http://www.blounttoday.com/news/sports/high-school/?partner=RSSblounttoday.com Stories: High School Sportsen-ussports/high-schoolhttp://www.blounttoday.com/news/2010/jul/29/clifton-carves-em/?partner=RSSIt began innocently enough with a phone call, a professional baseball scout working his sources looking for talent. The end result is a summer Heritage High School sophomore Trevor Clifton won’t soon forget, one that has the Mountaineer right-hander now being touted as one of the top young pitching prospects in the nation. coopers@blounttoday.com (Stefan Cooper)Thu, 29 Jul 2010 17:05:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.blounttoday.com:news-Story-17433-733982sports/high-schoolStefan CooperMaryville, TNClifton carves ’em upblounttoday.comclifton-carves-emurn:publicid:www.blounttoday.com:news-Story-17433-733982Change0Usablehttp://www.blounttoday.com/news/2010/jun/24/allen-named-new-lady-rebel-softball-coach/?partner=RSSDavid Allen and Ken Hawkins have talked about this for three seasons now. It’s no longer just talk. Maryville High School athletics director George Quarles announced on Tuesday that Allen has been named the school’s new softball coach, replacing Hawkins, who stepped down from the position last week. Allen said he and Hawkins had discussed the latter stepping away from the game for some time, most recently prior to this season. coopers@blounttoday.com (Stefan Cooper)Thu, 24 Jun 2010 14:53:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.blounttoday.com:news-Story-17295-733947sports/high-schoolStefan CooperMaryville, TNAllen named new Lady Rebel softball coachblounttoday.comallen-named-new-lady-rebel-softball-coachurn:publicid:www.blounttoday.com:news-Story-17295-733947Change0Usablehttp://www.blounttoday.com/news/2010/jun/03/jedi-and-apprentice/?partner=RSSThe force is strong with the young one. The jump pass-style, two-handed backhand, just the thing for doing battle with a heavy, top-spin serve, is real Jedi stuff. Yusuke Yodono doesn’t walk from place to place between points; he bounds. Then there’s the thing about the Maryville High School freshman that’s really different. “What surprised me is how much he eats!” Rebel junior and doubles partner Ryota Yoshida said. More on that a little later. coopers@blounttoday.com (Stefan Cooper)Thu, 03 Jun 2010 14:27:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.blounttoday.com:news-Story-17211-733926sports/high-schoolStefan CooperMaryville, TNThe Jedi and the Apprenticeblounttoday.comjedi-and-apprenticeurn:publicid:www.blounttoday.com:news-Story-17211-733926Change0Usablehttp://www.blounttoday.com/news/2010/may/27/becoming-program/?partner=RSSIt took the Alcoa High School boys soccer team 20 years to reach the state tournament for the first time last season. It’s going to take at least another year for the Tornadoes to bring home that first title. One thing is certain after an opening round loss to top-ranked Chattanooga Christian at the Class A/AA state tournament on Tuesday at Spring Fling, Alcoa can now consider itself a soccer program. coopers@blounttoday.com (Stefan Cooper)Thu, 27 May 2010 18:25:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.blounttoday.com:news-Story-17185-733919sports/high-schoolStefan CooperMaryville, TNBecoming a programblounttoday.combecoming-programurn:publicid:www.blounttoday.com:news-Story-17185-733919Change0Usablehttp://www.blounttoday.com/news/2010/may/20/alcoa-nuchols-down/?partner=RSSFreshman Tiffanie More got Alcoa even with a daring piece of base running in the home half of the seventh. An inning later, senior Lara Nuchols finished the rally with a drive to right center, scoring Abigail Walker from third, and the Lady Tornadoes remained the last area softball team standing with a 3-2 win over Pigeon Forge in a Region 2AA semifinal on Tuesday. All credit, Alcoa coach Paul Talley said, is due the Lady Tornadoes. “That wasn’t me,” he said. “That was all them. They did a great job.” coopers@blounttoday.com (Stefan Cooper)Thu, 20 May 2010 15:52:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.blounttoday.com:news-Story-17158-733912sports/high-schoolStefan CooperMaryville, TNAlcoa Nuchols downblounttoday.comalcoa-nuchols-downurn:publicid:www.blounttoday.com:news-Story-17158-733912Change0Usablehttp://www.blounttoday.com/news/2010/may/13/one-and-done/?partner=RSSErica Tuck ended one of the most remarkable streaks you’ll ever come across Tuesday afternoon. The William Blount High School junior retired Maryville’s Bry Blanco by strikeout the latter’s first time up in a District 4AAA tournament winner’s bracket final at Farragut. It was Blanco’s first strikeout in 125 plate appearances this season. Guess what happened the next time she came up? coopers@blounttoday.com (Stefan Cooper)Thu, 13 May 2010 17:19:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.blounttoday.com:news-Story-17132-733905sports/high-schoolStefan CooperMaryville, TNOne and doneblounttoday.comone-and-doneurn:publicid:www.blounttoday.com:news-Story-17132-733905Change0Usablehttp://www.blounttoday.com/news/2010/may/13/give-em-year/?partner=RSSMark Dowlen was disappointed — but far from discouraged — after the Heritage High School softball team was eliminated from the District 4AAA tournament with a 6-1 loss to Farragut on Tuesday. “Give us a couple of years,” the Lady Mountaineer coach said. It may not take that long. Thu, 13 May 2010 17:18:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.blounttoday.com:news-Story-17131-733905sports/high-schoolStaff WriterMaryville, TNGive ’em a yearblounttoday.comgive-em-yearurn:publicid:www.blounttoday.com:news-Story-17131-733905Change0Usablehttp://www.blounttoday.com/news/2010/may/06/welcome-back/?partner=RSSDr. John Reisser is as cool a customer as you’ll find. When his daughter, Ashley, was badly injured in an automobile accident on an iced-over road in January, the Maryville physician knew without thinking where to find the best doctors, the best course of treatment and all the right decisions to be made. He was, in short, the family’s rock. Then he began reading the Facebook pages. A family friend had initially set up the site so Ashley’s classmates at Maryville High could keep track of her progress. Within days, it was so much bigger. coopers@blounttoday.com (Stefan Cooper)Thu, 06 May 2010 16:37:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.blounttoday.com:news-Story-17107-733898sports/high-schoolStefan CooperMaryville, TNWelcome backblounttoday.comwelcome-backurn:publicid:www.blounttoday.com:news-Story-17107-733898Change0Usablehttp://www.blounttoday.com/news/2010/may/06/moore-enough/?partner=RSSYou could see it in her eyes and the way she smiled. It was a story JoEllen Moore had long wanted to tell. Moore’s son, Caleb, was 6 when his father, Mike, died of a heart attack in 1998. It was a devastating blow, but Caleb was ready to step up and be the man of the house. Mike had taught him well in the short time they’d had together. One particular morning, Moore found out how well. coopers@blounttoday.com (Stefan Cooper)Thu, 06 May 2010 16:27:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.blounttoday.com:news-Story-17093-733898sports/high-schoolStefan CooperMaryville, TNMoore than enoughblounttoday.commoore-enoughurn:publicid:www.blounttoday.com:news-Story-17093-733898Change0Usablehttp://www.blounttoday.com/news/2010/may/06/top-seed-lady-govs-ready-district-tourney/?partner=RSSAnd now the postseason. There’s little the William Blount High School softball team didn’t achieve during its run to the District 4AAA regular season championship this spring. Junior Erica Tuck became the league’s top ace. The Lady Governors (26-8) achieved the first regular-season sweep of arch-rival Maryville anyone can remember. William Blount won the close ones. It won the blowouts. Beginning Monday at Farragut, none of that matters, first-year Lady Governor coach Amanda Estes Leatherwood said. The district tournament will care about one thing and one thing only: Who’s ready to play? coopers@blounttoday.com (Stefan Cooper)Thu, 06 May 2010 16:26:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.blounttoday.com:news-Story-17092-733898sports/high-schoolStefan CooperMaryville, TNTop-seed Lady Govs ready for district tourneyblounttoday.comtop-seed-lady-govs-ready-district-tourneyurn:publicid:www.blounttoday.com:news-Story-17092-733898Change0Usablehttp://www.blounttoday.com/news/2010/apr/29/alcoas-lee-commits-ferrum-college/?partner=RSSTyler Lee didn’t take up tennis until high school, but the Alcoa senior is sure a fast learner. Lee committed recently to continue his tennis career at Ferrum College in Ferrum, Va., next season. Thu, 29 Apr 2010 15:00:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.blounttoday.com:news-Story-17049-733891sports/high-schoolStaff WriterMaryville, TNAlcoa’s Lee commits to Ferrum Collegeblounttoday.comalcoas-lee-commits-ferrum-collegeurn:publicid:www.blounttoday.com:news-Story-17049-733891Change0Usablehttp://www.blounttoday.com/news/2010/apr/29/lady-rebels-whaley-signs-milligan/?partner=RSSKylie Whaley played three sports at Maryville High School and played each of them well. It’s on the volleyball court where the 6-foot middle blocker did her best work, Whaley signing a National Letter of Intent with Milligan College recently at the high school. Thu, 29 Apr 2010 15:00:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.blounttoday.com:news-Story-17050-733891sports/high-schoolStaff WriterMaryville, TNLady Rebels Whaley signs with Milliganblounttoday.comlady-rebels-whaley-signs-milliganurn:publicid:www.blounttoday.com:news-Story-17050-733891Change0Usablehttp://www.blounttoday.com/news/2010/apr/29/heritages-hurst-signs-cleveland-state/?partner=RSSHeritage High School ace Miranda Hurst signed a National Letter of Intent recently to continue her softball career at Cleveland State Community College next season. Hurst posted 3.51 earned run average and hit .294 at the plate for the Lady Mountaineers last season as a junior. Hurst compiled a 3-to-1 strikeouts to walks ratio over the last two seasons. Thu, 29 Apr 2010 14:59:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.blounttoday.com:news-Story-17048-733891sports/high-schoolStaff WriterMaryville, TNHeritage’s Hurst signs with Cleveland Stateblounttoday.comheritages-hurst-signs-cleveland-stateurn:publicid:www.blounttoday.com:news-Story-17048-733891Change0Usablehttp://www.blounttoday.com/news/2010/apr/15/fast-and-furious/?partner=RSSHere’s something to think about. Maryville High School senior Clint McKelvey won the 3200 meters at the Blount County Track and Field Championships on Tuesday at William Blount in a time of 10 minutes, 4 seconds, finishing more than a minute faster than the next best runner. Just think if he’d been going full speed. At last week’s Arcadia (Calif.) Invitational, considered by many the nation’s most prestigious for high school track and field, the Duke signee McKelvey was part of a history-making field in which 16 runners broke 9 minutes. Seven others were within 10 seconds of getting under nine. coopers@blounttoday.com (Stefan Cooper)Thu, 15 Apr 2010 15:22:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.blounttoday.com:news-Story-16981-733877sports/high-schoolStefan CooperMaryville, TNFast and Furiousblounttoday.comfast-and-furiousurn:publicid:www.blounttoday.com:news-Story-16981-733877Change0Usablehttp://www.blounttoday.com/news/2010/apr/15/alcoas-takayah-gilmore-signs-roane-state/?partner=RSSSpeed, athleticism and a pull-up jumper capable of really big numbers. Roane State Community College coach Monica Boles was impressed with each of those things when it came to recruiting Alcoa High School senior Takayah Gilmore. The thing Boles was happiest with, though, after Gilmore affixed her signature to a National Letter of Intent last week at the high school was the Lady Tornado point guard’s work ethic and her toughness. coopers@blounttoday.com (Stefan Cooper)Thu, 15 Apr 2010 15:16:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.blounttoday.com:news-Story-16979-733877sports/high-schoolStefan CooperMaryville, TNAlcoa’s Takayah Gilmore signs with Roane Stateblounttoday.comalcoas-takayah-gilmore-signs-roane-stateurn:publicid:www.blounttoday.com:news-Story-16979-733877Change0Usablehttp://www.blounttoday.com/news/2010/apr/15/tornado-qb-stoutt-signs-tabor/?partner=RSSMost of his rushing and passing statistics Ryan Stoutt brought with him from Florida. Tabor College was impressed enough with what it saw to be convinced, the Hillsboro, Kan., NAIA school signing the Alcoa High School senior quarterback to a National Letter of Intent recently. Thu, 15 Apr 2010 15:15:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.blounttoday.com:news-Story-16978-733877sports/high-schoolStaff WriterMaryville, TNTornado QB Stoutt signs with Taborblounttoday.comtornado-qb-stoutt-signs-taborurn:publicid:www.blounttoday.com:news-Story-16978-733877Change0Usablehttp://www.blounttoday.com/news/2010/apr/08/nine-will-shine/?partner=RSSYou don’t abandon childhood dreams of one day playing in the NFL just because you didn’t sign with Tennessee. Buddy Jones knows reaching the pros from NAIA Faulkner University in Montgomery, Ala., is a long shot at best. Jones and Rebel senior Zach Skipworth signed a National Letter of Intent with Faulkner on Tuesday at the high school. The Eagles will be in only their fourth year as a program when the Maryville High School running back arrives this fall. “I’ve loved the game since I was 7 years old,” Jones said. “Since then, I’ve always had the dream of playing in the NFL, and I wasn’t ready to give up.” coopers@blounttoday.com (Stefan Cooper)Thu, 08 Apr 2010 16:23:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.blounttoday.com:news-Story-16950-733870sports/high-schoolStefan CooperMaryville, TNNine that will shineblounttoday.comnine-will-shineurn:publicid:www.blounttoday.com:news-Story-16950-733870Change0Usablehttp://www.blounttoday.com/news/2010/mar/31/no-seniors-no-problem/?partner=RSSFirst-year coach Amanda Estes Leatherwood knew just what to say to William Blount’s Lady Governors after last week’s big win over Maryville: Don’t let it go to your head. There’s a long season ahead, Leatherwood said. There are a ton of big games yet to be played. “Maryville’s a good team,” she said, “but we’ve got a long road ahead.” Still, the 2-0 shutout of the rival Lady Rebels was impressive, and Leatherwood is not the least bit surprised so young a team was able to pull it off. coopers@blounttoday.com (Stefan Cooper)Wed, 31 Mar 2010 19:58:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.blounttoday.com:news-Story-16926-733862sports/high-schoolStefan CooperMaryville, TNNo seniors, no problemblounttoday.comno-seniors-no-problemurn:publicid:www.blounttoday.com:news-Story-16926-733862Change0Usablehttp://www.blounttoday.com/news/2010/mar/31/batting-anything-average/?partner=RSSChaz Vesser is hitting the cover off the ball this spring. The Alcoa High School sophomore finished the afternoon 2-for-4 in a 9-8, District 4AA win over visiting Christian Academy of Knoxville on Tuesday. Vesser’s day raised the Tornado catcher’s totals to a smoking-hot 14-of-17 through 11 games this season, raising his batting average to startling .824. coopers@blounttoday.com (Stefan Cooper)Wed, 31 Mar 2010 19:57:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.blounttoday.com:news-Story-16925-733862sports/high-schoolStefan CooperMaryville, TNBatting (anything but) averageblounttoday.combatting-anything-averageurn:publicid:www.blounttoday.com:news-Story-16925-733862Change0Usablehttp://www.blounttoday.com/news/2010/mar/24/lady-mountaineer-hardiman-signs-milligan/?partner=RSSHeritage High School senior Tracy Hardiman became the Milligan College women’s basketball team’s first signing for 2010-2011 on Monday at Heritage. The savvy, 5-foot-6 guard averaged 10 points, five assists, five rebounds and three steals per game for the Lady Mountaineers this season. Wed, 24 Mar 2010 20:18:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.blounttoday.com:news-Story-16887-733855sports/high-schoolStaff WriterMaryville, TNLady Mountaineer Hardiman signs with Milliganblounttoday.comlady-mountaineer-hardiman-signs-milliganurn:publicid:www.blounttoday.com:news-Story-16887-733855Change0Usable