Thursday, March 31, 2011

"Rooster" Contributes to the Gamecocks as a Freshman

We've linked to an article from the Wetumpka Herald about Casey "Rooster" Antley and his season so far with the Gamecocks baseball team. Click Here.

Monday, March 28, 2011

Gamecocks "Take the Fifth."

Don't call it a comeback. It was a great day on two different diamonds yesterday for the angry roosters from Calhoun County (as Leonard might say). Big things happened in the fifth inning of the softball and baseball games.

In softball, the Lady Gamecocks scored 8 runs in the 5th on the way to a 13-8 win over SEMO. Not to be outdone, Coach Case's team was down a touchdown and a field goal and scored ten runs to tie it up in - you guessed it -- the bottom of the fifth. The Gamecocks went on to win 13-12.

It was Sunday, so nobody had a fifth to celebrate. But still, a great day to be a Gamecock (but isn't every day)!

Sunday, March 27, 2011

Legend after legend? JSU skipper making a Case

Great article from Joe Medley on baseball coach, Jim Case.


Legend after legend? JSU skipper making a Case: "JACKSONVILLE — Following a legend isn’t the preferred first head-coaching gig.
Following a legend at a school that upgraded in competition on the back nine of a legend’s tenure? That’s just plain ..."

Wednesday, March 23, 2011

More Big News on the Diamond

Yesterday, the Gamecocks won 3 more games on the diamond, with the softball team picking up two wins on the road, and the baseball team winning one at home. One piece of news really got my attention...

Kristin Graham, the junior that pitches, plays first base, and leads the team in home runs had an outstanding day. Kristin pitched 5 innings yesterday. Of the 15 outs she recorded, 14 were strikeouts - a truly dominant performance!

On the baseball diamond, JSU picked up a big win over state-rival Auburn, 5-4. While expected, the win is still a big win for the program this year. Tonight, the team travels to Tuscaloosa to face the Tide.

Go Cocks!!

Tuesday, March 22, 2011

Tueday Links

The Anniston Star has a football spring practice article. Click here.

The Arab Tribune has a good article on Blake Seguin from the JSU baseball team. Click here.

20th ranked Auburn comes to Rudy Abbott Field today for a game against the Gamecocks! Click Here.

Monday, March 21, 2011

Jacksonville State University - Abbey Stepp Hits Way to OVC Player of the Week Honor

Jacksonville State University - Abbey Stepp Hits Way to OVC Player of the Week Honor

Jacksonville State University - Ben Waldrip Named OVC Player of the Week as Gamecocks Prepare to Host Auburn on Tuesday

Jacksonville State University - Ben Waldrip Named OVC Player of the Week as Gamecocks Prepare to Host Auburn on Tuesday

On the Diamond

Baseball and softball at JSU has been regularly seeing the win column this season. Milestones for both coaches were recently hit, with Coach Case winning his 300th game as the Gamecock coach, and Coach McGinnis reaching the 600 win mark. This weekend was another successful weekend on the diamond, as the baseball team won in Florida early Saturday, followed by the softball team winning a doubleheader and following up with a win on Sunday to sweep Morehead State.

Newcomers to the softball team, Abbey Stepp and Kristin Graham are leading the hitting attack, while freshman pitcher Tiffany Harbin is throwing smoke from the mound. Harbin is 12-4 on the season, with 99 strikeouts. Graham is batting .510, with 7 homeruns to lead the team in both categories.

On the baseball team, it's hard to lose so many players to the MLB draft, and then keep winning. Players like Coty Blanchard and Ben Waldrip have stepped into the lineup and are producing big numbers.

With rosters changing every year, yet the teams consistently winning, there is one constant...our coaches. We are proud to support both Coach Case and Coach McGinnis in the great job they are doing.

Wednesday, March 16, 2011

OVC Commissioner's Cup Standings

The OVC Commissioner's Cup is a symbol of overall succcess in athletics. Click here for the current standings.

Tuesday, March 15, 2011

Porter update; AD search

The Anniston Star gives an update on Curt Porter, as well as the AD search. Click Here.

Friday, March 11, 2011

Georgia State: Little among five players disciplined, Jackson transferring

It looks like Georgia State will be a little shorthanded when it makes the short drive over to God's Country to take on the Gamecocks.

Little among five players disciplined, Jackson transferring

Thursday, March 10, 2011

Defense Wins Games

Coach Chris Boone visited the Marshall County Alumni Chapter on Tuesday night, March 8th. JSU's new Defensive Coordinator spoke to the crowd after dinner about his recent move to JSU. Coach Boone came to JSU after 15 years in coaching, the last 5 coming with OVC-rival UT Martin.

Coach Boone gave us a summary of what he knows about the team and what he is seeing in winter workouts. Boone told us that he knows the JSU team very well, having coached against them 6 times. We'll have several starters back on defense this year, and should have some great leadership. Jamison Wadley and Monte' Lewis and Demetrio Tyson will lead the way up front. Incoming freshman Jakari Kinnie from Gadsden can get a shot, but he has to come in this summer in shape. Kinnie was recruited by Kentucky, and actually committed for a short time to Georgia State. JSU got the committment in the end. Kinnie has to be in shape and show that he is ready. Boone also mentioned that he expects Marquis George to make a name for himself this year on the DL.

Boone expects great things from Rodney "BigTexas" Garrott. GamecockIllustrated has been a fan of Garrott since we first saw him 2 springs ago. He's expected to continue disrupting backfields like he did last year. Boone expects good things from James Powell at linebacker this year. Powell got a lot of playing time last year as a freshman, and should be much improved. Boone commented that Rashad "Spiderman" Smith has an opportunity this year to get a lot of playing time. We believe he has great potential. Brannon Byrd and Brent Tolson are players that got major playing time last year, and Boone is looking forward to seeing them in spring drills. We're hoping Erik "Rookie" Russell is back on the active roster for the 2011 season, and Coach Boone is too. "Rookie" is a special athlete, according to Boone and other coaches we have spoken with. Chase Williams, the linebacker from Boaz, is working out hard and will get a look. He's on a program to get a little more bulk, and is giving a great effort.

Coach Boone gives multiple looks on defense, from a 3-4, a 4-3, and some other combinations. But the key could be the defensive backfield. AJ "Awesome Jet" Davis and Jawaan Booker are solid. Davis is probably the fastest on the team, turning in a winter workout 40 time of 4.3. Jason Horton and Keggie Harris at safeties will be learning Boone's style and some new assignments.

Coach Boone came to JSU to win an OVC championship. Winning in the playoffs is important to him. This season could be special. Our first game is on a Thursday night - against none other than UT Martin. They'll do some extra preparation to throw who knows what at Coach Boone's defense. We'll be ready.

Coach Boone did a great job at the alumni event and enjoyed meeting the group there. He's moving his wife and children down from TN next month. By the way, he has 2 children now, both girls, and they have twin boys on the way! If you see him around, give him a big Gamecock welcome.

A Decade of Success - Sports

A Decade of Success - Sports

Wednesday, March 9, 2011

Monday, March 7, 2011

Coach Boone Speaks Tomorrow In Marshall County

If you are within 100 miles of Marshall County, this is an event you will not want to miss:

The Marshall County JSU Alumni Chapter is hosting the 4th Annual JSU Alumni Mardi Gras Celebration, Tuesday, March 8 from 6-8pm at Papa Dubi’s Cajun Restaurant in Guntersville. All JSU Alumni and Friends of the University are invited. The dress is casual. There will be cajun hors d’oeuvres, buffet style dinner and a cash bar. The cost will be $10 per person and reservations are required. Reservations can be made by calling the JSU alumni office at 877-JSU-ALUM. Guest Speaker will be the Coach Chris Boone, new Defensive Coordinator for the Gamecocks.

Women's Basketball - Looking Ahead

There’s a lot of excitement about the women’s basketball program at JSU. Coach Annette Watts and her coaching staff, Dee Bell, Matt Couvillion, and Shaneka Bates, have the Gamecock Nation talking about hopes for next season. Why? It was evident the team had lots of growth and learning this season.

We’ll lose Danielle Beneby and Candice Carmine, both seniors. Both were major contributors. Beneby scored 9.3 points per game and led the team in assists with 3.7 per game. Candice Carmine scored 4.3 points and had 3.9 rebounds per game. Together, they played over 45 minutes per game and provided leadership to the team. They will be missed.

So what will the team look like next season? We’ll have the leading scorer and leading rebounder back. Brittany Wiley led the team in scoring at 14.1 points per game. Danielle Vaughn, with 7.9 rebounds per game, was the team’s leading rebounder. Vaughn also led the team with 30 blocks on the season.

Who have we signed? Glad you asked. Here is a brief intro to those we have signed so far, along with a comment from Coach Watts:

Kaitlynn Pacholke – G – Tampa, Fla. (Freedom HS)

Closed out her prep career by reaching the career 1,000-point mark in her final high school game as the FHS Patriots’ season came to a close … The 5-4 guard ended her high school career with 1,007 points with 12 points in the Class 5A region quarterfinals … Pacholke, who played for her mother, averaged 15.4 points, 8.7 assists, 5.7 rebounds and 5.4 steals for FHS as a senior … Helped lead FHS to the 5A-9 District Championship … Selected to the FABC All-Star game along with being nominated as a McDonald’s All-American … Scored in double figures in every game as a senior except for four contests, including four 20-plus games … She tallied a season-best 27 points against Hillsborough in December.

Watts on Pacholke –
“Quick, smart point guard whose mother is her high school coach. I love signing coaches daughters … They have a high basketball IQ and understand the game. Kaitlynn is a leader and a true point guard.”

Gia Banks – G – Loganville, Ga.(Walnut Grove HS)

Plays for head coach Kirk Call at Walnut Grove High School … Has scored over 1,000 points in her high school career … Named MVP of the Walnut Grove Holiday Classic after posting 18 points in the title game … Banks helped her squad to 19 straight wins to begin the season and a No. 4 ranking in the state of Georgia before bowing out of the high school state tournament to Troup County.

Watts on Banks –
“Gia has a nice combination of size, athleticism and skills. This 5-10 guard is a tough
Match up for defenders. In the paint she has the strength to finish or get to the free throw line. Out on perimeter, she can make the 3-pointer or score a mid-range jumper.”

Miranda Cantrell – F – College Park, Ga. (North Clayton HS)

Named to the Atlanta Journal Constitution’s All-Metro Second Team as a junior … Named All-Region 4-AAAA her junior season and honored by 4shot.com as an All-Star … Averaged a double-double as a senior with 14.2 points per game along with pulling down 15 rebounds per contest … Helped guide NCHS to the state tournament after posting a 15-6 mark on the season … She ranked second in the region in scoring and led Region 4-AAAA in rebounds with 15.9 per game.

Watts on Cantrell –
“An excellent student in the classroom, Miranda will be called upon to be a dominant force on the blocks for us. She has a great touch around the basket and a nose for rebounding. Her potential is limited only by what she’s willing to do.”

Briana Morrow – F - Nashville, Tenn. (Glencliff HS)

A versatile player who can play inside and out … Prepped at Glencliff High School in the Nashville, Tenn. area … Averaged 23 points as a senior and pulled down seven boards per contest … Also a member of the GHS volleyball squad … Morrow recently scored 33 of GHS’ 47 points in the District 12-AAA consolation game … Posted 26 points, including the game-winning lay up against Antioch in the 12-AAA quarterfinals.

Watts on Morrow
“A versatile post player who finishes around the basket. Brianna has played at the highest level with her AAU team and understands winning. She has quickness and guard skills – both coveted skills for a post player.”

Briaunna Buckner – G - Chesterfield, Mich. (Detroit King HS)

An active participant on the AAU circuit as a member of The Family squad, which participated in the Division II national tournament, finishing 17th ... Averaged 8.3 points per game as a junior along with grabbing 9.5 boards per contest…Connected on 56 percent from the field … Made Hoops Talent.com’s list of top players from the state of Michigan.

Watts on Buckner
“Brianna is a mult-dimensional guard who can slash and drain the 3-point shot. Her work ethic is solid and her energy is just what this team needs”

There are other players looking to be added. There is possibility of adding a Juco player into the mix.

We’re looking forward to seeing next year’s team. There are very good days ahead for JSU Women’s Basketball!

Saturday, March 5, 2011

Cunningham Gets Major League Spring Start

Former Gamecock baseball great Todd Cunnigham recently started a Spring Game for the major league club. Keep it going Todd.

Gamecocks Win Battle of Academic Powerhouses

Jacksonville State University - Coty Blanchard Powers Gamecocks to Sweep of Harvard

Anniston Star - Blanchard starting career on the diamond off right

Anniston Star - Blanchard starting career on the diamond off right

Wednesday, March 2, 2011

The Legend of Coty Blanchard

Not since Deion Sanders lit up the gridiron and diamond for Florida State has a player had this kind of immediate dual sports impact. Blanchard's stat line against Ole Miss:

4 rushes- 27 yards;
9 -13 passing for 2 TD's;
5 punts for a 42.6 yard average with 2 downed inside the 20.

His opening stats in baseball:

8-16 with a .500 batting average.

Somehow, someway we need to get Blanchard in a basketball uniform for a few games next year. What a story it would be in this age of specialization if he played all three sports at the D-1 level.

Release The Tapes!

Many Gamecock fans have wanted a commemorative tape of the upset win over Ole Miss. Apparently, Ole Miss owns the rights and won't release them. If only we could bring back Snapsquad 54 to do one more hilight video.

Anniston Star - New tourney format gives JSU better shot to advance

Anniston Star - New tourney format gives JSU better shot to advance

"I know I can stay out of trouble because there's nothing to do there."

Here is a great article about one of JSU's football signees. Its pretty clear from reading the article that JSU is getting a special player. The quote above is awesome, but still #2 on signee quotes behind Damarcus James description of JSU: "It ain't too big, it ain't too small."


House to play football for Jacksonville State | jacksonville, little, ago - Crestview News Bulletin