Bruton Panthers Sports

Field Hockey Avenges Last Years Loss to Jamestown

The Bruton Field Hockey team took a shaky start to their district record, with 3 straight losses to Bay Rivers opponents. However, the girls are not worrid as the losses came from Tabb, the second ranked team in the Nation, and Grafton and Lafayette who are both among the top of the district. A loss to the rival Jamestown Eagles on Monday would have hindered their chances at a regional appearance. However, the girls took that pressure and used it to take out the Eagles with a 5-4 win in overtime.

The Panthers took an early playoff exit thanks to the Jamestown Eagles last year. In a close game, the Panthers fell, leaving their surprisingly successful season behind them. The girls looked for revenge against their formidable foe that removed them from the playoff realm.

The game was very "back-and-forth." The Eagles took an early lead, scoring the game's first goal. Junior Nichole James responded with a stroke, tying the game. The Eagles came back with a goal of their own to take the lead once again. Sophomore Carley Shannon connected on another stroke to tie the game once again. However, the Eagles came back strong to score to goals, and took a two goal lead. As time ran out, the Panthers hopes for revenge looked slim, as did a regional appearance. However, Senior co-captains Kelly Abbinanti and Hannah Uvodich led the team out of the trenches to force the game into overtime. The Panthers scored twice within the last 5 minutes of regulation. In overtime, junior Abbey Cole scored to put the Panthers ahead for the first and last time in the game. The final score 5-4.

 

Girls Volleyball struggles as they fall to Jamestown

The girls volleyball team had a very impressive early match against the defending state champion Grafton Clippers. Since then, the team has struggled, getting shut out by Warhill, Tabb, and Jamestown. I know the girls can compete with the toughest teams in the district so these losses are inexplicable. Instead of interpreting these games with my volleyball IQ, which is well below par, I'm going to use basic sport's knowledge.
This girls volleyball team has a lot of talent; far more than any Bruton team I've seen in the past years. Yet, they continue to fail, similar to their predesescors. The girls lack the ability to win (which, I repeat, is a very underrated ability in sports). This is caused by miscommunication and lack of confidence. When I see other teams play against Bruton, they hit with a certain confidence, a certain purpose that drives their win. Like any sport, if this is missing from a team, that team will fail. The Bruton girls do not have sufficient confidence. They can never know what type of hit to use, which causes error, and ultimately loses the game. The players need to build confidence in themselves before they can succeed. This confidence will lead to better communication, which will lead to what everyone wants to see, wins.

Bruton football takes on cross-town rival

e Some say that Friday's game against the Lafayette Rams is the biggest game of the year, or even the decade. In my 4 years of watching Bruton sports, I have never experienced this much anticipation for any game. 

Bruton Panthers vs. Smithfield Packers pictures

 

Field Hockey Wins York Invitational

The Bruton field hockey team was very busy this summer to prepare for the upcoming season including an international camp, several out-of-district games, which they won with ease, and the York Invitational. The girls went 4-0 in the tournament and won the championship.

Bruton football wins season opener

The first home game of the season is nerver-wracking for any team, even at the professional level. It showed as the Panthers first home game consisted of several fumbles and penalties. Despite the first game jitters, the Panthers pulled out a -_____ win over the Smithfield Packers.
The first half was slow; and the games first drive was even slower taking up most of of the first quarter. Senior Brad Burks ran in the touchdown for the first one of the game. After several back-and-forth series, the half ended with a score 7-0.
The Packers started with the ball in the second half, but Junior safety Donovan Wade ripped possession with an interception. Sophomore quarterback Bilal Wallace ran in his first rushing quarterback of the season to put the Panthers up 14-0.
The defense held strong throughout the game even on the goal line, forcing a turnover on the 2 yard line. The defense has yet to be scored on this season.
Great day to be a Panther.

Bruton football dominates first game of season

After hurricane Irene delayed Fridays game, the boys traveled to Emporia Monday for their game against the Greensville Eagles. Senior Troy Coffen said, "the postponement gave me time to get ready mentally." It showed as the Panthers went on to win 28-0.
After an almost even first quarter, sophomore Bilal Wallace threw his first touchdown as a Panther on a fourth down conversion. De'Arius Olvis scored his first touchdown of the season with an impossible catch.
Seniors Brent Spencer and Brad Burks and junior Kajoun Johnson led the Panther offense to set up Wallace's second touchdown mid-second quarter to junior Scott Frazier. Frazier, a co-captain, injured his hamstring on the play and did not return in the second half. The Panther defense ended a near flawless half of football with an interception for junior safety Donovan Wade. The Panthers led 14-0 at the half.
One play into the second half the Eagles fumbled, recovered by defensive end Troy Coffen. Spencer responded with a huge run on the offensive end. Sophomore Kapri Ducet delivered the touchdown on 20 yard run. Ducet was not done delivering blows to the Eagles. What looked to be a huge gain for Greensville turned into an interception by Ducet. The sophomore later ran coast to coast for a touchdown on a punt return, however the play was penalized for clipping. The penalty did not phase the Panthers as Olvis ran a 60 yard wide receiver sweep for a touchdown. Spencer deserves much kudos for his amazing blocking on the play.
Senior Lincoln Kartchner connected on all of his extra point attempts as the Panthers record the first one of the season. It's a great day to be a Panther!

Softball headed to districts

In a school where spring sports have little success, the Bruton Softball team has turned the fortunes of the season around. The girls are headed to the district tournament as a number six seed. They will face number 3 seed York who they lost both times to in the regular season.

Physicals offered June 2

Sports physicals will be offered for rising ninth graders through rising seniors in the main gym at Bruton HS on Thursday, June 2 from 6 to 8 pm for the 2011-12 school year. The cost is $15. Parents are encouraged to be present to fill out the new VHSL physical form. Form may also be downloaded off of the athletic web site or at VHSL.org.

Softball defeats Smithfield

The Bruton Softball team dominated their game against the Smithfield Packers, taking the game 8-0.