Winter and Spring Sports Recaps

Winter & Spring Sports

Team Recaps Team Recap

BOYS BASKETBALL

The FPD Boys Basketball team followed up their 2021 Region Championship with a 2022 Region Championship and another perfect region record.

After a tough first round win in overtime against Savannah Christian in the State Tournament, the Vikings cruised to two straight victories over Mount Vernon and St. Francis to earn the program’s first ever appearance in the GHSA Final Four. In a hard fought contest, the Vikings came up just short, losing by two points in overtime to Kings Ridge Christian.

As had been the case for the entire season, the Vikings were led by their seniors Jay King, Nick Jordan, and Garyah Fumbah. Jay King was voted unanimous Player of the Year for the region, and was also voted Co-Player of the Year for the State in 1A-Private. Averaging more than 30 points per game, Jay completed one of the best single seasons in Viking basketball history and scored more than 1,300 points in just two years at FPD.

The Vikings look to continue their success in the 2022-23 season with several key players returning. Brycen Williams, Jakhari Williams, and Jaylon Johnson return as the nucleous for next year’s team.

Girls BASKETBALL

The Lady Vikings basketball team knew coming into this season that several players who had not previously played a lot of minutes, would need to contribute in a big way.

The Lady Vikings finished the season with an 8-16 record and a trip to the GHSA Class-A Private State Tournament. The Lady Vikings played well in the region tournament and secured a playoff spot.

The highlight of the season was junior forward Kendall Emener scoring her 1,000th career point in the region tournament on her home court.

The biggest take away from the season was that some of the younger girls were able to play valuable minutes which should help put an experienced group on the court in 20222023.

The Lady Vikings graduate seniors Madelyn Davis, Avery Stroud, Georgia Mercer, Cammie Frame, Anna Hawk, and Natalie Paxton.

Swimming

The 2021-22 varsity swimming season provided plenty of highlights for the Lady Vikings and Vikings. The Lady Vikings were the Middle GA Champions and the Vikings were Runners-up for the Middle GA Championship.

This year, FPD took seven swimmers to the GHSA State Meet at GA Tech: Justin Chang, Ren Harden, An An Marone, Sophia Ives, Ava Grace Baltz, Sarah Grace Strickland, and Lily Hershberg. FPD graduates Justin Chang and Jason Xian.

Wrestling

Under the leadership of Coach Ken Garvin, the 2021-2022 Wrestling Team had a great season. The Vikings were led by its lone senior, Hayden Prady.

The Vikings had a strong showing at the Area Tournament that saw six wrestlers place with Patrick Thompson, Harvey Roddenberry, and Hayden Prady moving on to the GHSA Class A Sectionals. After a great performace at Sectionals, Prady advanced to the GHSA State Tournament.

Under the direction of head coach Shane Self, the FPD varsity lacrosse team had another great year. The Vikings began the season with a win against Fayette County. Other victories included Greenbriar, Ola, and Mount de Sales.

The Vikings had a great mixture of upperclassmen and freshman players who really came together at the end of the year. Coach Self is looking forward to next year to see what lies ahead for the 2022-23 season.

Tennis

Our varsity tennis teams had another great season under head coach Derek Lashley. The Lady Vikings (16-2) won the GHSA Class-A Private Region Championship for the second year in a row. The Lady Vikings were able to make it to the Sweet Sixteen in the State Tournament, but fell short. The Vikings finished third at the GHSA Class-A Private Region Championship qualifying them for the state playoffs. The Vikings made it to the Sweet Sixteen round before being eleminated.

During the 2022 season Coach Derek Lashley achieved his 300th overall career win.

The Lady Vikings and Vikings only graduate two seniors Sara Kate Bullington and Chandler Jackson.

Track & Field

The Lady Vikings and Vikings varsity track teams had another great year in 2022. The highlight of the season came at the GHSA Class-A Area-1 Private Meet. The Lady Vikings claimed the Area Championship, beating out nine other teams under first-year head coach Christian Baumgarth.

FPD had 24 athletes qualify for sectionals—eight of whom ended up winning their events at the area meet. For state, FPD had 16 qualify and nine athletes finished on the state podium.

This year, FPD had several athletes finish in the top 5 at the state meet. They are: Brady Roper, State Champion in the 300 hurdles. Jordan Tolbert, Runner-up in the 300 hurdles. Claire Harrison placed 2nd in discus and 4th in shot put. Destiny Lanham placed 4th in discus, and Lillie Mealor finshed 3rd in the 3200.

The FPD track program graduates: Madelyn Davis, Abbie DeZoort, Emmie DeZoort, Cammie Frame, Claire Harrison, Lillie Mealor, Samantha Meeks, Tenley Pelissier, Avery Stroud, Lola Grace Wilson, Tom He, Cook Kemper, Walker Perkins, Brady Roper, Camden Smith, Sutton Snow, Jordan Tolbert, Ethan Wilson, and Jason Xian.

Girls Golf

In her first year as head girls golf coach, Casie Palmer and her team had a great year! The Lady Vikings played a total of 10 matches in the GHSA Class-A Private Region and ended the season with a record of 8-2.

At the Region Tournament, the Lady Vikings came in first. Also at Region, Avery Robinson was the low medalist of the tournament and Georgia Mercer was a top three finisher.

After wining the region, the Lady Vikings traveled to Acworth, GA, to play at the GHSA State Tournament. where they placed 6th overall. Robinson was a top 5 low medalist at state.

Robinson also made the 2022 All-State Class A Private team. The girls varsity golf team program graduates Lauren Casey, Georgia Mercer, and Bailey Casteel.

Boys Golf

The 2022 Varsity Boys Golf team continued the longstanding tradition of qualifying for and competing in the Boys State Golf Championship.

In order to qualify for the state championship, all teams must compete in an area tournament and finish in the top three. The FPD boys competed in the Area Tournament at River Forest Golf Club in Forsyth, GA this year against eight schools. At the end of the tournament, the FPD boys were tied for third place, and had to compete in a sudden-death elimination playoff. All six golfers competed in the playoff, and the FPD boys won every match to clinch third place and qualify for the state playoffs.

Of the top three scorers for the FPD boys at the state championship this year, all were underclassmen. Lawson Andress, Will Culver, and Cameron Mann will all return next season while a promising and talented group of freshmen golfers will be added to the team. Under the direction of Coach John Walker, the FPD boys golf team will look to build off their 2022 season and compete for another state championship.