USJ’s Amelia Ray takes fifth at state golf tourney

University School of Jackson senior Amelia Ray ended her high school golf career on a high note. Last week at the Division II-A State Golf Tournament in Murfreesboro, Ray shot a two day total of 161 (82-79) to finish fifth in the individual competition and lead her team to a fifth-place finish. Sophomore Ann Elizabeth Lynch shot a 204 (109-95) and freshman Madeline Ray fired a 267 (145-122) for USJ. St. Mary’s finished fourth. Sophomore Ellen Mitchell led the Turkeys with a 171 (87-84) and junior Allyson Peterson shot a 175 (89-86). Eighth-grader Alana Olswing finished with a 233 (120-113). Evangelical Christian School finished sixth. Sophomore Jessica Heald led the way with a 201 (97-104), junior Blair Dowdle shot a 226 (111-115) and freshman Hayley…

Turkeys Are Much Improved

Turkeys are much improved

What a difference a year makes.Last season the St. Mary’s Episcopal School Turkeys basketball team struggled mightily, finishing up the season 0-18. Enter new head coach Emily Owen, who last coached for the University of Memphis women’s basketball team. Her goal was to make basketball fun again for her players, and the strategy has clearly worked.Through mid-January the team had four wins, including one in region play. The team is pretty young this year, with players like sophomore point guard Addison Blake seeing a lot of minutes every night.  The scoring has been balanced, something else that fosters good will among teammates, and towards the game. It’s unlikely the Turkeys will be able to go very far when the post-season rolls around, but the team…

Turkeys Having Fun This Year

Turkeys having fun this year

Quite often, practice is not something that basketball players look forward to.  But earlier this month when some inclement weather hit Memphis, the St. Mary’s basketball practice was canceled. “The girls were upset about that,” said first-year St. Mary’s coach Emily Owen.  “My biggest goal is to enjoy being out there ... At this point we’re on the right track.  They actually want to come to practice.”The feel-good atmosphere has translated into wins.  Through mid-December, the Lady Turkeys had won four games, including wins over Rossville Christian and Catholic.  Considering the team went winless last season, there’s a little buzz around the program as the new year approaches.  No one player has scored more than anyone else.  Owen has stressed a team philosophy that has…