PCHS Wrestler Wins State
PCHS grappler Todd Carter captured the state championship at the State Wrestling Traditional Tournament this past winter, winning the 113-pound title. It was a rare achievement for PCHS, as Carter became just the second Bear to do so. He also holds the distinction of being the first freshman in history to win a state wrestling title. Senior Dustin Bryant, who won in 2014, is the only other Pierce competitor to win gold.
Meanwhile, teammates Ian Kessler and Dalton Malone won fourth and fifth places, respectively, in their weight classes. Kessler, a senior, wrestled in the 195-pound class. Malone, a sophomore, competed in the 160-pound weight class.
PCHS finished 10th overall in team rankings at the state finals.
Lady Bears Basketball Reaches Sweet 16
The PCHS Lady Bears enjoyed a breakout season in 2016-17, posting an all-time high number of season wins and a berth in the Sweet 16. Second-year head coach Lacy Dowling guided the Lady Bears to a 21-8 mark and a second-round playoff berth. The Lady Bears also came within a point of capturing the region title, falling to Tattnall County 39-38.
As the second seed out of Region 1-AAA, the PCHS girls defeated Kendrick at home 51-47 on Feb. 17. Five days later, PCHS lost on the road to powerhouse Morgan County 56-39. The Lady Bulldogs, who were the defending state champions in class AAA, ultimately advance do the 2017 Final Four, losing in the semi-finals.
The Morgan County game was the finale for seniors Ilasha Wilkins, Mary Courtney Puryear, and Marisa Ramirez.
Bears Show Great Improvement on Hardwood
The PCHS varsity boys posted a 9-17 mark in 2016-17, barely missing double-digit wins but more than doubling the wins total of four from the previous year. The Bears were guided this season by Shan Garner, a veteran coach who previously served as head coach at Echols County and Lowndes County. This was Garner’s first season at PCHS.
Highlights included region wins over Long County and Appling County, as well as an upset of traditional non-region rival Ware County. The Bears knocked off the Gators 64-57 on the road Jan. 10. Three days later, PCHS rallied from a 17-point deficit to upend Appling 73-71. The season ended with a 67-65 loss to Tattnall County in the region tournament.
This year’s seniors included Chase Royer, Perrel Brisbane, and Jay Bethea.
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Winter Sports Finish Strong
Pierce High School
Written by: John DuPont
Photography by: Jennifer Carter Johnson
