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High school sports recruiting special investigation

ATLANTA -- Money, fame, the life so many young athletes dream of -- it can all start under those Friday night lights.

Every year, high school sports turn Atlanta-area athletes into local superstars. And every year, many say it turns parents and coaches into players themselves.

Make no mistake, of course -- high school sports have always been a big deal. But it used to be, players pretty much played for the schools where they grew up. Now, it's a whole new ball game.

"It has become more of a business pursuit than a recreational pursuit," said Dr. Ralph Swearngin, executive director of the Georgia High School Association.

"Parents are looking for the best situation for their kids, in many cases wherever they can get a scholarship opportunity," said Dexter Wood, athletic director at Buford High School. "And so they start shopping kids."

"Shopping kids" - what does that really mean?

Extraordinary teen unbridled by cerebral palsy

ATLANTA -- Sam Porterfield is a reunion expert.

In 22 years at Northside Hospital, he has cared for thousands of sick and premature babies. He knows how to fix them and get them back to their parents.

One night, 18 years ago, Sam was summoned to an emergency delivery.

Claudette Enners remembered, "My uterus ruptured and so basically Kevin was dead when they took him out during an emergency c-section."

Sam revived Kevin Enners, twice. He saved his life.

Claudette said, "They anticipated that he was without oxygen for eight to ten minutes." The ordeal left Kevin with cerebral palsy.

The diagnosis was remarkable in that it didn't interfere with the life Claudette and Rich Enners wanted for their son.

"He doesn't care what people think," Rich said. "If he wants to do something, he'll do it. The word can't, I've never heard him say 'I can't do that because of this.'"

'Miraculous' response to request for shoes

MARIETTA, Ga. --  A local charity used more than prayer to fulfill a need, they reached out by social media.

The story began when Blake Canterbury of Be Remedy visited MUST Ministries and asked for a list of the greatest needs. Canterbury's effective social media approach matches needs with people who want to meet those needs via his twitter feed.  He learned that MUST needed shoes for the 150 people who live with the ministry in their three housing programs in Cobb and Cherokee counties, so he sent out a tweet asking for gently used shoes and gave everyone connected to Be Remedy 19 hours to respond.

Storms leave one homeless, another to pick up the pieces

ATLANTA -- Hail dumped onto the metro area, late Thursday night. 

Some people said the hail collected, on the ground, like snow. Only a couple of residents, of the area, sustained damage but the ones who did --- have to rebuild from the ground up. 

In Marietta, a home was destroyed by two oak trees --- one landing on the deck and the other through the master bedroom. 

Seven-year-old Mattie Hill heard the tree crack and ran for the door --- ultimately, the tree fell on Mattie's pillow, the one she had been laying on almost a minute prior. 

"She heard the crack and instincts and the man upstairs was telling her to go," Jake Hill. 

The storm brought, both, fire and ice. Michael Bruce's neighbor's home is a complete lost due to a fire sparked by lightening. Bruce is being hailed as a hero in the neighborhood -- he rescued his neighbor from the burning home. 

Freebies for Kids

If you like Nexcare bandages on Facebook they'll send you a free sample pack. The giveaway is to raise awareness about World Blood drive Day June 14th.

Rudi's Organic Bakery also has a Facebook freebie.  Parents can upload a sample of your child's art work to be made into a free platstic sandwich box to pack your lunch in.  In July one design will be selected as the official Rudi's sandwich box.

On Saturday May 17th there is a free Junior Golf Expo at Windemere Golf Club in Cumming. It's designed to introduce children to the basics of golf . The event starts at 9:30 am.

'Ring of Fire' solar eclipse this Sunday

ATLANTA -- The difference between a regular eclipse and this one is the fact that only 94 percent of the sun will be covered up, leaving a ring of fire to be seen by millions of people.

RELATED | Wiz Army blog on Ring of Fire

Cobb County Police warn residents about police imposters

COBB COUNTY, Ga. -- Cobb County residents should be on the lookout after police say three men in the area are claiming to be police officers. 

However, that is not the case -- these individuals aren't really police, at all. 

And, it wasn't until Wednesday morning that a man and his small children realized the would-be-bandits may have been trying to break into their home on Chisholm Trail in Marietta.

"Apparently these three males were heard by the residents banging or beating on the back door," said Sgt. Dana Pierce, Public Information Officer for Cobb County Police.

All three cop impersonators approached the house around 5 a.m. Wednesday.

According to witnesses, the cop impostors were dressed as if they were about to make an arrest or execute some type of search warrant.