Jeff Hart

White County and Lumpkin County advanced to the Class AAA girls state softball tournament and top-seed Creekview advanced to the championship round after taking wins Thursday in the Region 7-AAA Tournament at Lanier Point Softball Complex.

Creekview and West Hall became the first two teams to qualify for the Class AAA girls state softball tournament after picking up two wins on the opening day of the Region 7-AAA Tournament at the Lanier Point Softball Complex.

In a tournament known for upsets and surprises, the Gainesville girls softball team wasted little time in pulling off the first upset of the 2008 Region 7-AAA Tournament.

Oakwood�s R. Garry Glenn won his second World title in weightlifting while Gainesville�s Tim (�T�) Moon finished third in the WUAP World Powerlifting and Bench Press Championships in Germany over the weekend. The two lifters were part of a team representing the United States.

As a rookie quarterback playing right away for a team that ranked among the league's worst last season, Matt Ryan was expected to take his licks in 2008. But four games into the season, Ryan and the Atlanta Falcons have taken big steps toward helping people forget Michael Vick and Bobby Petrino.

The week-long Region 7-AAA Softball Tournament will get under way Monday at various sites in play-in games. The double-elimination tournament is scheduled to run through Thursday

The West Hall boys cross country team finished second in the 28-team field at the Westover Invitational on Saturday. The Lady Spartans finished ninth in the girls race.

Gainesville may have dominated most opponents this season, but on Friday night, the Red Elephants also showed they can win ugly when needed.

Gainesville is the only unbeaten team left in Region 7-AAA after a 35-16 win over West Forsyth Friday night in prep football action. Blake Sims accounted for 294 total yards and four touchdowns for the Elephants (6-0,2-0 in 7B-AAA) in the win. Class AA No. 1-ranked Buford got a score from Cody Getz just 10 second into the game in taking a 49-7 win over Avondale in Region 6-AA play.

Jefferson tightened its grip on Region 8-AA on Friday night courtesy a 47-20 win over Riverside in Jefferson.