Southeast Georgia January 2017 Edition

Making the Most of His Time and Opportunity

Mike Swint Wayne County

Crew Achieves Excellence On & Off The Mat Bryce Crew Camden High

Love and Basketball Ajmanni Jefferson Long County Middle School

SEGA

Honors Finest at Annual Football Awards Banquet

Basketball World Tour

Carl Nash Frederica Academy

A Presence In The Post GAME SOUTHEAST GEORGIA

$4.00 / Issue

IN THE

Brunswick High School

January 2017

Kymani Dunham

Cardiac & Pulmonary Rehab 2004 Pioneer St. Waycross, GA 31501 912-284-2410 phone 912-284-2386 fax

Neurology 1921 Alice St., Suite B4 Waycross, GA 31501 912-285-5690 phone 912-285-1753 fax

Primary Care 1921 Alice St., Suite B4 Waycross, GA 31501 912-490-0722 phone 912-490-7227 fax

Cardiology 2004 Pioneer St. Waycross, GA 31501 912-284-2460 phone 912-284-2389 fax

Obstetrics & Gynecology 505 City Blvd.

Waycross, GA 31501 912-490-2229 phone 912-490-9023 fax

Pulmonary Medicine 2005 Pioneer St., Suite C Waycross, GA 31501 912-338-9704 phone 912-338-9758 fax

Express Care 1921 Alice St., Suite A4 Waycross, GA 31501 912-283-5616 phone 912-287-0788 fax

Occupational Medicine 1921 Alice St., Suite A3 Waycross, GA 31501 912-283-3136 phone 912-287-0788 fax

Radiation Oncology 1451 Church St. Waycross, GA 31501 912-490-9729 phone 912-283-7337 fax

Family Psychiatry 1707-A Boulevard Sq. Waycross, GA 31501 912-490-0078 phone 912-490-0083 fax

Ophthalmology & Optometry 413 Lister St. Waycross, GA 31501 912-490-0041 phone 912-490-0042 fax

Satilla Advocacy Services 1908 Tebeau St. Waycross, GA 31501 912-285-7355 phone 912-283-4570 fax

Hematology/Oncology 1706 Alice St. Waycross, GA 31501 912-490-4673 phone 912-490-4674 fax

Orthopedics 305 Pineview Dr. Waycross, GA 31501 912-283-8444 phone 912-283-7132 fax

Satilla Care Center 1600 Riverside Ave. Waycross, GA 31501 912-283-1182 phone 912-285-1554 fax

Multi-specialty Physician Office 316 South Shirley Ave. Douglas, GA 31533 912-383-0815 phone 912-383-0826 fax

Outpatient Laboratory 1921 Alice St., Suite A2 Waycross, GA 31501 912-284-2335 phone 912-283-8788 fax

Surgery (General & Vascular) 1908 Alice St. Waycross, GA 31501 912-338-6010 phone 912-287-2796 fax

111 Colonial Way Jesup, GA 31545 912-810-6296 phone 912-810-5329 fax

Pierce County Nursing Home 221 Carter Ave. Blackshear, GA 31516 912-449-6631 phone 912-449-2640 fax

Hospital 1900 Tebeau St. Waycross, GA 31501 912-283-3030 main

4 | itgsportsnetwork.com

IN THIS

ISSUE

8 20

SEGA Honors Finest at Annual Football Awards Banquet Basketball World Tour

Carl Nash, Athletic Director and Head Basketball Coach Frederica Academy

26

A Presence In The Post Kymani Dunham Brunswick High School

Crew Achieves Excellence On and Off The Mat Bryce Crew Camden County High School

36 40 42 46

32

Making the Most of His Time and Opportunity Mike Swint Wayne County HIgh School

Demery Gets His US Army Jersey D'Antne Demery Brunswick High School

Love and Basketball Ajmanni Jefferson Long County Middle School

Evan’s Evaluations 2016 List of Top 10 Football Teams

ALSO:

19 Bob Sphire New Head Football Coach Camden County High School

25 9 Pirates Named All-Region Appling County High School

31 All Region Football Announced

Basketball and Wrestling Off to Strong Starts Ware County High School

39 BEARS FOOTBALL ENDS IN ROUND 3 OF PLAYOFFS

Pierce County High School

FROM THE PUBLISHER

If you missed the 2016 Football Awards Banquet you missed our biggest and best show ever.

We packed over 300 student athletes, coaches, parents, sponsors and special guests into the Waycross City Auditorium for a fabulous evening of honor and recognition of the 2016 SEGA football season. We gave out some hardware and promoted some fantastic individual and team performances from the 2016 season. Make plans now to be on hand next year, you’ll be glad you did.

Two years ago, the basketball fans of SEGA knew the Brunswick High Pirates had a special Sophomore basketball player.

Kymani Dunham played a pivotal role in the Pirates winning their first state title in basketball under Coach Chris Turner. He was a force on the low blocks even as a sophomore using his wide body to fill up space and intimidate opponents with his wide range of shot blocking abilities. Now a senior, Dunham has honed his skills into one of the best low post players in the state and has already inked a deal to play at the next level for the College of Charleston.

Wrestling for one of the best programs in the state is an achievement but when you combine that with winning in the class room you have a special student athlete. Meet Bryce Crew, senior, team captain for the most decorated sport at Camden County High School and a dual enrolled AP honor student at both the high school and college. Bryce is a 4-year starter for Coach Jess Wilder and is being recruited by several schools but is focusing on his senior season and a return trip to the state championship.

Colorado is a long way from the beaches of Southeast Georgia but that’s where Carl Nash finds himself after devoting 35 years of his life to the game of

6 | itgsportsnetwork.com

basketball. Carl spent most of his career recruiting players to the college and pro ranks as well as spending time coaching in the developmental league of the NBA and in the professional ranks in Asia. He brings a vast amount of knowledge with him to Frederica Academy to share with the students as he continues to build on the winning tradition of the Knights.

Every so often we run across a student athlete with an infectious personality that just makes you smile inside and Ajmanni Jefferson is the perfect example.

The Long County Middle Schooler has a bright smile, loves the joke around and oh did I mention she can ball all over the basketball court. Her coach says she can play any position on the court but they mainly use her in the low blocks as a post player.

Ajmanni has helped lead her team to a 12-1 season. Remember her name because she’s one to watch as she moves on to the high school ranks.

It is generally later in life before the preverbal inner light goes off inside that says “If I give better effort, I’ll achieve better results." It’s refreshing to see that Wayne County Yellow Jacket Mike Swift already has seen the light. This month’s Most Improved Player student athlete says he had his epiphany after scoring the first seven points of a game his junior season. Mike decided right then and there to be a better ball player and he’s proved it with his play on the court his senior season.

In The Game SEGA hosted the 7th Annual Football Awards Banquet on December 12th and I’d like to take this opportunity the thank everyone involved for making the event an overwhelming success. Our valued sponsors: The Golden Isles Strike Zone, Gibson Animal Clinic, Walker Jones, Primesouth Bank, Coastal Pines Technical College, Robbie Roberson Ford, Farah and Farah and Mayo Clinic Health System of Waycross.

Without their support the evening would have not been possible and we truly appreciate their support of the Football Awards Banquet, as well as the magazine, all year long. Former UGA star Rennie Curran delivered a message that resonated with the student athletes and guests alike in appreciating who helped

to get you where you are today.

John DuPont did a fantastic job as emcee keeping the audience engaged and things running smoothly. Big shout out to Rob Asbell, John Wood, and WWUF 97.7 “The Wolf” for broadcasting In The Game “On Radio” live from the event. My parents, Mr. and Mrs. Larry Dickson, my lovely wife Kim Smoak, my son Evan Smoak and my step-son Brenton Altman for all of their help in decorating and making the Waycross City Auditorium look festive for the occasion. I’d like to give a special shout out to Xavier Clemmons and Martin Perry for all of their help. Thanks to Mark Steedley and the gang at Jimbo’s of Homerville for catering the event and delivering an exceptional meal. Last but not least I want to thank everyone who attended: players, coaches, parents, advertisers and special guests. I appreciate everyone taking time out of their busy Christmas schedules to help make the evening a huge success and we look forward to a bigger and better event next year.

We hope you enjoy reading In the Game as much as we enjoy producing and publishing it. We would like to thank our friends at the Georgia High School Football Historians Association (ghsfha.org) for their assistance. We are always open to suggestions as well as story ideas or ways you think we can improve our magazine. Please visit our website at www.inthegamemagazine.com and Facebook at www.facebook.com/inthegamemagazine.

Follow us on Twitter @SEGAInTheGame and on Instagram at inthegamesega. You can now keep up with all the Friday Night scores across SEGA and the state with our new partner App Scorestream. Download the scorestream app at Google Play or the Appstore today. Join us every Thursday evening live from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. as we broadcast live from Firehouse Subs in Waycross. Listen to “In the Game on Radio” on WWUF 97.7 FM or stream the show live on www. waycrossradio.com. While you’re online, don’t forget to nominate a deserving student-athlete or coach for one of our feature articles. You’ll be glad you did.

TELL US YOUR THOUGHTS! Email us at info@itgsportsnetwork.com to let us know what you thought of the December edition of ITG

Contributors Publisher Shawn Smoak Editor Mark Dykes Graphics Mandy Douthit Cover Photography Michael Brinson Feature Photography Jennifer Carter Johnson Michael Brinson Charles Smith Feature Writers John DuPont Rob Asbell John Wood Copy Editor Cole Parker

Anna Limoges

Advertising/Marketing Shawn Smoak shawn@itgsportsnetwork.com Mark Dykes mark@itgsportsnetwork.com Website Manager Cole Parker SEGA Prep Sports P.O. Box 2960 Waycross, Ga. | 31502 Corporate Office: Dykes Media Group LLC P.O. Box 812 Valdosta, Ga. | 31603 In the Game is published monthly (excluding July). The contents of this publication may not be reproduced in part or in full without consent from the publisher. Dykes Media Group, LLC makes no representation or warranty of any kind for accuracy of content. All advertisements are assumed by the publisher to be correct. Copyright 2015 Dykes Publishing Group, LLC. All rights reserved. ISSN 1945-1458.

SEGA Honors Finest at Annual Football Awards Banquet Written by: John Dupont Photography by: Jennifer Carter Johnson

It was another packed house as coaches, players, and fans representing 19 Southeast Georgia schools joined staffers and sponsors at the Seventh Annual In The Game (SEGA) Football Awards Banquet, held December 12nd at the historic Waycross City Auditorium.

Rennie Curran, a former Georgia Bulldogs great who achieved All-SEC and All-American accolades in a collegiate career that spanned from 2007-2009, spoke about a number of virtues, including an individual’s relationship with Jesus Christ. Despite being only 5’11’’, Curran was drafted by the Tennessee Titans in the 3rd round of the 2010 NFL Draft.

He spent several seasons in pro football, including both the NFL and the CFL. His has been a journey that started in Liberia, from which his parents emigrated.

“I owe my parents everything for the opportunities they gave me,” Curran said. “But I was almost too afraid to ask them for what I really wanted, which was to pursue music.”

The hard-hitting linebacker learned how to play the piano, drums, and viola, all before he was 13 years old. It is among the topics discussed in his book, Free Agent – The Perspectives of a Young African-American athlete. He later went on to star at Brookwood High in Snellville, before attending UGA. Curran passed on his senior season with the Bulldogs to enter the NFL Draft early. Though not officially retired from football, these days he is active on the lecture circuit. He has also been featured on a number of college football-related broadcasts.

“After I got cut from the Titans, I was riding back to Georgia with my dad behind me in a U-Haul, and I was thinking, ‘What do I do now?’” Curran said.

“Enjoy the journey because one day you will take that uniform off one last time.”

The awards banquet was sponsored by Coastal Pines Technical College, Farah & Farah, Gibson Animal Clinic, Mayo Clinic Health System, PrimeSouth 8 | itgsportsnetwork.com

“Enjoy the journey because one day you will take that uniform off one last time.”

— Rennie Curran

“Some of these kids and coaches have come so close to winning that ultimate prize, and by this time next year, we look forward to recognizing at least one of these schools as a state champion.”

Bank, Robbie Robertson Ford, The Strike Zone, and Walker Jones.

Several marquee awards were handed out in addition to each school recognizing its respective offensive and defensive players of the year. McIntosh County Academy head coach Robby Robinson, who led his Buccaneers to the state championship tilt, was named the Robbie Roberson Ford Coach of the Year.

Meanwhile, the Pierce County High School competition cheerleaders, champions of Class AAA, were named winners of the Mayo Clinic Health System Spirit Award.

Other sponsored awards were as follows: Michael Mincey, Waycross Middle School – Strikezone Middle School Player of the Year; Bryant Sloan, Charlton County High School – Coastal Pines Technical College Academic Player of the Year; Richard LeCounte, Liberty County High School – Gibson Animal Clinic Defensive Player of the Year; Stetson Bennett, Pierce County High School – PrimeSouth Bank Offensive Player of the Year; Deejay Dallas, Glynn Academy – Walker Jones Player Spotlight MVP Award; and Ha’Keem Dillard, Ware County High School – Farah & Farah Forward Progress Award.

“For every former and future Georgia Bulldog in the room tonight, it stirred our heartstrings to see Rennie Curran up on the podium, and we relived all of his heroic exploits through the years," said Shawn Smoak, In the Game (SEGA) Publisher. “Rennie is living proof that heart – not height – is what matters most in this game.”

“We especially appreciate all of the sponsors who put awards into the hands of winners tonight,” Smoak said.

“Some of these kids and coaches have come so close to winning that ultimate prize, and by this time next year, we look forward to recognizing at least one of these schools as a state champion.”

Schools represented included Appling County, Bacon County, Bradwell Institute, Brantley County, Brunswick High, Camden County, Charlton County, Frederica Academy, Glynn Academy, Jeff Davis, Liberty County, Long County, McIntosh County Academy, Pierce County, Richmond Hill, Toombs County, Vidalia, Ware County, and Wayne County.

In The Game | 9

OFFENSIVE AWARD DEFENSIVE AWARD OFFENSIVE AWARD DEFENSIVE AWARD OFFENSIVE AWARD DEFENSIVE AW WARD OFFENSIVE AWARD DEFENSIVE AWARD OFFENSIVE AWARD DEFENSIVE AWARD OFFENSIVE AWARD DEFEN

Appling Motors Mike Wheeler Appling Co. | Appling Motors Kubota | Coach J.T. Pollock Def: Ethan Johnson | Off: Keelan Crosby

Bacon Co. | Wheeler Agency Inc. COUNTRY Financial Coach Kyle Lankford Def: Jesus Brown | Off: LaGondric Snell

Bradwell Institute | In The Game Sports Network Coach Greg Hill Off: Isley Moana | Def: Joshua Ingram

Brantley Co. | Bennett's Hometown Pharmacy Coach Mark Walker Def: Luke Hutto | Off: Mikel Collins

Brunswick High | Southeast Georgia Health System Coach Larry Harold Off: Brandon McMaster | Def: Sharrod Frazier

Camden Co. | Southeast Georgia Health System Coach Welton Coffey Def: Casey McCormick | Off: Drew Barnes / Kyle Pecko

WARD OFFENSIVE AWARD DEFENSIVE AWARD OFFENSIVE AWARD DEFENSIVE AWARD OFFENSIVE AWARD DEFENSIV NSIVE AWARD OFFENSIVE AWARD DEFENSIVE AWARD OFFENSIVE AWARD DEFENSIVE AWARD OFFENSIVE AWAR

Charlton Co. | Bennett's Hometown Pharmacy Coach Rich McWhorter Def: Eric Daniels | Off: A J Bell

Fredrica Academy | Southeast Georgia Health System Coach Brandon Derrick Off: Tyler Pierce | Def: Antonio Heyward

Glynn Academy | Southeast Georgia Health System Coach Rocky Hildalgo Off: Kendall Cross | Def: Preston Joseph

Jeff Davis | In the Game Sports Network Coach Ed Lovvron Def: Wyatt Williams | Off: Alex Sanders

Liberty Co. | In the Game Sports Network Coach Kirk Warner Def: Antonio Golden | Off: Jaalon Frazier

Long Co. | In the Game Sports Network Coach Eric McNair Def:Jamin Davis | Off: Elijah Wright

OFFENSIVE AWARD DEFENSIVE AWARD OFFENSIVE AWARD DEFENSIVE AWARD OFFENSIVE AWARD DEFENS

McIntosh Academy | Southeast Georgia Health System Coach Robby Robinson Def: Jonathan Jason | Off: Dustin Anderson

Pierce Co. | Bennett's Hometown Pharmacy Coach Sean Pender Off: Shyhiem Clark | Def: Moses Shider

Richmond Hill | In the Game Sports Network Coach Matt LeZotte Off: Sam James | Def: Nico DeCosta

Ware Co. | Browning's Medical Arts Pharmacy Coach Franklin Stephens Off: JeMar Lincoln | Def: Ernest Jones

Shaun O’Quinn Wayne Co. | COUNTRY Financial Shaun O'Quinn Coach Derek Chastain Off: Kendall Henderson | Def: Royal Wyatt | Off: Dylan Leach

12 | itgsportsnetwork.com

Vidalia High School | In the Game Sports Network Coach Lee Chomkis (NP) Off: Lakia Henry(NP) | Def: Nathan McBride

SIVE AWARD OFFENSIVE AWARD DEFENSIVE AWARD

Restoring If you can’t play, you can’t win. No one knows that better than our board-certified orthopaedic surgeons and physicians — we’ve been successfully treating shoulder and hip injuries for years. With

Toombs Co. | In the Game Sports Network Coach Rich Marsh Def: Jimmy Edwards | Off: Dalton McBride

a focus on personalized treatment plans, cutting-edge surgical techniques and an aggressive approach to physical rehabilitation, you can count on our team to get you back to your game. To learn more, visit sghs.org/summit or call 1-855-ASK-SGHS (1-855-275-7447).

A strategic affiliate of Southeast Georgia Health System

12/2016 © 2016 SGHS

Congratulations MICHAEL MINCEY The Strike Zone Middle School Player of the Year

Michael Brinson The Golden Isle Strike Zone

Michael Mincey Waycross Middle School

Congratulations BRYANT SLOAN Coastal Pines Technical College Academic Athlete of the Year

Dr Glen Deibert President of Coastal Pines Technical College

Bryant Sloan Charlton County High School

Congratulations RICHARD LECOUNTE Gibson Animal Clinic Defensive Player of the Year

Dr Rusty Gibson Owner of Gibson Animal Clinic

Richard LeCounte Liberty County High School

Congratulations STETSON BENNETT IV Primesouth Bank Offensive Player of the Year

Stetson Bennett IV Pierce County High School

Cliff Knowlton Commercial Loan Officer Primesouth Bank

Congratulations DEEJAY DALLAS Walker Jones Player Spotlight MVP Award

Keith Ambrose Fixed Operations Director for Walker Jones

Deejay Dallas Glynn Academy

Congratulations ROBBY ROBINSON Robbie Roberson Ford Coach Of the Year

Robbie Roberson Owner of Robbie Roberson Ford

Robby Robinson McIntosh County Academy

Congratulations HA'KEEM DILLARD Farah and Farah Forward Progress Award

James Francis Farah and Farah Attorney

Ha"Keem Dillard Ware County High School

Congratulations PIERCE COUNTY COMPETITION CHEER SQUAD Mayo Clinic Spirit Award

Pierce County Competition Cheer Squad

RENNIE CURRAN Keynote Speaker Rennie Curran is a professional athlete, author, life coach, and one of the top motivational keynote speakers. Rennie uses his platform as a professional athlete to empower audiences by delivering powerful keynote speeches around the country on topics of leadership, teamwork, and personal development. His talks are informative, humorous, and always entertaining. He is based in Atlanta, Georgia.

Rennie is available for: Businesses Churches Associations School Assemblies Commencement Speeches Leadership Summits Sports Teams Workshops and more!

In “Free Agent: The Perspectives of a Young African-American Athlete,� Curran hopes that his experiences will help others who are facing similar crossroads in their journey of life, giving them the inspiration they need to overcome any obstacles they may encounter on the way to finding and attaining their dreams.

www.renniecurran.com Info@renniecurran.com | Twitter: @renniecurran53 | Instagram: @renniecurran

CAMDEN COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL

BOB SPHIRE NEW HEAD FOOTBALL COACH Coffey Named Athletic Director

Written by: Rob Asbell | Photography by: Jeffrey Griffith After a month-long search, Camden County has found its new football coach. Robert "Bob" Sphire will take over the program from former coach Welton Coffey, who is now the school's athletic director.

Sphire has been at metro-Atlanta's North Gwinnett High School for the past 11 years, during which he had a 110-28 record. During his tenure with North Gwinnett, the Bulldogs made the state finals in 2007 and 2013. As a head coach, Sphire has 282 wins, including a high school record of 250-79. He has a coaching career that spans over 35 years, 26 of which were as a head coach. Prior to taking the head job at North Gwinnett, Sphire

was head coach at Lexington Catholic High School in Kentucky, where he won a state championship.

Coffey was promoted to athletic director in December. After four years as football coach, he will now oversee all sports programs at the school as he moves up to take the place of Gary Blount, who is retiring after 45 years in education. Blount has served as principal, assistant superintendent, deputy superintendent, and athletic director during his tenure at Camden.

Coffey came to Camden County in 2006 as offensive coordinator and was promoted to head football coach in 2013 when Jeff Herron resigned to take a

job in Athens.

Although the Wildcats missed the playoffs this year, more than a dozen Camden players were honored in the postseason by being named to the 2016 All-Region 1-AAAAAAA team. Players named to the first team included senior offensive linemen Bryant "BJ" Walker and Drew Barnes, senior defensive lineman Casey McCormick, defensive back Jordan Strachan, and junior punter Taylor Gebhardt.

Those named to the second team all-region were senior quarterback John Jones and o-lineman Kyle Pecko. On the defensive side were senior defensive backs Cole Loden and Tyreke Williams, junior DB

Jeremiah Compton, and junior d-lineman Jamie Hill. Junior kicker Oliver Kellam and senior long-snapper Nathan Chomicki were also named to the all-region second team.

At the seventh annual In the Game Sports Network Southeast Georgia High School Football Awards Banquet held in December, Camden County had two Offensive Players of the Year in Drew Barnes and Kyle Pecko. The award for the Wildcats' top defender, sponsored by Southeast Georgia Health System, went to Casey McCormick.

On the wrestling mat, the Camden County Wildcats wrestling team of coach Jess Wilder continues to win with two big victories in tournaments over Christmas break at the Coastal Clash in Charleston, South Carolina, and the Osceola Knockout Christmas Tournament in Kissimmee, Florida. The two-time defending state AAAAA traditional and dual champions continued to dominate, making it to a No. 31 ranking in the country by Intermat. Having moved up to the AAAAAAA classification, the Wildcats were busy preparing for the area duals competition in January, followed by the state duals later this month.

During the NCAA's early signing period, Camden senior wrestler Denton Spencer inked his letter of intent to wrestle for Gardner-Webb University in North Carolina.

The Lady Wildcats basketball team of coach Keith Ellis has had an outstanding season, going 12-3 through December and preparing for play in Region 1-AAAAAAA against Lowndes, Tift, and Colquitt County. The boys team of coach Billy Wilder has not fared as well this season.

GOLF PROFORMANCE

WAYCROSS

BAXLEY

DOUGLAS

JESUP

BASKETBALL WORLD TOUR Written by: Rob Asbell | Photography by: Michael Brinson

It has been 33 years since Carl Nash last coached high school basketball at Durango High in Colorado, but during his time away from the prep level, he has gained some valuable experience that he has now brought to the student-athletes at Frederica Academy on St. Simons Island.

"I relate to them through basketball," Nash said. "Teaching the game is what I do."

Most of his career, 30 of 35 years, was spent recruiting young players at the college and professional levels.

True, he hasn't coached high schoolers in many years, but he has been on the floor at Clemson, Auburn, and Georgia Southern. He has coached in the NBA's Development League and professionally overseas in China, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia.

This summer, Nash was tabbed to become the new

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boys head basketball coach and Athletic Director at Frederica Academy, a GISA private school rich in winning tradition in all of its sports programs.

"When the opportunity came up at Frederica Academy, I had already decided to give pro ball a break," Nash said.

He had visited the Golden Isles previously and was familiar with St. Simons Island. Now he will try to fill the shoes of Ed Wilson, who exited earlier this year for positions at Athens Academy.

"He was enormously successful here winning two state championships," Nash said. "I will do my best and hopefully it will be what they hired me for."

Nash has developed his own coaching philosophy over the years. If he had to choose one aspect to focus

on with young athletes, it would be mental toughness. However, he admits it is tough to teach, and some players may never learn to deal with difficult situations.

"I want players that can think the game, not just throw it up and go,"Nash said.

The Colorado native got started coaching at the collegiate level in 1984 as an assistant at Spring Hill College in Mobile, Alabama. He would eventually become head coach and athletic director for the school. He did take time to coach with the Saudi Arabian National Team in 1985. He returned to Spring Hill and was named the NAIA District 30 Coach-of-the-Year in 1992 and 1993 when Spring Hill made it to the District championship game, winning it in 1993, and advanced to the Sweet 16 of the NAIA National Tournament. He was also the 1992 Alabama Small College Coach of the Year.

The following year he was chosen as the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference's top coach. When he left to go to Clemson, he was Spring Hill's all time winningest coach. He spent two years as an assistant at Auburn University and one year at Clemson. It was while he was with the Tigers that they played a top-ranked North Carolina team on national television. The Tar Heels were loaded with talent like Dante Calabria, Jeff McInnis, Eric Montross, Jerry Stackhouse, Rasheed Wallace, Donald Williams and Derrick Phelps.

"Of course their coaches were Dean Smith and my friend, the late Bill Guthridge," Nash recalled.

"We won the game 77-69. The fans stormed the court. Great sporting environment. The memories of that night will be with me forever."

He then spent three seasons at Chipola Junior College in Marianna, Florida, where he had a 59-29 record. He then moved to Statesboro in 1999 to become an associate head coach for the Georgia Southern Eagles where he was also the primary recruiter and scheduler.

He had been at Southern for 10 years and was at home in south Georgia when a friend called and asked if he would be interested in coaching overseas. He had wanted to get into the professional ranks and jumped at the chance to coach Al Rayyan in the Middle East nation of Qatar.

"We had a great team with players like Cory Bradford and A.J. Guyton," Nash said. "That was a great experience for me as I got to work with them and learn the layout of professional basketball."

Nash led the team to a silver medal in the Asian games and a spot in the world championships. He returned to the United States but soon took a position in the Chinese Basketball Association as head coach of the Flying Tigers.

"I learned a little Arabic and Chinese but not enough to carry on a conversation," he admits. "I had an interpreter with both clubs and a driver that would try to teach some."

"I want players that can think the game, not just throw it up and go."

After three years in China, he came back to the U.S. and coached the NBA Developmental League's select team that played the Dominican Republic. He was later offered the chance to return to China as head coach of the Tianjin City Gold Lions in China's CBA. After three years in China, Nash returned to the U.S. again to coach an NBA development league team for the Orlando Magic.

That's when he got the chance to make a home at Frederica Academy. After years of traveling, he settled on the beaches of the Golden Isles. He will serve as the boys' head basketball coach as well as the school's athletic director.

"I really want all of our programs to have success," Nash said. "I want to bring the sense that all of the teams are important, and most importantly, that all of the student-athletes are very important to our school."

Nash is looking forward to the challenges of his new positions, although there will be some changes from his days of coaching professional basketball.

"Now the travel will be different. No chartered flights, no catered meals on the flight, no managers that carry my bags to the room, no one else that arranges all the travel details. And to that I say, 'No worries.' I'm coaching basketball. I'm doing what I love."

In The Game | 21

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BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT

Jennifer Carter Johnson Photography Capturing Memories Written by: Rob Asbell

As you thumb through the pages of In the Game Southeast Georgia edition, you no doubt notice the quality of the photographs that accompany the stories. Many of those were taken by photographer extraordinaire Jennifer Carter Johnson of Blackshear. For the past six years, Jennifer Carter Johnson Photography has been taking pictures of high school seniors and student athletes.

“Through the years, I have learned what I love to photograph, and that’s what I tend to concentrate on: For me that’s there," she said. just have a passion for sports, the action shots. And seniors; I love their energy.”

Now, she follows her passion by doing photography for high school seniors and out on the playing fields.

As a photographer, she has a keen eye for subjects that stand out. She will put people in surrounding locations that emphasize their own interests. One of her photos captures a softball team coming out of a corn field as if they are in a “Field of Dreams” remake. The photo adorns the top of her Facebook

page which features several other examples of her work. Like many parents, Jennifer Carter Johnson got her start by photographing her own children and then posting the pictures on social media. “Other people would see it, and it just sort of went from there," she said. “It’s something that with time the more I did it the more I liked it and the more interest I had from other people.”

Before long, she had a following who loved her photographs with their attention to detail and a certain flare that made them more than just pictures. She began taking photos for others and was soon doing signature photos for high school seniors. “I am so blessed to be surrounded by coaches and kids that don’t mind having my camera in their face during games,” she said. “And by lots of amazing clients that trust me enough to capture their memories.”

Her favorite type of photo is one that challenges her, and her favorite place to be is on the sidelines of a Pierce County Bears football game on a Fri-

day night. Shooting photos of action pulls her in and gives her the freedom to get good, exciting photos. “When it’s dark it is so much more of a challenge to catch those guys in the air catching the ball.”

Whether she is photographing a game or shooting a magazine cover, each of Jennifer Carter Johnson’s photos stands out from others. “I just get out there and try to have fun regardless of what it is I am photographing.

I feel like, ‘If I am not having fun why do it?’ I don’t know if it is the energy behind it or the heart behind it. I just really enjoy what I do.”

To make an appointment, contact Jennifer Carter Johnson Photography at (912) 281-2599 or by email at jennifer@jennifercarterjohnson.com. She is also available on social media on Facebook, Instagram, Pintrest and Twitter.

In The Game | 23

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APPLING COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL

9 PIRATES NAMED ALL-REGION Basketball Gets Underway

Written by: Rob Asbell | Photography by: Rob Asbell As football season came to an end for the Pirates, nine Appling County players were named by coaches as members of the 2016 All-Region team for 2-AAA. Among them was senior kick returner Japheth Morris who was honored as the region's Special Teams Player of the Year. Others named first team all-region were seniors Keelan Crosby at quarterback, Devon Moore at wide receiver and offensive lineman John Wesley Lightsey. On defense, senior lineman Joe Hill made the team for Appling County. Members of the second team include senior O-lineman Colin Haddock, defensive lineman Ethan Johnson and junior kicker William Jaramillo. Senior defensive back Mokeil Eason was given an honorable mention. At the Seventh Annual In the Game Sports Network Southeast Georgia High School Football Awards Banquet held in December, Keelan Crosby was chosen as Appling County's Offensive Player of the Year while Ethan Johnson was the Pirates' Defensive Player of the Year. Both awards were sponsored by Appling Motors Kubota.

Basketball season has begun at Appling County High School. The boys basketball team of Coach Bryan Weaver is looking forward to big things with more experience on the bench and on the floor this year.

"We will return almost everyone from a young team," Coach Weaver said. Last season the Pirates started only two players with varsity experience. Among those returning this year are All-Region player Devon Moore, Honorable Mention team member Letavious NeSmith and senior Stanley Heller.

Up and coming impact players include juniors Trent Gibson, Khaliel

Russell and Tamarick Nails, along with sophomores Bryan Holmes and Henry Dasher.

"We should have an exciting lineup that is undersized, but will utilize speed and teamwork to try to be competitive in a tough region," Coach Weaver said.

Appling County competes in Region 2-AAA which includes Brantley County, Long County, Pierce County, Tattnall County and last season's AAA state champion Liberty County.

The Lady Pirates' of Coach John Roddie started their season 2-2 with both wins

coming over the Bacon County Red Raiders.

Senior guard Jarde' Hill poured in 16 points to lead the Lady Pirates in scoring in game two.

The wrestling team of Coach Mark Green started grappling in December. After starting with a dual meet in Swainsboro, the Pirates took on Ware County.

Although they lost the meet, Appling took three matches from the Gators in the 126-, 132and 170-pound classes.

The Pirates participated in several duals through December in preparation for the area team and state team tournaments.

A Prese Written by: Rob Asbell | Photography by: Michael Brinson

As he strode into the auditorium at Brunswick High School, a crowd of students, most of them his friends, stood and applauded Kymani Dunham.

This was his day. The senior basketball player was about to sign his national letter of intent to play at the College of Charleston next year. Although he had nearly two dozen scholarship offers, he finally concentrated on a few.

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Rock, and Georgia State," Dunham said.

Finally, it came down to a good relationship with Charleston Head Coach Earl Grant along with other considerations such as “the atmosphere of the campus and the location.”

Dunham is known as a fierce competitor on the hard wood and athletic for his size. He is a big power forward/center, and at 6'9", 270 pounds, Dunham is a presence in the low post that is hard to move out of the way when he is set on defense.

"He's brought a presence because he's such a big kid with a lot of athletic ability, so he brings a unique aspect to the game as far as what he can do," said Chris Turner, Brunswick head basketball coach. "He's a big kid that can score with the basketball."

Dunham can move for such a big man. He has improved his shooting,

nce In The Post is working on getting in shape, is improving his basketball IQ, and is focusing on getting better every day.

"He's working on being a dominant rebounder, and that's what he can do. Once those things fall into place he can actually be almost unguardable at this level," Coach Turner said.

In his time at Brunswick High, Dunham has improved his ball-handling skills, which has given him more opportunities to go strong to the hoop.

"One thing he does well is that he has great hands, and for a big kid, he can put the ball on

“One thing he does well is that he has great hands.

And for a big kid he can put the ball on the floor and he's really good at taking the ball to the basket.� the floor, and he's really good at taking the ball to the basket." Coach Turner said.

His abilities have also given him a taste of fame as he was once asked to sign an autograph for a mother and her son after a game.

Dunham is a yearround player for both Coach Turner's Pirates and the South Georgia Kings AAU team coached by Jessie Fleming.

"He has helped by working with me oneon-one and devoting his time to me as a trainer," Dunham said.

Dunham played AAU basketball in middle school and then joined the Brunswick team his freshman year. It was that season that Dunham got his first open break to the basket in a junior varsity game against the Coffee County Trojans.

"I dunked for the first time in my life," he said.

"I felt exhilarated."

Since then, he has racked up accolades

including the school's most improved player and All-State status as a sophomore. 2014 was a standout year for Dunham who got his first opportunity to be a full-time starter for Brunswick as a sophomore and averaged over 10 points per game. It was also the year the Pirates claimed the state championship against Allatoona High School, his most memorable game to date. As a junior, he was named to the second team All-Region team, averaging a double-double of 15 points and 10 rebounds per game to go along with five blocks per contest. Even after winning a state championship ring, Dunham has continued to work on his skills to be a versatile player.

Now, experience has given Dunham a calm about him during games. "Before I take the floor, I'm in my happy place and at peace."

“I dunked for the first time in my life.

I felt

exhilarated."

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Dunham has good hands and good footwork for such a big player. Going into his senior year, he is considered to be an outstanding interior post player and rated as one of the top players in Georgia. That was evident on the first day of the NCAA's early signing period for basketball when he put his name on the dotted line to play for Coach Grant at the College of Charleston, which competes in the Colonial Athletic Association. Coincidentally, his high school coach, Chris Turner, played for the Cougars from 1992-93 under legendary College of Charleston Coach John Kresse. Now Dunham will join the CofC Cougars where he is expected to be a scoring threat.

The son of Stephanie Simpson and Glenn Maxwell, Dunham carries a 3.0 grade point average in the classroom where he enjoys science classes. He plans to attend the College of Charleston to become an orthodontist. That is, unless he accomplishes his ultimate dream and makes it to the professional ranks. Coaches agree he has the size to make it to the NBA, but he must continue to improve in other skills to compete at that level.

"If he continues to get better, with his work ethic, he's going to have a very bright future," Coach Turner said.

"Whether it's at the College of Charleston, or he may even have a chance to make some money."

28 | itgsportsnetwork.com

“Before I take the floor, I'm in my happy place and at peace."

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WARE COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL ALL REGION FOOTBALL ANNOUNCED BASKETBALL AND WRESTLING OFF TO STRONG STARTS Written by: Rob Asbell

FOOTBALL Football season came to an end giving way to award season as no less than 11 Ware County players were named to the 2-AAAAA All-Region team. Coach Franklin Stephens was also named Region Coach of the Year for leading the Gators to the quarterfinals of the state playoffs. Senior quarterback JeMar Lincoln was honored as Athlete of the Year and junior linebacker Ernest Jones was selected as the region's Defensive Player of the Year. Other first team selectees included seniors Ronnie Adams and Ha'Keem Dillard and juniors Jalynn Strickland, James Lucas and Trey Cobb. Honorable mention went to Hayden Blackburn, Jamoya Howard, Xavier Clemmons and Dezel Stephenson.

At the Seventh Annual In the Game Sports Network Southeast Georgia High School Football Awards Banquet, defensive back Ha'Keem Dillard also won the Farrah & Farrah Forward Progress Award as Southeast Georgia's most improved player of the year.

BASKETBALL The boys and girls basketball teams have started a new season in a new region. Now in Region 2-AAAAA, the Gators must face Savannah's New Hampstead, South Effingham, Statesboro and Wayne County.

Coach Tre Hill's boys basketball team got its season started in late November. The Gators lost nine players to graduation last year but they are excited about their returning players. The team's leading scorer and All-Region performer, JerMar Lincoln, is back as well as seniors Deshawn Bostick, Adrias Scott and Jared Richardson. "Who should have a break out season this year," Coach Hill anticipated about Richardson. The Gators will also get big help form Juniors Jalynn Strickland and AJ Pinkney.

"When the Gators get everyone in, and in basketball shape, they will look to compete for a region championship," Coach Hill said. "We have a good group of hard working players and coaches that are ready for a great season, especially after a great run to end last season." Last year the Gator boys went on an 11-game winning streak and became the number four seed in their Region. They fell in the opening round of the state playoffs to Warner Robins.

Mandy Lingenfelter's Lady Gators basketball team got off to a fast start with season opening wins over Houston County, Swainsboro and Glynn Academy. They were 8-0 going into the annual Vidalia Christmas tournament.

"We should get through the region in a pretty dominant fashion."

"We have a good group of hard working players and coaches that are ready for a great season, especially after a great run to end last season."

WRESTLING Coach Joe Eichfeld's Gator wrestling team got the season started in November and has been doing well ever since. The Gators are a young team with lots of talent. Another big plus is that they are no longer in the same region as nationally ranked Camden County.

The 2016 dual meet season started with their own Swamp Duals. "We had a pretty good day. We went 3-2," said That Coach Eichfeld. After the opening dual meet, The Gators went on a tear and were 27-4 early in the season. "I fully expect us to win the region," Coach E said of the new reconfiguration that has Ware in a region with South Effingham, Statesboro and New Hampstead. "We should get through the region in a pretty dominant fashion."

The team is confident of their chances of making the state's top six and possibly the top four. "If everything goes well, I predict us to be wrestling on Saturday during the state duals tournament," Eichfeld said. "That's my team goal. It would be real nice to bring another cup home which is top four."

As far as the traditional tournament in February, Ware could have as many as five state placers and up to 10 state qualifiers if all goes well. "The last time we had five state placers, we took second in the state in the traditional tournament," he recalled.

"It's like every sport, it comes down to injuries, eligibility, and, in this sport, whether you've got the guys at the right weight class."

CREW ACHIEVES EXCELLENCE ON & OFF THE MAT Written by: John Wood | Photography by: Michael Brinson

When Bryce Crew was a fifth grader, he could see the wrestling program at Camden County High School starting to mirror the intensity and expectations that the Wildcat football program was nationally known for.

“I witnessed the program’s transition to domination over the years,” Crew said. “I first started wrestling during fifth grade at the high school in the club’s kids program.

Wrestling has become the most decorated sport at Camden because of the program. The program encompasses the kids program and middle school program, which feed into the high school program.

With wrestlers coming into the high school already knowing the basics and more, Coach Jess Wilder can run our practices more like a college practice. He does not have to bring us in every minute to show a move, so instead, we have more time to drill, wrestle live, and focus on our own weaknesses.”

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The hard work was always expected even as the program started to make gains, but by just talking to other wrestlers from other teams, Crew understood that Camden County was doing something different; something that was going to take the Wildcats to a different level.

“It was always expected that we work hard and never give up,” Crew said. “I realized the importance of it once I talked to wrestlers from other teams. Other teams were not going to the hard tournaments we were, wrestling during the offseason, and practicing as much as us.”

Crew came into the program with expectations starting as a varsity wrestler as a freshman. While wrestling matches are dependent on the total points that a team earns, points have to be earned by individual wrestlers, making wrestling a team sport that must be dominated by strong individual efforts.

“Bryce is a two-time state placer and a state finalist,

all while taking AP courses and classes at the College,” Wilder said. “He is also one of a very select group that will graduate as a 4-year varsity starter for us.”

Wilder makes a point to help every wrestler improve individually, which has certainly made Crew a better wrestler.

“I am continually developing as a wrestler each and every practice and tournament,” Crew said. “Coach Wilder gives us time to work on our own moves during practice and regularly works one-on-one with us on weaknesses he has seen in matches. There is no excuse for any wrestler in the program not to progress.”

“The goal and expectation has never changed.

The goal has always been to be a state champion, and the expectation has always been to never give up, no matter what,” Crew said.

It is the continued drive and expectations that made Crew a team captain, and he simply believes that in drills or whatever he needs to do, he is to “lead by example.”

“I wrestle 152 pounds," Crew said. "My freshman and sophomore year I wrestled 120 pounds, and my junior year I wrestled 126 pounds. I gained a good amount of weight after junior year, which I can attribute to the high school’s weight training program and Coach Slack. My favorite move is the guillotine. I like to dominate my opponents, especially on top. Once I get this move, it usually results in a pin.”

Crew’s expectation in his senior year is to end up in the state championship, a place that is familiar to him. One of his best memories from his Wildcat wrestling career was winning the state championship his sophomore year.

“The best memory is from my sophomore year when my team and I won the statechampionship," Crew said. "I remember when I was doing the math and realized we were up enough points to clinch the win no matter what. The sheer excitement that came over me was immense. We had to calm each other down so we could finish the rest of the matches.

As soon as our heavyweight pinned the final kid, the team and the fans exploded with happiness.”

Wrestling has taught him mental and physical toughness, and particularly that mental toughness has been an asset for an honor student that is dual enrolled in college courses and considers AP Calculus as his favorite class.

In The Game | 33

“Wrestling has kept me busy and allowed me to stay focused," Crew said. "I have always had to make sure I allocate my time efficiently for school work, so when I began dual enrollment at the local college, I was not shocked by the work load. AP Calculus really is my favorite class. I attribute it to the teacher and the fact that I enjoy math. The class is structured in a way that you progress at your own pace, so I am always challenged. For other classes, you have to wait for everyone else to learn the concept before the teacher moves on, but my teacher, Mr. Dir, structures it differently. Analytical thinking has helped me with wrestling. It allows me to take a step back and see how moves connect to one another to form a series.

For example, if one moves does not work, then you have three others to try until one works and you score your points.”

Besides wrestling and a demanding academic schedule, Crew also practices Brazilian ji-jitsu, plays in the band, and qualified for Governor’s Honors School last year in Science and History.

“Being at a bigger school like Camden gives me more resources to pull from," Crew said. "There are many clubs and events that happen at Camden, so I have to use my time wisely.

I like to go to other sporting events and support my friends, and I like to participate in clubs like Student Council, Senior Beta, and National Honors Society.”

Crew is being recruited by a number of schools, but he also trying to make sure that the school fits him academically and athletically. Right now, however, he wants to stay focused on the wrestling season and getting to the state championship.

“Coach Wilder makes the program special," Crew said. "He puts together a great schedule for us during season and offseason. He says, ‘It’s his job to put together a schedule for us to be beaten, and it’s our job to win.’”

“I am one of the few wrestlers in Camden wrestling’s history to be a four-year starter. My class has also been the strongest and most decorated. Myself, Bunmi Smith, Denton Spencer, and Lucas Nelson are all four-year starters, which is very rare, especially for a program like Camden,” Crew said.

34 | itgsportsnetwork.com

“It was always expected that we work hard and never give special," Crew said. "Herealized the importance of it once I talked to wrestlers from other teams. Other teams were not going to the hard tournaments we were, wrestling during the offseason, and practicing as much as us.”

In The Game | 35

Making the Most of His Time and Opportunity Written by: John Wood | Photography by: Jennifer Carter Johnson

When an athlete’s career at any level is over, the last time they walk off the court or field, their thoughts are all over the place. They may be on the game momentarily, but as time goes by, what really starts to matter and what they remember before the wins and losses, is the time. The time spent in practice, in the locker room, and with coaches and teammates, is what really comes to mind.

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36 | itgsportsnetwork.com

Time is as precious of a comran, then we even practiced afmodity as the natural ability of an ter or went to tournaments after athlete. Regardless of whether working hard. But my grind never it’s a full-time starter, sixth man, stopped, even after our summer or role player, there are only four program. The real grind started eight-minute quarters in a basketin July when me and a few other players started to workout at 6 ball game. Few people outside AM from the month of July until of those that are immediately practice officially started in late impacted by it know how many October.” hours must be spent in the gym to be physically and mentally pre“Grind is my term for when nobody is pared to be watching and you are putting the work able to play in silence, and when everyone else thirty-two minutes of doubting you. I have been grinding in competitive this program for four years." basketball.

Wayne County senior center Mike Swint fully underThe summer workouts have stands that physical and mental also made Swint understand that preparation. he has a role to play and that he Swint knows the intense heat accepts that role. that shoots into the heels of your “I have been more aggressive shoes after endless sprints like and been sticking to my role on the first time your feet hit the hot, the team, and my game has been Georgia beach sand in July. No coming to me. I’m committed to time to even think about the pain this program and my teammates because the free throw line beckand for my senior year,” Swint ons. It’s time to knock down those said. shots when you are tired, not just The game of basketball started to save your teammates a little exearly for Swint, who knew when tra running, but because at some he executed his first crossover in point, you are going to get that rec league at age five that he was opportunity. hooked. He continued to play the Swint knows that it takes a good game, moving up through the combination of mental and physranks, making the most of his ical toughness to compete on the playing time. However, he knew court. Or in his words, “grinding,” he could be better, but as he is that time where he works hardfound out this past summer, it may est in the gym to find his game a take different coach that pulls it and take it to its highest level. out of you.

“Grind in my term for when noDuring Swint’s junior year playbody is watching, you are putting ing in what he considered a big in the work in silence, and when game, Swint came out and hit the everyone else doubting you,” first seven points of the game but Swint said. “I have been grinding didn’t keep that pace, and Swint in this program for four years. My wanted to fix that. game excelled this year, but since Coach Lemetrice Ray took over, “What I realized is when I we have been working hard on played in a big game and I and off the court. He had us hitscored the first seven points ting the floor running since May. of the game, I knew I had it This summer we gelled together in me, I just didn't put enough as a team, we worked hard with effort to show it, and I realthe football players, we lifted ized that I didn't work hard weights, we went outside and

enough to excel," Swint said. "Therefore, after the last game of my junior season, I knew then that I had a lot of work to do.”

It was that motivation that spurred Swint during the spring and summer leading into his senior year.

There can be tremendous pressure on seniors because many coaches will go with underclassman unless a senior is a starter or sixth man. Swint was never deterred and grinded even harder when he had to, but Coach Ray was also right there challenging and encouraging him.

“It's very important because every minute could be your last, and the most important aspect is preparation,” Swint said. “Coach Ray says that to us every game. ‘Prepare yourself so the minute you get in, you are locked in and ready to play.’”

While basketball is his first love, Swint also played baseball and thought about continuing to play

the game at Wayne County High School, but his travel coach died and he left the diamond.

He still remembers his coach though, wearing #22, always saying a prayer, and pointing up to the sky before every basketball game.

“Away from the court I like playing video games and hanging out with teammates. Honestly, I also really enjoy going to open gym and talking to Coach Ray about upcoming games,” Swint said.

As a preacher’s kid, he has been very appreciative of his parents, brother, and his church family during his basketball career. Swint hopes to have the possibility playing basketball at the college level, but if not, he plans on majoring in computer science.

“Our senior crew of Deshawn, Willie, Ajay, Royal, Shaquan, and Tafari has been very important, but I want to give a special shout out to Coach Ray,” Swint said. “He made all of this possible. He believed in me and he trusted me, and none of this would have happened without him. Also, thanks to Coach Mosley and Coach Cooper for helping me correct and polish my game. I want to thank all of my brothers (my team); we still haveplenty work to do.”

“I have been more aggressive and I have been sticking to my role on the team and my game has been coming to me. I’m committed to this program and my teammates and for my senior year.”

PIERCE COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL

P

BEARS FOOTBALL ENDS IN ROUND 3 OF PLAYOFFS Written by: Jaron Raulerson

The Bears’ football team started the season at home with an impressive win over Bacon County, and continued their success throughout the season

“We want to start reloading instead of rebuilding.”

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PIERCE ABOVE NATIONAL AVERAGE Receiving Yards Per Game 291.1

with hard fought wins over several opponents within the division. Although the Bears came up short in the playoffs, the season had many rewards and records coming from the players as a team and all the personal goals that were accomplished throughout the season, including t 10 first team all-region honors, eight second team all-region honors, and Stetson Bennett’s co-offensive player of the year award.

But with this year in the books, Pierce County will have to start looking into next season with the kickoff to the season will be here before we know it. The Bears will be returning next August to again represent Pierce County, as they plan to produce another impressive season.

Rushing Yards Per Game 187.3

Pierce County once again reached the quarterfinals, for the first since 2014.

This is exciting for a county so devoted to their high school football. Pierce County was ecstatic when they found out they were going to make it into the playoffs, including the Bears’ football team. “I was pleased of how we made it to the Elite 8 this season,” Coach Pender said when asked what he was proud of about his season. “This was one of the few times Pierce County has ever made it this far into the playoffs.”

Total Touch Downs 76

The Bears offense will still be expected to produce numbers next season, even if most of the starters will be graduating this year.

“It happens; they have to graduate eventually,” Coach Sean Pender said when asked about the large loss of start-

ers. “Because of this we will have to make our schemes less complicated and more basic.”

With all of the changes that will soon take place to the offense, the 2017 season might include a new approach or even a new system. The Bears will also have to prepare for a new quarterback under center for the first time in three years, as star quarterback Stetson Bennett IV will be playing at the next level.

With this said, most of the starters on defense will be returning on this season. This is good news for a Bears team that will have to recover from the many changes occurring to the team’s offense. “We have to get stronger and develop our younger talent” Coach Pender said when he was asked what the goal were going to be this offseason.

“We want to start reloading instead of rebuilding.”

Tackles Per Game 62.5

As the season has finally ended, change is soon to take place for the Pierce County Bears. Pierce County ended second in the region with a 9-4 record and made it to the Elite 8 in the AAA division. The Bears were led by a whopping 16 seniors this season, and a large portion of the seniors played on the offense. The Bears had the high flying offense that led the region in points (539), passing yards (3,782), and offensive yards (6,221).

Pierce County National Average

ELITE

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Demery Gets His US Army Jersey Written by: Rob Asbell | Photography by: Rob Asbell

The Brunswick High Pirates' band played and the crowd in the auditorium cheered as "Big Man," D'Antne Demery, was presented with his honorary jersey as a 2017 U.S. Army All-American.

Wearing a red shirt with the famous "G" on it to represent his verbal commitment to the lite Primar y Care is a group ofUniversity of Georgia, Demery thanked God, experienced family practice his family and coaches including recently reoviders who offer comprehensive signed Coach Larry Harre to patients of all ages. We are old who was on hand LWAYS accepting new patients.for the presentation.

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the honor, accepted the jersey as the Selection Tour presented by American Family Insurance, visited Brunswick.

Active-duty members of the U.S. Army were on stage and were called to attention when the jersey was presented.

As the Big Man pulled the jersey over his UGA shirt, the band broke into the Brunswick High fight song.

At 6'6" and more than 300 pounds, Demery is an offensive left tackle who has been recruited since he was a freshman. He had his choice from a collection of colleges vying for his tal-

ents including Alabama, Auburn, Clemson, Florida, Florida State, Michigan, and Illinois, but has verbally committed to play football for the Bulldogs next year.

He is an amazing athlete who is very athletic for a big man. Coaches say he has outstanding footwork and speed for an offensive lineman.

The U.S. Army All-American Bowl is the nation’s top high school all-star game played on national television each January in San Antonio, Texas' Alamodome. In the 17 years the game has been played, more than 200 future NFL

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OFFENSIVE TACKLE

stars have graced its roster including Odell Beckham Jr., Andrew Luck and Adrian Peterson.

The top 100 high school players from around the country are selected to play. This year 10 of those are from Georgia and three are from Southeast Georgia including University of Georgia-commit Richard LeCounte from Liberty County and Nate McBride from Vidalia High School who told In The Game that being chosen as a U.S. Army All-American is "a dream come true."

Army All-American Bowl The game brings together 90 of the nation's top high school football players in an East versus West matchup Total Game Attendance: 500,832 (over 16 years) Total NFL Draft Picks: 330, including 77 first rounders and one overall No. 1 pick (Andrew Luck) Heisman Trophy Winners: 2 (Tim Tebow, Florida, 2007; Derrick Henry, Alabama, 2015) First played on December 30, 1985, in Highlander Stadium in Dallas, Texas

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Movie: "Coach Carter" Recording Artist: Chance the Rapper Car: Cadillac Escalade Color: Maroon

Food: Broiled chicken TV Show: "Phineas and Ferb" College team: UConn Pro team: Chicago Bulls Pro player: Derrick Rose

She’s got a million-dollar smile and is known for her “Ajmanni is very vocal on playful antics, but don’t let that description alone fool you. This girl has game. Meet Ajmanni Jefferson, an the court and talks to everyeighth grade sensation in every sense. The daughter of Antonious and Faith Jefferson, the 5’9” hoops standout one, one on one. She points was a big reason why her Long County Middle School them to where they need team was 12-1 (3-1) heading into Christmas break. to go. She is a leader on “Ajmanni can play anywhere, but we mostly use her as a post player,” said LCMS head coach Parker Gorthe court and just makes don. “We just try to put her where she is going to be everybody else better.” most successful and let her do her thing. If the other team is in a 3-2 zone, we’ll place her on the block. If – Antonius Jefferson, father they are in a 2-3, we’ll put her at the top of the free throw line and let her go after the ball. If they are in man to man, we’ll let her bring the ball up and play the perimeter.”

December introduced the latter scenario in a key match-up against conference leader Pierce County. With Pierce in a man defense, Long looked to Jefferson to bring the ball up. She promptly drove to the basket for the crucial points that keyed an overtime victory.

“I knew I wasn’t hitting my free throws in that game, so I had to focus on the basket and take it in,” Jefferson said. “I figured they would foul me, which they did, but the referee didn’t call it.

So I took the shot.”

Heading into the new year, Jefferson was averaging better than 17 points per game. In 12 of her team’s 13 games to that point, she had scored double-digit figures while twice reaching a high mark of 24 points. She also averaged roughly 9 rebounds per game over the first half of the season.

I have a bad game, my dad helps me out with what I did wrong; you know, just the little simple things.”

Scholastic achievements include maintaining a 4.0 GPA. Jefferson has never made a “B” on a report card. Her extracurricular activities also include Beta Club and Christians on Campus.

Her favorite subject is science, which she ”Ajmanni is very outgoing and doesn’t meet a hopes will take her into stranger. She is always willing to help any kind of the medical field. way she can. She is an all-around person. Sometimes “I want to be a radiologist because when I I have to tell her she has to slow down because she broke my wrist a few will do everything she can to help the next person.” years back, I looked into it and it seemed – Faith Jefferson, mother like a cool job to do,” she said. “ I like science Basketball has been a major part of Jefferbecause it involves everything in your life. son’s life since she was old enough to dribble.

Walking is science. Talking is science. We just She was born in Fort Polk, Louisiana, where did a project in science class where we had her dad served in the military. He transferred to make a boat float. It had to carry 50 pento Fort Stewart when she was just two years old, nies, and it could only be made of metal. In and the family has since put down roots here. my group, all of our boats floated for at least Through the years, Jefferson acquired much 10 seconds, which is what they were supposed of her hoops know-how from her dad, who to do.” served as a recreation league coach, as well as Jefferson and her family attend Full Gospel her brother and only sibling, Omari, a former Church of God and Christ in Hinesville. She is Liberty County High standout. active there with the church youth group and “Omari has always been there for me, and choir. She also participates in praise dancing everything I know about basketball, I know and is a member of the mime team. In her free from him,” she says. “I go to the gym every time, she enjoys socializing with church friends weekend and work out with him. He wants to as well as her godsister, Labrea. go overseas to play and he says if I push my“I met Labrea when I was like 5 or 6, and self, I can do the same thing. My dad is always we’ve been best friends since then. She is at there, too. He comes to the majority of my the high school. We play softball together games; if he can take off work, he’ll be there. If and basketball together. We go to the mall,

the trampoline park; anything we do, we do together.”

Always active, Jefferson also competes in AAU basketball. She lends her talents to softball as a first baseman in the fall. She also suits up for travel ball as a catcher/third baseman. In the spring, she throws the shotput and discus for the track team.

“The thing I like most about softball is getting the cheers when you go up to hit,” Jefferson said. “The potential of hitting a grand slam is always great, too. With track, it’s not so much of you having to do something the whole time.

You get breaks. Then when you go to state, you get to meet new people.”

Nonetheless, to appreciate Jefferson’s passion is to see her at work on the hardwood.

“Mostly I like playing the one or the two (guard),” she said. “The one runs the offense, says what goes down, and finds the open teammate. The two is there to help the one. My favorite NBA player to watch is Derrick Rose. He’s the one and runs the offense, but the fact that he can take it to the hole and get his teammates open – I like that about him.”

Meanwhile, Jefferson’s game and personality remain constants on everyone else’s lists of likes.

“Ajmanni is just a big ball of joy,” says Gordon.

“She is hilarious, and is always talking. But she is by far the best eighth grade leader I’ve been around. She always makes sure her teammates are doing what they should be doing. She is just that great player that can lead your team.”

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EVAN’S EVALUATIONS 2016 List of TOP 10 Football Teams Written by: Evan Smoak

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McIntosh County Academy Buccaneers 10-3 The MCA Bucs earn the first spot in the inaugural rankings because of their surprising run to their first state title game appearance in school history.

7

Liberty County Panthers 11-2 With four teams seeing their seasons end in the Elite 8, the Panthers garner our second spot due to their heartbreaking loss in triple overtime to eventual state runners-up, Greater Atlanta Christian.

8

Glynn Academy Red Terrors 11-2 After suffering a loss to eventual 2A state champion Benedictine in the opening game of the season, the Red Terrors would rip off 11 in a row en route to the Region 2 AAAAAA title before falling to Northside Warner Robins in the Elite 8.

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Ware County Gators 8-4 The Gators faced a brutal non-region schedule finishing the stretch 2-3; however, Ware would go on a six-game win streak and capture the 2 AAAAA crown before losing in the Elite 8 to eventual 5A state champion, Rome.

Pierce County Bears 9-4 The Bears continued their success under coach Sean Pender, as their high scoring offense lead the way to a Region 2AAA runner-up title and another Elite 8 appearance being defeated by the Crisp County Cougars.

Vidalia Indians 9-3 Coach Lee Chomskis and his Vidalia Indians experienced another great regular season and claimed the Region 2AA runner-up title. However, Vidalia saw its season end short as the Indians fell in the second round to Rabun County.

Frederica Academy Knights 9-2 The Knights started the season 7-0 and clinched the Region 2AAA crown in GISA, but Frederica would go 2-2 in their final four games including a second round playoff loss to Deerfield-Windsor which ended their season.

Brantley County Herons 6-4 The Herons turned a lot of heads this season as they posted a 6-4 record and earning their first playoff appearance since 2008. Sadly, Brantley’s playoff dreams were short-lived as they were put out in the first round by the Jackson High Red Devils.

Richmond Hill Wildcats 6-4 Coach Matt LeZotte saw major improvement from last year as his wildcats started the season 6-0 however Richmond Hill would drop the next four games including a first round playoff loss to Lovejoy.

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Brunswick High Pirates 5-5 Brunswick had high hopes coming into this season however the Pirates would see their season end with five wins and five close losses and no playoffs for the second straight year.

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