Terrell, Gill named Athletes of the Week

Graham and Newcastle athletics saw another week of success across a number of sports.

For this week, The Graham Leader is recognizing Sophie Terrell of the Ladycats and Jace Gill of the Steers as this week’s Athletes of the Week. 

Sophie Terrell, Ladycats Volleyball

The Newcastle Ladycats varsity volleyball team made quick work of the Gold-Burg Lady Bears this past week Tuesday, Sept. 16. 

The team won in dominant fashion in three sets 25-8, 25-15 and 25-12. 

Several catalysts contributed to this win; however, one that was the most integral was Terrell. 

The senior set the momentum early in the first set of their match with a kill followed by two more later in the set to help give the Ladycats a commanding 12-2 lead. 

Later on in the set, Terrell helped close the door with a kill at center net to make it a 22-8 lead, which went on to become a 25-8 set one win. 

Terrell started the second set picking up one of the first two points for the Ladycats and continued to pick up a bevy of points throughout the contest, which aided the team in the total match victory. 

Head coach Ashley Archer praised Terrell after the game, not just for her effectiveness on offense but also for her adaptability. 

“We’ve been kind of moving her around in the front row, she normally is our outside hitter and she’s been playing middle blocker for us,” Archer said. “She has really been executing; she had 21 kills in our last game against Albany, so she’s been doing great.” 

 

Jace Gill, Steers Football

The Steers sent the hometown crowd home happy this past weekend with their win Friday, Sept. 12 over Whitesboro. 

The team put on an offensive barrage, picking up a 35-7 victory over the Bearcats. One of the difference makers in that surge was the centerpiece of the offense in quarterback Jace Gill. 

Gill had arguably his finest performance of the year up to this point, both through the air and on the ground. 

After Whitesboro scored the opening touchdown of the game, Gill responded by lighting up the Bearcats’ defense for 202 yards passing and a touchdown on a 71% completion percentage. 

Gill also put his stamp on the game with nine carries for 72 yards rushing and two rushing touchdowns. 

Those touchdowns came at the end and beginning of both halves. The first gave the Steers a two-touchdown lead, 21-7, going into halftime, which was then increased to 28-7 at the start of the third quarter. 

Steers head coach Clay McChristian said Gill had a strong night and continues to improve in the pocket. 

“He continues to get more comfortable with his reads and setting pass protections,” McChristian said. “He spends a lot of time with Coach Dacus, after most of the team is gone, watching film of our opponents and our games to get an even better feeling of what he is going to see.”

Graham will continue to need Gill to perform at a high level as the Steers advance into the season.