Cliff Hammonds didn't hesitate when Clemson assistant coach Ron Bradley asked if he had interest in playing on a Christian faith-based touring team this summer in Taiwan.
The answer, Hammonds said this week, was an enthusiastic, "Yes."
"I guess I jumped right on board," said Hammonds, training with a group of college stars for the Athletes In Action team heading to the Jones Cup next month in Taipei.
It's what recently happened to the Lakeland Crew men's baseball team in the Orlando division of the Men's Adult Baseball League's spring season.
The Crew, with a dozen Polk players on their squad, scored four runs in the bottom of the ninth inning to beat the Dr. Phillips Red Sox, 4-3, and win their second straight spring title and third in the past four seasons, last week at Jones Field in Orlando.
"It was truly an outstanding game between two outstanding teams," Crew coach Tracy Nolan said.
Whether Al Thornton proves to be a top-10 selection Thursday night, this NBA Draft promises to be one that even Leonard Hamilton should be able to enjoy.
That hasn't been the case for the Florida State basketball coach, of course, the past couple of years - not after forward Alexander Johnson and guard Von Wafer chose to leave college early to pursue professional basketball careers.
Lincoln High School defensive end Kirkland Gainous decided to reward Mississippi State University's persistence by making an early commitment to the Bulldogs prior to the start of his senior season with the Trojans.
You know, they were showing me a lot of interest, Gainous said. I was planning on making the decision probably during the season or after the season, but I just went ahead and got it out of the way.
Clinton E. Austin of Pensacola has graduated with a bachelors degree in Internet systems and software technology from Bellevue University, Bellevue, Neb.
Molly Bagley of Pensacola has graduated with a bachelors degree from Graceland University, Lamoni, Iowa.
Tristan Diane Brooks of Pensacola has been named to the spring 2007 deans list at Salem College, Winston-Salem, N.C.
New title for Nolte (original) - 6/26/2007
From the farm ... (original) - 6/26/2007
Daily Pilot (original) - 6/26/2007
Lincoln's Gainous commits to Mississippi State (original) - 6/25/2007
Lions' mission to assist blind in 50th year (original) - 6/25/2007
University of Mississippi assistant coach Rob Reinstetle, a 1995 graduate of Upper Arlington, congratulates Zack Cosart after a home run during a game last season. (original) - 6/25/2007
Plenty of talent in '08 class, as usual (original) - 6/25/2007
Name changes make football better for all (original) - 6/24/2007
UNCAPPED TALENT: Walton linebacker has shot onto radar of national football powers (original) - 6/24/2007
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