The Daily Citizen, Dalton, GA Sports Columns

Jamie Jones: The Rock’s movie gets rocked in review

2012-02-10T08:02:26-05:00

Here are the notes and news items from the week in pro wrestling: Diamond Dallas Page may appear on episodes on WWE’s new YouTube channel.

What's Going On?: Cats can wrap up top seed

2012-02-06T08:00:00-05:00

Dalton High’s boys haven’t been perfect on the basketball court this season. Some of their wins haven’t been pretty, and they have some inexplicable losses — some because of whom they came to, some because of the margin of defeat — although rivalry games tend to dispel with all logic.

Doug Hawley: New cause for old race

2012-02-04T23:36:07-05:00

The 25th annual Dalton St. Patrick’s Day Road Race — the two-mile event is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. on March 15 at First Presbyterian Church (510 S. Tibbs Road) — will have a special flavor.

Jamie Jones: Sgt. Slaughter salutes troops

2012-02-03T08:00:08-05:00

Here are the notes and news items from the week in pro wrestling: And that’s an order, J.R.!

Chris Whitfield: Big part of the team

2012-01-30T23:06:04-05:00

A lot of times in the world of high school athletics, we get caught up in recruiting profiles, individual stars with statistics that set people to thinking of the next level and that one athlete with lots of stars beside his name on some website.
However, the true value of high school athletics is not in the opportunity to move on and play at the next level, and it is hardly ever about publicity. Indeed, according to the NCAA, only 5.7 percent of all high school football players will ever compete at the collegiate level, and that includes everything from Division III to the Bowl Championship Series. The numbers are slightly better in baseball with 6.1 percent making the jump from high school to college. Basketball for boys and girls is even worse, hovering around 3.1 percent.
No, the true value of high school sports comes in the lessons learned from hard work, team building, leadership skills and blending diversity together for a common cause.

What's Going On: The mats have no memories

2012-01-29T22:29:23-05:00

High school wrestling’s traditional postseason is unforgiving, and the next three weekends will provide plenty of examples as to why one of the best things about wrestling can also be one of the worst if you’re not at your best.
Had a great regular season? Doesn’t matter.
You’re a senior with three area titles? Nobody cares.
Undefeated? That will help your seeding. It will not walk out on the mat and win any matches for you.

Loran Smith: The way I remember Joe Paterno

2012-01-28T23:39:58-05:00

Perhaps Joe Paterno stayed too long. Presidents and coaches, even when they do good things, become too familiar with their constituency.

Jamie Jones: Dibiase down but not out

2012-01-27T08:15:36-05:00

Here are the notes and news items from the week in pro wrestling: Ted DiBiase — not “The Million Dollar Man” — broke his wrist last week at a WWE house show. Despite the bad break, DiBiase is considering wrestling through the injury.

Chris Whitfield: A 'fair' take on the state of Class A

2012-01-26T08:15:15-05:00

There is just one Class A program among the eight high schools that participate in athletics in Murray and Whitfield counties, and Christian Heritage won’t even compete in the Georgia High School Association until next year. But recent moves by the GHSA to split private and public schools in Class A during the postseason could affect the entire state.

What's Going On: Hardwood heating up this week

2012-01-22T22:50:55-05:00

As the prep basketball regular season is swiftly coming to a close, those who coach and follow high school sports lapse into clichés this time of the year.
“Every game matters more and more.”
“It’s not so much how many you win as much as when you win them.”
“We want to be playing our best basketball when it matters most.”
“This team is really starting to gel and playing with confidence.”
“It’s do-or-die time.”