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Black Gymnasts Are Making an Impact Nationally and in South Fulton
Business, Sports

Black Gymnasts Are Making an Impact Nationally and in South Fulton

This story is part of our new "Outstanding South Fulton" series. If you'd like to be featured, fill out the form on our website. When you think about the Black women who have made an impact in the sport of gymnastics, names like Dominique Dawes, Gabby Douglas, Simone Biles and Corrinne Tarver probably spring to mind. And after today, we hope you'll add Kamilah Jones-Norman to the list. It was 50 years ago when Black women first began rising in the elite ranks of American gymnastics. In 1980, Luci Collins was the first to make an Olympics team. In 1991, Betty Kino earned a silver medal at the World Gymnastics Championships. In 1992, 1996 and 2000, U.S. Olympic Committee Hall of Famer Dominique Dawes competed in the Olympic Games winning four medals. In 2012 and 2016, respectively,...
Skyhawks Host 70 Youth for Basketball Clinic at Welcome All Park
Business, Sports

Skyhawks Host 70 Youth for Basketball Clinic at Welcome All Park

The College Park Skyhawks, the NBA G League affiliate of the Atlanta Hawks, in partnership with Kenneth S. Nugent, Attorneys at Law, hosted a basketball clinic earlier this month for 70 youth at Welcome All Park in South Fulton. The clinic was conducted by the coaching staff of the Skyhawks, including Head Coach Steve Gansey. Assistant coaches Ronnie Burrell and Da’Sean Butler joined Gansey to teach kids fundamentals of the game and fine-tune their skills. “Getting out in the community to engage with kids and teach them the game we all love is one of the best parts of the job,” said Gansey. “It was great to get outside and spend the day with the kids, and with the help of Ken Nugent and his team it was an amazing event.”  The clinic helped strengthen basketball...
Westlake’s Hankerson and Johnson Win USA Today Coach and Player of the Year
Schools, Sports

Westlake’s Hankerson and Johnson Win USA Today Coach and Player of the Year

It's been a storied year for the Westlake girls basketball team, and the awards and honors continue to pour in. Just last night, Westlake's Coach Hilda Hankerson and celebrated point guard Raven "Hollywood" Johnson were announced as the USA Today Sports Awards Coach of the Year and Player of the Year. The announcement was part of a star-studded virtual presentation streamed online. Announcers for the USA Today Sports Awards included Golden State Warriors MVP Stephen Curry, Kansas City Chief quarterback Patrick Mahomes and New England Patriots Coach Bill Bill Belichick. Coach Hilda Hankerson has led the Westlake Lady Lions since 1997. She guided her team this year to a 72 to 53 win over Collins Hill to capture their third consecutive Class 7A state championship. Coach Hankerson has t...
Former Westlake Lion A.J. Terrell Selected by Falcons as No. 16 Overall Draft Pick
Sports

Former Westlake Lion A.J. Terrell Selected by Falcons as No. 16 Overall Draft Pick

Former Westlake Lion A.J. Terrell was selected by the Falcons on Thursday as the No. 16 overall pick of the 2020 NFL Draft. Westlake High School Principal Jamar Robinson and former Principal Alexandra Bates rushed to social media to wish the cornerback luck and congratulate him. Robinson said Terrell is a great athlete and an even greater young man. “Trust me, you haven’t seen anything yet. The best is yet to come.” “My Atlanta Falcons couldn’t have picked a better player,” said Bates. “You were an incredible student on and off the field. Now I get to watch you play with my favorite NFL team.” Aundrell “A.J.” Terrell, Jr. was a five-star recruit and top-15 overall prospect after excelling at Westlake. He went to Clemson University where he thrived. He is the ninth corner draf...
Council Approves Half-Million Dollar Proposal to Renovate South Fulton Tennis Center Courts
Government, Sports

Council Approves Half-Million Dollar Proposal to Renovate South Fulton Tennis Center Courts

At last night's city council meeting, officials approved a proposal to renovate 20 hard and four clay courts at the South Fulton Tennis Center. The project, which will cost approximately $557,000, will include completely new playing surfaces, new striping, nets, poles and other equipment. Officials hope the renovations will attract more professional, collegiate and area-wide tournaments and provide residents with a world-class facility. “We want to make the tennis center a destination facility for the metro Atlanta area and beyond,” said Tony Phillips, the city’s parks, recreation and cultural affairs director. Phillips said the renovations will greatly boost the city’s drive to achieve certification from the United States Tennis Association (USTA). “The facility is one of the...
Westlake Lady Lions to Defend State Title on Saturday
Schools, Sports

Westlake Lady Lions to Defend State Title on Saturday

The Westlake Lady Lions are set to defend their state title on Saturday, March 7 at the 2020 GHSA / Dr. Ralph Swearngin Basketball State Championships presented by Georgia Farm Bureau Insurance. If they capture the victory, it will be their third state championship win in a row. Westlake, ranked No. 1, will take on the No. 2-ranked Collins Hill Eagles at 5:30 p.m. In 2019, the Lions beat the Eagles 60-53 in the Class AAAAAAA girls final. As the Lions sets their sights on a likely three-peat, Westlake's Director of Athletics Carl Green says the team is "destined for greatness." Last year's champion game high-scorers return this year, Brianna Turnage (4), Raven "Hollywood" Johnson (25) and Lydia Freeman (55). The Lady Lion's stellar roster also includes: Carlyse Hooks (5), Olympia...
Four South Fulton County Basketball Teams Headed to the Elite 8
Schools, Sports

Four South Fulton County Basketball Teams Headed to the Elite 8

Four South Fulton County schools are headed to the Elite 8 after impressive performances in the second round of the Georgia High School Association basketball playoffs. The Westlake Lady Lions are one step closer to defending their title and winning their third state championship in a row. The team dominated in their Feb. 19 playoff game against Archer to secure a 71 to 30 point win. Raven "Hollywood" Johnson led with 19 points, followed by Ta'Niya Latson and Carlyse Hooks with 13 and 12 points respectively. They'll take on Norcross next at home on Tuesday, Feb. 25 at 6 p.m. Langston Hughes' boys basketball team claimed a 55 to 52 point victory over Valdosta. They'll take on Lanier on Feb. 25 at 7:30 p.m. Despite Heritage High's attempt in the third quarter to make a comeback, Lang...
Langston Hughes, Westlake Boys and Girls Teams Advance to the GHSA Sweet 16
Sports

Langston Hughes, Westlake Boys and Girls Teams Advance to the GHSA Sweet 16

The Georgia High School Association (GHSA) state playoffs kicked off last week. The girls and boys basketball teams at Langston Hughes High School and Westlake High School have advanced to the Sweet 16. The Westlake Lady Lions will welcome their next opponent at home on Feb. 19 at 6 p.m. The defending champions will take on Archer High. The boys team will head to Newton County on Feb. 20 at 7 p.m. Langston Hughes’ Lady Panthers will take on Heritage at home on Feb. 19 at 6:30 p.m. The boys team will head to Valdosta on Feb. 20 for a 7:30 p.m. game. In the games leading up to the Sweet 16, Langston Hughes’ boys team’s performance was among the most talked-about. The team trailed for most of the Feb. 15 game against Cambridge, but roared back in the fourth quarter, scoring 21 poi...
Langston Hughes, Westlake Girls Basketball Teams Advance to State Playoffs
Schools, Sports

Langston Hughes, Westlake Girls Basketball Teams Advance to State Playoffs

The City of South Fulton will have two girls basketball teams to root for during this year's Georgia High School Association's state playoffs. This weekend Langston Hughes High and Westlake High won their regional championships and advanced. Langston Hughes' Lady Panthers reclaimed their Region 5 - 6A Championship title with a 53 to 36 victory over Douglas County High School. Ta'Mia Stargell was named Player of the Year, and Coach Xavier Trice was named Coach of the Year. Westlake snagged a three-peat with their Region 2-7A win with a 68 to 46 victory over Campbell. Raven "Hollywood" Johnson was named Player of the Year. The Lady Lions, the defending state champions, will be trying for their third state championship in a row. The Georgia High School Association Basketball state ...
Where to Watch the Super Bowl in South Fulton
Events, Sports

Where to Watch the Super Bowl in South Fulton

Looking for a few ideas on where to watch Super Bowl LIV later today? We've got you covered. Here are a few hot spots in South Fulton to catch the matchup between the Kansas City Chiefs and San Francisco 49ers. Sandtown Pub's free watch party kicks off at 5 p.m. It's located at 5819 Campbellton Rd., SW, Suite 202. And if you want to celebrate at home with their popular wings, you can call in your takeout order at 678-904-7041. The Lady Stallions Kickball Team and the Men of Sandtown will get their party started at 5:30 p.m. at the Sandtown Center Clubhouse, 1510 Sand Bay Drive. The B.Y.O.B. community event is free with music by DJ Trixx and a 50/50 raffle. Cigaros of Georgia's Super Bowl viewing party starts at 6 p.m., doors open at 3 p.m. Admission is $10. Book a seat at 678-9...

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