The Tifton Gazette January 28, 2012

The Year in Sports 2011 2 Year in Sports 720534jbV Year in Sports 3 A memorable year for Tiftarea athletics

It’s hard to believe it is already 2012. Championships have been won both on and a loved coach move on to new It seems like every year comes and goes the region and state level. We have had things. All of those things only scratch faster than the last; 2011 was no differ- players receive national honors, anoth- the surface of what has happened. We ent. Just because it flew by doesn’t er player make the NFL and coaches at The Tifton Gazette would like to look mean that it wasn’t an eventful year. who have received honors as well. Of back on 2011 with you to view what we That is especially true for the Tiftarea, course not all the news has been happy. thought some of the bigger stories especially in the area of sports. Our area has seen a player pass away were. Tift basketball sweeps region

Photo/Paul Leavy The Valdosta Daily Times Photo/Paul Leavy The Valdosta Daily Times Tift’s Brakea Bateman chases a loose ball. Tift’s Donnell Tuff and Breon Dixon go for a rebound. Staff Reports feel like a proud mama right now.” game. She continued, “We have worked Amazingly even with those things TIFTON — Tift County High basket- hard for the three years I have been against them, the Blue Devils contin- ball history may have been made and our ultimate goal was to hang a ued to build their lead throughout the Friday night. banner at the gym. Now we get to hang half. With a sweep over Valdosta High, our banner, and as I told the girls, it “You have got to have the will to both the Lady Devils and Blue Devils will be a night we will never forget.” win, and we showed that tonight,” said emerged with Region 1-AAAAA cham- Jessica Covington led the Lady Tift Head Coach Eric Holland. pionships for what could be the first Devils with 19 points and 11 rebounds. “Our will to win was extremely time in school history. Dee Dee Deshazer added 15 points, strong tonight.” The Lady Devils won 60-53, while while Alexis Johnson scored nine. T.J. Cromer led the Blue Devils with the Blue Devils captured a 73-57 victory. Senior Kiara Bennett may have iced 19 points, while Tadric Jackson added No matter what, the Lady Devils did the game in the final two minutes, as 15. Tae Jolly scored 14, and Donell Tuff make known history as Tift County she hit 4-of-4 from the free throw line. added eight. captured its first league tournament Only up 28-22 at the half, the Blue But, perhaps the person that most title since 1995. Devils were able to withstand foul trou- showed Holland’s “will to win” was DD Lady Devil Head Coach Julie ble by Blue Devil Breon Dixon, who Jackson. Conner was elated for her squad after picked up his fourth foul with 4:55 left Even though he scored only three the game. in the third period, and a hot Jay Rome, points, DD Jackson, “probably took five “My heart is so full of pride and who scored 20 of his 23 points in the or six charges for us, and he played love for these girls,” Conner said. “I final half for Valdosta, to win the extremely hard.” 4 Year in Sports Semifinal basketball teams Tift County Blue Devils Tiftarea Lady Panthers Staff Reports is not lacking in talent. Staff Reports Courtney Albritton led Arguably the top fresh- the way for the Lady TIFTON — Tift will be man in the state, Tadric CHULA — The Tiftarea Panthers with 24 points. facing the top-ranked team Jackson leads the Devils in Academy Lady Panthers Shamonica Fowler added in the state in the Milton scoring with 20 points per basketball team are back in nine points, while Caitlyn High Eagles in the Class game. He has made 40 per- familiar territory. Albritton added eight more. AAAAA State Semifinals in cent of his three-pointers With a 58-48 win over Other scorers were the Gwinnett Arena in this season, and is shooting Duluth. Milton is also a top 70 percent from the free Mount deSales Friday in the Heather Kelly, who scored five team in the nation. throw line. Elite Eight, the Lady six points, and added nine Milton has six players Senior Breaon Dixon, Panthers will be making assists; Jarrett McWhorter that are Division I prospects, who will play in the GACA a return trip to the with five and and in that total is North-South All- state Final Four. Karli Whiddon Julian Star Game It will be the and Ali Rippy Royal, later this third year the with three who is month in Lady points apiece. consid- Savannah, Panthers To play ered the had 17 will have for the top-ranked player in points against played in the state the state this season. Savannah. state semifinals, champi- Even with all of Senior Tae Jolly but it will be the onship, the that against them, is Tift’s third lead- Tift County Head ing scorer with first time in Lady Coach Eric Holland nine points per game, Class AAA as the Panthers now and his team are going into while sophomore Donell previous two trips have a huge moun- tonight’s game with one Tuff is averaging eight were done in Class AA. tain to climb. thing on their mind — them- points and 10 rebounds per It will also be the first In the semifinals, selves. contest. time with coach Mike Tiftarea will play an “We don’t care about Dixon and Jolly are part Patrick, as the previous two Arlington Christian team what other people are say- of Tift’s 10-member senior years the team was also that “has probably won 100 ing,” said Holland. “We are class that has seen the coached by John O’Brien, games in a row,” Patrick going to go in there and con- Devils win 15 of its last 16 who is no longer at Tiftarea. said. Arlington is undefeat- trol the one thing we can games. That one loss was to It is a heady place for a ed this year and has won the control, ourselves.” Valdosta to close the regular team that was standing at 6- last two state titles in Class He added, “When it season, 64-53. comes down to it, Milton is “The kids have been real- 5 at the holidays. The team AA. That game will be at 7 just like us; they are a bunch ly focused in the latter part is now 19-7. p.m. Thursday at Georgia of 16 and 17-year-old kids of the season. They know “I am really pleased for College and State University trying to play basketball.” this is about us and what these girls,” said Patrick. in Milledgeville. While they may not have they want to accomplish, “They have worked really “It will be tough, but we received the publicity of the which is win a state champi- hard this year, and we have will do our best,” said Milton players, the Tift team onship,” said Holland. come a long way.” Patrick.

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TIFTON — The ABAC title. Georgia Perimeter’s Fillies defeated Gordon Salif Kante was named College 9-0 behind the play MVP. ABAC Coach Alan of tournament MVP Chanel Kramer was named Coach of Cunningham to win the the Year in the GCAA for Georgia Collegiate Athletic the men and the women. Association Region XVII The eighth-ranked Fillies womens tennis title today at will travel to Tucson, Ariz., the Red Hill Athletic Center. for the women’s national The Fillies have now won 18 tournament on May 8-13. consecutive championships. The sixth-ranked Stallions The ABAC Stallions will travel to Plano, Texas, knocked off Georgia for the men’s national tour- Perimeter 5-4 for the men’s nament on May 15-20. National results on Page 6 6 Year in Sports Fillies place fifth Special to the Gazette (Dale) White (assistant coach) and I told them if we stayed the course on our expectations, we can put ourselves in posi- TIFTON — The Fillies of Abraham Baldwin Agricultural tion for good things to happen. College finished in a tie for fifth place in the National Junior "There are many good teams out here, and finishing in College Athletic Association women's national tennis tour- the upper tier is certainly going to make this a nament, which wound up on Thursday in Tucson, Ariz. memorable year. We were able to stay focused on Ranked eighth in the nation when the tournament our team goals." began, the Fillies got an 8-0 win in the consolation The Fillies won their 18th consecutive Georgia match final over the College of Lake County thanks to Collegiate Athletic Association title on April the doubles' team of Chanel Cunningham and Keri 22 at the Red Hill Athletic Center at ABAC. Huett to finish with 25 points, tying Eastern They used that 9-0 win over Gordon as a Arizona and Florida State College. springboard to the national tournament. "It is a slippery slope when you start to Kramer and White will return from watch every point out here, and you become Tucson for a brief respite before head- too dependent on others to determine your ing west again with the Stallions' tennis fate," Fillies Coach Alan Kramer said. team to play in the national "You have to make sure to men's tournament in Dallas, control what you can con- Texas. trol, and we did that." Norman "Red" Hill, long- Tyler won the national time coach of the men's title followed by Lee, St. team, has been working with Petersburg, and Laredo. The Fillies bounced back from a the Stallions this week. Hill won two national champi- disappointing 17th place finish last year. onships in men's tennis at ABAC, the last in 1999 on the last "The girls showed significant improvement from the point of the last match he ever coached at ABAC before retir- beginning of the season until now," Kramer said. "Coach ing.

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Super Bowl to Georgia Peanut Bowl

By Steve Carter Firebirds are the UFF’s Georgia cham- played to realize these young men were pions. The Georgia Peanut Bowl will playing football to the best of their abil- TIFTON — Anthony Hargrove and also double as the UFF championship ities,” Hargrove said. “Playing in the Antonio Edwards have a lot in com- game. championship game was one of the mon. While it may seem to some that it is goals we set for ourselves at the start of The two men played football at col- a letdown to go from playing in a Super the season, and I am excited we will leges in Georgia with Hargrove going Bowl to coaching in a minor league have the chance to play for it.” to Georgia Tech and Edwards playing championship game in South Georgia, Serving as an assistant coach for the at Valdosta State; they have both played Edwards does not agree. Veterans, under the team’s owner/head defensive line positions in college, as “No matter what level of football coach, Wayne Gile, has also helped well as in the NFL; and most impor- you are involved in, you want to be able Hargrove take his mind off the NFL tantly, they have both played to reach the highest level. It is going to lockout. Currently a free agent after in Super Bowls. be an honor for me to coach in playing last season with the Saints, Hargrove played this game. I have seen the play- Hargrove usually would have his mind with the New ers work hard elsewhere in early June. Orleans all season, “Normally this time of the year, I Saints in and this will would be involved with mini-camps or Super Bowl be a worthy OTAs (organized team activities). With XLIV, while culmination the lockout, I have been able to further Edwards was of that hard my studies on how to help young men a member of the work,” said prepare to better themselves as football Atlanta Falcons Edwards. players, so to me the lockout has been team that participat- He also added, somewhat of a blessing,” said ed in Super Bowl XXXIII. “When I was in high school (in Colquitt Hargrove. Now the two men have one more County), we had to put up with Having played his college football at thing in common as both will be coach- Valdosta winning all of the champi- Georgia Tech, Hargrove indicated he ing in the first-ever Georgia Peanut onships. No matter the level of football, was happy for another reason about Bowl being played Saturday at Brodie a chance for a championship is what coaching in the first Georgia Peanut Field in Tifton. you strive for. You want to be the best Bowl. Hargrove is the assistant head coach you can be at anything you do, and that “I have been through Tifton many of the Florida Veterans, while Edwards includes life.” times going from my home in Port is the head man for the Georgia “When I came onboard in early Charlotte, Fla., to Atlanta. We would Firebirds. The Veterans are the Florida February, I told these young men that I always stop there for boiled peanuts,” conference champions of the United would do my best to make them better said Hargrove. “My family and I hope Football Federation, while the football players. I wanted the teams we to have some more Saturday.” 8 Year in Sports Tragedy strikes Fitzgerald football team Staff Reports from the passing of D.J. family will miss the smiling Searcy, an 11th grade stu- face of this beloved young TIFTON — Donteria J. dent at Fitzgerald High man. (DJ) Searcy, a junior on the School. D.J., a defensive line- “Deepest sympathy is 2011 Fitzgerald High football man with the Hurricanes, extended to the family, team, died during the team's was attending football camp friends, and staff who were camp at O'Leno State Park near Lake City, Fla., this impacted by his young life. in Columbia County, Fla. week. The team will be returning Searcy had participated “After an unnamed player later this afternoon. in a morning practice with advised one of the coaches Counselors from all Ben Hill his teammates. At approxi- that there was a problem County Schools will be avail- mately 11:15 a.m. he was with D.J. who was located in able to students. found unresponsive in his his room in the assigned Appreciation is extended to cabin at the park. An ambu- cabin, D.J. was transported all the surrounding school lance transported Searcy to to the hospital where he districts who have offered the Lake City (Fla.) Medical later passed away at 12:43 their counseling services Center. EMTs and emer- p.m. Tuesday. and condolences through DJ SEARCY gency room physicians “The cause of death is calls and emails. stated, Ben Hill County attempted to revive him, but unknown at this time, but “As Bobby Connor, deputies went to the park were unsuccessful. the body will be transported Superintendent of rival Tuesday to escort the team Ben Hill County School to the Medical Examiner's Irwin County expressed, ‘We back to Fitzgerald. While the Superintendent Nancy P. Office in Jacksonville, Fla. might be rivals across the team waited to return, grief Whiddon issued the follow- “Numerous administra- field in competition, but in counselors with the ing statement. tors, teachers and coaches situations like this we are Columbia County (Fla.) “Ben Hill County Schools describe D.J. as a ‘great kid.' pulling together with sup- Sheriff ’s Office visited with and the Fitzgerald He was a good student with port for your community.’ players and coaches. Hurricanes suffered the a positive attitude who was “God bless the family of Roy White III of Cook most devastating loss of the always smiling. He was an D.J. Searcy during their time High was the last football year today. The season has outstanding athlete, a of loss. Our prayers are with player in the Tiftarea who not begun but the team, favorite of students and you all.” died. He died during spring coaches and staff are reeling staff. The school, friends and As the superintendent practice drills in 2009. 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He the Georgia Firebirds were defeated, pressed into duty at quarterback, took was one of my former teammates at 20-6, by the Pacifica (Calif.) Islanders in the snap, rolled around to the left side Tift County High, and he went on to the Minor League Football Alliance and as he was pressured flipped the play in the NFL with the Los Angeles national championship game played in ball over the outstretched hands of the Raiders and the Seattle Seahawks. It Las Vegas. Islander defenders into the waiting was great to see him again, and for him The Firebirds were shorthanded in arms of Isaac Alford for the score. The to be able to relate his experiences to the game as quarterback C.J. Roper point after was blocked. our players.” and offensive lineman Jamal Watson On Pacifica's very next possession, a As far as the game itself, Teals said, missed the game due to work obliga- runner burst up the middle for 50 yards “To get to the national championship tions. Also, star running back Lanarius and a touchdown. That score sealed the game after just being in existence for McKinley did not make the trip to Las Firebirds' fate. two years is a great feat. I am proud of Vegas as he was injured. Even with the loss, Firebirds owner our players and staff. McKinley's loss was especially big Darrien Teals was thankful for the “We also want to thank our fans for as he was just coming off being the opportunity. their support this season, they have Most Valuable Player in the Georgia “It was very educational for us. Our been great. We would also like to thank Peanut Bowl, where he accounted for players received a very big lifestyles the individuals and businesses that 123 of Georgia's 131 total yards of experience. They were able to helped us go to Las Vegas. They made offense in the Firebirds' 26-23 win over encounter a number of things for the the experience possible.” the Florida Veterans. first times in their lives, such as the Georgia ends the year with a 14-1 Down 13-0 with 10:17 left in the fact most of them had never flown record, counting a preseason bowl game, the Firebirds scored their only before,” said Teals. game win in Miami over a team from a touchdown on a fourth and goal play “We were also able to hear from Roy Buffalo, N.Y., in January. Larry Dean lives dream

By Steve Carter cover Minnesota expected them to keep six lineback- TIFTON — Labor Day ers. weekend usually means a Minnesota could still add brief break to honor the another player for the posi- workforce. tion, but Dean’s spot is In 2011, Labor Day will secure. mean something different Even if he had been cut, for Larry Dean. This week- Dean’s NFL dreams would end will always be remem- have still been alive, as it bered as a time when he got was reported at least five a job, and not just any old teams had talked to his job, Dean’s job will be play- agents about a spot if the ing football this season for Vikings had let him go. the Minnesota Vikings. Dean could not be The news means Dean reached for an interview, but fulfilled his lifelong dream in a text message he did of playing in the NFL. show he remembers his It took all day Saturday Tifton roots. for the culmination of that “It’s a true blessing and dream. just an eye opener to the With Saturday being the younger Blue Devils that day teams had to get down anything is possible,” said to their regular season 45- Dean. “They should always man roster level, Dean dream big no matter what found out he made the team part of town they are from.” late in the afternoon. Dean will begin his NFL The linebacker spot Dean career Sunday at San Diego. earned is even more impres- Dean will have a homecom- sive as the Vikings only kept ing as the Vikings will play five players for that position. in Atlanta against the Most of the writers that Falcons Nov. 27. LARRY DEAN 10 Year in Sports Johnson breaks ABAC soccer record By Bren Shepard strike however, and it looked as if they had found their stride. TIFTON — It was a great day to be at the ABAC soccer Thirty minutes passed though, and once again both field as Melissa Johnson scored four goals to lead ABAC to a teams had their chances but neither seemed to be able to 6-1 victory over Middle Georgia College Warriors. make anything out of it. That’s when Caravello would line With that, she became the single season record holder for up with a free kick in the left corner of the Warriors’ side of goals in a year at ABAC, and has three more the field. She struck a beautiful ball that found games where she could add to her total. the back corner of the net just barely out of the Not only is she turning heads at ABAC, reach of the Warrior goalkeeper, giving ABAC but she is turning heads all around the coun- a 3-1 lead, which was surely out of reach try, as she leads the entire nation in goals and thanks to the great defense all day from Missy points. Green, Kiara Ortega and Hannah Hoffman. As of Tuesday when standings were last Johnson would make sure the game stayed updated, she was leading the second place out of reach. player by six points. Scoring four times will Over a seven-minute stretch she would add almost certainly extend that lead. three more goals to her magical season total, The game started as a defensive battle which now stands at 29 goals. between the Warriors and Fillies, both teams “We had great defense all day. Everyone did getting their chances but neither able to put great. It was a very special day for Melissa, 29 the ball in the back of the net. goals in one season is incredible,” said head The deadlock was broken in the 25th coach Jimmy Ballenger. He went on to add minute as Francesca Caravello worked her “Any day you go out and beat a team like way past two defenders before firing her shot Middle Georgia is especially great.” past the helpless Warrior keeper. ABAC fans once again came out in large Not even two minutes later Johnson tied MELISSA JOHNSON numbers to support the Fillies, who are in posi- the single season goals scored mark and tion to host a playoff game for a second straight extended the ABAC lead to 2-0. season. That would be the score going into halftime, as ABAC Many of the students who came out were painted green keeper Kaylee Wynn made five saves look easy to hold and even brought out the old ABAC chant of “Gee, haw, Middle Georgia scoreless through 45 minutes. whoa, back! Give ‘em hell ABAC,” when the team scored Three minutes into the second half the Warriors would their goals. Year in Sports 11 Walls leaves Tift County By Bren Shepard the Lowndes High Vikings The team reached the the Valdosta State Blazers as in what some considered one state playoffs in his first four a defensive tackle. For the TIFTON — Patrick of the biggest upsets in Tift years, but has failed to reach 1985 season, Walls was Atwater, Superintendent of County foot- the playoffs named a permanent team the Tift County School ball history. for the last captain for the Blazers. System, released a statement The Blue three. This Walls would spend two Tuesday announcing that Devils entered last season years as a graduate assistant Jay Walls has resigned from that game was a particu- coach for the Blazers, before his position as head football with a 4-5 larly difficult taking a job at Crestview coach of the Tift County record, while one for the (Fla.) High School. He spent Blue Devils, effective Nov. 1. Lowndes was Blue Devils. eight years there, the last In his seven seasons with 8-1 and had After a strong five as the defensive coordi- the Blue Devils, Walls already 3-0 start, the nator, before getting his first became the second win- clinched the Blue Devils head coaching job at ningest coach in school his- 2010 region lost seven Suwannee High School in tory. He led the team to a 44- title. Tift won straight, Live Oak, Fla. Walls would 34 record over his tenure, the game, including coach there for eight seasons highlighted by a Region 1- which was their home- and amass 59 wins. He left AAAAA championship in played in coming game, that job in 2005 to take over 2006. That league title was Valdosta, 10-7. JAY WALLS their Senior at Tift County. the school's first since the Only Gene Night game His wife, Amy Walls, is 1983 season. Brodie has more career wins and all four region contests. also a teacher in the Tift In 2006, the Blue Devils with the Blue Devils than The 2011 season ended with School system. She teaches also advanced to the state Walls. a 21-0 loss to Lowndes last physical education and semifinals where they lost to In the release Atwater Friday at Brodie Field. health at Northeast Campus. Roswell, 24-10. said, "We thank Coach Walls Walls graduated from Walls has since been Walls reached his 100th for his dedication to the pro- Valdosta State University hired at Navarre (Fla) High career win while coaching gram and wish him success with a Bachelor of Science School. Tift has hired John Tift County. That was an in all of his future endeav- degree in education. He was Reid from East Paulding to upset victory in 2010 over ors." also a three-year starter for replace him. Reclassification shakes up GHSA By Bren Shepard “Well, everyone in the region is Subregion A, where they will be joined upset about it. A lot of schools, espe- by Cairo High, Westover High and TIFTON — Tift County High School cially the ones in the south, are upset Albany High. Subregion B will consist will be one of 63 teams that will make about it,” said Tift County High School of Americus-Sumter High, Crisp up Class AAAAAA next year. athletic director Rusty Smith. “That County, Dougherty High and Monroe Previously Georgia was split into region is going to be pretty High. five classifications, but due to the num- tough. It’s disappointing that The Cook High Hornets, ber of new schools being added each only two teams from Fitzgerald High Purple year and regions growing larger every each subregion will be Hurricanes and season the GHSA voted to expand to six moving on to the play- Berrien High Rebels classifications. offs.” will all be placed in Tift has been placed into Region 1- Smith is not con- Region 1-AA. Those AAAAAA, which will consist of two vinced this will be the end of three and Atkinson subregions. Tift will be a member of the changes. County will be members Subregion A, which contains Tift “We (South Georgia schools) of Subregion B. Subregion A County, Colquitt County, Valdosta and still have a lot of fight in us. I don’t will contain Brooks County, Lowndes. Subregion B will have think this is over. I think after a few Early County, Pelham High and Camden County, Coffee and Brunswick. more days we will know more,” said Thomasville High. That means only two teams from Smith. The Turner County Rebels and each subregion will move into the play- Tift wasn’t the only school being Irwin County Indians will be in Region offs. Region 1 being the only region in shaken up by reclassification, as the 2-A. They, along with Telfair County Class AAAAAA south of Macon, it other six Tiftarea public schools also and Wilcox County, will make up means that four of the 32 playoff teams were placed in new regions. Subregion A. Subregion B will consist will be from the south, while the other The Worth County Rams will be of Charlton County, Clinch County, 28 will be Atlanta schools. playing in Region 1-AAAA in Echols County and Lanier County. 12 Year in Sports Jay Gaskins named player of the year Special to the Gazette County Blue Devil was named the Division II ALBANY — Albany State Naitonal Defensive Player of University linebacker Jay the Year. Last year’s winner Gaskins has picked up more was Larry Dean, who played post-season honors. Gaskins his college ball at Valdosta highlights the Daktronics State, and who is now a All-America team, which member of the Minnesota was announced by the Vikings. Collegiate Sports “I think it says a lot for Information Directors of our program that we have America. two players receive national In addition to first-team honors at the college level,” honors, Gaskins earned the said Jay Walls, who was the Ron Lenz Division II head coach at Tift County National Defensive Player of during Dean’s and Gaskins’ the Year honor after being high school careers. “I am named the Super Region very proud of both of Two and SIAC Defensive them.” Player of the Year. He was Mars Hill College run- the lone representative from ning back Jonas Randolph the Southern Intercollegiate was named the Ron Lenz Athletic Conference (SIAC) Division II National to be named to the team. Offensive Player of the Year. The 6-2, 200-pound senior The Ron Lenz National from Tifton had 73 tackles Player of the Year awards (42 solo) to help lead Albany were named for long-time State to an appearance in South Dakota State sports Albany State University the NCAA playoffs. Gaskins, information director Ron Jay Gaskins gets a sack against Miles College. who led the ASU “Dirty Lenz in 2008. Lenz was Blue” defense with 11 sacks, instrumental in the founda- notched with 17.5 tackles for tion of the Daktronics

losses of 75 yards in 12 NCAA Division II All- 718746 games for the Rams. America program. He also had five pass The team is sponsored by breakups, three fumble Daktronics, Inc., an recoveries for 67 yards, two acknowledged world leader quarterback hurries and a in scoring, timing and pro- forced fumble. Gaskins was grammable display systems selected to play in the third for virtually every sport at annual HBCU All-Star Bowl, every level of competition. scheduled for Sunday, Dec. The team is voted on by the 18, at 3 p.m. at the Georgia NCAA Division II members Dome in Atlanta. of the College Sports It was the second year in Information Directors of a row that a former Tift America

Tift County Recreation Department 401 Victory Dr N ~ POB 6 229-382-3262 www.tiftcounty.org/ [email protected] TCRD strives to provide comprehensive year-round recreational experiences, which contribute to the physical, social, emotional, creative and educational growth and development of Tift County Citizens. 720547awv Year in Sports 13 Local teams among the best in the state By Steve Carter formula that takes into account the fourth in the girls. squad’s success at the region and state Cook finished third in Region 1-AA, TIFTON — According to the level. The farther the team advances in second in the boys and sixth in the Georgia Athletic Directors Association state competition, the more points it girls. Cook finished 13th in the state’s website (www.gada.com), Tift County earns for the school. overall rankings for boys. High School finished the recent school Standings are also measured for Berrien finished 20th overall in the year as the ninth-most successful ath- both boys and girls sports. Tift finished girls in the state Class AA rankings. In letic program in the state’s AAAAA eighth in each of those categories in Region 1-AA, Berrien fnished fifth, sec- classification. the state competition. Lowndes (10th in ond in the girls and seventh in the The program was the only one from the boys, and 19th in the girls) was the boys. south Georgia in the state’s top 12, as only other 1-AAAAA school that placed Turner County finished first overall Lowndes came in 13th. Tift also fin- both programs in the state’s top 20. in Region 2-A, second in the boys and ished as the top overall program in “It was a great season, and I am third in the girls. Region 1-AAAAA for the third consecu- expecting more of the same in the Irwin County finished fourth in tive year. upcoming year,” said Smith. Region 2-A, first in the girls and fifth in “We had a great year,” said Tift Out of other schools in the Tiftarea, the boys. The girls point total was good County Athletic Director Rusty Smith. Fitzgerald was the top finisher in its for 20th overall in the state’s Class A “We had six region championships and classification, taking 20th overall in the rankings. we won the state in golf and gymnas- state’s AA class. Worth County took fifth in the the tics.” Fitzgerald finished second overall in Region 1-AAA standings, fourth in the Teams earn points for a school by a Region 1-AA, third in the boys and girls and fifth in the boys. Baseball players participate in All Star games By Steve Carter only Georgia Independent “Sumner played second The Class AAA all-stars School Association player and short, and had three hits played a team combined TIFTON — Two recent selected for any team. in the games. Seth also had a with the All-Stars from All-Star affairs featured five “Sumner proved he hit, while Tate caught two Classes A and AA. baseball players from Tift belonged with the public games and played well,” said McWhorter also played in County and Tiftarea school kids,” said Tiftarea Howell. these games. He was joined Academy. Academy Panthers Head The Georgia Dugout Club by Tiftarea Academy team- The Georgia Dugout Club Baseball Coach Chris Howell puts together five all-star mates Wes Carter and recently held their All-Star said. teams and those teams play Daniel Conger. Game series at Macon’s Howell, who was on the each other in the series. So Howell said he was excit- Luther Williams Field. Tift Southwest Georgia coaching that means each team plays ed about getting to assist County’s Seth Mann and staff with Colquitt County’s four games. Southland’s John Brady in Tate Bullard were joined on Tony Kirkland and Howell also served on the these games, but, “when you the Southwest Georgia team Brookstone’s Vince Massey, coaching staff for the GISA have players of that caliber, by Tiftarea Academy’s added, “All three of our guys All-Star Games played at basically you just tell them Sumner McWhorter, the played well. Darton College in Albany. to go out there and play.”

Contributed Photo Contributed Photo From left, Tiftarea baseball coach Chris Howell, Seth Mann, Tate From left, Wes Cater, Sumner McWhorter, Daniel Conger and Bullard and Sumner McWhorter. Tiftarea baseball coach Chris Howell. 14 Year in Sports Tift soccer dominates all-region teams Staff Reports Region 1-AAAAA Coach David Hidalgo. Joining her as first-team of the Year honors went to Dillon Bailey, Orasio All-Region 1-AAAAA mem- TIFTON — The Tift Devil Head Coach Doug Torres and Artemio Gomez bers were teammates Anna County High soccer teams Head. Also honored as the 1- were all named second-team, Head and Carlie Couch. impressed the other coaches AAAAA Player of the Year while Pablo Orduna and Haley Shiver, Emily in Region 1-AAAAA this was Benni Ruff of Tift. Zack Dorminey were named Jackson and Hope Gartman past season. That was evi- Tift finished the season honorable-mention. were all named second-team, dent in the coaches voting ranked No. 6. Tift County’s Blakely while Christen Evans, for the All-Region teams. Joining Ruff on the first- McClellan was named the Elizabeth Wilmot and Those squads were released team All-Region squad were Region 1-AAAAA Player of Elizabeth Earls were all this week. teammates Jose Romo and the Year on the girls side. named honorable-mention. Souter named Player of the Year By Bren Shepard strong throws to get runners out. CHULA — After a great In addition to being season Tiftarea Academy’s named the Player of the Lakyn Souter was named Year she was also selected the GISA 3-AAA Player of for the all-region and all- the Year. She shared the state teams. honor with Alex Lindsey of Souter helped lead the Southland Academy. Lady Panthers to a second Souter, who played place finish in the region. shortstop for the Lady That allowed them to Panthers this host the first round season, batted of the state playoffs .452 for the sea- where they were son. She com- upset by piled 26 hits, Stratford including nine Academy in doubles and two early October. home runs. She The good was also walked news for Tiftarea 16 times on the sea- is she will be back for son. one last season as a As good as she was on Lady Panther, as she earned offense she was equally as this honor as a junior. good playing in the field. She will be looking for Souter drove opposing her third consecutive all batters crazy by not allow- state selection as the Lady ing anything by her. It Panthers compete for the became a norm for her to region title as they have con- make diving stops and sistently for over a decade. LAKYN SOUTER Royal Pharmacy Your Hometown Pharmacy for 42 years

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Fax: 229-388-8258 719529dsv 229-382-6500, Ext. 133 • Fax: 229-382-6555 Year in Sports 15 Stallions earn All-American honors Staff Reports “The kids competed hard. It was an exciting match. TIFTON — Losing their They had their teammates first set by a lopsided 6-1 screaming and yelling loud score, Hernan Hatem and in support of them,” ABAC Danilo Faria had their backs Head Tennis Coach Alan against the wall Thursday at Kramer said. the NJCAA National Tennis “It was a big loss for Tournament in Plano, Laredo, they have won like Texas. six or seven national titles However, the Abraham in a row and this could spoil Baldwin Agricultural their chances of repeating.” College duo rallied Laredo is currently in back to take a 1-6, 6- third place with 36 team 4, 7-6 (3) win in the points. Tyler national semifinals (Texas) is first in the No. 3 doubles with 40, while bracket. Vincennes is sec- The victory ond with 39. over Rafael ABAC is in Bugiga and eighth place. Antoine No matter HERNAN HATEM Rafaelli of Laredo what happens (Texas) secured today, Kramer Faria and Hatem All- feels the perfor- American honors, which go mance Hatem and Faria to the national finalists. gave in the national semifi- Guaranteed that All- nals is a good omen for the American recognition, the 2012 season. ABAC twosome will now go “The most important for a national championship thing was we have both of when they face off against these guys coming back next the bracket’s top-seeded year. They will be All- team, Jami Clark and Americans and they will be Benjamin Renac of the heart of what I hope will Vincennes (Ind.) University be an excellent team,” said at 11:30 a.m. local time. Kramer. Hardy wins state

DANILO FARIA

Photo/sgasports.net Tiftarea’s Daniel Hardy won the state championship in the 160- pound weight class. 16 Year in Sports 720541jbV