©2009 NPT PHOTO SUBMITTED

Newport's Cassidy Gibson poses with her Toyota Tournament of Champions title trophy this past Wednesday.

NEWPORT-She something special, and Cocke County High School head golf coach Blake Briggs has been waiting to get her.

Cassidy Gibson has garnered many accolades on the golf course for several years now. Three trips to the Tennessee Middle School State Championship, and over the summer, numerous honors on the Tennessee Golf Association Junior Tour. Now, another big trophy added to her growing collection after Gibson won the TGA Junior Tour's post-season Toyota Tournament of Champions Girl's 12-14 Masters title this past Tuesday and Wednesday at the Golf Club of Tennessee in Kingston Springs.

Gibson, an incoming freshman who began play for Cocke County High School when they opened their 2009 season on Friday against Cherokee High School, fired a two-day total 161, and finished at 19-over, good for a two-shot victory over Mindy Llewellyn. Gibson fired a sizzling 79 on the opening day of the tournament, and was tied with Lauren Johnson atop the leader board heading into the final round on Wednesday. But, Johnson faded, and ended up with a 90 while Gibson kept her cool, and fended off all challengers with a final-day 82.

Meanwhile in the Boy's 16-18 Masters division, Newport's Zach Briggs was among the early leaders at the start, and finished an impressive fourth overall. The Cocke County High School junior fired an opening-round 72, but finished with a second-round 80, good for a two-day total of 152, seven shots behind tournament champion Codie Welborn. Newport's Jake Shelton finished tied for 16th with a two-day total 163, while Newport's Chase Atkins finished 21st on 168.

And in the Boy's 14-15 Masters division, Newport's Jacob Quinton finished 15th overall with a two-day total of 164.

CCHS SEASON UNDERWAY

Hard to believe, but Cocke County High School's fall sports season is underway, and it started on Friday with the golf squad as the Big Red and Lady Red hosted Inter Mountain Athletic Conference foe Cherokee.

The Big Red and Lady Red return to action on Monday, August 3, when they travel to Seymour. The Lady Red will be at Baneberry on Tuesday, August 4, for the Morristown Girl's Invitational. And, the Big Red and Lady Red will finish out the week at Smoky Mountain Country Club on Thursday when they host IMAC foe Morristown East.