HONOR ROLL
Basketball
Andraya Carter, Buford: Scored 15 points with five rebounds and four steals in a win over Greater Atlanta Christian on Saturday; scored 17 points in a win over Decatur on Friday.
Taylor Handte, Lakeview Academy: Scored 14 points in a loss to Polk County, N.C. on Saturday; scored 15 points in a win over Tallulah Falls on Friday.
Morgan Jackson, East Hall: Scored 20 points in a win over Flowery Branch on Tuesday.
Amber Johnson, West Hall: Scored 19 points in a win over Lanier on Saturday; scored eight points with six rebounds in a loss to Johnson Friday.
Zac Lynn, Buford: Scored 17 points in a loss to Greater Atlanta Christian on Saturday; scored 17 points in a win over Madison County on Tuesday.
Ty Odem, Johnson: Scored 20 points in a loss to Monore Area on Saturday; scored 17 points in a loss to West Hall on Saturday.
Peyton Robertson, Chestatee: Scored 19 points with seven rebounds in a win over North Hall on Friday; scored 21 points with five rebounds in a win over Pickens on Tuesday.
Mary Kate Rushton, North Hall: Scored 17 points in a loss to Chestatee on Friday.
T.J. Shipes, Buford: Scored 19 points in a loss to Greater Atlanta Christian on Saturday; scored 14 points in a win over Decatur on Friday; scored 12 points in a win over Madison on Tuesday.
Caitlin Sloan, Johnson: Scored 16 points in a win over Monroe Area on Saturday; scored six points with six steals and four rebounds in a win over West Hall on Friday.
Shunquez Stephens, West Hall: Scored 16 points in a win over Lanier on Saturday; scored 23 points with 12 rebounds, four assists and four steals in a win over Johnson on Friday; scored 25 points in a win over Gainesville on Tuesday.
William Stroup, West Hall: Scored 13 points with 13 rebounds in a win over Gainesville on Tuesday.
Rebecca Webster, Gainesville: Scored 21 points in a win over Oconee County on Friday.
Swimming
Sean Bart, Flowery Branch: Placed first in the 100-yard breaststroke and third in the 100 freestyle in a meet Friday.
Hudson Howard, Flowery Branch: Placed first in the 500-yard freestyle and second in the 50 freestyle in a meet Friday.
Zack Miller-Hogg, Flowery Branch: Placed first in the 200 freestyle and second in the 200 butterfly in a meet Friday.
Bethany Wicker, Flowery Branch: Placed first in the 200 IM in a meet Friday.
As a sophomore on the Buford High girls basketball team, Kaela Davis knows what it is like to feel and overcome pressure.
The second-ranked Lady Wolves (10-1, 3-0 Region 6A-AA) have won the last two Class AA state championships and the alumni and fans of Buford expect that to continue with another championship this season.
As a newcomer to the program, Davis has not shied away from taking that pressure onto her shoulders and delivering on the court.
Against Class AAAA’s third-ranked Madison County on Tuesday, Davis scored a game-high 17 points, while adding seven rebounds and four steals, as the Lady Wolves rolled to the 53-16 win.
Three days later, Davis poured in 23 points in a 58-38 win over Decatur and followed that Saturday with a 28-point, 10-rebound performance in a win over Greater Atlanta Christian.
For her efforts, Davis is The Times Athlete of the Week.
The victory over Greater Atlanta Christian was especially sweet for Buford; GAC defeated the eventual state champions twice last season, with the second coming in the Region 6-AA title game.
The Lady Wolves, whose only loss came against Riverdale, Tenn., on Dec. 29, are holding opponents to just 30.9 points per game this season while averaging 55.6, a point differential of 24.7.
Buford’s defense has held opponents under 20 points four times this season by taking advantage of their superior strength and size; the Lady Wolves have an average height of just under 5-foot-8 with six players 5-foot-9 or taller, including Davis’ 6-foot-2 muscular frame.
Buford coach Gene Durden, believes that “the sky is the limit” for Davis’ development as a player.
“She has the size, skill and athleticism that most players dream of having,” Durden writes on the Lady Wolves’ website. “We are looking forward to watching her growth and development as she works are to reach her potential.”
Last summer, Davis was offered a chance to continue her improvement as a basketball player by taking part in the United States Junior Olympic Trials, where she gained valuable experience playing with athletes from different parts of the country.
So far this season, that experience seems to have paid off.
Davis isn’t the only member of the Lady Wolves who is producing on the court; junior Andraya Carter scored 17 points against Decatur and added 15 points, five rebounds and four steals against Greater Atlanta Christian.
With Davis and Carter, who are both committed to Tennessee, as the head of the Lady Wolves attack, it’s no wonder that Buford was the preseason favorite to win the title again.
After all, pressure can produce remarkable results.