Bulldog Sports Round-Up
- Published: January 23, 2014
SWIMMING
Chick, Ngqakayi break records
Last weekend, the Yellow Springs High School swim team participated in the Southwest Ohio High School Swimming and Diving Classic, the largest invitational of its kind in the U.S. The Classic, spread out across eight preliminary sites, is unusual because swimmers compete not only in High School events but also the longer NCAA and USA Swimming events. Schools in divisions I–III participated.
The YSHS swim team swam at the Dayton Raider Aquatic Center in Beavercreek. Sophomore Aman Ngqakayi broke another YSHS record, swimming the 50-yard freestyle in 23.97 seconds, and breaking the 14-year-old record held by Avery Whitmore of 24.25 seconds. Unfortunately, this was not fast enough to advance to finals.
Freshman Olivia Chick lowered her own new record in the 100-yard freestyle of 55.84 to 52.86., and also qualified for finals both Saturday and Sunday night at Keating Natatorium at St. Xavier High School in Cincinnati. There Chick placed sixth in the 200-yard freestyle (1:55.89), sixth place in the 100-yard freestyle (52.86), 10th place in the 200-yard individual medley (2:12.83) and 16th place in the 50-yard freestyle (25.45).
BASKETBALL
Boys win a thriller
The YSHS boys varsity basketball team continues to improve game by game, according to Coach Steve Grasso. This past week, the Bulldogs played three tough games, starting with state-ranked Troy Christian (12–2). A great Bulldogs defensive effort held Troy Christian to their lowest point totals of the season. But YSHS fell 62–38. Kaner Butler led the team with 10 points and six rebounds.
The second game of the week was an exciting matchup at home versus the Cincinnati Trailblazers. The Bulldogs were led by Devon Perry who scored 16 points including a game tying three-pointer with just under one minute in the game. In the end the Bulldogs lost 47–43.
Finally, YSHS played at Middletown Christian on MLK Day, posting a 56–40 victory in the thriller, their second win of the season. Perry, Butler, Isaiah Taylor, Ethan DeWine, Liam Weigand, and Bryce White all chipped in at least seven points in the triumph. DeWine sank four straight free throws to put the game out of reach in the last minute. Joe Plumer and Theron Orme both provided positive minutes off the bench, according to Coach Grasso. YSHS is now 2–11 (1–5).
Girls lose at home
On Saturday night, the YSHS girls basketball team hosted Cincinnati team Landmark Christian and lost 54–38 despite a close first half. The team got 13 points from Elizabeth Smith, eight each from Shanice Wright and Kennedy Harshaw, and six from Brianna Ayers. Their record is 5–6 (3–3).
McKinney girls learn teamwork
This year McKinney School’s seventh- and eighth-grade girls basketball teams are led by the enthusiastic new coach Sean Wakefield.
The seventh-grade team roster of 10 players includes Ciera Richeson, Lauryn Dewine, Kayla Brown, Audrea Thomas, Meryam Raissouri, Lexi Newsome, Ixchel Heredia, Hailey Qualls, Anastaisa Cooper, and Kayla Chance. The eighth grade team has nine players, including Raven James, Jasmine Davidson, Gracie Price, De De Cheaton, Kelsie Lemmons, Yasmine Longshaw, Amani Wagner, Payton Kegley, and Mariya Weignal.
“These girls have so far put in a strong playing effort, some who are first time players and some who have played before,” according to team volunteer Amy Groeber. “All are learning the skills of teamwork, and the game of basketball with great practice and work.”
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