Tuesday's Spring Fling wrap-up
By John Varlas
Here's a look at how Memphis-area teams and individuals fared on the first full day of Spring Fling Tuesday in Murfreesboro, along with a look ahead to Wednesday's top action.
Tuesday's MVP
Rashad Haynes, Central track and field: The senior said Tuesday's Class AAA decathlon would probably be his last ever and if so, he made it count. The Mercer football signee became the first Memphian to win the AAA title since 2004, scoring 6,477 points to defeat Brentwood freshman Jett Kinder by 120 points.
After winning the 100 on Monday, Haynes took the 110 hurdles to open the second day before adding victories in the long jump and shot put. He then set a personal best — by 30 second — in the concluding 1,500 meters.
The last Memphian to win a decathlon title in the state's largest public school classification was Joseph Doss of Melrose.
Other standouts
Collin Scott, Houston soccer: Scott scored the game's only goal on a well-struck free kick in the 13th minute of play as Houston advanced to the Class AAA semifinals, 1-0 over Farragut. The Mustangs play Cookeville Wednesday at 7 p.m.
Christian Delashmit and Ethan Whitley, Covington baseball: Delashmit pitched a complete-game three-hitter as the Chargers opened the AA tournament with an 8-1 victory over Christ Presbyterian Academy. Whitley put Covington ahead for good with a three-run homer in the top of the fifth.
Starting off slow
Overall, Tuesday was a a bit of a bummer for Memphis-area teams.
In baseball, neither Houston nor Munford could score a run as they were dropped into losers bracket play on Wednesday. The Mustangs fell to Stewarts Creek 10-0 while Brentwood topped the Cougars 4-0. Despite a fine start from Connor Shamblin, Briarcrest lost in Division II-AA, 1-0.
Briarcrest's softball team opened the tournament with a 10-0 loss to Chattanooga GPS, managing just one hit off Bruisers' starter Shelby Walters.
And all of the local tennis teams lost in team play. St. Mary's lost a marathon match in DII-A girls, 4-3 against University School of Nashville. Caroline Culpepper, Lily Saab and Lila Baer posted singles victories for the Turkeys. In the other semifinal, Knoxville Webb blanked St. George's 4-0.
MUS lost in DII-AA boys play, as Montgomery Bell Academy advanced 4-1. Hutchison got victories from Catherine Owen and Grace Anne Dunavant but lost to Chattanooga GPS, 4-2 in girls play.
White Station's boys and Collierville's girls were eliminated in AAA, falling to Tennessee High and Brentwood respectively.
Wednesday's best bets
There will be lots of good action at the Siegel Soccer Complex.
CBHS opens DII-AA play with a 4:30 p.m. game against Chattanooga McCallie. And three DII-A teams will be on display. ECS battles St. George's while Lausanne tangles with Knoxville Webb, both at 4.
Harding and St. George's meet in a DII-A elimination game at 10 a.m. at LaVergne High. The winner will face either ECS or University School of Jackson at 5 p.m.
Reach John Varlas at john.varlas@commercialappeal.com or on Twitter @johnvarlas.