Clinton Blaze open basketball season by hosting Caryville
It’s basketball time in Clinton.
The Blaze and Lady Blaze will host rival Caryville Thursday in the newly renovated Arowood Arena.
Both teams will begin their third season and both the boys and girls made great strides in 2018.
The home of Clinton Blaze basketball has gotten a facelift. The home of the Blaze and Lady Blaze basketball teams has a new floor, new backboards, new bleachers and a state-of-the-art public address system.
“Anything you can do to a gym, we did it,” Clinton City Schools Athletic Director E.T. Stamey said. “It’s really nice.”
Lady Blaze basketball roster: New head coach Christin Webb set her roster recently. The roster comprises four sixth-graders (Eden Hancock, Emily Silcox, Leah Hernandez and Kenzlee Hutchison); seven fifth-graders (Bethany Lowe, Abby Phillips, Alison Mullins, Jailie Rodd, McKinley Stanton, Callie Johnson and Topanga Easterday); and one fourth-grader, Tegan Bunch. The manager is fifth-grader Molly Boler. Webb will be assisted by Lauren Murphy.
Blaze basketball Roster: The Blaze boys hoops roster has been announced.
Fourth-graders on the team include: Landry Sharp; Xavier Gallaher and Brendan Hayden.
Fifth-graders: Andrew Sanders; Kaden Webber; Aiden Campbell; Isaiah Williams; Grant Hannah; Jaylon Daniels; Hudson Edenfield and Jaxson Alcorn.
Sixth-graders: Camden Nelson, Matthew Denton and Zayden Ford.
Apparel update: Adidas recently fitted the Blaze and Lady Blaze basketball teams for shoes. The company will also provide shooting shirts for both teams and will provide swimsuits for both swim teams.
The Blaze swim team will have its first meet on Tuesday, Oct. 29, against Clinton Middle School at the Clinton Community Center Pool.
Blaze and the Anderson County Chamber of Commerce: The Clinton Blaze athletic program has taken the community by storm and now, the Anderson County Chamber of Commerce is chronicling the program and other day-to-day happenings in Clinton city schools.
Clinton Blaze fans can keep up with the program and other happenings in the city schools on the Anderson County Chamber of Commerce’s website.
The chamber shot video clips last week and those will be posted at andersoncountychamber.org
The Clinton Blaze recently announced the swim rosters for the 2019-20 school year.
This will be the second season for the program. The athletes who will compete will include: Josiah Shelton; Haden Harrel; Leah Sharp; Madden Whitson; Lily McMahan; Lauren Farmer; Ollie Stoutamire; Christian Lopez; Fletcher Kitts; Abby Bennet; Demi Moore; Ava Smith; Kaitlin Emerson; and Sophia Chapparo.
Blaze Athlete of the Week: The Athlete of the Week for the week of Oct. 7 is Lady Blaze basketball player Abby Philips. The Blaze Athlete of the Week is sponsored by C&D Printing.
Clinton City Schools was on fall break last week and the Athlete of the Week will return next week.
Soccer Clinic is back: The Clinton Blaze after-school soccer program clinic is every Wednesday after school and is open to students in Grades 1-6. The camp teaches fitness and teamwork while giving players of all abilities the chance to develop and polish their soccer skills.
The camp, which is directed by Knoxville Area Soccer Pro Chris Carroll, teaches skills such as dribbling, passing and other soccer fundamentals. It also teaches the rules of the game. The coed camp is conducted at the Clinton City Football Stadium. Balls will be provided, but athletes should wear appropriate athletic attire.
For more information, contact Carroll at info@carrollsportsacademies.com or by phone at 865- 566-8948.
Cost is $105 for the seven-week program.
Blaze Academic Clubs: In addition to its athletics programs, CCS has invested in both a reading society and H2O science clubs. These programs were successful last year and Stamey announced that they will continue in 2018-19.
Track Renovations: Stamey said that improvements on the Blaze’s home track at Clinton Elementary School are planned soon.
CCS Teachers to Compete in Blaze Teachers Bowling League: Area elementary school teachers will compete in a bowling league at Clinton Community Center. League play begins after the Christmas Break.