told them when you get
to the playoffs, no one cares how many
runs you get," he said. "You just want
to get that win." |
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Lady Razorbacks
defeat Pickens
Apr 7
WALHALLA — Aimee McConnell scored two goals for Walhalla High
School to lift the Razorbacks to a 3-2 win Friday over Pickens –
in Walhalla’s final match before spring break. McConnell scored
her first goal, which was unassisted, barely five minutes into
the action. Katie Marshall scored early in the second half and
assisted on McConnell’s second goal only minutes later. Walhalla
(5-6, 1-3) will return to face rival West Oak on April 21.
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March 2006 Archives |
JV Boys Soccer
Still Undefeated
The Walhalla High School
boys JV soccer team extended its undefeated season last
Friday with a 4 - 1 victory over rival Pickens.
Including two scrimmages, the team's record now stands at 11
- 0 with three games remaining. The squad has exhibited
tremendous teamwork and desire to win. The players
understand that to succeed, all players at all positions
must perform with skill and intensity. The emphasis the past
few weeks has been on Focus, not losing sight of
our goal of excellence in every game. Particularly
outstanding effort has been turned in by Jose Angel
offensively, Jonathan Minjarez in the midfield, and Ivan
Villegas on defense. The team also celebrated goals scored
by two of our Middle School players recently, Eli Cothran
and Ovi Espino!
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Lady Razorback Signs
with
Erskine College
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Mar 29
Amanda Griffith has committed
to play basketball next year at Erskine College. After a
successful four years at Walhalla we would like to wish her lots
of luck in the future.
2005-2006 Stats
Free Throws - 50/89 - 56.18%
FG's made 127/415 - 31%
3's made 52/171 - 30%
Off Rebounds - 31
Def Rebounds - 69
Assists - 82
Steals - 58
Blocks - 18
Points - 356 Avg. Per Game -
14.8
Member of 1000 point club
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Lady Razorbacks
take care of Abbeville
Mar
29
WALHALLA — Jessica Reid collected two hits and drove in two runs
and Kristyn Smith pitched a complete game, as Walhalla knocked
off Abbeville Tuesday, 6-4, avenging an earlier loss to the
panthers on March 9. Walhalla (12-3, 5-2 in Skyline AA) leaves
Thursday morning for a tournament in Tennessee, playing two
games Thursday, Friday and Saturday.
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Razorback Golf team
beats rival
West-Oak
Mar
29
SENECA — Sean Hassell won medalist honors after firing a
nine-hole score of 42 as Walhalla High School picked up a road
victory at Oconee Country Club over West Oak, 183 to 192.
Walhalla also has a Skyline match Thursday, traveling to face
Liberty at Pickens Country Club.
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Boys Tennis
looses tough one to rival Seneca
Mar 29
SENECA — Seneca High School won every set of every match, for a
7-0 victory Tuesday over Walhalla.
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Lady Razorback
Soccer looses tough one to West Oak
Mar 25
WESTMINSTER — Tied at two and headed to penalty kicks, West Oak
High School goalkeeper Shannon Dean made four saves as the
Warriors defeated Walhalla Friday, 3-2.
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Razorback Baseball Rolls On |
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Mar
25
WALHALLA— Ryan Overton singled in the winning run and Preston
Fletcher pitched a complete game as Walhalla High School rallied
for three runs in the seventh to beat Abbeville Friday, 5-4. Tim
Fournier and Justin Nichols had two hits apiece for the Razors
and Brandon Jankowy doubled. Walhalla returns to Skyline AA
action on Tuesday, on the road at Crescent.
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Razors roll
West Oak |
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Mar
25
WESTMINSTER — Walhalla High
School scored two goals
within a minute of each other in
the
second half of Friday’s
Skyline AA match with West Oak,
turning a tight game into an
easy
5-2 victory over the rival
Warriors.
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Razorbacks shine at Region Strength Meet
Mar 18
The Razorback Football team came to work on
Saturday morning and it paid off, here is a list of those that
have qualified for the State Strength meet next Saturday at
White Knoll HS in Columbia.
VARSITY
145 Pound Weight Class
180 Pound Weight Class
Region Champ - Jared Holcombe
3rd Place - Matt Dixon
3rd Place - Pedro Martinez
Alternate - Bryan Hawkins
205 Pound Weight Class
2nd Place - Eliab Perez
JUNIOR VARSITY
130 Pound Weight Class
145 Pound Weight Class
Region Champ - Lane Rochester
Region Champ- Nick Tubbs
180 Pound Weight Class
190 Pound Weight Class
Alternate - Chris Glenn
2nd Place - Travis Kreuzberger
205 Pound Weight Class
220 Pound Weight Class
3rd Place - Thomas Chapman
Region Champ - Austen Hedden
Unlimited Weight Class
Blake Lyda - Region Champ
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Razorbacks put it all
together
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Mar 18
PENDLETON — The Walhalla High
School baseball team put it all together and Pendleton fell
apart on Friday night, giving the
Razorbacks an 11-0 win over
the Bulldogs. Walhalla’s Preston Fletcher pitched a five
inning
game shutout and gave up just three
hits. Pendleton also walked
one batter and hit five batters. Fletcher was determined not to
walk anyone, and he didn’t. |
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Lady Razorbacks
win again
Mar 18
PENDLETON — Cindy Boomhower struck out 14 batters and allowed
only two hits in a 5-4 Walhalla High School victory over
Pendleton Friday. Razorback pitchers have now allowed just three
hits over their past two contest, as Kristyn Smith fired a
one-hitter Thursday. Shortstop Tracy Henson smashed a home run
in the top of the seventh inning, breaking open a tied game.
Walhalla (10-2, 3-1) returns to the field on Tuesday, going on
the road to face rival West Oak.
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Walhalla
pitcher brings heat
Smith
silences Bobcats’ bats
Mar 17 |
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WALHALLA— The Walhalla High School pitching
staff just keeps bringing the heat. Walhalla pitcher Kristyn
Smith dominated Seneca’s hitters Thursday, tossing a one-hit
shutout in a 2-0 Razorbacks’ victory. It was the third time this
season Walhalla beat the Bobcats. Smith, featuring a blistering
fastball, struck out six Bobcat hitters and allowed just one
walk. Meredith Mitchell had the lone Seneca hit in the fourth
inning. “I placed my pitches where I needed to and I worked it
in-and out, and just threw as hard as I could,” Smith said.
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Razorback Baseball
wins
again
Mar 15
WALHALLA—Tim Fournier allowed only two earned runs over seven
strong innings – as Walhalla notched a region win Tuesday over
Liberty, 7-4. Walhalla’s Mark Brandt went 3 for 3 in the game,
with a double and two RBIs. Walhalla returns to region play for
the next game Friday, when they host Pendleton.
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Lady Razorbacks cruise over power-house
Crescent
Mar
15
WALHALLA—Danielle Stone smashed a home run, a double and drove
in six runs as Walhalla High School cruised to a 10-2 victory
Tuesday over Crescent. The Razorbacks rallied for seven runs in
the second inning – more than starting pitcher Kristyn Smith,
who fanned 14 batters and walked none in a complete game.
Walhalla (8-2, 2-1) returns to action on Thursday, hosting
cross-country rival Seneca.
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Ortiz shuts door on Easley
Mar 15
WALHALLA — After Easley High School rallied for two second- half
goals to force
overtime and eventually penalty kicks, Walhalla’s
Francisco Quinones scored on a
straight, soft penalty kick –
giving the Razorbacks a two shot edge in penalty kicks
for a 3-2
victory Tuesday. The real star of the shootout, however, was
Walhalla goalie Hector Ortiz. After both teams converted on
their first two chances, Ortiz made a diving save against Easley
keeper Tanner Kneisly.
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Walhalla crushes Bobcats
in baseball
Mar 14
WALHALLA — Walhalla High School head baseball coach Ed Taylor
feels his team has a chance to be pretty good. In Monday night’s
game against cross-county rival Seneca, the Razorbacks proved
just how good they can be. Walhalla scored seven runs in the
first three innings at Razorback Field and then cruised behind
the solid pitching of Brandon Jankowy for an easy 9-1 victory.
“We have some good pitching,” Taylor said. “Once we get the bats
going I think we can really do something.”
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Razorbacks take Seneca’s trophy
in Lady Cat
Invitational
Mar
13
SENECA — Walhalla High School rallied for three runs in the
fifth inning Saturday to down tournament host Seneca, 4-1, in
the Lady Cat Invitational The Razorbacks’ win was even more
thrilling considering they had very little or next to nothing
left in the tank to fuel another rally. Just minutes before the
start of the final game, Walhalla had lost an extra-inning
thriller to J.L. Mann on the same field. In the championship
game, the Razorbacks showed that they can go the distance.
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Razorbacks put it all together
Walhalla beats Riverside with strong pitching, bats
Mar 11
SENECA — The Walhalla Razorbacks showed fans what a complete
softball team looks like as they defeated Riverside High School
10-1 during the first round of play in the Lady ‘Cat
Invitational Friday night. Walhalla’s pitcher, Kristyn Smith,
allowed just two batters on base and one unearned run.
Meanwhile, the Razorbacks’ offense put 10 runs on the board on
10 hits, including a pair of home runs from Cindy Boomhower and
Jessica Reid. They also drew two walks and reached base on
errors four times. However, Walhalla’s head coach John Chmelar
does not credit the pitching or the hitting with the win. Rather
he thinks the team’s new approach to the game made the
difference. Walhalla will play its next game today at 11 a.m.
against Franklin County (N.C.) at the Shaver Complex. The
Razorbacks will follow up by facing J.L. Mann at 3 p.m. at the
Seneca High School softball field.
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Mar 11
WALHALLA-The Crescent Tigers defeated Walhalla 3-1 even though
they were out-hit on Friday night. Preston Fletcher pitched the
first five innings for the Razorbacks giving up three runs on
three hits and six walks. Fletcher recorded four strike outs.
Ryan Overton had two of Walhalla's three hits. Walhalla (1-1)
has another home game on Tuesday, facing Skyline AA foe Liberty.
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Mar 11
WALHALLA-The Walhalla boys tennis team dropped a tough one to
rival West-Oak 7-0 Friday night..
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Mar 10
Lady Razorbacks down Seneca
in girls soccer 1-0. Katie Marshall had the only goal of the
game.
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Mar 9
Last night the Lady Razorback
Track team finished third in a 4-way match. The Lady Razorbacks
came in 3rd in the 4 X 800 relay and finished 3rd in the 4 X 100
relay. Amy Justice came in 3rd in the 1600 meter race with a
time of 6:23. Holly Williams took 1st place in the discus with a
throw of 100' 7". Solon for the Lady Razorbacks finished in 3rd
place in the 400 meter hurdles and Anne Crane finished in 1st
place in the 2 mile with a time of 13:36. Walhalla also came in
3rd place in the 4 X 400 relay. Overall a good night for the
Lady Razorback Track Team. The Boys track team finished in 4th
place in a 4-way match. The Razorbacks finished in 2nd place in
the 4 X 800 relay, Mitch Hastings came in 3rd in the 1600 meters
with a time of 5:14. Walhalla also finished in 3rd place in the
4 X 400 meter relay.
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Mar 8
Last night Walhalla
defeated Abbeville by score of 3-0. Tim Fournier was
the winning pitcher for the Razorbacks. Tim struck out 7
batters and allowed 3 hits. Brandon Jankowy lead the hitting
with 3 hits. Brandon Gibson had a double and 1 RBI.
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Mar 8
Walhalla 2 Liberty 0
WALHALLA—Kristyn Smith did not allow an earned run or a walk,
pitching a complete game Tuesday in Walhalla High School’s 2-0
victory over Liberty. Walhalla (4-0) scored two runs in the
first and needed no more – allowing only four base runners in
the game. The Razorbacks return to Skyline AA region action
Thursday, traveling to meet Abbeville.
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Mar 7
The JV boys soccer team
pushed their record to 6 - 0 Monday night with a 3 - 0 win
over Easley. Last week they defeated Pickens 2 - 0 away,
Greenville Academy 2 - 0 at home, and Daniel 3 - 1 in a hard
fought contest at Daniel. The team previously defeated
Daniel 6 - 2 and West Oak 7 - 0 in scrimmages. Since
losing leading scorer Juan Gonzales to a promotion to
varsity, the JV has relied on strong defense and excellent
teamwork in the mid-field. Effort, conditioning, and
on-field intensity have become the team's trademark. While
teamwork and strong play at all positions have led to the
team's success thus far, noteworthy performances have
included Tom Warner (4 shut-outs in goal), Jonathan Minjarez
(setting up the attack), and Cory Champion (scored in each
of last 5 games).
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Mar 3
Dustin
Bays
will be traveling to Furman University on Friday, March 10,
2006 to participate in All-State Band.
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Mar 3
ALL GOLDEN CORNER
GIRLS’ BASKETBALL TEAM
First
Team
Name
Position School
About the player
Amanda Griffith
Guard
Walhalla
14.8 points, 3.4 assists,
2.4 steals per game
Second
Team
Name
Position School
About the player
Holly Williams
Forward Walhalla
12.3 pts., 11.4 rebounds.
1.5 steals. per game
Golden
Corner Honorable Mention:
Rachel
Pace----Forward----Walhalla HS
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Lady Razorbacks spoil Seneca's Opener
Mar 3
SENECA — Cindy Boomhower and the Walhalla Razorbacks spoiled the
season opener for the Seneca Bobcats, handing them a 3-1 loss on
Thursday night. Boomhower, who pitched a complete game in her
second start of the season, allowed just four hits and no earned
runs. The lone run scored by Seneca was in the seventh inning
when Charlotte Rochester who reached base on an error was driven
in by an infield sacrifice. Boomhower (2-0) also threw a shutout
in the Razorbacks’ opener earlier this week. Walhalla’s varsity
coach, John Chmelar is pleased with his team’s 3-0 record.
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Walhalla football
player to continue career
at Tusculum
Mar 1 |
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WALHALLA — After playing high school football
for just two seasons, Walhalla's offensive lineman Sam Georgitis
is moving up to the next level. Georgitis made his intentions
formal on Tuesday by signing a letter of intent to play at
Tusculum College in Greenville, Tenn. John Boggs, head coach
football coach at Walhalla, was pleased with his lineman's
decision.
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Pitchers delight
--Walhalla squeaks by Lions
Mar 1
CENTRAL — Softball fans that really enjoy a good pitchers’ duel
got quite a treat in Walhalla High School’s 2-1 victory over
Daniel on Tuesday. The teams managed just five total hits and
starting pitchers Cindy Boomhower and Rena Droddy combined to
strikeout 24 batters. In the end, the Razorbacks (1-0) used
aggressive base running to coerce the Lions into defensive
mistakes in the sixth inning, escaping with a victory in their
season opener. Walhalla coach John Chmelar told Lions’ coach
Kate Floyd after the game he hates either team had to lose such
a well-pitched game
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February 2006 Archivess |
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Razorbacks Receive
Awards
Feb 26
Walhalla's Brandon Jankowy
was named the 1-AA player of the year after helping lead the
Razorbacks to their region title. Jankowy, a junior shooting
guard, averaged 24 points per region game and 19.7 points a game
for the season. Walhalla's coach Hal Dunlap was named coach of
the year and Walhalla also had several players named to the
All-Region team, for the boys Brandon Jankowy, Tait Oliver and
John Brown and for the Lady Razorbacks Amanda Griffith and Holly
Williams. Congratulations to all the Razorback Basketball
players for a great year.
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State Wrestling
Tournament Individual Results
Feb 26
Class A-AA
Ethan LeCroy finished 3rd in
the 103 pound weight class, Jared Holcombe finished 2nd in the
130 pound weight class and Matt Freeman finished 3rd in the 275
pound weight class. Congratulations to all Razorback wrestlers
that competed in the state tournament.
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Feb
23
COWPENS — Walhalla High School made just 4 of 16 three point
attempts in the first half and were out-rebounded 50 to 27 by
defending AA state champion Broome Wednesday in an 81-60 loss,
but after a season like this, Razor Nation along with myself
would like to personally congratulate Coach Dunlap and each
player on a successful season.
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Feb 21
Wrestlers qualify for the 2006 State
Tournament
Walhalla High School had six Razorbacks
qualify for the Class AA State Tournament – beginning Friday in
Columbia. Sophomore Ethan LeCroy is the
highest seeded qualifier, wrestling as the no. 2 seed from the
Upstate in the lightest weight class, 103 pounds. Sophomore
Jared Holcombe is the no. 3 seed in the 130-pound division,
junior Zach Satterfield is the no. 4 seed in the 140-pound
division, junior Houston McClure is the no. 4 seed in the
160-pound weight class, junior York Alexander is the no. 3 seed
in the 171-pound weight class. Another major contender for
Walhalla is defending heavyweight state champion, senior Matt
Freeman. Yet Freeman enters this year’s final tournament as the
third seed from the Upstate.
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Feb
20
WALHALLA - Matt Freeman along with seven other local wrestlers
was named to the North-South All-Star Wrestling Classic on
Thursday. The wrestlers will stay at the Ocean Sands hotel from
March 2 through March 3. A dual meet is scheduled for 7 p.m. on
March 3 at North Myrtle Beach High School. Congratulations.
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CALL IT
THE RAZORBACK HUSTLE
WALHALLA MOVES
ON IN PLAYOFFS |
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Feb 18
WALHALLA — It is
when a top-seeded Walhalla team faces a quicker, stronger and
taller opponent and gets trampled for most of the first quarter.
The Razorbacks make themselves look lucky as they fight back,
having the usually-smooth Brandon Jankowy bank in a 3-pointer to
draw the deficit to five points by the end of the period. The
opponent gains some confidence, while Walhalla, dripping with
sweat, does just enough to stay in the game during the next five
minutes. Then, the Razorbacks decide it is time to take over. In
Saturday night’s second-round home playoff match up against
Columbia’s C.A. Johnson, Jankowy drained three 3-pointers in the
final three minutes of the first half, helping Walhalla to its
first lead in a 70-56 victory.
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Bombs away
Walhalla drains 11
three-pointers to advance |
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Feb 16
WALHALLA — The Razorbacks adjusted to the frenetic pace forced
by Woodruff High School on Wednesday night, using transition to
create open three-point shots, and timely shooting from Brandon
Jankowy and Andrew Stancil to defeat the Wolverines, 83-75,
advancing to the second round of the Class AA playoffs. Jankowy
and Stancil each scored 28 points to lead Razorback scorers,
while Tait Oliver added 12 in the Razorbacks’ 83-75 victory in
the first round of the
Class AA playoffs. |
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Doing whatever it takes, Walhalla
finds way to win Skyline AA title
Feb 12
IVA — Winning their third game in as many days, the Walhalla
Razorbacks earned the Skyline AA title when they defeated
Abbeville 58-56 Saturday night in Iva. “It is a great feeling to
win the region – especially the way that we did it by winning
four games in less than a week,” said Razorbacks coach Hal
Dunlap. “These guys will remember that for the rest of their
lives.” Dunlap added the team’s practice theme for the week had
been “whatever it takes.” “They went into the game and stayed
with the theme,” said Dunlap.
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Walhalla
moves on
Razorbacks top West
Oak to advance to region finals |
Feb 11
LIBERTY — Walhalla coach Hal Dunlap gave the Razorbacks three
goals to achieve in their game against West Oak Friday night –
have fun, compete, and execute. Dunlap didn’t complain when his
Razorbacks added one more – a victory. In a crushing 75-61
victory on Friday night, Walhalla pushed West Oak into third
place in the Skyline AA region and moved on to play Abbeville
for the region title tonight.
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Razorbacks
Boys force Skyline AA playoff game |
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Jankowy shoots Walhalla past
West
Oak |
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Feb. 10
WALHALLA — Brandon Jankowy made
six three-pointers en route to a game-high
34points, helping rally Walhalla High School to a crucial 79-60
victory over West Oak in the Skyline-AA’s regular season finale.
The win puts the Razorbacks into a three-way tie atop the
Skyline standings, forcing a rematch against the rival
Warriors tonight (7 p.m.) at Liberty High School. The winner
will play Abbeville for the region title on Saturday.
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Feb 10
WALHALLA — A barrage of three-pointers during a stretch midway
through the second half lifted West Oak from a two-point deficit
to a three-point advantage before finally winning, 57-52, in
front of a packed house Thursday night.
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Feb. 9
Razorback
wrestlers taken down by Broome
SPARTANBURG — The Broome wrestling team rallied past the
Razorbacks 37-27 in the third round of the 2A-1A upper state
wrestling playoffs at Broome High School.
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Feb 8.
WALHALLA — Walhalla used a
hot start shooting and several well-timed runs to keep
Pendleton’s boys at bay and finally cruised to a 68-53 win on
Tuesday night.
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Feb. 8
WALHALLA — Pendleton High
School’s Bulldogs claimed a crucial Skyline AA victory over the
Lady Razorbacks, 54-47.
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Feb 7
It’s their time, Razorbacks advance
to state quarterfinals
WALHALLA — It was Andy Burrell’s time.
Burrell, a sophomore at Walhalla High School, rallied in the
second period of his 125- pound match against Liberty’s Kenny
Norris Monday, sending the Razorbacks into the wrestling state
quarterfinals with a second period pin. “I just knew I couldn’t
lose,” he said. “I just had to go out there and do it for my
team.” And do it he did. With the Razorbacks down one point and
needing a win in order to advance in the Class A/AA playoffs,
the sophomore had one of his better performances of the season.
After taking a small lead in the first period, Burrell used a
guillotine move to gain the upper edge on Norris and then put
him in a headlock to put him away, giving Walhalla a 39-28
victory. |
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Feb 4.
The Razorback boys team scorched Liberty
Friday night 78-55
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Feb 4.
The Lady Razorbacks defeated Liberty Friday
night 38-34
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January 2006 Archives |
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Jan. 28
Hitting their stride - Razorbacks whip
Abbeville to control second place
Walhalla - The Walhalla Razorbacks boys'
basketball team was firing on all cylinders Friday, and when
that happens they're hard to beat. Abbeville found that out
first hand as the Razorbacks routed Abbeville 80-55.
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Jan. 28
Lady Razorbacks come up short in loss to
Abbeville
The girls basketball team, led by Amanda
Griffith with 20 points and Rachel Pace with 12 came up a little
short Friday night in a loss to Abbeville 56-51. One bright spot
for the Lady Razorbacks was Amanda Griffith hitting her 1000th
career point.
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Jan. 25
WESTMINSTER — The West Oak girls overcame a
poor second quarter performance to put away the Walhalla
Razorbacks 59-37 Tuesday night.
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Jan. 25
Razorbacks loose tough one to rival
WESTMINSTER — The West Oak Warriors fought off a fourth
period comeback attempt by Walhalla to earn a narrow 63-62
victory, Walhalla is now(12-4, 3-2)
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Jan. 24
Razorbacks hold on for rivalry win
WESTMINISTER — It all came down to the
heavyweights as Walhalla High School defeated rival West Oak
37-31 on the mat Monday night.The Razorbacks (10-1, 3-1
Skyline AA) held a narrow 33-31 lead entering the final contest
which could have given the Warriors the win if their
heavyweight, Justin Meade, could at least earn a decision. Meade
was up against the defending state-champion Matt Freeman who had
pinned him in a match-up earlier in the season. Meade was able
to hold off an attempted pin in the second round, but was unable
to earn any points of his own and lost by major decision. “I am
just so proud of these guys,” said Walhalla head coach Rick
Somerville.
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Jan. 20
The Walhalla Razorbacks stunned Pendleton
58-49 Friday night and handed the Bulldogs their third Skyline
AA loss.
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Jan. 20
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