"Time-Out: From the Diamond to the Track—The Best in Local Sports Action"

As the spring air settles over the Tri-City area, baseball season is in full stride, and one team continues to set the standard for dominance. The Harris County Tigers have been nothing short of a juggernaut, posting an impressive 10-0 record against the Griffin Bears since April 2017. They’ll have an opportunity to extend that winning streak when they take the field at 6 p.m. March 20. However, in sports, past dominance doesn’t guarantee future victories, and once that first pitch is thrown, anything can happen.

On March 18, Harris County left no doubt about their superiority, rolling to a commanding 12-1 win over Griffin. This level of dominance has become routine for the Tigers, who have now posted 10 victories this season with margins of at least five runs. Leading the charge was Cayden Dimitri, who delivered an all-around performance to remember. On the mound, Dimitri was lights-out, striking out eight over five innings without surrendering a single earned run. At the plate, he was just as impactful, scoring twice and swiping three bases while going 1-for-2.

Colt Angel also made his presence felt in the batter’s box, finishing 1-for-3 with three RBIs, two runs and a triple. Luke McEldoon contributed with a 1-for-2 effort, adding a stolen base and a run scored. The Tigers' disciplined approach at the plate was evident, as they struck out just twice marking the 10th consecutive game in which they’ve recorded five or fewer strikeouts.

With their latest win, Harris County has now rattled off nine straight home victories, improving to 13-3 on the season. A large part of their success stems from a dominant pitching staff that has allowed just 1.7 runs per game over that stretch. On the flip side, Griffin’s struggles continued, as the loss dropped them to 1-12 on the year.

Elsewhere on the diamond, the Central Red Devils continued their winning ways, securing a hard-fought 4-2 victory over Stanhope Elmore. The win, their fifth straight, pushed their record to 16-6, largely thanks to an offense that has averaged 7.3 runs per game over their last three outings. Stanhope Elmore, meanwhile, has now dropped five straight, falling to 11-9.

Brookstone’s baseball team also made waves on March 18, shutting out the St. Anne-Pacelli Vikings in a 5-0 triumph. The Cougars leaned on the brilliance of Chanwoo Kim, who fired six scoreless innings, striking out eight without issuing a walk. At the plate, Harrison Baker provided a spark with a home run and two RBIs, while Will Turner was a perfect 3-for-3 with a run scored. The victory marked Brookstone’s ninth consecutive home win, pushing their record to 9-2. St. Anne-Pacelli, struggling to find consistency, fell to 7-7 after dropping four of their last five games. The two teams will meet again at 5 p.m. March 20 in a rematch that the Vikings will be desperate to win.

Shifting gears to the track, Shaw High School freshman Ah’Maud Nickerson turned heads with an electric performance. Nickerson blazed through the 100m dash in 10.85 seconds, a personal best that vaulted him into Georgia’s Top 50 rankings. He followed that up with a blistering 21.72 in the 200m, placing him among the Top 25 in the state. Fellow Shaw sprinter Woodro Clay finished second in the 200m at 22.44, just edging out Treyshon Bell (22.45).

The dominance wasn’t limited to the boys’ side. The Shaw Raiders girls continued to assert their presence, sweeping the podium in the 100m. Freshman sensation Michayla Bledsoe clocked a 12.02 to claim victory and set a new personal record. Teammates Shakiya Jones (12.33) and Zahara Walker (12.42) followed closely behind.

At the middle school level, Blackmon Road sixth-grader Adriana Alexander made a statement in her 200m debut, scorching the track with a 25.86. Veterans’ Anjali Smith (26.66) and Midland’s Jayla Vanerson (27.63) rounded out the top three. Vanerson also took the 100m title with a 13.18 performance. On the boys’ side, Aaron Cohn’s Zachary Watts put on a show, dominating both the 100m and 200m. His 23.92 in the 200m saw him finish a full second ahead of the field, with Midland’s Ayden Ambrose (25.14) and Eddy Alejandro Davis (25.18) battling for second and third.

The 2024-2025 Folkstyle wrestling season has officially come to an end, and the Bison Takedown Club has once again proven why they are a force to be reckoned with. These dedicated young athletes showcased their talent, hard work and resilience throughout the season, securing multiple championships and top placements across various divisions.

This season, Team Bison racked up impressive achievements, bringing home numerous titles and solidifying their reputation as one of the top wrestling clubs in Georgia. Their results speak for themselves: seven State Champions, four State Runner-Ups, 14 State Placers, Girls K-2nd Grade Georgia Team Champions, Girl's 3rd-5th Grade Georgia Team Runner-Up, 4th Place Team Finisher for 10U Open in Georgia. These accomplishments reflect the dedication and relentless effort put forth by each athlete, their coaches and the support of their families.

In coaching news, St. Anne-Pacelli has appointed Damian Daniels as the new defensive coordinator for the Vikings football program. Daniels, a Columbus native and Shaw High alum, brings a wealth of experience from both indoor and arena football, including a stint as head coach of the Columbus Lions. With 117 career interceptions and five Defensive Player of the Year honors to his name, Daniels is expected to bring a tenacious edge to Pacelli’s defense.

Over at Shaw, Christopher Horton has been tapped as the new head coach for the boys' basketball team. Having previously served as an assistant, Horton is well-acquainted with the program and eager to lead the Raiders to new heights.

Looking ahead, a jam-packed schedule of soccer, tennis, golf and baseball awaits in the coming days. Notable matchups include Columbus vs. Carrollton and Hardaway vs. Carver in soccer, along with key tennis and lacrosse showdowns. On the baseball diamond, Columbus will face off against Smiths Station, while Northside takes on Mundy’s Mill.

Spring sports are heating up, and as teams jockey for position, one thing is certain every game, every race, and every moment counts. Stay tuned, because this season is just getting started.