VALDOSTA —
The 2012 fall athletic season is nearly in full swing. High school athletic teams throughout the state are gearing up for the fall season, including the softball teams at Lowndes and Valdosta.
Both teams enter this season with new coaches. Lowndes hired former Valdosta State pitcher Stewart Thomas as the replacement for Alex Gray, who resigned in March.
Valdosta hired Kristina Ely, a former All-American at VSU, but she less than two months later she backed out of the position, and the Wildcats hired Berrien County native Samantha Luke.
Both coaches have had busy offseasons since they were hired.
For Thomas, he is looking to replace four seniors that helped the Vikettes win back-to-back region championships in 2010 and 2011. For Luke, she is looking to turnaround Valdosta’s program that has simply been a doormat program in recent years.
Both schools begin play Aug. 9; Lowndes will scrimmage Cook and Valdosta will open its regular season against Brooks County on the same day.
Valdosta and Lowndes open region play Aug. 25. All region games will feature doubleheaders.
Following its scrimmage with Cook, Lowndes will travel to the metro Atlanta area for the first of two times this season.
The Vikettes will be participating in the Georgia Dugout Tournament at Kennesaw Mountain High School Aug. 17-18.
The Vikettes then go on the road for back-to-back region games, at Brunswick (Aug. 25) and at Colquitt County (Aug. 28). The Vikettes then welcome Cook back to The Field of Dreams for a regular season meeting on Sept. 5 before visiting Coffee on Sept. 11.
Lowndes hosts the Vikette Invitational Sept. 14-15 at Freedom Park. Valdosta will participate in the tournament.
The Vikettes head back to Atlanta Sept. 20-21 and will participate in the Brookwood Invitational at Brookwood High School in Gwinnett County.
Following the long trip to Gwinnett, Lowndes closes the regular season with three straight region series at home; the Vikettes face Valdosta Sept. 27, Camden County Sept. 29 and Tift County Oct. 2.
Following its season opener against Brooks County, Valdosta welcomes Berrien Aug. 15, Bainbridge Aug. 16 and Worth County Aug. 20 before opening region play Aug. 25 against Camden County. Valdosta’s first road contest of the season comes Aug. 28 at Worth County, followed by a visit to Berrien Sept. 5, Brunswick Sept. 8 and Brooks County Sept. 10.
The Wildcats host Colquitt County Sept. 11 before participating in the Vikette Invitational. They then host Tift County Sept. 25 before visiting Bainbridge Sept. 26 and Lowndes Sept. 27.
Valdosta closes its season Oct. 2 against Coffee.
If Valdosta and Lowndes qualify for the state tournament, play begins Oct. 10-11.
Local Sports
Lowndes, Valdosta softball announce 2012 schedules
Winnersville rivals meet Sept. 27 at Lowndes High
- Local Sports
-
-
Medlen, Chris Johnson lead Braves past Mets 5-3
Chris Johnson homered for the first time in more than a month, Kris Medlen overcame a defensive blunder and the Atlanta Braves bounced back from a doubleheader sweep, beating the New York Mets 5-3 Wednesday night.
-
Georgia Sparks win championship in Orlando
The Georgia Sparks Basketball Teams traveled to Orlando, Florida to compete in Spring Fling 2 Super Region Tournament which took place at Disney Wide World of Sports Complex in Orlando. This was a busy weekend for the Sparks as they had three teams and over 30 parents.
-
52nd Annual Valdosta Open tees off
The Boys and Girls Club of Valdosta and the Valdosta Country Club are hosting the 52nd annual Valdosta Open June 29-30.
-
GSC Awards Ceremony
The Gulf South Conference is proud to announce its 17th annual GSC “Top Ten” Award winners.
-
Georgia Sparks win championship in Orlando
The Georgia Sparks Basketball Teams traveled to Orlando, Florida to compete in Spring Fling 2 Super Region Tournament which took place at Disney Wide World of Sports Complex in Orlando. This was a busy weekend for the Sparks which brought three teams and over 30 parents.
-
Manu Ginobili sparks Spurs to Game 5 win
Manu Ginobili ran onto the floor as fans stood and screamed.
He went to the bench, and they chanted his name.
The sights and sounds of so many San Antonio spring nights were back Sunday night — and the real party might be just a few days away.
Ginobili broke out of a slump in a big way with 24 points and 10 assists in his first start of the season, and the Spurs beat the Miami Heat 114-104 to take a 3-2 lead in the NBA Finals. -
2013 South Georgia Diamond Brawl
The Lowndes Vikings baseball team is set to host the 16th Annual South Georgia Diamond Brawl, featuring 19 teams playing 28 games across four fields.
-
Jaguars Caravan 2013
The Jackonsivlle Jaguars’ caravan made a stop at the Valdosta Mall Saturday for their second visit in as many years.
-
Stormy weather halts play during US Open 1st round
Phil Mickelson rolled a birdie attempt 8 feet past the hole at No. 11. Steve Stricker did the same at No. 12. Bogey. Bogey.
And that wasn’t even the stormy part. -
Blackhawks beat Bruins 4-3 in 3OT Cup opener
The Chicago Blackhawks know all about Andrew Shaw’s reputation around the league. They also know the pesky little forward is so much more than just another irritant for opposing players.
- More Local Sports Headlines
-
