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January 2011
Varsity Girls Basketball
by Jack Key
Brookstone’s Lady Cougars basketball team had a rough start in their 2010-2011 season. They came out strongly against First Presbyterian Day School with a memorable backward layup from Delaney Poydasheff but unfortunately, they came up short.
Like the boys team, the Lady Cougars had a coaching change this year. Head coach Debbie Ball, who stepped into the shoes of Todd Stanfill, is doing a great job with an offense that entails quick passing and constant motion. Senior Sara Hatcher, initially anxious about the transition, says, “It’s been tough because we’re a very young team, yet this will be a good learning year for the younger girls.”
Young or not, the team has goals. Last year, the Lady Cougars concluded a hard-fought season with only five wins against stiff competition. This year’s objective is to win at least 10 games.
Behind the upperclassman support of Poydasheff, Bianca Brown, Sara Hatcher and Mary Stamper Grogan, there are seven significant underclassmen: Neshia Thomas, Kali Spitzmiller, Taylor Timmons, Ciara Vance, Caroline Sparks, Rachel Moore and Tayler Townsend.
Ball, assisted by coach Sally Bradley, had the advantage of coaching many of these young athletes on Brookstone’s softball team this year, a fact which has helped the transition.
by Jack Key
Brookstone’s Lady Cougars basketball team had a rough start in their 2010-2011 season. They came out strongly against First Presbyterian Day School with a memorable backward layup from Delaney Poydasheff but unfortunately, they came up short.
Like the boys team, the Lady Cougars had a coaching change this year. Head coach Debbie Ball, who stepped into the shoes of Todd Stanfill, is doing a great job with an offense that entails quick passing and constant motion. Senior Sara Hatcher, initially anxious about the transition, says, “It’s been tough because we’re a very young team, yet this will be a good learning year for the younger girls.”
Young or not, the team has goals. Last year, the Lady Cougars concluded a hard-fought season with only five wins against stiff competition. This year’s objective is to win at least 10 games.
Behind the upperclassman support of Poydasheff, Bianca Brown, Sara Hatcher and Mary Stamper Grogan, there are seven significant underclassmen: Neshia Thomas, Kali Spitzmiller, Taylor Timmons, Ciara Vance, Caroline Sparks, Rachel Moore and Tayler Townsend.
Ball, assisted by coach Sally Bradley, had the advantage of coaching many of these young athletes on Brookstone’s softball team this year, a fact which has helped the transition.
Varsity Boys Basketball
by Jack Key
The Cougars have once again had a strong start to their basketball season. Although there was a little anxiety after Robert Moore’s exit to Columbus State University, coach Todd Stanfill – whose last team at Brookstone made a healthy run through the early brackets of the state tournament – returned without missing a beat. “The team has made it really easy for me,” says Stanfill. “They are all good guys and play well.”
The players have a similar attitude toward Stanfill. Senior Ben Page says, “Coach Stanfill has been great. It’s been a really smooth transition between these coaches.” Something is going right because the team’s first two victories came against First Presbyterian Day School and Columbus High.
Even with the loss of players like Simon Brooks, Jack Warrenand Brian Vogler, the Cougars are playing with incredible gusto. Stanfill attributes this to the experience of the seven returning players who started last year. Concerning their goals for the season, the Cougars remain humble. Stanfill says his objective for the season is to “get the guys playing well enough so they can be competitive and ultimately keep winning games.”
Seniors Ben Page, Nick Eagle and Steve Williams are striving for a winning season after last year’s 11-14 record. Williams says, “This is our last shot, so every time we’re going all out.” The Cougars have some tough games ahead, but the team has a winning attitude. Eagle adds, “Every time I hit the court, I’m giving 210 percent. I just play like I’m insane.”
by Jack Key
The Cougars have once again had a strong start to their basketball season. Although there was a little anxiety after Robert Moore’s exit to Columbus State University, coach Todd Stanfill – whose last team at Brookstone made a healthy run through the early brackets of the state tournament – returned without missing a beat. “The team has made it really easy for me,” says Stanfill. “They are all good guys and play well.”
The players have a similar attitude toward Stanfill. Senior Ben Page says, “Coach Stanfill has been great. It’s been a really smooth transition between these coaches.” Something is going right because the team’s first two victories came against First Presbyterian Day School and Columbus High.
Even with the loss of players like Simon Brooks, Jack Warrenand Brian Vogler, the Cougars are playing with incredible gusto. Stanfill attributes this to the experience of the seven returning players who started last year. Concerning their goals for the season, the Cougars remain humble. Stanfill says his objective for the season is to “get the guys playing well enough so they can be competitive and ultimately keep winning games.”
Seniors Ben Page, Nick Eagle and Steve Williams are striving for a winning season after last year’s 11-14 record. Williams says, “This is our last shot, so every time we’re going all out.” The Cougars have some tough games ahead, but the team has a winning attitude. Eagle adds, “Every time I hit the court, I’m giving 210 percent. I just play like I’m insane.”
October 2010
Brookstone Softball
by Taylor Hollingsworth
“Age is an issue of mind over matter,” a popular phrase coined by Mark Twain, is certainly exemplified by the Brookstone varsity fastpitch softball players through their success on the field.
With a team of seven sophomores (Kathleen Chancellor, Sydney Weaver, Claire Galbraith, Crawford Pierson, Taylor Timmons, Natalie Morris and Heather Harris) and five freshmen (Kali Spitzmiller, Graysen Sanders, Tayler Townsend, Caroline Sparks and Juliana Caligaris), the Lady Cougars have won several games and plan to bring in more victories.
Head coach Debbie Ball, a Chattahoochee Valley Hall of Famer with 584 wins to her credit, speaks highly of her players’ success. “They come to practice and work hard every day realizing this is not playtime, but a time to work and improve,” she says. “All I expect is for them to expect to win.”
Coach Ball knows the key to their success is mental toughness but understands this toughness comes with age. Because this team has shown leadership and determination among opposing juniors and seniors, Coach Ball is proud of their efforts. While the Lady Cougars have an exceptional amount of talent, three sophomores stand out. Harris, Timmons and Weaver play on a skill level that has been a contributing factor to the team’s success.
The Lady Cougars aim to make it to the Elite Eight in the playoffs and possibly further. Considering the successful road they have paved thus far, their ambition seems well within grasp.
Fans and coaches are impressed with the accomplishments of the players, yet they keep in mind that the team is young and will only get better, smarter, faster and stronger.
by Taylor Hollingsworth
“Age is an issue of mind over matter,” a popular phrase coined by Mark Twain, is certainly exemplified by the Brookstone varsity fastpitch softball players through their success on the field. With a team of seven sophomores (Kathleen Chancellor, Sydney Weaver, Claire Galbraith, Crawford Pierson, Taylor Timmons, Natalie Morris and Heather Harris) and five freshmen (Kali Spitzmiller, Graysen Sanders, Tayler Townsend, Caroline Sparks and Juliana Caligaris), the Lady Cougars have won several games and plan to bring in more victories.
Head coach Debbie Ball, a Chattahoochee Valley Hall of Famer with 584 wins to her credit, speaks highly of her players’ success. “They come to practice and work hard every day realizing this is not playtime, but a time to work and improve,” she says. “All I expect is for them to expect to win.”
Coach Ball knows the key to their success is mental toughness but understands this toughness comes with age. Because this team has shown leadership and determination among opposing juniors and seniors, Coach Ball is proud of their efforts. While the Lady Cougars have an exceptional amount of talent, three sophomores stand out. Harris, Timmons and Weaver play on a skill level that has been a contributing factor to the team’s success.
The Lady Cougars aim to make it to the Elite Eight in the playoffs and possibly further. Considering the successful road they have paved thus far, their ambition seems well within grasp.
Fans and coaches are impressed with the accomplishments of the players, yet they keep in mind that the team is young and will only get better, smarter, faster and stronger.
Brookstone Volleyball
by Alessio Caligaris
Brookstone volleyball is experiencing a solid start in its third season in the new gym. Coach Kissel is looking to improve upon last year’s first-round exit in the state playoffs. “Staying undefeated in region and winning our area will be a must for us this year but if we don’t make it this year, our young talent shows promise for the future,” says Kissel. The future does look bright for the young Cougars team.
The team is led by sisters Kirstin and Randi Usie, senior and sophomore respectively, who led the team in kills and aces last year. “I can’t say enough about my senior leadership this year,” Kissel remarks. “We’re asking her [Kirstin] to do a lot and she continues to deliver.”
In addition to her leadership role as the team’s only senior, Kirstin Usie will be moved from setter to manning the defense. “The added pressures and black knees that being libero entails will be well worth it if we make it past the first round this year,” she says.
Younger athletes have also contributed to the team’s success. Mary Stamper Grogan and Randi Usie are currently leading the team in kills this year.
Brookstone elevated their level of competition this season by adding some strong Atlanta teams to their schedule. “In order to take the program to the next level, we have to play tougher teams,” Kissel says. Because of the team’s lack of size, its “defense would get them past some of the harder-hitting Atlanta schools,” according to Kissel.
Area play kicks off October 8-9 with the team’s first area tournament.
by Alessio Caligaris
Brookstone volleyball is experiencing a solid start in its third season in the new gym. Coach Kissel is looking to improve upon last year’s first-round exit in the state playoffs. “Staying undefeated in region and winning our area will be a must for us this year but if we don’t make it this year, our young talent shows promise for the future,” says Kissel. The future does look bright for the young Cougars team.
The team is led by sisters Kirstin and Randi Usie, senior and sophomore respectively, who led the team in kills and aces last year. “I can’t say enough about my senior leadership this year,” Kissel remarks. “We’re asking her [Kirstin] to do a lot and she continues to deliver.”
In addition to her leadership role as the team’s only senior, Kirstin Usie will be moved from setter to manning the defense. “The added pressures and black knees that being libero entails will be well worth it if we make it past the first round this year,” she says.
Younger athletes have also contributed to the team’s success. Mary Stamper Grogan and Randi Usie are currently leading the team in kills this year.
Brookstone elevated their level of competition this season by adding some strong Atlanta teams to their schedule. “In order to take the program to the next level, we have to play tougher teams,” Kissel says. Because of the team’s lack of size, its “defense would get them past some of the harder-hitting Atlanta schools,” according to Kissel.
Area play kicks off October 8-9 with the team’s first area tournament.
All photography submitted by The Brookstone School
