Basketball and middle school wrestling began practice during the past week. Coach Arron Haynes and his high school wrestling team began practice Monday, Nov. 2.

Teams are preparing for their season-openers.

Both Riverview, under Head Coach Benji Edwards, and Dawson County middle schools, under Head Coach Thomy Edwards, are looking forward to a full middle school wrestling schedule this season.

Dawson County Middle School basketball got in high gear last week.

The eighth grade girls, coming off a Mountain League Championship last season, will again be coached by Nichole Green (formerly Gilleland). The seventh grade girls are headed by veteran coach Tina Brown. Both teams will open their season at home against Gilmer County on Friday, Nov. 13.

The boys’ staff at DCMS will also return Jonathan Tinsley, eighth grade boys, and Steven Moates, seventh grade boys. Both teams will also open their season on Friday, Nov. 13 against Gilmer County.

Across town, Riverview boys will be coached by Mark Thomason, eighth grade boys, and Chess Hamby, seventh grade boys. On the girls side Elizabeth Roper will coach both the seventh and eighth grade girls.

Riverview boys will open their season with a trip to Pickens County on Thursday, Nov. 19.

Coach Thad Burgess will attempt to get his boys basketball team to another state playoff game this season for the fourth straight year.

The Tigers began practice last Monday, Oct. 26th.

Dawson will open its season with a scrimmage game against Providence Christian next Friday, Nov. 13 at home. Tip off will be 7:30 p.m.

The regular season will begin on Tuesday, Nov. 17th at home against Oglethorpe County.

The Lady Tigers also began practice on Monday as they try to improve on their record from last season. Coach Steve Sweat will have a mixture of young talent and experience as he embarks on the 2009 campaign.

Sweat and his team will also play Providence and Oglethorpe on the same days as the boys’ team.

Coach Arron Haynes and his wrestling team have high hopes for this season.

The team should be solid at every weight class and should make a run at an Area championship.

Haynes and his team will open the season on Friday, Nov. 20 with a home match against a very strong Gilmer County team.

Matches will begin at 5:30 p.m.