Wright signs with Army
UCHS Football February 14, 2018
Union County High School is losing a great athlete, but Army-West Point is welcoming him with open arms. Senior quarterback Cole Wright signed with Army last week in a ceremony held with friends, family, coaches and faculty. The four-year letterman threw for 1,938 yards last year, completing 136-of-247 passing attempts with 19 touchdowns and only 3 interceptions.
After signing his letter of intent, TeamFYNSports sat down with Wright to discuss his career at UC and his future as a D1 commit.
TeamFYNSports: What are some of your accomplishments?
“I have maintained a 4.0 GPA throughout high school and I was named 7-AAA Offensive POY in 2016 and 1st team All-Region in 2017. I was All-State honorable mention in 2016 and 2017. I reached 7000 total yards and 70+ TD’s in two years at QB
TeamFYNSports: How long have you played football?
“ I have played since I was five years old.”
TeamFYNSports: Who have you tried to model your game after?
“I have always loved Tom Brady and his winning mentality and competitiveness. Obviously I’m a different style QB, but I try to imitate his leadership ability and drive.”
TeamFYNSports: What’s your biggest highlight of playing football so far?
“Senior Night would definitely be the highlight of my career. After the game I looked across at my best friends who I’ve grown up playing football with and realized these guys were my brothers for life. It’s a great feeling knowing you’ve created bonds that could never be broken.”
TeamFYNSports: What’s the biggest challenge you’ve faced, and how has that made you the person you are today?
“My biggest problem was worrying about negativity from outside of my circle. There will always be people saying, “You’ll never make it” and to that I say we’ll see. Once I focused on the game I loved and blocked all of the negativity I started to play better. This helped me grow not only as a football player but a person as well.”
TeamFYNSports: What’s a typical day for you training wise?
“I’ve been on a new West Point workout schedule for the last month and it’s intense. I’m also running track for speed and stamina. I’m working on gaining some weight before I leave, so I’m consuming a large amount of calories per day.”
TeamFYNSports: How have you trained? What have you done differently that has separated you from other quarterbacks?
“I started Speed and Agility freshman year and didn’t miss a day in two years. Joe Mancuso and I would go and throw and I’d learn as much as I could from him. I’m a very coachable guy so I would take little tips and advice from every camp and then try to execute them when I got back home.”
TeamFYNSports: How big of a influence did your parents or coach have on you to continue your playing career at West Point versus any other school?
“My dad was probably my biggest influence. No one in my family has ever had this opportunity to attend an Academy. My dad and I are all about leadership and history; when we toured the campus we both fell in love with the place. West Point offers the combination of a high level education, a chance to play D1 football, and leadership training that can’t be matched at any other school.”
TeamFYNSports: What other schools have offered you?
“No other schools have offered. Kennesaw State, Furman, GA Tech, and Georgia Southern were interested but after I committed they went cold.”
TeamFYNSports: What are your plans once you get to college? What are you going to major in? What position(s) do you plan on playing?
“Once I get to West Point I will begin my tough journey to become the greatest version of myself. I know it will be the hardest thing I’ve ever done in my life but I will stay mentality strong and prove the doubters wrong. I plan on majoring in aerospace engineering but I am not completely locked on that specific one. I am on the board as a Wide Receiver right now, but I will remain open for whatever position I am needed.”
TeamFYNSports would like to wish Wright the best of luck as he closes one chapter and opens another, with a bright future ahead of him.
Panthers celebrate senior night, fall to Tigers/Lady Tigers
Union County High School February 7, 2018
The Lady Panthers tipped off at 7 following senior night at 6. The Lady Panthers had 2 seniors, Bailey Daniel and Grace Wischmeyer. Wischmeyer was limited to playing time this season due to a knee injury.
The Lady Panthers faced off against the Lady Tigers from Dawson County. The Lady Panthers fell to the Lady Tigers earlier in the season 54-42. The Lady Panthers looked to secure a spot in the playoffs with a win.
Mccarter led UC with 4 of the 9 points scored in the first quarter. The Lady Panthers trailed 11-9 after Q1.
The Lady Tigers used a 12-4 run to open Q2 to extend the halftime lead 32-21. Ade. Dockrey led the Lady Panthers with 4 points. The Lady Tigers also used a 9-1 run the close Q2.
The Lady Panthers fell behind majorly in the first half due to poor free throw shooting. The Lady Panthers shot only 35% from the line 6-17.
The Lady Tigers separates themselves over the course of Q3 with a score of 54-31. Hill led Lady Panthers scorers with 4.
The Lady Panthers fell 70-38 to the Lady Tigers. Sticker led the Lady Tigers with 25. Mccarter led the Lady Panthers with 8.
The Lady Panthers finish the 15-9 in the regular season. The Lady Panthers next game will be Wednesday Feb 7th, at East Hall facing off against Dawson in the first game of the region tournament.
The Panthers followed tipping off at 8:30.
The Panthers had several seniors, twins, Candler and Crawford Colwell, RJ Banton, Cole Davis, Timothy Patrick, and Patrick Baggett.
Cra. Colwell was only 6 points away from hitting his 1000th point. The Panthers trailed early 13-9 at the end of Q1 as they were led by Baggett who had 4.
The Panthers trailed 31-34 at the half. UC was led by Allison who has 3. Cra. Colwell with 1:38 left to play in Q2.
The Tigers used a 8-0 run to open Q3 as they led 45-34. DC was led by Reed with 5 and The Panthers were led by Davis with 4.
The Panthers would fall to the Tigers for the second time this season 59-47. The Panthers fall to 16-8. UC wad led by Baggett with 17. The Panthers will play @ East Hall Feb. 6th, I. The opening round of the region tournament. The Panthers will play North Hall.
Union County handles business, defeats Lumpkin varsity teams
Union County High School January 8, 2018
Friday Jan 4, the Panthers faced off in a region matchup against the Lumpkin County Indians. The Lady Panthers tipped off at 7pm, the Lady Panthers got off to a hot start, taking a 12-3 lead as the first quarter came to a close.
The Lady Panthers continued to impress in the second quarter, led by sophomore center Kait Mccarter. Mccarter nearly had a double-double in the first half, with 10 points scored and eight boards collected before the end of the first two quarters of play.
After halftime, the Lady Panthers showed no signs of letting up. They went on a 10-3 run to end the third quarter with a score of 34-19 going into the fourth, a somewhat comfortable 15-pt lead.
The fourth quarter was a duplication of the previous three, demonstrated with an 11-2 run by the Lady Panthers, who at one point led by as many as 24.
The Lady Panthers top scorers were senior guard Bailey Daniel who had 19 (she is 7 points away from 1000!) and sophomore forward Kait Mccarter with 18 points and 14 rebounds.
The Lady Panthers improve to 10-4 and 3-1 in 7-AAA. The next game will be Saturday, Jan 5, at Andrews (NC) at 5:30pm.
The Panthers followed the Lady Panthers, tipping off at 8:30pm Friday night.
The varsity boys got off to a hot start, with starting forward Sawyer Drake scoring 12 straight points to put Union County up 23-17 after the first quarter of regulation.
Early in the second, however, tragedy struck as the super sophomore was forced to limp off the court in pain. Preliminary reports speculate Drake suffered a torn meniscus, an injury that would certainly leave some large shoes to fill for the Panthers.
As the team regrouped, they continued to keep the momentum in their favor and led by as many as 17 in before heading to the locker room at halftime, leading by 13, 40-27.
The third quarter was much of the same, as the Panthers came out and went back to work. They managed the ball well offensively, avoided unnecessary fouls, and continued to apply pressure defensively; extending their lead at the end of the third by a score of 64-39. A large part of that effort offensively came from senior forward Crawford Colwell, who had produced 21 points going into the final quarter of play.
Union (12-2, 3-1) finished the game with a final score of 76-54. They traveled to Andrews (NC) on Saturday, full story to follow.
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UCHS Receives STEM Certification
News, Panther's Corner May 25, 2019
Blairsville, Ga – Union County High School (UCHS) named the fourth STEM certified public school in the state.
State Superintendent Richard Woods visited UCHS a few weeks ago and recognized the school as the 14th STEM certified program in the state and fourth public school to earn the honor.
STEM teaches students computational thinking and using scientific methods to solve real-world problems. It helps children to develop technological skills that they can use to one day find highly-sought after jobs.
At the May Board of Education, Superintendent John Hill presented the STEM certification award to Ms. Alecia Frizzell.
“Ms. Frizzell was extremely dedicated and instrumental in the high school receiving the certification, and it’s going to have a lasting impact on students of our county,” said Hill.
Ms. Frizzell also received the Outstanding High School Chemistry Teacher of the Year 2019.
“I have not met a teacher more dedicated to her students and her profession,” said Hill, “we’re very proud of her.”
“I had no idea I was getting the award. I think I was nominated by Mr. Hussion,” explained Frizzell, “I had a student write a recommendation letter that is framed and on a wall in my house.”
Three Partners in Education were recognized for their significant efforts to improve the schools’ facilities and life of the students.
Gene Sprayberry donated his greenhouse to Woody Gap in memory of his wife, Louise.
Gene Sprayberry donated a large greenhouse to Woody Gap Schools in memory of his wife, Louise.
“I’m thankful that the school system accepted the schoolhouse in memory of Louise,” said Sprayberry, “She would be so thrilled to see that it was doing some good, and students might take up her passion. She loved it.”
This year the Chamber of Commerce had an entire night dedicated to recognizing Union County Schools’(UCS) students and set up two committees devoted to finding ways to help students.
“Our local chamber has always supported our school system, but this past year they have truly been a partner in education,” said Assistant Superintendent David Murphy.
“We appreciate the opportunity for the chamber to participate in the program,” said Chamber of Commerce President Steve Rowe, “These students are the future of Union County.”
RC&D Council sponsored a number of learning opportunities for the students of UCS and Woody Gap, including sponsoring a steer for middle school agriculture day, a pig for the cafeterias, fire-wise programs, a high-wind tunnel, drone software, wick-whacking device, and a number of the members.
Jason Moore’s recognized for his outstanding service on the middle school governance team.
UCMS Principal Gwen Stafford recognized student Jason Moore for his commitment to the School Governance Team.
“Jason Moore has been our representative at the middle school for the past two years, and he has done an outstanding job, said Principal Gwen Stafford, “If he doesn’t know what the students would like, he goes out and sees them. He gets there opinion and comes back and reports to us.”
UCHS FFA Students also received recognition for winning first place in state competitions.
Isaac Hunter placed first at the state level for the ocular estimation event at the junior foresters’ field day.
“Ocular estimation is where I have to stand five feet away from the tree and guess the diameter of it,” said Hunter. He can’t use any tools to assist with the process, just his best sight guestimation.
Isaac Hunter and Timothy Dye both won first place in the state FFA competition.
Next, Timothy Dye won first place at the state competition for timber cruising for board volume.
“You have to stand 66 feet away from the tree using logger tape, diameter tape, and clinometer. The diameter get the actual diameter of it, and with the clinometer, you get the height of it,” explained Dye.
The Union County Primary School recognized two teachers who achieved perfect attendance for the 2018-2019 school year. Kelsey Miller teaches Pre-K, and Tina Payne is an RTI specialist who teaches Kindergarten, First, and Second Grade students.
UCPS Principal Millie Owenby recognized the two primary school teachers Kelsey Miller and Tina Payne for their perfect attendance.
“We all know that as teachers that the more we are there, the better the students perform,” said Principal Millie Owenby, “Sometimes at the primary school that is quite an accomplishment.”
The board also presented Superintendent with an award to commemorate his 15 years of service.
Panthers looking ahead after opening double-header
UCHS Baseball February 20, 2018
The Panthers faced off against the Commerce Tigers in a double header. This would be the Panthers first test of the season. Commerce is considered one of the better teams in the 1A-Private region.
The first pitch was at 4:05. Baggett was UC’s first baserunner of the season and Dyer was the first base hit of the year.
Ruff was the first to pitch for the Panthers in a game that would dig into the bullpen. Ruff pitched 2 innings. Ruff struck 2 batters out, walked 1, allowed 4 hits, Ruff was allotted for 3 earned runs.
Rich took over in inning 3 as the Panthers trailed 3-0. Rich pitched 2 shut out innings as Baggett tied the game up in top of the 4th with a 3 run 2 our single.
Rich got into some trouble early in the 5th as 3 hits and 2 walks as he gave up 3 earned runs. Rich finished with 4 K’s, 4 BB’s, and 3 ER.
Banton stepped in to finish the inning as the Panthers trailed 3-7 at the end of the 5th.
The Panthers put the comeback in force as they scored 2 runs in the 6th which was started by a Baggettt walk.
Colwell stepped in to pitch the 6th as he allowed 2 runs Colwell allowed 4 hits with 1 K.
Baggett finished 2-2 with 4 RBI’s and 2 BB’s and 2 steals.
The second game of the double header got underway at 7:20.
Harkins started the second game of the evening as he pitched 2 innings.
Baggett was the first run of the second game as he scored off of a walk, a stolen base, and an error.
The Panthers used a huge second inning to separate from the Tigers as Schafer hit his first home run of his career. The Panthers led 6-2 after the 2nd.
J. Colwell took over in the top of the 3rd as he gathered 4 K’s over the course of 4 innings. Colwell allowed 3 runs and walked 4.
Davis stepped in to close the game as he finished with 2 K’s and 1 BB.
Schafer led the Panthers going 2-2 with a homerun and a INF single. Dyer followed with going 2-3 with 2 RBI’s.
The Panthers improved to 1-1 as they split the series. The Panthers next game will be against Rabun county in a non-region matchup Tues. Feb 20th. The first pitch is scheduled for 4:00.