Sports Brief: Soccer boys aim for the district win

Although the boys’ soccer team has had a rough season with an overall 1-11 record, they are hoping to turn this around with a tradition that has continued for many years in the past.

“Whoever wins the season always loses district,” junior Domenic Martini said.

Relying on this slim chance, on top scorer sophomore Josh Ballard, and on coach Layne Hardin, the Panthers are kicking their heels up with the hope of improving their season by winning district championships.

Sports Brief: Baseball goes for complete district streak

Many people at Bartlett know that the baseball team is one of the best in the state: They have proceeded to state championships since 2006, and won the title in 2007. However, what some Panther fans may NOT know is that Bartlett has not lost a single game to any opponents in District 14-AAA since 2006. To round out the streak, the Panthers plan to grind the Bolton Wildcats into the dust in their next two games April 27-28.

The other schools in the district include Raleigh-Egypt, Arlington, Millington Central, Craigmont, and Cordova. The Panthers have played against each team twice and won both times.

Bowling team pins hopes on district win

They don’t tackle; they don’t score goals; they don’t swing bats; and they certainly don’t dribble the ball.  The bowling team may not play like other sports, but they are definitely striking out—that’s a good thing—and heading into the second half of district competition.

Both the boys’ and the girls’ teams have already completed two rounds of districts.  On Wednesday, Dec. 2 the boys faced Germantown and the girls went head to head with Cordova.  Both teams won.

During the second round on Thursday, Dec. 3, both teams opposed archrival Bolton High, but only the boys came out victorious.  On Tuesday, Dec. 8 they will challenge Germantown once again.

With these two victories to boost their confidence, the boys have no doubt that they will come out on top.

“If we just play our game, we’ll definitely win district,” junior Conor Hillock said.

On another note, although the girls lost against Bolton, they are not yet out for the count.  On Dec. 8 they will tackle Millington, and this match will determine their fate in the remainder of district championships.

The teams’ skills this year are a complete reversal from last season.  Last year the girls were undefeated in districts, and the boys won hardly any games.  However, both teams have played to win, and they have done exactly that, even if the girls have not won as much as the boys.

“It’s been difficult this year,” freshman Kourtney Little said.  “We’ve lost a lot of our seniors.  It’s like a build-up year for us; we’ve got a lot of freshmen.”

This fact becomes obvious when one knows that the girls only beat Collierville and Germantown before going to districts.  However, with help from Little and freshman Courtney Gable, the team may be able to pull through districts.

“I’ve done league bowling since I was five years old,” Little said.  “League bowling helps you build sportsmanship and prepares you for whatever you would face in a match.”

Senior Stephanie Klink, a first-year bowler, recognizes the importance of knowing each other’s abilities when playing on a team, and also how difficult playing against another team can be.

“You bowl with [your team] more on a regular basis,” Klink said, “and it’s a little challenging.  When you’re going up against a team from another school, you’re not sure exactly what to look forward to.”

Despite their tough season, though, head coach Art Thompson remains confident in the players’ abilities.

“I’m so proud of everybody,” Thompson said.  “Nobody has given up.  Everybody’s really pulled together as a team.  This is probably the closest team we’ve had in the last three years.”

The third round of districts will take place Tuesday, Dec. 8 at AllStar Lanes at the corner of White Station and Quince.  The team will be looking for support from students and faculty during this last stretch of matches.  If they are successful, they will progress to the fourth round on Wednesday, Dec. 9.