Greenbrier gains respect

The updated 2006 Georgia softball rankings were released this past week, and as expected, the teams from metro Atlanta and North Georgia dominated the polls. One area school, however, continued to get plenty of respect in the rankings.

Greenbrier High School, the 2004 state champions in AAAA, stands at No. 2 in Class AAAA this fall. Only North Georgia power Ringgold is higher on the AAAA totem pole.

Garrett Black's squad is led by senior Tiffany Blackburn. She played third base last season but has made the transition to catcher. She is one of the premier power hitters in the state. It doesn't take a softball genius to see that Blackburn has loads of talent. Major colleges who do not get on the Blackburn bandwagon are simply missing out.

Entering Wednesday's game against Oconee County, the Wolfpack were 6-0 and had out scored their opponents 42-8. Blackburn has gone deep twice already this season. The Pack's pitching also has been excellent, with three shutouts among their six victories.

McKinney wants to help Presbyterian College

Former Augusta Christian Schools quarterback Adam McKinney is healthy and ready to battle for playing time at Presbyterian College. McKinney made the transition from quarterback to linebacker when he arrived at Presbyterian.

He is set to fight for playing time at defensive end. The 6-foot-3-inch, 228-pound red-shirt sophomore wears No. 47 and is considered one of the hardest workers on the team.

Presbyterian opens its season at West Georgia on Monday and will open the home schedule against Charleston Southern on Sept. 2.