Welch Loses to Pensacola

by jowens | Nov 9, 2013

Pensacola Christian College    70

Welch College                         52

November 9, 2013.  In game two of the Lady Flames Classic, Welch College ran into a “buzz saw” named Pensacola Christian College and suffered a 70-52 defeat.

The Lady Eagles dominated the first half, outscoring the hosts, 44-29, with both an inside and outside game.  If the Flames prevented an inside shot, PCC had no less than seven players that felt comfortable at the arc.

The second half was played even up as the Flames held the Eagles to 26 points.

“They are a very solid team,” said Flames’ coach Larry Bryan.  “They have so many weapons and just keep coming at you until they get the shot that they want.”

Jessie Melvin had an outstanding shooting day, going seven for nine from the field to lead all scorers with 18 points.  Ashton Johnson was also in double digits with 14 points.  Leslie Nichols pulled down a team high, eight rebounds.

Now, 1-1, the Lady Flames have little time to rest as they travel to Bryan College on Monday.

Flames Come Up Short

by jowens | Nov 8, 2013

Georgia Northwest Technical College            63

Welch College                                                 56

November 8, 2013.  Before a packed house, the young Flames were matched up against a very athletic Georgia Northwest Technical College squad and fell a little short, losing 63-56.

The first half was a see-saw battle and the Flames were able to answer a flurry of three-pointers by the Bobcats with hustle and attacking the basket.  But, midway through the first half, GNWT was able to go on a run to take 36-25 point lead into the locker room.

Welch played even with the Bobcats in the second half and at the 2:13 mark, Carson Outlaw drained a three-pointer to pull the Flames to within seven.  But, several turnovers and missed shots ended up being the difference in the end.

Leading the way for the Flames was Jeffery Carter with 18 points.  Carson Outlaw added 17 points and Tim Hutchinson pulled down 16 rebounds and dished out four assists.

“They really got up and down the floor,” said Coach Nathan Willhite.  “We made too many mistakes and didn’t capitalize on theirs, yet we still had our chances at the end.  We kept fighting.
The Flames are 1-2 on the young season and host Mid-Continent JV on Tuesday.  Game time is set for 6:00pm.

Lady Flames Win Opener

by jowens | Nov 8, 2013

Welch College                         53

Toccoa Falls College               47

November 8, 2013.  The season opener for Welch College, before a packed house, proved to be a highly entertaining game and the Lady Flames came away with a hard-fought win, 53-47.

The Flames took the lead early, but the Eagles never let it get away from them as they countered every WC run with a run of their own.

Leslie Nichols started the game off with tough shot in the paint.  Then, freshman sensation, Ashton Johnson took over, scoring 11 of the Flames next 13 points.  Her quickness allowed her to get to the basket on several trips down the floor, along with a three-pointer during the run to give Welch a 15-8 lead.  But, the Eagles bounced back and narrowed the Flames lead to just three at the intermission.

The second half mirrored the first as neither team could run away from the other.  And, with three minutes left in the contest, Toccoa Falls took the lead 45-45.  But the Flames would not be denied, going on an 8-1 run to finish the game.

Welch had four girls in double figures with Johnson leading the way with 21 points, followed by Nichols with 12, and Jessie Melvin and Amy Pickett with 10 points each.  Nichols had a double-double leading the Flames with 11 rebounds.  Johnson also had five assists for the Flames.

“We got a little tight in the first half and missed some shots we should have made,” said Flames’ coach Larry Bryan.  “But, we held our composure, especially down the stretch.  It was a good win for us.

Flames Looking Forward to 2013-2014 Season

by jowens | Nov 7, 2013

The 2013-2014 edition of the Welch College Flames comes with a certain amount of excitement and apprehension.  The team is young, for the most part, with seven of the eight men on the roster being either freshmen or sophomores and the lone senior is in his first season of competition.

Size will also be an issue for the young Flames as only Lim Chol is over 6’4”, so Coach Nathan Willhite will need to rely on speed, quickness, and outside scoring.  With Chol down low, Willhite will look to senior, Tim Hutchinson; sophomore, David Reeves; and freshman, Carson Outlaw.  All three are guards who possess the skills to keep the Flames in all the games.

Willhite will also be counting on sophomore, Caleb Smith and three freshmen:  Jeffery Carter, Tanner Pruett and Taylor Pruett.

“With only an eight-man roster, everybody is important,” said Willhite.  “I will need to utilize all of the talent that I have on this team to be successful.  They are a great group of young men and I am anxiously looking forward to the season.”

2013-2014 FLAMES ROSTER

5          Lim Chol                               Sophomore    F          6’5                   Nashville, TN

10        Carson Outlaw                     Freshmen      G         6’1                   Nashville, TN

14        Caleb Smith                          Sophomore    G         5’10                 Mt. Holly, NC

15        David Reeves                         Sophomore    G         6’0                   Owensboro, KY

21        Taylor Pruett                                    Freshmen      G         5’11                 Greeneville, TN

22        Tim Hutchinson                   Senior                        F          6’1                   Riverview, MI

23        Tanner Pruett                       Freshmen      G         5’10                 Greeneville, TN

31        Jeffery Carter                       Freshmen      G         6’0                   Nashville, TN

Head Coach:                          Nathan Willhite

Head – Assistant Coach:      Darren Portell

Assistant Coach:                   George Dunlap and Kevin Murray           

Athletic Trainer:                  Chris Snoddy

Statistician:                          Courtney Pennington, Jordan Loomis

Lady Flames, Young and Talented

by jowens | Nov 7, 2013

The Lady Flames are cautiously optimistic about the 2013-14 season.  Once again they will be young with an entire squad of underclassmen.  But, sophomores Jessie Melvin and Leslie Nichols should provide leadership for the team.  Melvin, the team’s best athlete, and Nichols, the 6’1″ inside threat should provide the foundation for a successful season.

Also returning from last year’s Lady Flames are guards, Rachel Burns, Amy Pickett, and Emily Thrasher.  All three are aggressive, defensive minded ladies who should be able to help prevent the opponents from scoring.

There will be a number of freshmen who will be expected to contribute among Ashton Johnson, Tabitha Frady, Lauren Strickland, and Dominique Grant.  All are guards.  From pre-season workouts, it appears that Johnson is the front runner to be an impact player for the Lady Flames.

“We have decent numbers,” said Flames’ head coach, Larry Bryan.  “Our biggest concern right now is at the point guard position.  We need someone to step up and take over leadership of the team on the floor.”

The Lady Flames open their season at home Friday, November 8th, hosting the Flames Classic.  Game time is set for 6:00pm.

      2013-2014 Lady FLAMES ROSTER