By Allen Hamrick
Fall sports have came to a close, and time has ushered in the winter sports of basketball and wrestling for the 2015-2016 season. So, break out the field jackets, mukluks and hand warmers
because it’s time for some hard court basketball and bone crushing wrestling. The Lady Panthers are gearing up and will have speed and strength under the glass. Coach Mary Ramsey and Assistant Coach Christy Fitzwater bring all their experience to whip the team into shape, and there’s no doubt they will be ready. They have some veterans returning to the dance as well as some new blood coming off of a great season from CCMS. The Panthers are coming off a pretty good season from last year and hope to renew the fire. After losing some great players to graduation, the Panthers will have to fill those shoes. It looks as though they will have the speed and perhaps will bring back the power under the hoop. New players have come onto the court and will challenge even the strongest under the hoop for rebound dominance. Outside the ring, they will have sharp shooters who can scratch the net with ease.
The Lady Mustangs will be attempting to hold onto their championship title for yet another year. With new coach Krechella Evans stepping up to the helm with her style of coaching, the Lady Mustangs will be tough to beat. They have some big spots that will have to be filled after some of last year’s team moved up to Lady Panthers. There is no doubt Coach Evans and Assistant Coach Eric Cole will have the girls ready. Basketball fans from all over the county will be there to root on the Panthers, Lady Panthers, Mustangs and Lady Mustangs in their bids for basketball glory.
The CCMS Mustang wrestling dynasty is back on the menu for the 2015 season. Coach Bob Morris has stepped up to the coaching plate and will bring the best of CCMS wrestling to the floor. Wrestling has and always will be a major part of the schedule for sports action in the county. Many greats have sweated and took their lumps at CCMS before having their hand held high as state champions. Coach Morris will no doubt give them what they need to succeed. Once again the CCHS wrestling team under Coach Geoff Hamrick will make war on the floor with attitudes that rival those of the famed Navy Seals. Coach Hamrick, who has competed in world running competitions, brings his form of high intensity work outs to the practices. He is not a coach that dictates the workout; he trains right alongside his team. These training methods are not for the faint of heart, and only the cream of the crop can withstand the intensity. CCHS finest have stepped up to the challenge and are taking the workouts to the upper levels to become one of the finest wrestling teams in school history. They are challenged every practice in the techniques of wrestling and with learning new and improved methods. They live by the rule that Patrick Henry uttered a long time ago during a time when honor and teamwork meant something in this country,” The harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph.” So, when their adversary seems to be greater, Panther wrestling will break out the knuckle drag and settle into the business of pummeling. There is no doubt that the 2015-2016 Panthers will hold up high the honor and tradition of Clay County High School Wrestling by giving a hundred percent to the six minutes of all out war on the floor. When you get opportunity this season, get out and support each team. They may very well be the last of a breed of youth that can handle the extremes of wrestling dominance as only the strong can handle it. All basketball and wrestling teams are on the front line of unbending fury; let’s get out and support them this season.
