Turkey season will be here before the end of the month, so don't wait until the last minute to take a hunter education course, reminds the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Wildlife Resources Division (WRD). The hunting season for wild turkeys begins on Saturday, March 25 and runs through Saturday, May 15.

The Ford Tour de Georgia and its Board of Directors presented a check to the Georgia Cancer Coalition today for $50,000, resulting from net proceeds following the 2005 event.

Starr's Mill's varsity girls soccer team picked up their first win of the season on Thursday by defeating Chapel Hill 3-1. Goals were scored by Gina Goforth, Emily Stevens and Tannah Castro. Goforth and Steven also had an assist a piece in the game, as did Carly Banks. Goalkeeper Allie Matulia made seven saves.

Friday’s games - Boys - AAAAA

• Starr’s Mill (13-15) vs. Beach (22-5), 7 p.m.
The Panthers will need to channel the spirit that helped them advance to the region 4-AAAAA championship if they are to win this game. During their impressive run in the tournament, the Panthers made key free throws and remained patient on offense, while also playing extremely well on the boards.

The soccer season is underway as teams participated in pre-season jamborees and then officially got started on Tuesday night.

Newnan School of Gymnastics competed in the “Sparkle City Invitational” in Spartanburg, SC on Feb. 5.

The McIntosh boys varsity lacrosse team opened their season at Kennesaw Mountain this week.

This year’s second-season squad plans on continuing the quick “Ball Movement Offense” improving on their surprising 16-38 2005 final ranking among varsity programs in Georgia, but it will not be without some interesting challenges.

Steve Kidd has been on the bench coaching student athletes in softball, baseball and basketball for 30 years, sometimes coaching all three in a season.

On Feb. 4, McIntosh High School’s soccer program hosted a “Super Skills” Clinic for both boys and girls in grades 4 through 8 from 9 a.m.

The McIntosh JV Chiefs had a very successful season for first year coach Scott Stone.

The state basketball tournaments will begin this Friday and there are six local teams participating, all with dreams of achieving state glory.

The state wrestling championships took place at the Arena at Gwinnett Center last weekend and a number of local wrestlers represented their schools well.

The Starr’s Mill Lady Panthers swim team placed 19th and captured two individual state championships in the Class AAAAA state swimming championships. Junior Lauren Cartwright took home the gold in the 200 individual medley (203.81), successfully defending her title from last year, and in the 100 butterfly (55.95). Both of her times were good enough to earn her All-American status.

Northgate’s Chase Smith looks like the All-American boy: clean cut, articulate and polite. He is a good student and an even better leader. In fact, he’s the kid every football coach wants his daughter to bring home for dinner. So are Fayette County’s Kip Rossi, Starr’s Mill’s Chad Gloer and Sandy Creek’s Tyler Betsill. These four young men just happen to represent the 2005 edition of what is often referred to by college recruiters as “tweeners.” I’d prefer to call this group, “The Four Horsemen of High School.” They are record-breakers, play-makers, and name-takers. However, according to the recruiters, they are also too small, too slow, and too short to play college football. Or, are they?

• Peachtree City’s Ed Clark placed second in the Masters and Roadsters race at Atlanta Motor Speedway in the fifth Winter Flurry race of the season. Fayetteville’s Trey Maughan placed second in the Bandolero Young Guns/Outlaws race, while his father, Don, placed 10th. Brooks’ Billy Fulson placed second in the semi-pro race, while Matt Dooley, also from Brooks, placed 13th in the Bandolero Bandits race.

The McIntosh Chiefs have a new head football coach.

Dwight Jones, who coached the Northside, Columbus Patriots to a 9-3 record and the second round of the AAA state playoffs this year, has accepted the job at the Peachtree City school. Jones has been coaching football in Georgia and Alabama for 26 years. His first head football coaching job was in 1990 at Russell County High School in Alabama. He coached there for five years before coaching Hardaway High School for six years, Auburn, Alabama High School for one year and Northside, Columbus for the last four years.

The state wrestling championships took place at the Arena at Gwinnett Center last weekend and a number of local wrestlers represented their schools well.

BASKETBALL

Friday, Feb. 17
First round of State Playoffs

Saturday, Feb. 18
First round of state playoffs

The Soccer Centre in Fayetteville will host the 15th annual 4 A-Side Championship Series on Presidents’ Day (Feb. 20, 2006). The large field at The Centre is divided into three smaller fields and along with the small arena allow four games to be played simultaneously. Each team is guaranteed at least six , eight minute long games. For more information, visit the web site at: www.soccercentre.info or call the Centre at 770-460-8785.

Home Plate will be offering a baseball camp starting Monday, Feb. 20 - Thursday, Feb. 23 from 9 a.m. to Noon. The cost is $125/ athlete. Ages 6 - 12 can participate. All aspects of baseball will be covered from pitching, fielding, catching, and hitting as well as situational plays. You will get better and you will have fun. The coaches at Home Plate want you to be ready for Spring Baseball. Call Home Plate at 404-316-3557 to register.

The Wendell Coffee Golf Center will host a junior golf camp, Feb. 20-23. The camp is open to children ages 6-14 for a fee of $175. The camp begins eah day with warm ups at 8:30 a.m. and will feature work on the swing, short game and putting before lunch. The students will then play nine holes on the par three course. Phone 770-969-4469 for more information or to register.

Big League Baseball registrations for ages 16-18 will be taken through March 17. All registrants will be placed on teams. Season Apr. 16 – June 11. Teams play in the south metro Atlanta area. For information call 770-487-8081 or go to: www.eteamz.com/ga4LLB “Handouts.”

AAU Basketball Tryouts for ages Under 13 Boys and Under 11Girls, Mondays and Thursdays from 6-8 p.m., Feb. 9 thru March 30 at Riverdale Christian Church Gym, 1064 Bethsaida Road, Riverdale Ga. Boys Contact: Marq Northington 404-405-2521 or Jerry Jones at 770-312-4378. Girls Contact: Tyler Jones at 404- 542-6482 or Terry Jones at 770- 312-4378

Home Plate invites the public to use their batting cages from 3-8 p.m. any Friday night for a charge of $5. Pizza is included. Home Plate is located at 297 Dividend Drive in Peachtree City. Phone 404-316-3557 for more information.

Hatha Yoga classes with instructor Flo Winship will be offered at Peachtree City’s Kedron Aquatic Center, room # 2. Classes meet 9:15 -10:30 a.m. Choose Tuesdays (once a week) or Thursdays (once a week); or come twice a week at a higher (but discounted), price. Sessions run approximately 8 to 11 weeks, depending on happy holiday interruptions. Classes include breathing, movement, asana, meditation, also music, laughter, and herbal tea. A sticky mat is necessary. Beginners are encouraged to observe and practice at their own pace. Experienced students are invited to discuss and demonstrate how this ancient and varied discipline has influenced their lives. Phone 770-631-2525, 2553 or 2542 for more information.

The Coweta County recreation Department will offer Baton Twirling with Angela Tinsley on Mondays beginning on Jan. 9. Classes for ages 5-8 will take place from 4:30-5:30 p.m., while ages 9 and up will meet from 5:45-6:45 p.m.The fee is $40 per month. Phone 770-254-3740 for more information.

The Tyrone Recreation Department is offering a wide variety of classes this fall including rhythmic gymnastics (Wednesday evenings), Pilates (Monday mornings or Thursday evenings), Tai Chi (Tuesday evenings) and Ladies Total Body Workout (Tuesday and Thursday evenings). Classes are held in the Roger Spencer Community Center. Phone 770-487-4694 or visit www.tyrone.org/recreation for more information.

The Fayette County Box Lacrosse Association is proud to offer the game of Women’s Box Lacrosse and Men’s Box Lacrosse for the fall/winter season. This is open to girls and boys in grades 2-12. No experience is necessary. Play runs through Feb. 4. There will be two sessions per week consisting of skill building and scrimmaging. The games will take place at the Kedron All-Purpose Rink in Peachtree City. The registration fee is $100 and includes a hooded sweatshirt and there is a $20 fee for grades 8 and under and a $35 fee for grades 9-12. Visit fayettelax.com for more information.

The All American Cage Classic Tournament is looking for all AAU, YBOA, USSSA travel teams as well as public and private middle schools, junior varsity and varsity basketball programs to participate on March 17-19 at the University of South Florida in Tampa, FL. For more information visit www.aacctournaments.com or contact Regional Director David Montgomery at 813 610-7812 or via email at dmonty69@aol.com.

The Ten Star All Star Basketball Camp is accepting applications. The camp is by invitation only and is open to boys and girls ages 10-19.