Former Peachtree Ridge standout Cameron Heyward was selected in the first round of the NFL draft last week by the same team where his father was a star running back, the Pittsburgh Steeelers.
The Steelers used the 31st pick to select the Ohio State defensive lineman, son of Craig "Ironhead" Heyward
The 6-foot-5, 288-pound Heyward becomes the third former Buckeyes linebacker or defensive lineman selected by Pittsburgh over its past eight draft picks. The 6-foot-5, 288-pound Heyward was named to the all-Big Ten team as a senior.
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BOYS TRACK AND FIELD
Peachtree Ridge track and field standout Tom Tillman won five Region 7-AAAAA championships last week and broke his own region record in the 200 with a time of 21.35. He posted the third fastest time in the state this year in the 100, (10.59) and was also part of the winning 400 and 1,600 relay team that won the region title. And, oh by the way, he also won the long-jump championship one day earlier.
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That effort helped defending champion Peachtree Ridge finish second in the region track meet at Mill Creek on Tuesday. Mill Creek scored 138 points to win the region title and was followed by Peachtree Ridge (136), Norcross (96), North Gwinnett (64.5), Duluth (62), Meadowcreek (60), Collins Hill (49) and Mountain View (15.5).
With the top two finishers in each event qualifying for next week's state meet in Jefferson, the Lions also qualified Josh Bicknell, who won the 3,200 (9:26.60), and Matthew Cornwell, who was second in the 800 (2:00.14) and .
GIRLS TENNIS
Peachtree Ridge advanced to the quarterfinals of the Class AAAAA playoffs with a 3-0 shutout of visiting Alpharetta Tuesday. Jessica Northcutt and Mary Jeremiah triumphed at No. 1 and 2 singles respectively and Abby Owens and Ali Mills clinched the win with a vicory at No. 1 doubles.
But on Thursday, the Lions ran into a team that hadn't lost in 143 consecutive matches and wound up as the 144th notch on Walton's belt, 3-1.
Peachtree Ridge scored its only point when Mary Jeremiah dispatched Walton's Maxie Weinberg in straight sets at No. 2 singles. But Emily Zabor defeated Jessica Northcutt at No. 1 singles and Staphanie Falcon beat Jenna Kelly at No. 3 singles.
BOYS SOCCER
It took nine consecutive goals in a penalty kick shootout for Wheeler (11-4-1) to finally get the best of Peachtree Ridge (14-4) in the opening round of the Class AAAAA state soccer playoffs. Keeper Phillipe Dias knocked away Branden Green's shot on Peachtree Ridge's ninth attempt to preserve the victory.
BASEBALL
Mill Creek broke open a close ball game in the late innings Wednesday to route visiting Peachtree Ridge 19-9. David Bonin sparked the offense for Mill Creek (18-6, 13-4), which has already clinched the top spot in Region 7-AAAAA, with three hits, including a homer and three RBI. Connor Kasten also had three hits for Mill Creek.
Billy Best provided much of the offense for the Lions (12-13, 8-9) with a homer, three hits and four RBI.
On Friday, Peachtree Ridge battled its way into the state baseball playoffs for the first time in school history by beating Norcross 6-4.
Brett Polachek, inserted in the game in the second inning to provide some defense for the Lions, instead sparked the offense with two key hits and five RBI. Polachek launched a three-run homer in the bottom of the fifth inning and added a two-run single in the sixth to give the Lions (13-13, 9-9) the lead for good.
COLLINS HILL
GIRLS SOCCER
Region 7-AAAAA champion Collins Hill defeated Woodstock 4-2 Tuesday in the opening round of the state playoffs. It took the Eagles just 12 seconds to score their first goal as Mariah Dickey took the opening kickoff, raced down the sideline and fired a shot that found the goal. With the win, Collins Hill (12-6) will advance to the second round for the first time in five years.
BOYS LACROSSE
Collins Hill dropped a 5-3 decision to host North Forsyth on Tuesday. Zac Kennedy and Holin Axley scored goals for Collins Hill.
BASEBALL
On Wednesday, David Matton homered and Alex Raffensperger and Edward Willemse each added a pair of hits as Duluth routed Collins Hill 13-3 to clinch the second seed in Region 7-AAAAA. Zac Erwin pitched five innings to earn the win for the Wildcats (17-9, 11-7).
On Friday, Mountain View's Beau Blair tossed a three-hitter as Mountain View closed out its season with a 4-2 win over host Collins Hill. Blair demonstrated excellent control in walking just one and striking or seven.
Forrest Girardeau paced the Bears offense with two hits.
NORTH GWINNETT
GIRLS SOCCER
Lauren Harriman scored three goals Tuesday as defending state champion North Gwinnett blanked Etowah 4-0 in the opening round of the AAAAA state soccer tournament.
The fourth-ranked Bulldogs (16-3) launched 20 shots on goal, but an alert Etowah keeper Kaleigh Clark recorded 13 saves.
BOYS TRACK AND FIELD
North Gwinnett won two Region 7-AAAAA championships at Mill Creek last week and finished fourth in the team standings.
The Bulldogs' Kilaro Lewis was crowned champion in the 110 hurdles with a time of 14.93 to nip Mountain View's Marquis Palmer (14.95). Andres Lettig won the 800 for North, posting a time of 1:58.71 to finish ahead of Peachtree Ridge's Matthew Cornwell (2:00.14). Joe Horn finished second in the 200 with a time of 22.07.
With their performances, Lewis, Lettig and Horn all advance to the state tournament.
BASEBALL
Norcross pitcher Chris Raasch had a no-hitter going through three innings Wednesday, but North batters blew it wide open with a five runs on six hits in the fourth inning en route to a 10-0 win in front of the home fans.
Meanwhile, Raasch's counterpart, pitcher Jordan Brown, fashioned a six-inning shutout, allowing just two hits and striking out eight.
Cole Willoughby got the Bulldogs' offense started with a two-run double in the fourth. North added two runs in the fifth and ended the game with three more in the sixth.
On Friday, North was on the receiving end of an offensive outburst. Region 7-AAAAA champion Mill Creek routed the Bulldogs 14-3 in the regular season finale for both teams.
Leading 12-3 in the sixth, Mill Creek put the game away on a two-run homer by Casey Parham. Jerad Curry belted two home runs and four RBI. Chandler Boyd chipped in with two doubles and scored a pair of runs.
Zach Nolan went 2-for-3 to lead North (14-12, 9-9)
GIRLS LACROSSE
Host North Gwinnett treated their visitors, Norcross, with very little respect Wednesday, beating the Blue Devils 17-3, behind six goals from Ashleigh Clark. Lauren Aycock scored four times for the Bulldogs. Katie Verret scored three goals and Nina Hill added two.
The Bulldogs (9-8,4-3) returned to action on Friday and battled their way into the state playoffs, beating Brookwood 7-4. Ashleigh Clark had two goals and an assist to lead the Bulldogs. Goal keeper Mehndi Patel saved nine shots.
BOYS LACROSSE
Adam Printz's four goals weren't enough Wednesday as host Norcross edged North Gwinnett 9-8. Ronnie Adams added a pair of goals for the Bulldogs.
But North battled back on Friday to close out the season on a winning note by beating visiting Brookwood 11-6. The Bulldogs finished the year 7-9. Ronnie Adams and Adam Printz led North with three goals. Nico Helper and Aron Amin added one goal each. Tony Teta had nine saves at keeper.
GIRLS LACROSSE
Host North Gwinnett (9-8, 4-3) advanced to the state playoffs Friday, beating Brookwood 7-4. Ashleigh Clark had two goals and an assist to lead the Bulldogs.
Kylee Thurman each scored a goal for North and gaol keeper Mehndi Patel saved nine shots.
