By Greg Sullivan
Sports Editor

The Morgan County High School cheerleading program finished up their try-outs last week and coaches have now set rosters for their squads for next year.
"I am very excited about starting a new year and looking forward to the challenges competing in [Class] AAA will bring," said Morgan County cheerleading coach Heather Jenkins. "The girls are very enthusiastic and I have a wonderful group of parents to work with."
"We are all looking forward to seeing what the new season will bring," Jenkins said.
Next year's varsity cheerleading roster includes Shianna Adler, Melanie Barnett, Brandi Bell, Jordan Busbee, Cassie Chupp, Ashley Culp, Jaclyn Friesen, Sherrelle Harris, Brittany Harvey, Jessica Ketchum, Kristin Lindsey, Sara Lindsey, Hillary McKenzie, Shelby McLeod, Hannah PapRocki, Grace Pickett, Andi Richardson, Chelsea Smith, Renita Stinson, Lindsey Strozier, Emily Thomas, Anna Beth Vice and Regina Williams.
The varsity competition squad roster includes Barnett, Busbee, Chupp, Friesen, Ketchum, Kristin and Sara Lindsey, McKenzie, PapRocki, Richardson, Smith, Stinson, Strozier, Thomas and Williams.
The junior varsity cheerleading squad roster for next year includes Emily Barrett, Laura Margaret Burbach, Amanda Byrd, Kimberly Crowley, Haley Day, Lauren Everett, Melissa Gilliam, Brittany Hill, Ansley Hudgins, Samantha King, Carol Peppers and Reginique Stinson.

Special to the Citizen

Georgia's legendary coach and athletic director, Vince Dooley, brings his popular "book tour of Georgia" to Madison on Saturday, April 12.
Dooley is the special guest at Phil Cook Motor Company from 9:00-noon.
Four of his newest books will be autographed.  Fans may also purchase collectors' prints, caps, commemorative Coca Colas and the "Bulldog bottle popper," a new item on the market.  One of his books, "How Bout Them Dawgs," is written especially for children under age seven.
 "The tour is very popular across Georgia," said Sammy Smith, Dooley's publicist.  "It is gratifying to greet so many fans in so many towns.  He enjoys the stories and the photos as well.  Fans may also enjoy the artist's rendering of the Vince Dooley Plaza to be constructed on the university campus in his honor."
 For more information, contact Phil Cook Motor Company at 706.342-3800.

By Greg Sullivan
Sports Editor

With three straight wins under their belts going in, the JV Diamond Dogs didn't let the cold weather cool their bats as they out-slugged East Jackson 21-11 on the road Thursday night to extend their win streak to four and improve their record to 7-5.
The Dogs jumped ahead 8-1 in the second inning, and despite a relative stall for three innings offensively, they exploded for 12 runs in the final two innings to pick up the lop-sided win.
East Jackson was able to inch closer midway through, making the score 9-6 at one point, but with Morgan County's staggering offensive output East Jackson's threat was short-lived.
"It was miserably cold and we played like it was cold," said JV Dogs Head Coach Josh Reeves. "We played well enough to win, but we cannot continue to win games giving up 11 runs."
Reeves, however, said the team did have some things to be happy about in the sloppy win.
"It was a good team effort, staying in the game in the terrible conditions," Reeves said.
Zach Bryant was 2-2 with two RBI in the win.
The team hosted Oconee County on Tuesday. They visit Jackson on Thursday for their first of three straight road games.

By Greg Sullivan
Sports Editor

The Diamond Dogs are still in the thick of things in the region, but they missed a chance to really shake things up Friday night at North Oconee.
The Dogs were coming off a 10-8 win earlier in the week over Washington-Wilkes, the Dogs' third win in a row, but they couldn't keep things going against the Titans (8-4, 7-0), who remain unbeaten in region play.
Michael Vogel gave up five hits and no earned runs for North Oconee as the Dogs fell short 6-3 in Bogart. Justin Driscoll and Taylor Hicks each went 1-2 and had 2 RBI for the Titans.
Clay Duvall pitched five innings for the Dogs, allowing just four hits but five runs in a loss where the Dogs out-hit their opponent. His brother, Caleb, came in for the sixth allowing no earned runs in an inning.
Clay Duvall led the Dogs' effort at the plate, going 3 for 4. Bobby Patrick and Parker Cline both went 1-4 and had an RBI.
"Offensively, we hit the ball all night, but we couldn't get that key hit when we needed it," said Morgan County Head Coach Brandon Patch. "Even though we out-hit North in the game, they were able to get hits at the right time and that was the difference."
Patch said he thought Clay Duvall's pitching was a bright spot for his team in the game.
"Clay was really sharp in this game," Patch said. "He did a great job of changing speeds and keeping North off-balance. Our defense continues to improve. We allowed only one error and there were several fine defensive plays throughout the game."
The Dogs (5-7, 4-3) will look to bounce back from the tough loss with more region games this week. The Dogs hosted Oglethorpe on Tuesday, they visit Putnam on Thursday and host Greene County Monday at 5:30 p.m.

By Greg Sullivan
Sports Editor

The JV Diamond Dogs had one of their best weeks of the season last week, picking up two wins, one over Clarke Central and another at Alcovy.
In Friday's 14-4 win over Clarke Central in Madison, the JV Dogs looked sloppy early, but finished strong for a lop-sided victory.
Wesley Barrett got the win for the JV Dogs.
"He hit his spots all day," said JV Dogs Head Coach Josh Reeves.
Zach Shepherd went 1-1 with a 2-RBI triple in the final inning in Shepherd's first game back after a long stint on the disabled list due to illness.
"Our guys stepped up and did the things they need to do to get the win," Reeves said.
Earlier in the week, the team traveled to Alcovy and handed the JV Tigers a 10-7 loss.
Drew Stapleton went 2-3 with a home run and two RBI. Brian Green went 2-3 with a two-run homer. Daniel Stephens picked up the win for the JV Dogs.
"It was a good overall team effort," Reeves said. "We hit the ball well and made some key defensive plays."
The team travels to East Jackson on Thursday and follows that up with a home game this Friday with Newton County slated for 5:30 p.m.

By Greg Sullivan
Sports Editor

The Diamond Pups knocked off undefeated Youth on Friday, 6-5,  for their second win of the week and their fourth straight overall.
Dylan Peppers came up big for the Pups, getting the win on the mound and helping himself out at the plate with a two-run home run.
"He pitched a great game," said Pups Head Coach Brian Cousins of Peppers. "We took him out because he got hit twice. Otherwise, he would have stayed in."
After the second time a Youth batter knocked a ball off Peppers, while at the mound, Peppers came out of the game due to injury.
Roderick Rhodes relieved Peppers and later Fred Williams closed out the game and picked up the save.
"Fred came in and did a great job," Cousins said.
The win puts the Pups' record at 6-2, and their first loss of the year puts Youth's record at 6-1.
The Pups won't have much time to rest on their laurels, however, as Youth comes to Madison for a rematch on Thursday afternoon.
"It's going to be tough," Cousins said of the rematch. "It's basically for who's going to be in the driver's seat for our league."
The Pups then must play a double-header at Carver on Friday.
Last Tuesday the Pups hammered Greene 19-9 in Madison behind the pitching of Will Henry, Roderick Rhodes, Carter Shultz and Alex Harris. Offensively, several Pups got into the act. Cousins pointed to Billy Peters, Trenton Hawk and Dustin Taylor for having good games at the plate in the contest. Peppers had a double and a triple in the win.
"We hit the ball pretty well, but we needed to focus more on defense," Cousins said. Overall, though, he said it was a good win for the team.