Raiders win! Next stop Columbus

Ivie Drake rounds the bases following second home run in
game 3

Never wake a sleeping giant! That's what Heritage-Catoosa did in the sweet sixteen of the State Tournament in Danielsville in game one of a best of three series. Not only did Heritage wake Madison County by taking game 1 by a 6-0 score, but they shook a sleeping giant and the Region's 8-AAAA Player of the Year Ivie Drake. Drake's long home run helped push the Raiders to a game 2 win and in the "do or die" game 3, her two home runs paved the way to the road to the Elite Eight in Columbus. The Raiders sealed up a game three win by a 9-8 score on Thursday night. Randee Bettis opened the pitching duties for the Raiders and Alexis Damron closed out the final inning of play with the tying run in scoring position.

Softball Raiders force a game 3

The Raiders race to the plate to meet Ivie Drake following
her three run home run in game 2.

The Madison County Raider softball team earned a split with

Heritage-Catoosa tonight in the Sweet Sixteen of the State Tournament in Danielsville. Madison County lost game 1 by a 6-0 score, but took game (2) 5-4 to force a third and deciding game Thursday night at home. The Region 8-AAAA Player of the Year Ivie Drake, connected on a long three run home run in game two to lift the Raiders to the one run win. The winner of game 3 will advance to the Elite Eight of the State Tournament in Columbus, Georgia. 

Raiders versus Heritage-Catoosa Preview

Raiders versus Heritage-Catoosa of Ringgold, Ga. (Region 7B-AAAA)

Sweet Sixteen of the State Tournament

Wednesday, October 17, 5:00 & 7:00 Raider Field in Danielsville

On Heritage-Catoosa:

The Heritage-Catoosa Generals visit Madison County sporting a 26-6-1 overall record and a region record of 8-2. The Generals lost to Northwest Whitfield 3-2 in the Region Championship. Heritage-Catoosa defeated Chamblee Charter 15-0 and 9-1 last week in the first round of the State Tournament. The Generals roster consists of 9 freshmen, 3 sophomores, 1 junior and 5 seniors. They have won 11 of their last 13 games.

On Madison County:

The Raiders won their region 8-AAAA tournament by defeating Walnut Grove 7-3. Madison County (33-5, 11-0) then defeated LaGrange 10-1 and 6-3 in round one of the State Tournament last week at home. The Raiders have won 13 straight and 17 of their last 18 with their last loss coming to South Effingham in a tournament in Augusta on September 14.

The Raiders roster consists of 2 freshmen, 3 sophomores, 7 juniors, and 5 seniors. Starting catcher Ivie Drake is this year's Region 8-AAAA Player of The Year.

Raiders roll into next round of state playoffs

Sweet, sweet, sweep is what the Madison County softball Raiders have become accustomed to. The Raiders swept  #4 seed LaGrange on Wednesday night 10-1 and 6-3 to advance to the next round of the state playoffs. Randee Bettis was the winning pitcher in game one and Alexis Damron picked up the win in game two. Madison County will host round two beginning next Wednesday at 4:30 and 6:00 with the "if" game to be held on Thursday. The opponent is yet to be determined. 

Emmanuel College Opens New Arena

Main basketball section of the Arena

By Dallas Bordon

Emmanuel College held a ribbon cutting ceremony last Saturday to officially open their new 78,000 square foot 10 million dollar athletic facility. The new arena at the college in Franklin Springs, seats 1,200 people and nearly all seats were filled for the dedication. Those on hand were alumni, faculty, students, former athletes, local residents, and current players. The new sports arena will include an Aquatic Center with a 25 meter competition pool, basketball arena-seating 1,200, volleyball arena-seating 300, 4,000 square foot wellness center, 1,600 square foot sports rehabilitation center, bowling alley, Papa John’s pizza area, coach’s offices, VIP suite, team film room, indoor track, and a broadcast media suite.

Volleyball section of the Arena

A ribbon cutting ceremony opened the day’s events with President Mike Stewart’s opening remarks. The ribbon was cut by President Stewart, several former and current athletes, coaches, and dignitaries. The dedication continued into the arena for a ceremony with several speakers on hand including legendary women’s basketball coach Mike Bona. Bona serves as the Athletic Director as well as the women’s basketball coach. Bona is a long standing faculty member serving just over 37 years at the college. Bona talked about the old (former) gym and the attempts the college made to improve the old facility over the years. “We’ve tried several ways to change the old gym over the years,” said Bona. “It’s sometimes tough to recruit players that come from high schools where their gyms were much nicer than our old gym here. Now that’s different with this new arena.” Bona’s Lady Lion basketball team held their first practice in the new arena on Friday. “Following practice I sat down in a seat in the corner of the arena thinking to myself that I will have to take the ladies to eat and then lodging for the night. I then realized that we were not on a road trip and this is actually our new home. It’s just hard to believe,” said Bona. Bona is one of the conference’s winning coaches with over 590 wins. The new coach’s conference room upstairs in the arena is named after coach Bona for his years of dedication to Emmanuel.

Members of the first ever men’s basketball team at Emmanuel (1958-59 and 1959-60) took the stage and were inducted as the first members Emmanuel College’s Hall Of Fame during the ceremony.

Following the dedication ceremony, tours were given throughout the new facility. The Lady Lions volleyball team then took the court for the first ever sporting event in the arena in a match versus Coastal Georgia.

The new facility will be accompanied in future plans by a new complex next door that will include baseball and softball fields, eight tennis courts, a soccer field, Lacrosse field, and a sports field house with locker rooms. “This is truly a miracle from God. We have dreamed of this for many years and many prayers have been answered,” said Emmanuel President Mike Stewart. For more information on Emmanuel College you can visit their website at www.goeclions.com.