Augusta Christian took time before its girls basketball game Friday in recognition of a departed teacher, mentor and friend.

Math teacher Dot Shires died Friday after battling cancer for more than a year and a half.

“She was here for 12 years and had an excellent relationship with all our students,” said Dr. David Piccolo, Augusta Christian head of school. “She never stopped being a positive influence all the way to the end. There’s no doubt she’s resting in heaven.”

Health care science teacher Julie Howard echoed Piccolo’s sentiments and liked Shires’ style.

The 2012 NCAA Division II Soccer Championships lived up to its title billing Saturday at Blanchard Woods Park.

With the men’s and women’s crowns on the line, both games came down to the wire.

In the afternoon opener, the Lynn University Fighting Knights jumped out to a 3-0 lead, then had to hold off a furious rally by the Saginaw Valley State University Cardinals to win the men’s title 3-2.

Lakeside High basketball standout senior Bria Baker is looking forward to what the team’s 2012-13 campaign will bring.

“I’m very excited because it’s the last year,” said Baker. “You’ve just gotta go all out.”

The 5-foot-3 point guard has been a fixture on the Lady Panthers team since arriving at Lakeside. She is coming off a season in which she averaged 10.7 points per game and a county-best 7.0 assists per game. She also was named to the 2011-12 All-County team and was second team All-Region.

The Lakeside Panthers hung tough for a half but in the end could not advance to the second round of the GHSA Class AAAAA State Football Playoffs Friday night.

Facing the Ware County Gators, Region 3’s No. 1 team, the Panthers trailed 10-7 at the half. The Gators pulled away for the 27-7 win.

Trailing 10-0, the Panthers scored its only points when quarterback Hunter Banks found receiver Jonathan Edwards for a four-yard score with 3:08 to go in the first half.

The Panthers finished the season at 5-6.