Local Sports
THS’ Clayton ready for overseas tourney
THOMASVILLE — A key component in Thomasville’s scintillating season is once again ready to sizzle overseas.
Sophomore Willie Clayton, last year’s Times-Enterprise player of the year, will travel with a U.S. National team in April to Argentina to compete in a 17-and-under tournament.
“I’m playing with high schoolers this year, and it should be fun,” Clayton said.
A year ago, Clayton competed against college and professional players from all over the world. He played in the Tourcoing World Championships in Turcoing, France. He was one of only two high schoolers on the team as it played eight games in an eight-day stretch over Clayton’s spring break. It was a valuable experience that’s aiding Clayton during this year’s Class AA playoff run.
“I took back a lot,” said Clayton, whose team will play Henry County today at 8:30 p.m. at Georgia Southwestern State University in Americus in the second round of the playoffs. “They teach me mental stuff like how to stay focused when a game is tight. There were a lot of tight games we played overseas.”
Thomasville coach Ben Tillman added, “I think it helped him out a lot. I think he is really starting to learn the game of basketball.”
Clayton is the Bulldogs’ leading scorer at 17 points per game. That followed a breakout freshman season in which averaged 17 points, 10 rebounds and four blocks.
“Willie has proven to be the top sophomore in the country, based on his performances against other players in the United States,” said Lindsay Davis, Clayton's international coach. “As an eighth grader, he went toe-to-toe with Demarcus Cousins (now a freshman at Kentucky). He even dunked on Demarcus Cousins in a summer league game. Playing nationally, he actually outplayed every high school player playing nationally during the year as well. He's been a standout player in Georgia also.
"His game, because he plays so hard, his game really fits perfect when playing against teams overseas. The top players overseas, there's a lot of kids, they won't be able to compete if they don't play at a high level. Willie really plays a very, very high level. He's a high-energy player. I would say, and I've coached Carmelo Anthony, Kevin Durant, Tywan Lawson...I would say Willie is, bar none, the best athlete that I've coached. I've never seen a player work as hard as he works."
Davis said he has worked with Clayton mostly on his ball handling and perimeter shooting. As Davis sees it, Clayton doesn't need much assistance with other parts of his game.
"At the rim, there's no better player in the country, period. I don't care what grade they're in," Davis said. "I watched Georgia and Kentucky (Wednesday night) and Georgia could have used Willie (Wednesday night). He would have done a better job than what Georgia had on the floor right now."
Teamed with fellow sophomore post player Robert Carter, Clayton has given the Bulldogs a formidable duo for the next two years. According to Tillman, the sky's the limit with Clayton's basketball potential.
"I think if Willie continues to work hard and continues to move in that direction and continues to listen and stay humble and grounded, he can be any kind of ballplayer he wants to be," Tillman added. "He'll have to continue to work hard and continue to stay positive and understand that there's always room to grow."
- Local Sports
-
-
THS, Central, Cairo attend Bainbridge camp
Footballs were flying all over the practice fields adjacent to Bainbridge High School Thursday afternoon.
Thomasville, Thomas County Central, Cairo, along with two schools from Alabama and Leon (Fla.) participated in a passing camp at Bainbridge. The three-hour long passing league drew rave reviews from those in attendance. -
Yellow Jackets making strides in passing leagues
Another summer day gone by, another passing session under Thomas County Central’s belt.
The Yellow Jackets hosted a 7-on-7 passing league with Lowndes Wednesday afternoon.
The two teams threw for almost two hours at Central practice field. With Central set to compete in its last passing league today in Bainbridge, head coach Bill Shaver likes the progression his team has made on offense and defense. -
Folsom galloping ahead
Horseback riding came natural for Landrie Folsom — so, too, has winning.
It’s only natural that a national championship is in the Thomasville resident’s future, right?
That’s the dream Folsom will carry with her this weekend when she participates in the Junior Hunter Finals and Hunterdon Cup Equitation to be held in Lexington, KY on Aug. 2-5. Folsom is excited about participating on the national stage but understands how tough the competition will be. -
Drew still undecided about collegiate future
Ray Drew is still undecided.
By all accounts, Thomas County Central fans will have to wait until Signing Day, 2011, to find out where the highly-recruited senior will play collegiate football.
Speaking five days before the start of fall practice, the Central senior gave no hints as to who his favorites were. He’d like to keep it that way. -
East has mixed feelings with Brookwood’s play in camp
The run-oriented Brookwood Warriors got an extensive look at their passing attack this week.
The Warriors attended a Fellowship of Christian Athletes passing camp at Georgia Southern, Monday-Wednesday. Brookwood competed in a passing league that included such schools as Cook, Irwin County, South Effingham and Long County. -
Cairo passing camp a success
Cairo’s eight-team football camp continues to be a passing success.
Thomas County Central, Bainbridge and Valdosta joined the Syrupmakers and four schools from Florida to compete in 7-on-7 drills Thursday morning. - Bombers to host tournament
- Little League set for another year
-
YMCA swimmers qualify for state event
The Thomasville YMCA took 26 swimmers to Tifton on for the 2010 GRPA district swim meet. All qualified for the state championships in Tifton in two weeks.
-
Haskins running wild
Nathan Haskins has lofty goals for his cross-country career.
Running in a marathon is next for the Thomasville native. - More Local Sports Headlines
-
