Liberty County High School freshman linebacker Raekwon McMillan participated at the Schuman’s National Underclassman Football Combine competition Feb. 19 in Savannah.
According to Panthers offensive coordinator Ryan Glazer, McMillan was named the best ninth-grade linebacker and received the award for the strongest overall ninth-grader.
Panthers speed coach Nathan Mims said McMillan finished the 40-yard dash in 4.9 seconds and cleared 7 feet, 9 inches in the broad jump. Mims said the NUC Combine staff rated McMillan four out of five stars for his performance and invited him to the Top 100 Underclass Camp on June 17 in Atlanta.
According to the NUC Combine website, McMillan was evaluated as being coachable and a hard worker with speed.
Glazer said the 6-foot-1, 224-pound linebacker played in eight games this season for the Panthers, accounting for 55 tackles.
Lady Panthers fall to Brunswick in soccer
The Liberty County Lady Panthers’ soccer team hosted Brunswick on Tuesday, losing, 4-3, in a penalty-kick shootout.
According to Lady Panthers soccer coach Jarvis McArthur, the score was tied, 1-1, after Panthers sophomore Taylor Christner kicked a goal late in the game for the home team. Tied at the end of regulation, the teams were forced into a shootout.
Despite three saves by Lady Panthers goalkeeper Caitlyn Neely, the Lady Pirates were able to outscore the Liberty girls for the win.The coach said his team had more shots on goal than the Lady Pirates but couldn't find the back of the net.
"Juniors Cynthia Kornegay and Jasmina Smith kept us in the game with their excellent defensive skills," the coach said.
Blue Tide fall to Jeff Davis in 5 Innings
Tuesday night wasn’t one to remember for Blue Tide baseball fans. Long County fell, 10-0, to Jeff Davis in five innings in Hazlehurst. Pitcher Jonathan Flynn took the loss for the Blue Tide, while Brandon McManus was 2 for 2 at the plate. Chris Stock and Carlton Milton each had a single.
The loss dropped Long County’s record to 1-3 overall and 0-1 in Region 2-AA.The Tide took on Bryan County (2-1) on Thursday night in Ludowici.
Tonight, the Long County team is at home again against Tattnall County. The Battle Creek Warriors bring a 2-1 overall record and an 0-1 2-AA mark into the game, which starts at 6 p.m.
Liberty tennis
The Lady Panthers tennis team is 1-2 after falling, 5-0, to Glynn Academy on Feb. 15 and 5-0 to Richmond Hill on March 1. Liberty beat Calvary Day School, 3-2, on Feb. 24.
The boys’ tennis team still is looking for its first win of the season and currently is 0-3.
Bradwell tennis
BI’s Lady Tigers defeated Islands High School, 4-1, in tennis Tuesday afternoon.
Finley honored
Last week, Long County High School senior Nick Finley was chosen as the Blue Tide golfer of the week after solid performances throughout the month of February.
On Feb. 14, Finley was one of the key performers for the Blue Tide as they defeated Bradwell Institute and Evans County to win the Valentine’s Day Shootout held at Cherokee Rose Country Club in Hinesville. In that tournament, Finley had the second lowest score of the day. On Feb. 23, Long County took home the top spot again, this time with Blue Tide golfer Ryan Ramos leading the way. Ramos shot a tournament-low 36 as the Tide defeated BI, Liberty County High School and McIntosh County.
Last Friday, Finley had the hot hand again, shooting a 43 over nine holes, but it wasn’t enough. The Tide only could muster a third-place finish with a score of 204, behind Wayne County’s 164 and Richmond Hill’s 176. The Blue Tide also got solid scores from Ramos (51), Paul LaScuna (53) and Dusty Spell (57). The Bradwell team finished the day with a score of 250.
Patty Leon and Mike Riddle contributed to this story.