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Athlete of the week: Hollis does it all for Falcons
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Honor roll

Basketball

Andraya Carter, Buford: 24 points in a win over West Forsyth on Tuesday.

Preston Smith, Chestatee: 23 points in a win over Cedar Shoals on Tuesday.

Jackson Chandler, Chestatee: 15 points in a win over Cedar Shoals on Tuesday.

Peyton Robertson, Chestatee: Averaged 24.5 points and 6.5 rebounds in two games.

Brandon Romans, Commerce: 22 points in a loss to Johnson on Tuesday.

Jacob Evans, Dawson County: Averaged 17 points and 14.5 rebounds in two games last week.

Stephen Scaife, Dawson County: Averaged 18 points in two games last week.

Allie Costley, Dawson County: 12 points and 12 rebounds in a win over Gilmer on Friday.

Jessica Harper, Flowery Branch: 22 points in a loss to Gainesville on Saturday.

Jaymee Carnes, Gainesville: 17 points and 19 rebounds in a win over Flowery Branch on Saturday.

Quon Holcombe, Gainesville: 21 points in a loss to Flowery Branch on Saturday.

Joseph Smith, Jackson County: 15 points in a win over East Jackson on Friday.

Juice Harrison, Jackson County: 12 points and 20 rebounds in a win over East Jackson on Friday.

Skylar Evanson, Jefferson: 16 points in a loss to North Hall on Wednesday.

Chris Henry, Johnson: 18 points in a win over Commerce on Tuesday.

Matt Hollis, Johnson: 18 points in a win over Commerce on Tuesday.

Grant Cagle, Johnson: 15 points in a win over Commerce on Tuesday.

Tre Dudley, Johnson: Averaged 15 points in two games last week.

Shelley Farley, Johnson: 16 points in a win over Commerce on Tuesday.

Austin Pearson, Lakeview Academy: 26 points in a win over Banks County on Monday.

Ross Biegler, Lakeview Academy: Averaged 15 points in two games last week.

Maddie Haymore. Lakeview Academy: 16 points in a win over West Hall on Thursday.

Ashton Wright, North Georgia Christian: 16 points in a win over New Creation on Thursday.

Joe Boonstra, North Georgia Christian: 17 points and six rebounds in a win over New Creation on Thursday.

Zach Pendley, North Georgia Christian: 13 points and 14 rebounds in a win over Heritage Academy on Tuesday.

Clay Cox, North Georgia Christian: 15 points and seven rebounds in a win over Heritage Academy on Tuesday.

Dylen Setzekorn, Riverside Military: 20 points in a win over Athens Academy on Tuesday.

Brandon McKinney, Riverside Military: 18 points in a win over Athens Academy on Tuesday.

Holli Abernathy, Union County: 15 points in a win over White County on Tuesday.

Rebecka Merritt, Union County: 13 points and nine steals in a win over White County on Tuesday.

Angie Hughes, Union County: Nine points, seven rebounds and four blocks in a win over White County on Tuesday.

Shunquez Stephens, West Hall: 15 points in a win over Lakeview Academy on Thursday.

Jarquise Young, West Hall: Averaged 28 points in two games last week.

Wrestling

Jose Reyes, Chestatee: Averaged two wins in two meets last week.

G. Casas, Chestatee: Two wins against Commerce on Tuesday.

J.W. Gilbert, Chestatee: Two wins against Commerce on Tuesday.

Aaron Anderson, Chestatee: Two wins against Commerce on Tuesday.

Omar Lopez, Chestatee: Two wins on Friday.

Andrew Johnson, Chestatee: Two wins on Friday.

Justin Byrne, Chestatee: Two wins on Friday.

Elijah Markeski, Chestaee: Two wins on Friday.

Logan Herford, Chestatee: Three wins on Friday.

Ricardo Marcweiz, Chestatee: Three wins on Friday.

Chris Price, Chestatee: Four wins on Friday.

Chris Wright, West Hall: Two wins on Monday.

Chris Price, West Hall: Two wins on Monday.

Julio Chaves, West Hall: Two wins on Monday.

Flowery Branch’s Ishmael Hollis hit a key jump shot with 1:25 left to play against Gainesville on Saturday night to lead the Falcons (1-0) to a 68-67 win in the opening round of the Lanierland tournament.

That was just part of a 38-point performance from the senior center, and it extended the Falcons’ lead to 68-64 in the fourth quarter.

But Hollis’ biggest play may have come on the defensive end.

With the Falcons clinging to a one-point lead, Gainesville got the ball back with 30 seconds remaining.

“When I saw Gainesville holding the ball in the last few seconds of the game, I was worried,” coach Duke Mullis said. “I knew they were going to try and score (to take the win).”

And the Red Elephants almost did with a layup attempt by Bershad Williams with five seconds left, but Hollis came up and swatted the ball away to secure the win for the Falcons.

“Relying on a blocked shot is a risky way to win a game,” Mullis said. “But Ismael’s timing is really good, and it was a fitting way to end the game for him considering his performance.”

Hollis, a verbal commitment to Western Carolina, added 17 rebounds to his game-high scoring output.

For his efforts he is this week’s Times Athlete of the Week.

“It’s always been a goal of mine to take this sport as far as I can,” Hollis said in an interview earlier this year.

“Basketball helps me calm down and makes me feel better; it’s a way to get away.”

The 6-foot-6 senior, a member of the 2009 Times All-Area Basketball Team, averaged 16 points and eight rebounds per game last season and looks to improve this year.

“He has really matured as a leader,” Mullis said. “He’s led by example and taken responsibility for this team.”
Hollis has accomplished much during his career at Flowery Branch, but it hasn’t been without adversity.

“The bottom line is that on the court and off the court he has focused so much on maturing that a lot of things that might bother any other teenager his age just don’t (affect him),” Mullis said.

“He’s pushed himself that extra mile. I couldn’t be more proud of him.”

The Falcons play host to East Hall in the semifinal round of the Lanierland tournament at 8:30 p.m. Thursday in Flowery Branch.

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