The student-run online newspaper for Starr's Mill High School

The Prowler
The student-run online newspaper for Starr's Mill High School

The Prowler
The student-run online newspaper for Starr's Mill High School

The Prowler
Jenna Sanders

Jenna Sanders, Sports Editor

Senior Jenna Sanders is a four-year member of The Prowler staff.  She is a sports editor and a staff writer.

All content by Jenna Sanders
Coach Mike Hanie (left) hugs next year’s boys’ varsity soccer head coach Aaron Buck (right) at the Final Four game of the playoffs. The Panthers defeated Johnson 1-0 in overtime in the Final Four game, sending them to a rematch of the 2010 GHSA State Championship game against McIntosh where Hanie earned his second ring with Starr's Mill. Following this Saturday’s match, Hanie will retire after 22 years of working at Starr’s Mill.

End of an era

Jenna Sanders, Sports Editor
May 16, 2019
From the Panther Pit

From the Panther Pit

Rilee Stapleton, Jenna Sanders, and Ben Barkley
May 14, 2019
Quin Nowicki

Quin Nowicki

Jenna Sanders, Sports Editor
May 10, 2019
Sophomore Sofia Varmeziar blocks a Carrollton player from running at the goal. The Trojans dominated the Elite Eight game against Starr’s Mill, with the Lady Panthers not being their usual fighting force. The Mill had very little aggression or intensity, and it cost them their shot at advancing towards the state championship.

Lack of intensity proves fatal

Jenna Sanders, Sports Editor
May 10, 2019
Junior Quin Nowicki turns to get a ball. Nowicki led the Mill in scoring against Union Grove with two goals. Starr’s Mill, the No. 2 seed of Region 3-AAAAA, traveled to Union Grove in the second round of playoffs to battle the No. 1 seed of Region 4-AAAAA. The Lady Panthers beat the Wildcats 5-1 in the Sweet Sixteen of playoffs.

Starr’s Mill defeats Union Grove 5-1 in Sweet Sixteen

Jenna Sanders, Sports Editor
May 3, 2019
Ryan Shanahan

Ryan Shanahan

Jenna Sanders, Sports Editor
May 3, 2019
From the Panther Pit

From the Panther Pit

Jenna Sanders and Ben Barkley
April 25, 2019
Sophomore Sara Evans dribbles the ball while being chased by two defenders. Evans scored three of the five goals for the Lady Panthers in the first round of playoffs against Ware County. Starr’s Mill defeated the Gators 5-0 in a game that amped up in the second half.

Steller sophomore sends lady Panthers to Sweet Sixteen

Jenna Sanders, Sports Editor
April 24, 2019

Coach’s Corner

Jenna Sanders, Sports Editor
April 18, 2019
Freshman Lady Panther Sophia Bernardi attempts to keep junior Golden Lion Laney Polvino away from the ball. In the last regular season home game, Starr’s Mill faced St. Pius X. The Mill was defeated 3-0 after struggling to keep control of the ball.

Control the ball, control the game

Jenna Sanders, Sports Editor
April 17, 2019
Junior Chief Annie O’Neill kicks the ball while senior Panther Rachel Davison slides to knock it away. The Battle of the Bubble game was full of aggression, and McIntosh held the ball for the majority of the game. The Lady Panthers switched up their line up, which led to some kinks in communication and mishandling of the ball.

Chiefs control game early, seize region top seed

Jenna Sanders, Sports Editor
March 30, 2019
From the Panther Pit

From the Panther Pit

Jenna Sanders and Ty Odom
March 28, 2019
From the Panther Pit

From the Panther Pit

Rilee Stapleton and Jenna Sanders
March 21, 2019
Senior Rachel Davison dribbles the ball en route to the goal. Davison was the only senior to play for the Lady Panthers during their senior night game. Typically, Davison plays as a defender, but she scored a goal in the game against Jonesboro.

Lady Panthers shut out Cardinals on senior night

Jenna Sanders, Sports Editor
March 15, 2019
From the Panther Pit

From the Panther Pit

Jenna Sanders and Ben Barkley
March 14, 2019
Sophomore Sara Evans dribbles the ball toward the goal. Evans had one goal and one assist in the game against Whitewater. The Lady Panthers shut out the Wildcats 4-0 improving their region record to 2-0.

Lady Panthers pounce on Wildcats

Jenna Sanders, Sports Editor
March 10, 2019
Chloe Spradlin

Chloe Spradlin

Jenna Sanders, Sports Editor
March 8, 2019

Coach’s Corner

Jenna Sanders, Sports Editor
March 7, 2019
From the Panther Pit

From the Panther Pit

Jenna Sanders and Ben Barkley
February 28, 2019
Sophomore Sofia Varmeziar chases a ball while Granger sophomore Malone Aldridge attempts to keep up. Varmeziar scored one goal, and she was a large contribution to the offense, making skilled passes that helped move the ball around the field.

Effective ball handling leads Panthers to shutout victory

Jenna Sanders, Sports Editor
February 27, 2019
Young fan stands behind Kyle Larson’s McDonald’s Chevrolet in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series garage prior to the Folds of Honor QuikTrip 500. On Sunday morning, until an hour before the race, fans with pre-race pit passes are able to get up close with the cars, talk with crew members, and possibly even meet their favorite drivers.

Fast and ‘fan’tastic

Jenna Sanders, Sports Editor
February 24, 2019
Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series cars ined up on pit road prior to qualifying for the Folds of Honor QuikTrip 500.

From the Panther Pit(box)

Rilee Stapleton and Jenna Sanders
February 24, 2019
Kyle Busch, driver of the No. 51 Cessna Toyota for Kyle Busch Motorsports, stands in victory lane after the NASCAR Gander Outdoor Truck Series Ultimate Tailgating 200. The win marks Busch’s 52nd career Truck Series victory, breaking the tie with four-time series champion Ron Hornaday Jr.

A league of his own

Jenna Sanders, Sports Editor
February 23, 2019
Clint Bowyer, driver of No. 14 Haas Automation Ford for Stewart Haas Racing, talks with FOX Sports in the garage. Bowyer paced the final Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series practice with a speed of 179.104 mph. Bowyer also led the first practice and qualified third for the race.

Drivers use final practice to test long-run speed

Jenna Sanders, Sports Editor
February 23, 2019
Cole Custer, driver of the No. 00 Jacob Companies Ford for Stewart-Hass Racing, wheels his car around 1.54-mile Atlanta Motor Speedway during one of Friday’s practices. Custer paced the first session at a speed of 178.218 mph and fell to third during the second practice. Custer will lead the race to the green flag this afternoon at 2 p.m.

‘Mist’ opportunity

Jenna Sanders, Sports Editor
February 23, 2019
Ray Black Jr., driver of the No. 07 S.S. Green Light Racing Chevrolet, drives into the garages after one of Friday’s practices. In this special edition episode of “From the Panther Pit,” Editor-in-Chief Rilee Stapleton and Sports Editor Jenna Sanders talk about Friday’s events and preview Saturday’s action from around the track.

From the Panther Pit(box)

Rilee Stapleton and Jenna Sanders
February 23, 2019
Tires play a large role in racing, especially at Atlanta Motor Speedway where an aged, abrasive racing surface wears down tires after only a few laps. This tire wear creates a need for more strategic use of pit stops.

Tired of being worn out

Jenna Sanders, Sports Editor
February 22, 2019
Kyle Busch, driver of No. 51 Cessna Toyota for Kyle Busch Motorsports, had the best ten consecutive lap average with an average speed of 174.660 mph. Ben Rhodes, driver of the No. 99 Carolina Nut Ford for ThorSport Racing, placed first during the second practice session despite only running ten laps.

Drivers search for long-run speed in second practice session

Jenna Sanders, Sports Editor
February 22, 2019
Sheldon Creed, driver of the No. 2 A.M. Ortega/RTL Chevrolet GMS Racing, placed second with a time of 176.876 mph and 31.344 seconds behind Stewart Friesen with a speed of 177.204 and a time of 31.286 seconds. Creed is racing for the first time at Atlanta Motor Speedway.

Rookie Sheldon Creed finishes among veterans

Jenna Sanders, Sports Editor
February 22, 2019
Clint Bowyer, driver of No. 14 Haas Automation Ford Stewart-Haas Racing, paced the first practice with a speed of 180.152 mph and a time of 30.774 seconds. Teammate Aric Almirola placed second behind Bowyer with a speed of 179.998 mph and a time of 30.802 seconds.

Fords, Toyotas fast in opening practice

Jenna Sanders, Sports Editor
February 22, 2019
FOX Sports reporter Kaitlyn Vincie holds the microphone while reporting from pit road in 2015. Vincie embodies the idea of starting local and early. She started by uploading YouTube videos that she made at home covering races at Langley Speedway in Hampton, Virginia. The NASCAR fandom allowed for her to gain attention, and she caught the eye of FOX Sports.

Start small, go big

Jenna Sanders, Sports Editor
February 20, 2019
From the Panther Pit

From the Panther Pit

Jenna Sanders and Ty Odom
February 16, 2019
Kyle Larson wheels his car around the high banks of Atlanta Motor Speedway during a practice session for the 2018 Folds of Honor QuikTrip 500. Thirty minutes away, a long weekend full of entertainment awaits. Spend three days at AMS filled with fan-friendly events and plenty of racing action.

Top five reasons to go to Atlanta Motor Speedway

Jenna Sanders, Sports Editor
February 13, 2019

Coach’s Corner

Jenna Sanders, Sports Editor
February 6, 2019
From the Panther Pit

From the Panther Pit

Jenna Sanders and Ben Barkley
January 24, 2019
The swim team poses with the County Championship trophy to celebrate the 19th straight win. Starr’s Mill ended the event with 734 points. McIntosh High School finished second with 613. Whitewater accumulated 423 points to finish third.

Starr’s Mill swim team wins County Championship for 19th consecutive year

Jenna Sanders, Sports Editor
January 24, 2019
From the Panther Pit

From the Panther Pit

Jenna Sanders and Ty Odom
January 17, 2019
Miami Heat forward Derrick Jones Jr. defends against Atlanta Hawks rookie guard Trae Young. The two led their respective teams in scoring. Young led the Hawks with 19 points, and Jones contributed 14 for the Heat. The 106-82 win was the third time this season the Hawks defeated the Heat.

Atlanta Hawks find luck in sets of three

Jenna Sanders, Sports Editor
January 7, 2019
Alyson Phinney

Alyson Phinney

Jenna Sanders, Sports Editor
December 14, 2018
From the Panther Pit

From the Panther Pit

Jenna Sanders and Ben Barkley
December 6, 2018

Coach’s Corner – Nov. 28, 2018

Jenna Sanders, Sports Editor
November 28, 2018
From the Panther Pit

From the Panther Pit

Rilee Stapleton and Jenna Sanders
November 15, 2018
Director of Racing Communications Matt Humphrey carts Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series driver Martin Truex Jr. and girlfriend Sherry Pollex around the race track. In being in charge of at-track communications, Humphrey will spend time with the drivers, as well as the journalists to ensure that everything gets done as it should.

It’s not where you start, but where you finish

Jenna Sanders, Sports Editor
November 14, 2018
From the Panther Pit

From the Panther Pit

Jenna Sanders and Ty Odom
November 1, 2018
Group of students poses with the pride, transgender, bisexual, and pansexual flags to demonstrate support for all forms of love and acceptance at Starr’s Mill. The message that needs to be sent from this is that love in any form is not hate, and having a romantic or sexual preference does not make one a transphobe.

OPINION: Love is love

Ian Fertig, Ryan Allen, Alyson Phinney, Emma Posey, Jenna Sanders, and Rilee Stapleton
October 22, 2018
From the Panther Pit

From the Panther Pit

Jenna Sanders and Ben Barkley
October 19, 2018
Austin Hill, driver of No.02 Young’s Building Systems/Randco Chevrolet, races near the front of the pack early in the Fr8Auctions 250. At Talladega, restrictor plates are added to the engines to level the playing field, which allows smaller teams to have a chance to win the race. “Since everyone’s drafting, everyone’s running restrictor plates, it equalizes the field, and it’s really anybody’s race,” Hill said.

‘Palace of Speed’ equalizes field for Georgia drivers

Jenna Sanders, Sports Editor
October 13, 2018
From the Panther Pit - Special Edition

From the Panther Pit – Special Edition

Jenna Sanders and Caylee Cicero
October 13, 2018
Grant Enfinger, driver of the No. 98 Champion Power Equipment/Curb Records Ford F-150 for ThorSport Racing, sits in his truck after making a qualifying lap in round one. He struggled throughout the practice sessions, but rebounded and qualified fourth for tomorrow’s Fr8Auctions 250 at Talladega Superspeedway. “We had a coil that went bad, we didn’t know it at the time, but it was going bad,” Enfinger said. “We had no speed and no RPM.”

Enfinger struggles early, shows speed late

Jenna Sanders, Sports Editor
October 12, 2018
From the Panther Pit

From the Panther Pit

Jenna Sanders and Ty Odom
October 5, 2018

Coach’s Corner – Sept. 26, 2018

Jenna Sanders, Sports Editor
September 26, 2018
From the Panther Pit

From the Panther Pit

Jenna Sanders and Ty Odom
September 21, 2018

Coach’s Corner – Sept. 19, 2018

Jenna Sanders, Sports Editor
September 19, 2018
Junior first baseman Paige Andrews and freshman pitcher Lilli Backes walk off the field together smiling. After defeating McIntosh, the Lady Panthers hold the No. 1 seed in region 3-AAAAA with a 16-1 overall record and 8-0 in the region. Starr’s Mill has only allowed one run in region play this season.

Panthers repeat victory against McIntosh

Jenna Sanders, Sports Editor
September 13, 2018
From the Panther Pit

From the Panther Pit

Jenna Sanders and Ty Odom
August 30, 2018
Junior Paige Andrews bats. Andrews hit two RBIs in the fourth inning to increase the Lady Panther lead.

No early season mercy for Wildcats

Jenna Sanders, Sports Editor
August 23, 2018

Coach’s Corner – Aug. 22, 2018

Jenna Sanders, Sports Editor
August 22, 2018
From the Panther Pit - Season 4, Episode 1

From the Panther Pit – Season 4, Episode 1

Rilee Stapleton and Jenna Sanders
August 16, 2018
As It Is performs “The Wounded World,” the first single off of “The Great Depression,” at Vans Warped tour. Lead vocalist Patty Walters talked before the performance of “The Wounded World” about how we need to get rid of the stigma toward mental health, which is a constant theme throughout the album. “The Great Depression” debuted on Aug. 10.

The crash has come

Jenna Sanders, Sports Editor
August 16, 2018
With Confidence performs a song off of their album “Better Weather” called “Archers” at Vans Warped Tour 2018. The band consists of three constant members, but during Warped Tour, they added a fill-in guitar player. With Confidence’s new album “Love and Loathing” came out on Aug. 10.

An album made ‘With Confidence’

Ian Fertig and Jenna Sanders
August 15, 2018
Three young girls display signs with one of the Atlanta Dream mottos. Several players own businesses or support causes outside of the WNBA, helping them serve as role models on and off the court.

Everyone can live the Dream

Jenna Sanders, Sports Editor
July 7, 2018
Junior Liza Eubanks holds a banner with the logo for the GHSA state tournament. Eubanks led the Mill, finishing seven strokes ahead Sutton Rollins from Ware County. Overall, the girls’ team won by 28 shots for their second straight AAAAA state title.

Panther golf teams dominate state tournament

Jenna Sanders, Sports co-Editor
May 25, 2018
From the Panther Pit - Season 3, Episode 13

From the Panther Pit – Season 3, Episode 13

Rilee Stapleton and Jenna Sanders
May 18, 2018
Lady Panther chases a Wildcat player down the field. The Mill spent the majority of the Final Four game chasing after Whitewater. The Wildcat offense, led by junior Madison Wright’s hat trick, continued to overpower the Panther defense throughout the game.

Whitewater finds Wright path to state championship

Jenna Sanders, Sports co-Editor
May 10, 2018
Lady Panthers hold up four fingers signifying the team advancing to the AAAAA Final Four after their 1-1 (6-5) victory over Chamblee. The Mill plays intercounty rival Whitewater at home tomorrow at 6 p.m. for a shot at the state championship. In the last matchup against Whitewater, Starr's Mill defeated the Wildcats in penalty kicks.

Freshman Zoey Stellman saves Panthers’ shot at Final Four

Jenna Sanders, Sports co-Editor
May 7, 2018
The Lady Panthers defeated the Warhawks 2-1 in the Sweet Sixteen of the AAAAA GHSA state playoffs. The Warhawks scored the first goal of the game, which left the Lady Panthers in a defensive rut. “We let them get a goal really fast,” senior Makira Walton said. “I say ‘let’ because we had the ability to dominate that game and we didn’t for the first half.”

Freshmen lead Lady Panthers to Elite Eight

Jenna Sanders, Sports co-Editor
May 2, 2018
Lady Panther dribbles the ball while a Wildcat defender falls close behind her. The Mill defeated Locust Grove 3-0 in the first round of state playoffs. The game was slow in the first half, but after halftime, the team scored two goals in the first 10 minutes.

Despite poor performance, Lady Panthers move to Sweet Sixteen

Jenna Sanders, Sports co-Editor
April 27, 2018
Freshman keeper Andrew Cole saves the ball as it is shot his way. “I try to organize [the team] as much as I can and tell them where to be,” Cole said. “I always have the best view of the field.”

Panthers separate Wolfpack in first round of playoffs

Jenna Sanders, Sports co-Editor
April 27, 2018

Coach’s Corner – April 25, 2018

Jenna Sanders, Sports co-Editor
April 25, 2018
Lady Panther battles two Tigers for the ball. The Mill defeated Fayette County in a 6-0 shutout on April 19 with junior Meritt Parker and freshman Chloe Thompson leading Starr’s Mill with two goals apiece.

Lady Panthers shut out Tigers on path to playoffs

Jenna Sanders, Sports co-Editor
April 20, 2018
Junior Meritt Parker trips over a Lady Chief as she attempts to dribble the ball. The Mill lost to their crosstown rival McIntosh 4-2 in penalty kicks.

A battle until the end

Jenna Sanders, Sports co-Editor
April 16, 2018

Coach’s Corner – April 13, 2018

Jenna Sanders, Sports co-Editor
April 13, 2018
From the Panther Pit - Season 3, Episode 10

From the Panther Pit – Season 3, Episode 10

Jenna Sanders and Dana Gould
March 31, 2018
Senior Kirsten Oates dribbles the ball down the field outside of the goalie box. The Mill dominated the Griffin Bears in a shutout region match 10-0.

Total domination

Jenna Sanders, Sports co-Editor
March 15, 2018

Coach’s Corner – March 8, 2018

Jenna Sanders, Sports co-Editor
March 8, 2018

[Video] Coach’s Corner – Feb. 14, 2018

Ben Barkley, Staff Writer
February 14, 2018
Freshman Chloe Thompson battles a Viking player for the ball. In a home game on Feb. 9, the Mill tied Northgate 2-2.

Vikings’ last-minute goal forces tie with Lady Panthers

Jenna Sanders, Sports co-Editor
February 12, 2018

Coach’s Corner – Feb. 9, 2018

Jenna Sanders, Sports co-Editor
February 10, 2018
The Starr’s Mill soccer team pushes players to perform as well as possible, preparing them for future play at the collegiate level.

Former Lady Panthers still kickin’

Jenna Sanders, Sports co-Editor
February 1, 2018
A Panther dribbles the ball down the court. The Mill defeated Whitewater 47-32 in an aggressive rematch game.

Young Panthers victorious in rematch

Jenna Sanders, Sports co-Editor
January 23, 2018
Alum Dylan Patterson drives the ball while a defender attacks aggressively. Patterson, in her sophomore year of college, has joined the Philippines national team to play in the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup in France.

Starr’s Mill alum honors family, earns place on Philippines national team

Jenna Sanders, Sports co-Editor
January 21, 2018

Coach’s Corner – Jan. 10, 2018

Jenna Sanders and Ben Barkley
January 11, 2018
A Panther swims in the first meet of the year. The Mill’s swim team has come out on top in their first two meets and look to place first in their next meet, the Carrollton Classic, on Dec. 2.

Swim team on track for 18th straight championship

Jenna Sanders, Sports co-Editor
December 2, 2017
Sophomore Paige Andrews sends a ball to the plate. Andrews was awarded with Pitcher of the Year from the Fayette Daily News of the 2017 year.

Two Lady Panthers receive Fayette County honors

Jenna Sanders, Sports co-Editor
November 21, 2017
A Lady Panther sets up to hit a ball. The Mill lost to McIntosh 3-0 in the final four of the AAAAA GHSA state playoffs.

Lady Panthers shot down in final four

Jenna Sanders, Sports co-Editor
November 2, 2017
A Lady Panther hits the ball as it comes her way. The Mill defeated Harris County 3-0 in the elite eight to set up the team’s third match against McIntosh this season.

Consistency helps Lady Panthers advance to final four

Jenna Sanders, Sports co-Editor
October 24, 2017
Two Lady Panthers hug after the last game of the night. Despite winning region 3-AAAA, the Lady Panthers fell to Ola in the first round of state playoffs.

Mustangs trample Lady Panthers in first round of playoffs

Jenna Sanders, Sports co-Editor
October 19, 2017

[Video] Coach’s Corner – Oct. 10, 2017

Ben Barkley, Staff Writer
October 10, 2017
Brandon Rew

Brandon Rew

Jenna Sanders, Sports co-Editor
October 5, 2017
A Panther sets the ball for a teammate. The Panthers split the night, beating Griffin 2-0 but losing to McIntosh 2-0.

Lady Panthers finish region play as No. 3 seed

Jenna Sanders, Sports co-Editor
October 2, 2017
Michael Lantz

Michael Lantz

Jenna Sanders, Sports co-Editor
September 19, 2017
The varsity boys’ cross country team holds up their 1st place trophy after a successful meet on Sept. 2 at Heritage Church. The Panthers ended the meet with the top runners finishing 1-2.

Cross country starts season with success

Dana Gould and Jenna Sanders
September 7, 2017

Coach’s Corner – Aug. 28, 2017

Jenna Sanders, Sports co-Editor
August 29, 2017
A Lady Panther jumps up to block the ball. On Aug. 22, Starr's Mill split matches against Columbus and Trinity, defeating Trinity 2-0 and losing to Columbus 2-0.

Volleyball searching to fill gaps on the court

Jenna Sanders, Sports co-Editor
August 24, 2017
Three flags are combined to represent the languages that students learned to earn the seal of biliteracy. Eleven students earned a seal of biliteracy in either Spanish or German by having a 3.0 grade point average and earning a four or a five on their advanced placement language exam.

Eleven graduates earn seal of biliteracy

Jenna Sanders, Sports co-Editor
August 22, 2017
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