Southeast Georgia June 2017 Edition

Real Genius

Matthew Bagley, Ware County

Running Smarter Shahad Smith, Brunswick

The Lady is a Coach Coach Kristin Hill, Liberty County

FINISHING

ON TOP

JEFF DAVIS IS #1

GAME SOUTHEAST GEORGIA

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IN THE

June 2017

CODY OGILVIE, JEFF DAVIS COUNTY

In The Game | 1

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In The Game | 3

4 | itgsportsnetwork.com

IN THIS ISSUE 8

Finishing on Top

12

The Lady Is a Coach

15

Real Genius

18

Young Writers Honored

20

Inaugural “Neutral Site” Series Featured Perennial Title Contender PCHS

Cody Ogilvie, Jeff Davis County

Coach Kristin Hill, Liberty County

Matthew Bagley, Ware County High School

Georgia Authors Competition

Pierce County High School

24

Swimming Toward a Goal

John "Anderson" McNeil, Camden County

PCHS Boys Achieve Golfing Greatness 26 Pierce County High School

2017 Spring Signees 30 Jackets Win State 34 Jeff Davis County

Riding Into The Sunset 36

Caden Hutchinson, Risley Middle School

Running Smarter 40 Shahad Smith, Brunswick

Eternal Spring: 44 Wayne County Chases History Wayne County

ALSO 22

Spring Brings State Championship Bids to PCHS Pierce County High School

22

Gators Take Region Track Title Ware County High School

23

Raiders Make the Final 4

Bacon County High School

33

Champions times 2

Brantley County High School In The Game | 5

FROM THE PUBLISHER

What a spring! Southeast Georgia was the spring sports Mecca for 2017. We had baseball champions, golf champions, tennis champions and track and field champions. All eyes were on SEGA for baseball in 2017.

We had 11 out of 19 teams make the playoffs, we had six teams in the final four, and three play for a state title. Congratulations to Jeff Davis for hoisting the cup as AA State Champions. Our area hosted two state title rounds: Okefenokee hosted the girls’ AAA tournament and Lakeview hosted the boy’s AAA State tournament that crowned the Pierce County Bears as state champions. In tennis, we had several region championships which included both the boys’ and girls’ teams from Brantley County. In track, the Ware County boys’ team was able to win its first ever region title in track and field with a host of Gators earning the right to compete at the State Championships. It truly was a “banner spring” for all SEGA programs and I, for one, was honored to be able to watch these student-athletes shine.

If you were writing a script for your senior season as a high school baseball player, your two main story lines would be: sign a college scholarship and win a state title. Ding, ding, ding, we have a winner. Cody Ogilvie, senior pitcher for the Jeff Davis Yellow Jackets is living the dream. He had the senior season that will go down as legendary folklore. In 30 years, the people of Hazelhurst will be speaking fondly of the spring of 2017, and Cody will be front and center of all the tales of the time when Jeff Davis won the state title in AA baseball. Congratulations to Cody and ALL his Yellow Jacket teammates on their magical season.

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It’s refreshing to see a student-athlete who understands the balance of student and athlete; someone who’s not afraid of hard work and commitment to both aspects and is confident in his or her abilities. Ware tennis player Matthew Bagley embodies all these qualities that every coach dreams of finding in all of their players. Matthew graduated number four in his class while scoring a 3.5 GPA in all his AP classes. Matthew was the number one player on his team this season, but his coach points out it’s his attitude and work ethic that makes other players around him strive to be better. That’s my definition of a team player.

Not every coach can make a difference in a young man’s life; it’s not always an easy task.

Being a female coaching boys’ soccer must be an even tougher task. Good thing Kristin Hill is not every coach, but is an exceptional coach that is making that difference. A transplant from Michigan, Coach Hill took over at Liberty County and made an immediate impact on her players in the last three seasons.

She instilled characteristics like integrity, honesty, and trust into her players, ultimately developing them into better young men.

Sadly, 2017 was her last and Coach Hill will be missed on the pitch at Liberty County.

Coaches love student-athletes who lead by example.

Brunswick High senior, Shahad Smith, does just that as a stand out track star. One of just a handful of seniors on this year’s team, Shahad was the captain.

He used his leadership role to help his teammates be better student-athletes. He used his work ethic to help teach the younger guys what it takes to be successful, not only on the track this spring, but also on the gridiron last fall.

36

Risley Middle school twosport star Caden Hutchinson is a busy man these days. He’s currently playing five-star travel baseball now that the middle school season is over. When he’s not doing that, he’s working out with the Glynn Academy football team where next season he’ll be playing both football and baseball for the Red Terrors. Although Caden loves sports, my guess is that his favorite thing is fishing at his family’s property with his good buddy, Jack.

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.inthegamesportsnetwork.com and Facebook at www.facebook. com/inthegamenation. 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 May edition of ITG!

Contributors

Publisher Shawn Smoak Editor Mark Dykes Graphics Mandy Douthit LaDarius Dennison Cover Photography Nelson & Company Feature Photography Nelson & Company Jennifer Carter Johnson Michael Brinson Charles Smith Chandler Watson RC Photos Debra Tanner Tom Boyd Shawn Smoak Feature Writers Rob Asbell John DuPont John Wood Matt Thrift 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 2017 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.

State Champions!

Jeff Davis Baseball Champions!

Pierce Golf Champions!

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Finishing on Top Written by: John Wood | Photography by: Nelson & Company

Baseball is no doubt the sport that has a grip on the town of Hazlehurst, Georgia, and surrounding Jeff Davis County.

The people of Jeff Davis County hold their high school team as firm as Nolan Ryan held the red stitches of a pearl white baseball.

This past May, the Yellow Jackets returned that deep devotion when coach Paul Glass's team brought home the AA state championship — the first state title in school history and certainly the way senior pitcher Cody Ogilvie wanted to end his career.

8 | itgsportsnetwork.com

Growing up in Jeff Davis County, boys have a myopic vision of baseball. They have seen good teams and players and know the expectations that people have when they show some diamond prowess.

"I started playing baseball when I was old enough to drag a bat around at the age of 3,” Ogilvie said. “It

all started playing mini baseball games in my Granny's house until I was able to start playing tee-ball at age 5.”

One season of middle school basketball was the only interruption in a baseball-only career. Ogilvie understood where his true love and loyalty was: on the diamond of dirt.

"Every kid in Jeff Da-

vis that grows up playing baseball dreams of playing for Jeff Davis in high school,” he said. “When you finally are able to play on that field, you really understand the expectations that everybody has for you."

He decided to fully dedicate himself to baseball, which was when Ogilvie fell in

"Every kid in Jeff Davis that grows up playing baseball dreams of playing for Jeff Davis in high school."

— Cody Ogilvie

love with being a pitcher. Entering high school, Ogilvie brought a nice 81 mph fastball, but entered his season with a blistering 92 mph after going through the hard work of becoming a student of the game.

The Yellow Jackets pulled off 20-win seasons every year leading up to Ogilvie's senior year. However, the wins didn't really mean that much. After a few big wins during the season, the Yellow Jackets made a second round exit in the state playoffs.

"All of us seniors talked at the end of last season and agreed that we wanted that ring

and we were going to do whatever it took to get it,” Ogilvie said.

“Just making the playoffs wasn't an option to us. I really worked on becoming a stronger pitcher and learning new pitches for my senior season."

Jeff Davis put the work in and did everything to make sure they avoided the pitfalls that come from a long season. Tough non-conference losses and injuries made the Yellow Jackets find a resolve that became the tether that pulled them through the state tournament.

"After the first few weeks of the season, already losing two of our eight seniors due to injuries, the remaining seniors knew we were playing for our brothers,” Ogilvie said. “We played the toughest teams coach Glass could find, and it helped us get ready for the tough region we play in. We saw good pitching and

"I really worked on becoming a stronger pitcher and learning new pitches for my senior season."

— Cody Ogilvie

hitters all season.”

Ogilvie and his Yellow Jackets saw that first shimmer of a gold championship ring in the Elite Eight against Rockmart.

As the championship brackets started to be realized, the Yellow Jackets ended up in a historic venue not far from the friendly confines of Hazlehurst.

Jeff Davis and neighboring teams Savannah Christian, Pierce County ,and Wayne County all played championship series in Savannah's Grayson Stadium, the same stadium where Babe Ruth and "Shoe-

less" Joe Jackson patrolled the outfield.

"It wasn't surprising at all to see South Georgia represented like it was,” Ogilvie said. “I grew up playing against the boys from Pierce and Wayne, and they always had good teams.”

When the Yellow Jackets started coming into their own, Ogilvie started to thrive on the mound.

"I had found all of my pitches (fastball, slider, and curveball) by then, so I felt like a dominant pitcher. I could throw any pitch in any count which made me a better pitcher. I tried to never show frustration on the mound because once a pitcher does that he is defeated.

You have to remain emotionless on the mound and just pitch."

Jeff Davis was able to ride its winning streak and surge through a sweep of Elbert County, collecting an AA state championship on the way.

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"The final inning of game two was my favorite memory of it. I was in the dugout resting in case of a possible closing situation came up on the mound. All of us in there were standing on the edge of the dugout and yelling every pitch. Then once the final out was made, the race to the mound for the dogpile began. The moment in that sprint to the mound is a moment I'll never forget. I hope my legacy is left to never quit competing. No matter what the situation is, you got to keep fighting and competing."

Ogilvie is getting ready to add a new chapter to his baseball story as he moves to pitch for the University of North Georgia.

"I hope to gain some velocity and work with my off speed pitches in efforts to help in any way I can at UNG,� he said. “I'm excited to be a part of such a successful team and great program."

10 | itgsportsnetwork.com

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PIERCE COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL

SPRING BRINGS STATE CHAMPIONSHIP BIDS TO PCHS

P

Written by: John DuPont

Pierce County High School enjoyed a stellar spring sports run en route to capturing the Region 2-AAA AllSports trophy this past spring, but there was still bigger hardware yet to come. In addition to the boys golf team winning the state title and the baseball team finishing as state runner-up, two other disciplines also competed for state titles in May. The girls golf team finished fifth at their state tournament, while several members of the boys track team competed as top individual finishers at the state track meet.

“We experienced an outstanding spring season with pursuing ‘excellence as the standard,’” Brandon Jernigan, PCHS athletic director, said. “Our student-athletes are second to none and are always striving to be the best in state.”

Coach Kip Burdette led the boys track team to a second-place finish in Region 2-AAA, narrowly missing the

region title. However, three members wound up acquitting themselves well at the boys state track meet May 11-13 at Hugh Mills Stadium in Albany.

Emmanuel Jernigan claimed a pair of top10 finishes for PCHS, earing fifth in the long jump and seventh in the triple jump. Elsewhere, Leroy Mason clinched fourth in the 300-meter hurdles and seventh in the 110 hurdles. Meanwhile, Kylil Miles finished close behind Mason in the 100 hurdles in eighth place.

On the links on May 22-23, Pierce County played host to both the boys and girls state championships. While the boys captured their respective state title at Lakeview Golf Club, the PCHS girls competed just a few miles away at the Okefenokee Country Club en route to a fifth-place finish.

“I am very lucky to have coached these girls for four years,” Erica Still Grady, outgoing PCHS girls coach, said. "I cannot express the heartfelt feeling I have for these girls and this program. We have

come a long way from 10th place in 2014, fourth place in 2015, sixth place in 2016, and now finally a fifth-place finish in 2017. Fifth place may not seem like much to most people, but to face what these girls have had to endure over four years, a fifth place finish speaks volumes. I have watched these girls on their great days and their not so great days.

These are the hardest working individuals you will ever meet.”

Leading the Lady Bears was Sloan Lanier, who carded 89 on the first day and 86 the second day (175 total).

Anna Tiller fired 92 on the first day and 101 the second day (193 total).

Kelsey Russell shot 95 on the first day and 99 on the second day (194 total), while Kayla Petrowicz carded 94 on the first day and 104 on the second day (198 total).

PCHS shot a team score of 275 the first day and 286 the second day for a total of 561. Franklin County was next with a team score of 565, followed

by Westminster (584), Southeast Bulloch (590),

and Savannah Arts Academy (593). It was the final tournament at PCHS for Grady, who is moving to Brunswick High next year along with her husband, Garrett Grady.

“It is with the heaviest heart that I have to exit the coaching world to pursue another teaching job for our family,” she said. “I have watched these girls grow not only in their golf games, but as individuals. I am told all the time that I have the classiest and most compassionate girls. I owe that to their parents and their community. I have been blessed to be able to be with them for this long. The hardest part is saying goodbye, and we got to do last week in our banquet. And today on the final 18th green, I got to hug my senior (Tiller) and walk with her on her final hole as well as hug each of their necks as we knew this was goodbye. The greatest thing is knowing goodbye is not forever.”

Grady also offered heartfelt thanks to her father, longtime veteran coach Greg Still, who re-

turned to PCHS following a 30-year hiatus, to assist his daughter on the links this season.

“I do not think I would have been able to get through the craziness of hosting area and state tournaments if it had not been for him,” Grady said.

“In closing, I would like to thank the staff at Okefenokee Country Club,” Grady said.

“We had everything we needed, and all of them worked countless hours and closed down their course to make sure the tournament was taken care of. Special ‘thank you’s’ go to Mike Ranew, Angeleek Strickland, and Brandon Key for hosting the state tournament and the craziness that goes with it. The facility was always prepared, well organized, and a great destination to host this big event.

Without all of you, none of this would have been possible."

The Lady Is a Coach Written by: Rob Asbell Photography by: Charles Smith

The coach paces the sidelines of the soccer pitch, calling out instructions to the players, watching the game intently as the Liberty County Panthers boys soccer team races up and down the field. And then, as has happened at nearly every game for the past three years, someone realizes, “Hey, they have a female coach.”

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Kristin Hill is one of the few women to ever be head coach of a boys varsity sport in Georgia. She has grown accustomed to the stares and pointed fingers. She is a coach and as such commands the respect her title deserves.

“There are three characteristics I respect in a person, and they are integrity, honesty,

"There are three characteristics I respect in a person, and they are integrity, honesty, and trust. I try to instill these in my players every day."

— Kristin Hill

and trust,” Hill said. “I try to instill these in my players every day.”

Since 2015 she has successfully headed the Panthers soccer program. She was influenced by her own high school coach who emphasized the importance of physical fitness, in addition to skill, in making a soccer team successful. Today, she follows his example and makes sure her players work as hard on the track as they do on the field.

Originally from the Detroit area, Hill was a soccer player at Western Michigan University. She started coaching girls varsity as a head coach with her first teaching job in Michigan.

“My coaches growing up always told me how I would make a good coach because I

can visualize plays well before they happen and I can explain it well to other players,” Hill said.

“I’ve always taken this as a compliment and thought that coaching would be in my future.”

She began her coaching career, and before long she was honored as “Coach of the Week” following her team’s big win against their rival for the first time in school history.

She coached for two years in Michigan until her husband was transferred to Fort Stewart in Hinesville and she moved to Southeast Georgia.

“I was saddened to have to give up coaching my girls in Michigan,” Hill said. “My first year at Liberty County High School, there wasn’t a position for coaching available, but I still attended a few

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games. I couldn’t resist thinking of how I would do some things differently, and once the position opened up, I jumped on it.”

For the school’s administration, male or female, she was a perfect fit for the job.

She brought a detailed knowledge of the game from the perspective of both a player and a coach. And best of all, she builds positive relationships with students on the field and in the classroom, where she teaches science.

“Coach Hill has taken our boys soccer program to another level,” said Dr. Warnella Wilder, the athletic director for Liberty County High School who hired Hill.

“Our boys were competitive in every game and left it all on the field for her.”

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how the young men would react to having a female coach, but Hill commanded respect from day one. She did notice a few differences between coaching the male and female players.

“Things that have worked in my favor would be the thick skin of the men,” Hill said.

“I’m able to give criticism that they can absorb and not hurt any feelings.”

Hill sees coaching as a way to provide a positive and constructive space for players, children, and students to release any and all of their frustrations and energy. Sports, she said, are important in helping young people learn to work with others for a common goal and develop a unique skill along the way.

Out of her three seasons as a coach at Liberty, this past season may have been her best so far. She took over a divided team that was playing as individuals rather than working as a team.

“Every year we’ve improved a little more and a little more, but this season things finally came together, and my team played the best I could’ve hoped for,” Hill said.

The Panthers came out to play this year with attitudes set toward working and winning. They eventually made the state playoffs as the fourth seed from Region 2-AAA before falling to Pike County High School. One of the team captains this year was Cleveland Dargan, whom Hill calls one of the best players she has

ever coached due to his work ethic and determination.

According to Dargan, the only concern about having a female coach was how to get team members serious about playing.

“It can be a little awkward having her as a coach with a group of guys that like to act immature from time to time,” Dargan said. “I can also say without a doubt that she is one heck of a coach at the end of the day.”

In her time away from school, Hill is creative and enjoys doing crafts. She has a shop on the internet site Etsy where she sells things she creates. Unfortunately, Hill’s tenure at Liberty County has now come to an end. She and her husband are returning to Michigan, where she plans to soon take on the even bigger responsibilities of motherhood. Although they wish her well, her team will miss her.

“I’m upset that this year will be her last at Liberty County High School,” Dargan said.

“She will be missed, without a doubt.”

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Success, whether achieved in the come from an athletic background. She classroom or in the athletic arena, is all is a musically talented person. She may relative. That’s the philosophy of Matthew not have the most knowledge of sports, Bagley, the recently-graduated boys ten- but she always encourages me no matnis ace at Ware County High School. The ter what I do.” son of Wendell and Kim Bagley, he also Work ethic and a do-right attigraduated fourth in a class numbering tude helped Bagley compile a 10-4 340.

Bagley record this said such sucpast spring cess is relative “Tennis is just like anything as the No. 1 to how much singles playelse in life: If you want to be er for WCHS, work one is willing to put he successful, you have to put which forth and how helped lead much one adin the work.” to a postseaheres to the — Matthew Bagley son berth. He advice of relaalso finished tives. within just h u n d re d t h s “Tennis is of a point of just like anything else in classmates life: If you want Kylie Wheelto be successer, Destinee ful, you have Johnson, and to put in the Manashi Patel, work,” Bagley the school’s said.

“That’s top three what my dad honor gradalways tells me. uates. Bagley I have to study did, however, like every othreceive an AP er student, and diploma and it’s the same was named thing with tenan AP Scholar nis. You have to with Distincspend time on tion by scorthe court, run, ing an averexercise, and age grade of eat right. My 3.5 on all AP mom doesn’t exams taken.

In The Game | 15

He finished high school with a 100.3 cumulative GPA. “Matthew is a driven kid who wants to succeed in every aspect of life,” said Ross Bedford, WCHS head boys tennis coach. “He works hard to be the best both on and off the court. This attitude has driven many of the kids around Matthew to strive to be better players. He is focused, driven, and a competitor, and he made the team better by leading by example.”

College scouts noticed Bagley, who will play next season at Point University in West Point, Georgia. His offer pool included invites from several Division III schools and junior colleges.

Ultimately, though, Bagley accepted the offer from Point, a private Christian school in the NAIA. Appealing factors included a desire to remain in state as well as Point’s 6-1 record last season against Division II schools in addition to its regular competition against D-I programs.

Bagley’s first love was baseball, but he missed the cut in middle school and subsequently cast his lot with cross country, basketball, and tennis. The latter pursuit stuck. In addition to his prep success on the courts, Bagley was also a GRPA state singles champion in 2015 and 2016 and runner-up in 2013. Additionally, he has played a number of USTA tournaments throughout Georgia and Florida and has already claimed his first tournament vic-

tory on that circuit. Most notable, though, have been his victories for the Green & Gold. He is also a bit of an anomaly with his playing style.

“Rafa’s mentality is that you can become the greatest through hard work.”

“In sports, I am naturally left handed,” Bagley said. “I throw, bat, and dribble with my left hand. Meanwhile, I eat and write right-handed. But when I picked up a tennis racket, the backhand stroke resembled a left handed batter, so I began playing with my right hand. If you hold the racket in your right hand and go for a twohanded backhand, it feels like you are batting left handed. I know.

It’s weird.”

Rafael Nadal is the pro player Bagley most tries to emulate, citing an ability to generate topspin on serves. Of course, it all comes back to work ethic.

“Rafa’s mentality is that you can become the greatest through hard work,” Bagley said.

“It’s not just about raw talent. You never see him out there with his head down. He always thinks he can come back.”

Similarly Bedford said of Bagley: “I'll never forget Matthew's freshman year. When the rankings came out at the beginning of that season, Matthew

- Matthew Bagley

was seeded to play the JV No. 1 position. He came up to me after practice that day and said that he felt like he was talented enough to make the varsity. I simply told him to prove it.

Over the course of the next week, Matthew outworked, outplayed, and out-hustled every player he faced. He earned his spot as a varsity doubles player and never looked back.”

The same goes for Bagley’s classroom

“He works hard to be the best both on and off the court. This attitude has driven many of the kids around Matthew to strive to be better players."

16 | itgsportsnetwork.com

— Ross Bedford

mentality. A National Honor Society member, he scored 1240 on the SAT. His dual enrollment this past semester included two classes at South Georgia State College.

Overall, he completed a half dozen AP courses. His favorite subject is history, though his favorite instructor, Danny Gill, teaches math.

Consequently, Bagley looks to major in biology. It didn’t take long to figure out why his academic loyalties run the gamut, as Bagley himself explained.

“Mr. Gill is a really good teacher with a

good personality who explains the concepts well,” Bagley said.

“Now I enjoy math a lot more. History is something I enjoy because understanding the past is important to understanding the future. I find it fascinating how we can learn from the past. But as much as I love history, I think my major is going to be biology because I’d like to become a pharmacist. The idea really came from my dad. He wanted to become a pharmacist, and it didn’t work out, but when he described it to me, it appealed to me.”

Voted Most Intellectual among the senior class along with Wheeler, Bagley served this past year as chairman of First Southern Bank Junior Board of Directors in Ware County.

He has won the tennis team’s Scholar-Athlete Award each year since his sophomore season.

He attends Trinity United Methodist Church, where he participates in youth activities. He also assists with the church’s TV and audio programming. Bagley has one sibling, his sister Elizabeth, an eighth-grader and band member at Ware Middle School.

Describing himself as an “average teen,” Bagley’s pastimes include playing video games and watching Netflix. Other recreational pursuits include frisbee, basketball, and pick-up football. He also

enjoys books and recently read “The Wealth of Nations” by Adam Smith. Bagley also studies up when he can on how to improve the mechanics of his game.

He cited the influence of several people who have been instrumental in that area.

“I want to thank my high school coach, Ross Bedford, and middle school coach, Anne Fulford,” Bagley said. “For a while I also took lessons from Steven Howard, an assistant coach at the College of Coastal Georgia. He worked with me a lot on my serve and encouraged me to work to where I can play on the next level. Mitchell Tanner is someone I met a year and a half ago. He is a community coach, and from this past summer and ever since, we have been on the court, and I

have gotten more topspin on the ball. These folks are why I’m getting to play at the next level.”

When asked how he wants to be remembered by Ware County folks, Bagley offered this take: “As the guy that did both.

The smart guy who was a good athlete.”

Young Writers Honored Written by: Rob Asbell Photography courtesy of Okefenokee RESA

Famous American western author Louis L'Amour once said: “Start writing, no matter what. The water does not flow until the faucet is turned on.�

Starting the flow of ideas is what the Young Georgia Authors writing competition is all about: recognizing and

encouraging students' efforts in writing. For more than 20 years, the Young Georgia Authors competition has helped develop students' interest in writing by honoring their achievements.

It is open to students in all grades in a Georgia public school and is sponsored by the Geor-

gia Council of Teachers of English with the cooperation of the Georgia Department of Education.

In Southeast Georgia, 58 original written works were submitted this year by students from school districts belonging to the Okefenokee Regional Educa-

tional Services Agency.

Six school systems participated: Atkinson, Brantley, Charlton, Coffee, Pierce, and Ware counties. Each school sent its grade winners to be judged at the district level.

"Okefenokee RESA is proud to participate in the Young Georgia

Authors writing competition," said Cindy Hitt, an ELA/SS Specialist with Okefenokee RESA in Waycross.

Students in all grades, K-12, submitted their work to the contest in hopes of making it to the statewide competition. Students first compete within their own

Back row, left to right: Meleah Morton, Victoria Quinonez, Claire Ponciano, Marshall Davis, Darrenisha Long, Erin Meeks, Stella Kallay Front row, left to right: Maria Manabat, Walker Sergent, Jovi Meeks, Cole Deems, Addie Brown

18 | itgsportsnetwork.com

GOLF PROFORMANCE school system, where winners are chosen and sent to their area RESA for judging. Winners from there go on to compete at the state level. Winners for the state are scheduled to be announced May 1, and they will be hosted at a recognition reception by Georgia School Superintendent Richard Woods on May 10.

"Judges were impressed with the quality of writing submitted this year,” Hitt said. “Competition was tough, and we are hopeful to have another state winner.”

In fact, two of the young authors from Southeast Georgia won at state this year. Kindergartener Cole Deems of Indian Creek Elementary in Coffee County won for his entry, "Timmy The Tornado," and Juliana Claire M. Ponciano, a seventh-grader from Waycross Middle, won for her entry, "Survivor."

The judges at the area level include retired teachers and community members with experience working with student writing. They look for good writing that is appropriate to the grade level. Guidelines emphasize strong ideas, sequenced organization, cohesiveness, style, and good grammar. Short stories, poems, essays, and other forms of writing can be entered into the contest. No matter what the format, if it was an original written piece with no editing help from parents or teachers, it was eligible.

WAYCROSS

BAXLEY

DOUGLAS

JESUP

Winners of the Okefenokee RESA's Young Georgia Authors Writing Competition Kindergarten Indian Creek Elementary School Cole Deems Timmy the Tornado

Seventh Grade Waycross Middle School Juliana Claire M. Ponciano Survivor

First Grade Pearson Elementary School Dylan Morris Bald Eagle

Eighth Grade Waycross Middle School Maria Manabat Paintbrushes

Second Grade Pearson Elementary School Jovi Meeks There’s a Bear in my House!

Ninth Grade Atkinson County High School Victoria Quinonez The Woman in the Walls

Third Grade Patterson Elementary School Addie Brown Sassy the Squirrel Learns a Lesson

10th Grade Ware County High School Meleah Morton The Intruder

Forth Grade Midway Elementary School Walker Sergent The New Knight

11th Grade Atkinson County High School Marshall Davis Legend

Fifth Grade Williams Heights Elementary School Stella Kallay Ursie Ate the Solar System

12th Grade Ware County High School Darrenisha Long Rain

Sixth Grade Ware County Middle School Erin Meeks Beaten But Not Broken

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Inaugural “Neutral Site” Series Featured Perennial Title Contender PCHS

Written by: John DuPont | Photography by: Chandler Watson

Amid the so-dubbed “912 Baseball” craze of 2017, Pierce County High School enjoyed one of the most magical postseason runs in school history. The Bears reached the state title game for the second time in the past five years and for the third time ever. Ultimately, PCHS bowed to North Hall as the Trojans claimed their first-ever state title, but not before the Pierce diamond faithful were treated to another glorious postseason ride.

“There’s nothing like watching your hometown have a chance to make history,” said Kalyn Milton, PCHS alumna and longtime Bears baseball fan. “You see the players’ hard work and dedication to prepare for each game, and that makes you feel so proud of your team.”

PCHS posted a 20-7 regular-season mark and claimed the Region 2-AAA title in 2017 under first-year head coach Andrew Evans, whose staff included assistants Tyler Rogers, Jacob Evors, and Lynn Harris. Pierce then swept the first four rounds of the playoffs, dispatching Rutland, Hart County, Greater Atlanta Christian, and

Coahulla Creek. That successful run earned the Bears the right to compete in the first-ever neutral site championship on May 25 at Savannah’s historic Grayson Stadium.

Hundreds of fans clad in blue and silver made the short trip to Savannah to support the Bears, whose playoff winning streak included four shutouts.

PCHS leaned heavily on the one-two pitching punch of Cody Williams and Cody Grant, who posted a combined for seven complete games to that point. In 26 playoff innings pitched

prior to the finals, Williams yielded just one run while striking out 48 batters with just 11 walks and an ERA of 0.27. Grant pitched 21 innings over that same stretch with battery mate Nick Golub, logging a 1.33 ERA with 16 strikeouts and just three walks. The Bears’ team postseason ERA heading into the finals was 0.92.

Equally thrilling over the first month of the postseason was the Bears’ hitting. PCHS arrived

in Savannah at a .384 postseason clip led by

second baseman Ben Tuten, who boasted a .548 playoff batting average. Grant, who logged a .500 average, also led the Bears in postseason homers (three) and RBIs (eight).

Pitcher/left fielder/designated hitter Walker Reddish (.370, seven RBI); third baseman Klay Allen (.385, seven RBI); shortstop Stetson Bennett (.464, six RBI, eight stolen bases); and first baseman Blake Bishop (.360 on-base percentage) also served as spark plugs during the first four playoff rounds.

Ben Baker, Bryce Bowen, Andrew Walsh, and Johnny Waters all played key roles sub roles during that stretch.

Four seniors played the title tilt as their prep swan song: Bennett, Grant, Reddish, and team captain Kris Wishall. Centerfielder Wishall (five runs, two doubles, two RBIs through the first eight playoff games) laced a pair of singles against North Hall and had an RBI for the finals. However, the hits were few and far between that day for PCHS. Grant strode the hill for PCHS in Game 1,

yielding three runs in the first inning. Then in the top of the second, Wishall laced a two-out single to score Walker Sinclair (.375 average heading into finals) for the Bears’ first run. The Trojans then scored two more runs in their half of the third. Trailing 5-1, PCHS broke through for another run in the top of the fifth courtesy of Bennett, who reached and subsequently scored on a pair of errors.

North Hall scored four insurance runs in the sixth en route to a 9-2 victory in the opener as top hurler Reese Olson limited the Bears to just six hits. Reddish was the only Bear in that game to tally multiple hits. Meanwhile, PCHS utilized three pitchers out of the bullpen: Allen, Tanner Bryant, and Reddish.

Staff ace Williams, with a 4-0 playoff record, got the ball for PCHS in Game 2 for the home-team designated Bears. He also posted a .320 playoff batting average through the first eight postseason games. Williams and right-handed counterpart Corbin Meeler of

North Hall each pitched out of the first inning in one-two-three fashion in Game 2, but the stalemate didn’t last.

North Hall batted around the order in the third inning, scoring six runs as the first four hitters in the order all reached safety and subsequently scored. PCHS answered with three runs in the bottom of the third. With his second hit of Game 2, Allen drove home Wishall, who singled, and Wil-

liams, who walked. Allen subsequently scored when Sinclair reached on an error.

Bennett made it a 6-4 game in the fourth, plating Reddish, who singled. Then in the bottom of the seventh, the Bears mounted a near comeback as Sinclair laced a two-out double to score Andrew Walsh, making it 6-5. But North Hall drew the line at that point and retired the side to end the game and the dream season.

Though PCHS came up short, the future of the program still looks bright to fans like Tommy Colley.

“This was my first year following our team,” Colley said. “It was so much fun to support them and to watch them not only grow as young men, but also come together as a force to be feared on the field.”

“There’s nothing like watching your hometown have a chance to make history.”

— Kalyn Milton, PCHS Alumna

In The Game | 21

WARE COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL

GATORS TAKE REGION TRACK TITLE Written by: Rob Asbell | Photography by: RC Photos

The Ware County boys track and field team won their first ever region championship this season.

At the Region 2-AAAAA meet in April, the Gators finished 15 points ahead of New Hampstead to win the title. Two athletes took first place and won the region championship in their event: Sharod Cobb, who set a school record in the 300-meter hurdles, and Austin Sweat, who won the pole vault. The top four finishers in each event qualified for sectionals held at Eagles Landing. Among those who qualified were Hudson Spurlock in the 110 hurdles, 300 hurdles, and the pole vault; Ernest Jones in the 110 hurdles; Matthew Hamilton in the 800; and Logan Millard in the 1,600 and 3,200.

Shaquan Bellamy and Charles Jones qualified in the high jump, and Trey Cobb went to sectionals for the discus and shot put.

Sharod Cobb qualified in the 400. Also qualifying for

22 | itgsportsnetwork.com

sectionals were the Gators' 4x100 relay team and the 4x400 relay team.

The Lady Gators finished as the region runner-up.

"The girls competed hard, but we fell short of achieving our goal as Region Champs,” Alesia Gibson, head coach, said.

“Several of the girls left everything they had on the track, and several young ladies set personal records."

Four athletes won their events and claimed region championships: Kayla Youngblood in the pole vault, Traveshia Birden in the discus, Waynisha Coleman in the shot put, and Chyna Bacon in the 300 hurdles. Region runners-up included Birden in the shot put, Bre Etheridge in the triple jump, Tyteyannah Bailey in the long jump, Jordan Williams in the 100, and Shanya Washington in the 1,600.

Third place qualifiers included Hannah Boggan in the pole vault and high

jump, Arviniec McDonald in the 100, and Shayna Washington in the 800.

Fourth place qualifiers were McDonald in the 200, Latreona Holmes in the triple jump, the 4x100 relay team, and the 4x400 relay team.

"All the student-athletes worked hard and played a part in the region," Gibson said.

Qualifiers advanced to the AAAAA Sectional B, which included Regions 2, 4, 5, and 8. The top eight finishers in each event qualified for the GHSA State Track and Field Championship. The Lady Gators qualified in 17 events at sectionals and then had four athletes qualify for state. Kayla Youngblood was second in the pole vault, Traveshia Birden was fourth in the shot put and the discus, Hannah Boggan was fourth in the pole vault, and Waynisha Coleman was seventh in the shot put.

For the men, the Ga-

tors had six state qualifiers, including Sharod Cobb, who was second in the 300 hurdles; junior Tre Cobb, who was fourth in the shot put; Charles Jones and Shaquan Bellamy, who qualified in the high jump; Austin Sweat, who was fifth in the pole vault; and Hudson Spurlock, who qualified in the 110 hurdles.

Boggan finished sixth in the pole vault at the state mee,t while Birden was third in the shot put.

Sharod Cobb was seventh on the 300 hurdles for the boys team. The state championship meet was held over two days at Grisham Stadium in Carrollton, Georgia.

Successes this year included school records by senior Sharod Cobb in

the 400 at 50.53 and in the 300 hurdles at 40.64. Junior Matthew Hamilton set a new school record in the 800 at 2:02.60.

"Overall, we (coaches Gibson, Andrews, Nelson, Spurlock, Eichfled, Hudson, and Bob), are very proud of all of our student-athletes’ performances," Gibson said. "We would like to express our thanks to Ms. Phillis Poller, Dr. Turner, Mrs. Spurlock, coach Abrams, Mr. Ronnie Coley, coach Stevenson, coach Youngblood, coach Shields, Mrs. Merck, the WCHS Administrators, the WCHS Teachers, the YMCA, and the Wingfoot Club for their help and support."

BACON COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL

RAIDERS MAKE THE FINAL 4 Written by: Rob Asbell | Photography by: Debra Tanner

The seventh-ranked Bacon County Red Raiders baseball team continued its season into May, making it to the Final Four, or semifinal round, of the state playoffs. After making the playoffs as the No. 3 seed from Region 2-AA with an overall regular season record of 18-10, the Raiders marched through the first three rounds.

"We are trying to make sure we are playing our best ball as we enter the playoffs," Derek James, Bacon County baseball coach, said as the season came to a close.

In the first round of the state playoffs, the Red Raiders swept a doubleheader from sixth-ranked Harlem High School 4-2 and 5-4. Bacon advanced to the Sweet 16, where they hosted Rabun County from northeast Georgia. Again, the Raiders won two straight in a doubleheader against the Wildcats, winning 11-0 in five innings in Game 1 and then enduring a pitcher's duel through five innings in the nightcap when the Red Raiders started pouring it on for a 12-3 final victory.

The win moved Bacon County into the third round and a second road playoff game.

This time the Raiders had to travel the 90 miles to Cochran, Georgia, to face Bleckley County, the No. 1 seed from Region 3 and No. 9 ranked team in the state. The Royals had a regular season record of 21-7 and defeated Early County in the first round with back to back mercy-rule victories. In the second round, Bleckley County downed fourth-ranked Heard County by winning the final two games by one run each to move into the quarterfinals against Bacon.

The Raiders took an early lead against the Royals only to see Bleckley County come back to tie it at 2-2 in the seventh inning of Game 1. In extra innings, the Raiders took control and won 7-3 in nine innings. That set up Game 2, where Bleckley took an early lead only to see the Red Raiders come back and take the lead in the third inning. Dawson Dyal hit a solo home run in the fifth, and Bacon County won 14-4 to advance to the state AA semifinals.

In the Final Four, Bacon faced Elbert County, the No. 1 seed from Region 8.

The Red Raiders traveled to Elberton to face the state's top-ranked team that had a 24-5 record on the season. The Blue Devils defeated Thomasville in the

quarterfinals to move into the Final Four.

The Red Raiders fell behind by a run early until Dawson Dyal doubled in two runs in the fourth inning to put Bacon ahead for good.

The Raiders took Game 1 3-2 and then battled the Diamond Devils in Game 2 before falling 2-1. That forced a Game 3 held on a Thursday night in Elberton. The Blue Devils jumped out to an early lead and never looked back as they downed Bacon 6-1 and took the series 2-1 to move to the state championship game against Jeff Davis County, while Bacon saw its season end.

"I am really proud of what these players did during the season," James said. "In a time in sports where there are so many selfish people, it was great to see this group play as one. The team effort was led by our seniors.

We are going to miss Xavier Hayes, Dawson Dyal, Alex Turner, Klein Nipper, Tyler Altman, Peyton Nobles, and Lane Foster. These guys did a great job representing Bacon County."

Swimming Toward a Goal Written by: Rob Asbell | Photography by: Michael Brinson

In the far corner of Southeast Georgia along the state line with Florida is Camden County, a hotbed of high school sports.

From football to wrestling and even tennis, the Wildcats are usually near the top of the rankings and have unbridled community support.

But swimming has not usually been associated with Camden County, until recently.

John "Anderson" McNeil Jr. has been attracting attention at the pool with his blazing times, focused on his goal of one day swimming collegiately.

"Ever since my early years of swimming, I have wanted to swim in college,” the recent Camden County High honor graduate said.

“So, whenever I get discouraged from a poor day of training or a lackluster performance, I think of my ultimate goal of swimming in college and how this will help me reach that point.”

This year he attained his goal when he signed a scholarship to swim at the collegiate level. In the fall he will leave St. Marys to attend Davidson University, where he will swim at the highest level of national competition. He chose Davidson over Wesleyan University, Washington and Lee University, and Emory University. Davidson is one of the nation's most selective colleges with 23 Rhodes Scholars. Locat-

24 | itgsportsnetwork.com

ed just north of Charlotte, North Carolina, Davidson is governed by an honor code that must be followed by all students.

"Throughout high school, I have noticed how people will cheat their way to the top, which is why I chose Davidson," McNeil said.

"Davidson’s honor code not only applies to academics, but it also applies to life in general.

Students leave their doors unlocked and laptops sitting out with absolutely nothing to worry about."

While at Davidson, he plans on majoring in biology and health and human values/pre-med so that he can serve society and inform them of their health choices.

It helps that he is also a top performer in the classroom. Ranked sixth in a class of 526 students, McNeil carried a GPA of 4.9 with additional points given for Advanced Placement classes, his favorite of which was English Language and Composition.

He was president of the Senior Beta Club and the Interact Club. He was executive board vice president of Student Council and treasurer of the Key Club. He was also a member of the National Honors Society, Science Bowl, and the Science National Hon-

ors Society. He received the Junior Marshall Award and the Georgia Certificate of Merit and was named an Advanced Placement Scholar with Honor, a United States Youth Leadership Program Nominee, and a Governor’s Honors Program Nominee. In addition to swimming, McNeil also runs cross country and the 800 meters in track.

McNeil started swimming when he was 10-years-old with the Camden County Boomers, a local competitive swimming club. He now practices nine times per week year-round to stay at the top of his game. He swims the 100-yard breast stroke, the 200 breast stroke, and

the 200 individual medley, which is his favorite race.

"It (the 200 individual medley) is a mix of all the strokes and requires you to be a well-rounded swimmer."

His first big race was the sectionals in Greensboro, North Carolina. It was his first time swimming at such an intense level and encouraged him to work harder every day in practice.

He would go on to swim at Georgia Tech, where he found new faith in his practice regimen. His times had been staying

Fastest Times: 100-yard Breast Stroke: 1:00.71 200-yard Breast Stroke: 2:14.20 200-yard Individual Medley: 2:00.94

constant with no signs of improvement until he swam the 100 breast stroke in Atlanta.

"At the end of the race, I looked up at the scoreboard and saw that I had dropped a significant amount of time,” McNeil said. “I went on the win high point at that meet and obtained best times in every event I swam."

He also got the opportunity to swim in the same pool as some of his heroes when he was at a meet in Jacksonville this year.

"I would look over, and I’d be warming up in the lane next to someone that I had watched win gold at the Olympics in Rio the summer before," McNeil said.

This year he qualified for finals in the state high school championships.

Despite having limited access to a pool in which to train, McNeil still qualified for the finals on day two of the meet.

He has been honored as a Georgia All-Star swimmer, a state finalist, and a sectional qualifier. In addition to swimming for coach Jessica Sutton's Camden County Wildcats, he also swims for the Camden County Boomers, a yearround competitive swim team, and coaches Mary Donn Bowman and Alyson Kaywork.

"They introduced me to a whole new level of training, which ultimately brought me to the point where I could swim at the top colleges I have always hoped to attend," McNeil said.

McNeil now trains with Mike Kuzma at the prestigious Bolles School in Jacksonville to prepare for college competition.

In his off time, McNeil likes to take the family's boat over to Cumberland Island National Seashore in Camden County.

"It is the best way to unplug and enjoy being outside," McNeil said.

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PCHS BOYS ACHIEVE GOLFING GREATNESS Written by: John DuPont Photography courtesy of PCHS

Memorable. That’s how many will remember the final week of classes at Pierce County High School, when three teams – including girls golf and baseball – competed for state championships.

Ultimately, though, the boys golf team stood as the lone state champion in securing the 2017 class AAA crown. The PCHS boys, hosting the state tourney on their home course at Lakeview Golf Club, hoisted the cup on May 23 after two days of competition.

“Playing the 36-hole format was to our advantage,” Stuart Stipe, PCHS head coach, said. “When we won the 2009 title, we were not the best team. But it was an 18-hole shootout then, and that was to our advantage at that time. Over a 36-hole tournament, the best team is usually going to win the tournament. At Lakeview, we had a mindset that we couldn’t be beat.”

PCHS vindicated two consecutive state runner-up finishes in clinching its first state title at the AAA level after previously winning three titles in AA. The county also boasts a 1979 AA boys state title by Blackshear High School, which preceded the 1981 consolidation with Patterson High School.

Firing a team score of 290 (2-over-par cumulative) in the opening round, PCHS held a two-stroke lead over Greater Atlanta

Christian after the first day. Ty Metts and Kole Kicklighter led the way with scores of 72. Taylor Sweat and Zac Thornton each fired 73. Jake Harvard and John Ben James each carded 76.

“With bad weather in the forecast, it was good to be leading after the first day,” Stipe said. “Carrying a two-shot lead into the second round was not very much. Tuesday we got very little rain, but we knew we were going to get the round in. But we probably lost that two-shot lead on the first hole because we didn’t play that hole as well on day two as day one.”

Sweat led the way for PCHS in Round Two with a 72, followed

by Metts (75), Thornton (76), Harvard (77), James (78), and Kicklighter (84). Scores were higher all the way around on day two amid the wet conditions as PCHS finished with a team round of 300 (590 tournament total). Sweat was the low man for PCHS for the tournament with a two-day score of 145, followed by Metts at 147.

“Last year there were 16 teams there and four that could win it,” Stipe said. “This year it was us and Westminster coming back from last year’s field. But with so many good teams moving up this year from AA, we knew we were going to have to beat

"THIS TIME IT WAS REALLY NICE BECAUSE WE PROVED IT TWICE. WE DID IT IN 36 HOLES. WE DID IT AT HOME IN FRONT OF OUR FANS."

— Stuart Stipe

26 | itgsportsnetwork.com

more than just Westminster. So, we planned backward and called it a process we had to complete before we got to the state tournament. We had a successful schedule winning three tournaments this year, and everything we did was with the state tourney in mind. We played bigger schools like Tift, Glynn, Colquitt, Ware, Camden, and Wayne. Then we won the area tournament by more than 50 strokes.”

The boys golf title is also the second state championship flag hoisted

by PCHS during the 2016-17 school year. Coach Amy Nimmer and the PCHS competition cheer squad won their fourth state title this past fall. Stipe, who also coached the ‘09 state champs, joins former boys coach Bascomb Raulerson (1988, 1989) and former PCHS girls coach Maureen Brown (2000, 2005) as a multiple title winner on the links.

“It’s a totally different feeling this time,” Stipe said. “In ‘09 we had a neat group and played some really good golf. It was magical, special, memorable, all the things you’d expect it to be. And this time it was really nice because we proved it twice.

We did it in 36 holes. We did it at

home in front of our fans. Both titles are special in their own ways.”

Calling it a championship that will be shared by all 12 golfers on the team – not just the six who played in the title match – Stipe offered additional acknowledgements, including PCMS middle school coach Corey Lesseig, Lakeview course supervisor Karl Chancey, and the memberships and staffs of both Lakeview Golf Club and neighboring venue Okefenokee Country Club.

“We also have great parent support and live in a great golfing community,” Stipe said. “Plus, we have an administration at PCHS and a principal in Mrs. Dara Bennett that puts academics first and supports athletics. It’s a really neat feeling to know you’ve got their support in the classroom and on the golf course.

Any time you set a goal and reach it, there is a sense of accomplishment, especially when there were times during the season I thought we were running away from the prize. That makes this championship that much more satisfying.”

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JENNIFER CARTER JOHNSON PHOTOGRAPHY CAPTURING MEMORIES Written by: Rob Asbell | Photography by: Jennifer Carter Johnson

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 Friday 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," she said. "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 | 29

2017 Spring Signees The Class of 2017 garnered a lot of attention with dozens of student-athletes signing college scholarships. Here is a list of some of the seniors who signed on the dotted line this spring.

They will go on to represent Southeast Georgia at the collegiate level next year.

ANDRE BISSAINTHE

Camden County High School High School Coach: Jess Wilder Sport: Wrestling College: Iowa Lakes Major: Exercise Science

CHALA CAREY

Camden County High school High School Coach: Steven Humphrey Sport: Track and Field College: Georgia Southern University Major: Undecided

30 | itgsportsnetwork.com

BROGAN BOUDREAUX

Camden County High School High School Coach: Pam Agler Sport: Soccer College: Georgia Southern University Major: Mechanical Engineer

ANTHONY CARTER

Camden County High School High School Coach: Jess Wilder Sport: Wrestling College: Life University Major: Business

JA'NYA BRYANT

Long County High School Coach: Jessica Knapp Sport: Track College: Kennesaw State University Major: Biology

MIKEL COLLINS

Brantley County High School High School Coach: Paul Able Sport: Baseball College: South Georgia State College Major: Undecided

BRYCE CREW

Camden County High School High School Coach: Jess Wilder Sport: Wrestling College: Washington and Lee University Major: Biochemistry

KAITLYN KILNER

JOHN BEN JAMES

Pierce County High School High School Coach: Stuart Sipe Sport: Golf College: Georgia Military College Major: Undecided

GABBY MARSHALL

AUBRY MAULDEN

Camden County High school High School Coach: Melany Corsi Sport: Softball College: Alabama State University Major: Biology (Pre Health)

Camden County High School High School Coach: Jessica Sutton Sport: Swimming College: Kaiser University Major: Biomedical Engineering

JOHN “ANDERSON” MCNEIL

SARAH MURRAY

Camden County High School High School Coach: Jessica Sutton Sport: Swimming College: Davidson Major: Biology Pre-med

KOLE KICKLIGHTER

Pierce County High School High School Coach: Stuart Sipe Sport: Golf College: Georgia Military College Major: Undecided

Glynn Academy High School Coach: Burnette Rooks Sport: Tennis College: Berry College Major: Nursing

Frederica Academy High School Coach: Sara Helder Sport: Basketball College: South Georgia Technical College Major: Education/Sociology

KIMBERLEE NETTLES

Ware County High School High School Coach: Maurice England Sport: Riflery College: University of North Georgia Major: Early Childhood Education

In The Game | 31

CODY OGILIVIE

Jeff Davis High School High School Coach: Paul Glass Sport: Baseball College: University North Georgia Major: Physical Therapy

BUNMI SMITH

Camden County High School High School Coach: Jess Wilder Sport: Wrestling College: Iowa Lakes Major: Education

JET THOMAS

Ware County High school High School Coach: Tony Yeomans Sport: Baseball College: Georgia Southwestern State Major: Special Education

32 | itgsportsnetwork.com

MARYCOURTNEY PURYEAR

Pierce County High School High School Coach: Alvin Thrift Sport: Soccer College: North Greenville College Major: Undecided

DENTON SPENCER

Camden County High School High School Coach: Jess Wilder Sport: Wrestling College: Gardner Webb University Major: Biology

SIDNEY WILKINSON

Liberty County High School High School Coach: Marissa Kerins Sport: Soccer College: Brewton Parker Major: Biology

HARRIS SAILORS

Camden County High School Coach: Dan Vonk Sport: Tennis College: Piedmont College Major: Business Management

ANTONIO STEWART

Camden County High School High School Coach: Jess Wilder Sport: Wrestling College: Reinhardt University Major: Business

MACKENZIE WOOD

Camden County High school High School Coach: Pam Agler Sport: Soccer College: University Of West Georgia Major: Undecided

BRANTLEY COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL

CHAMPIONS TIMES 2 Written by: Matt Thrift | Photography by: Tom Boyd

The Brantley County tennis teams once again had a pair of impressive seasons. Together the Herons and Lady Herons swept through their region competition, going 6-0 in conference play, and both teams won the region 2-AAA tennis championships. This was the first time in program history that both the boys and girls won their region championships in the same year.

Brantley County also made history at the Coastal Empire Tennis Classic in Savannah, Georgia. Both the Herons and Lady Herons won the tournament, becoming the first school ever to sweep both the boys and girls tournament championships. The Herons defeated Richmond Hill, Benedictine, and Savannah Country Day in the finals to win the title.

The Lady Herons defeated St. Vincent’s Academy, Screven, and West Laurens in the championship.

For the Herons, this year’s region championship was their third consecutive title and their eighth championship in the last 12 years. Over the last seven years, the Herons’ region record is 60 wins and only two losses. Despite losing two starters from last year’s Final Four tennis team, this year’s Herons went 16-7 and advanced to the Elite Eight before losing to Greater Atlanta Christian.

This year’s Lady Herons were led by Region 2-AAA Player of the Year Caitlyn Morgan. With an impressive 19-4 record, the girls from Brantley won their first region title in many years. They also advanced to the Elite Eight beating Jackson High School and then Jackson County High School in the first two rounds of the state playoffs. The Lady Herons lost to North Hall High School by only a few points for a chance to advance to their second Final Four appearance.

“This was a very special year for our seniors,” Matt Thrift, Brantley head coach, said. “For both our boys and girls teams to have the success that they did this year really meant a lot to our players.

These seniors have put in a lot of time and energy to get us where we are today, and they will be greatly missed.”

FRENCH

OPEN

"

TITLE

WINS

RAFEAL NADAL

10TH

It has been very special to me, and it's true that it is unprecedented.

"

In The Game | 33

Jackets

Win

State Written by: Rob Asbell Photography by: Nelson & Company

The Jeff Davis High School Yellow Jackets will be flying their first ever state championship pennant next year after winning the 2017 GHSA Class AA Baseball Championship. The Jackets brought the title back to Southeast Georgia by taking both ends of a doubleheader from Elbert County at Savannah's historic Grayson Stadium. To make it a perfect day, after winning the state baseball championship, the team's seniors then

went back to Hazlehurst to graduate that night, wearing their baseball jerseys beneath their robes.

"The team and community really wanted this," Paul Glass, Jeff Davis baseball coach, said. "It was like Christmas morning for us."

On a sunny spring day made for baseball, the Yellow Jackets jumped out early in Game 1 and hung on to a 4-1 victory, then fought tooth and nail to swap leads several

times in Game 2 and come out with a 7-6 win over the top-ranked Blue Devils.

Jeff Davis County got 11 hits off of Clemson-commit Bryce Bowen, whom they had prepared for.

"Going in, we knew we would run into front line pitching," Glass said. "In high school, pitching can dominate a game. One thing we heard was that our hitters had to hit good pitches.

They hammered the strike zone all day."

A day after seeing two other Southeast Georgia teams – Pierce and Wayne – fall in their bids for state championships, Jeff Davis came out charging, plating their first run in the top of the first inning when Alex Sanders drove in Hunter Foster. The Blue Devils answered back in their half of the first with one run, but Yellow Jackets senior pitcher

Cody Ogilvie kept them in check with the bases loaded.

"Cody threw well,” Glass said. “He only had one strikeout, but he threw strikes and found another way to win. During the playoffs Cody was more of a pitcher than a thrower."

A Blue Devil error gave the Jackets another run in the second to give Jeff Davis the lead.

Glass played small ball in the third, bunting over Austin Lewis, which allowed him to be driven in by Ogilvie.

The fourth and final run came in the seventh inning on a sacrifice fly by

shortstop Garrett Baucom for the 4-1 final.

Game 2 was an outright battle as the two teams swapped the lead several times. Elbert went ahead first and had a 2-0 lead. The Jackets scored in the second on a single by Seth Graham.

Ogilvie scored on a wild pitch, and Hunter Foster then drove in another run to make it 3-2 Jackets. Elbert tied it up in the fourth inning only to see Jeff Davis score twice in the fifth inning to retake the lead. The Devils scored twice in the sixth to make it 6-5 Elbert County. With

The team and community really wanted this. It was like Christmas morning for us.

— Paul Glass, coach 34 | itgsportsnetwork.com

two outs in the sixth, the Jackets rallied for another run and then loaded the bases. Hogan White singled to drive in the winning run and make it 7-6.

Jeff Davis High School went 22-7 and was ranked third in the state at the end of the regular season, which started on rocky terms.

Shortstop/pitcher Jordan Dubberly had surgery that was expected to sideline him his senior year.

"That was the ultimate shot to the gut,�

Glass said. “He pitches 90-91 mph and hit six or eight home runs last year, and 'boom!' he's out of the mix."

Then, second baseman Justin Kite was lost for the season due to surgery on the base of his neck. That was followed by Hogan White going down for two

weeks with an injured knee. The Jackets started the season 5-5.

"We decided we can have a pity party or we can absorb the losses," Glass said.

As the season progressed, they got word that Dubberly could return on a limited basis.

"That gave us a shot of adrenaline," Glass said.

The season took a turn, and the Jackets started playing well with big wins over Vidalia, Toombs, and Benedictine. The Jackets won the Region 2-AA championship this season and then went through the playoffs without losing a game to Screven County, Social Circle, Rockmart, or Toombs County before downing Elbert County in two games to win their first ever state baseball title.

Riding Into the

Sunset

Written by: Rob Asbell Photography by: Michael Brinson

On a warm summer's day in a rural part of western Glynn County, Caden Hutchinson strolls down a path on his family's property.

By his side is his horse, Jack.

"I ride him occasionally, but mostly he just follows me down and hangs out at our pond while I'm fishing," Hutchinson said.

There won't be much time for Hutchinson and Jack to go fishing in the coming weeks. As the heat of summer sets in and classrooms take time off, conditioning drills begin all over Southeast Georgia. For Hutchinson, a former Risley Middle School threesport standout, it means hard work.

"I know there will be a lot more competition and the games will be faster," said the soon-to-be Glynn Academy Red Terror.

This summer Hutchinson will make the change from Risley Middle green to GA red and white. He has been practicing five days a week and weight training the other two days.

"I'll be playing some fivestar travel baseball, practicing with the GA baseball team, and GA football conditioning," he said. "Lots of weight lifting and running."

His plan is to play both football and baseball at the high school level.

Coaches believe that will happen because it is hard to determine his best sport.

"Hard to say which one,” Robbie Snow, Risley baseball and football coach, said. “He is great at both.”

Hutchinson is a combination of strength, toughness, and speed.

"Overall stronger than any I have ever coached," Snow said, adding that Hutchinson's competitiveness makes him stand out.

At Risley Middle School, Hutchinson was a wrestler, football player, and baseball player – a triple-threat athlete who helped lead the Wildcats to big seasons in all three sports.

On the gridiron he was a tailback and middle linebacker.

Hutchinson, or "Big C" as he is sometimes known, is not bigger than other players at 5'5" and 165 pounds, but he can still bull his way over defenders when he carries the ball.

He is a tough runner with tremendous speed and power. Most of the time he is an elusive runner who outruns opponents to the endzone.

As a linebacker, he fights off blocks and uses his speed to make big hits in the backfield. Hutchinson played both ways and hardly ever came off the field.

"He was always making tackles or getting those extra yards," Snow said.

Hutchinson scored the majority of the Wildcats' touchdowns and made most of the tackles on defense.

"I know there will be a lot more competition and the games will be faster."

"Overall stronger than any I have ever coached."

36 | itgsportsnetwork.com

LET’S GET FIT "Let’s just say without him, we don’t win that many games," Snow said.

On the baseball diamond, Hutchinson played shortstop, catcher, and pitcher for Snow's Wildcats, who were 11-1 this season. Hutchinson had a batting average of over .560 and an on-base percentage of .700. As a pitcher, he won every outing with an earned run average of below 1.0.

"He struck out an average of two batters per inning," Snow said.

After defeating the three other Brunswick-area middle schools – Jane Macon, Glynn, and Needwood – the Risley Wildcats claimed the city championship. The Wildcats got big wins against most of their opponents.

Their only setback was an early season loss to McIntosh County Middle School in Darien. The loss seemed to inspire the Risley players, who mowed down their remaining opponents including two victories over

McIntosh. The Wildcats faced the Buccaneers in the area middle school finals and came away with a 15-3 victory in a game called after four innings.

"There was a sense of nervousness in the locker room before the game," Hutchinson said. "We came out with some big hits putting us in the lead early in the game, and we won."

The son of Benji and April Hutchinson, Caden Hutchinson’s favorite subject is science.

"In college I would like to get a degree in education and be an athletic coach, but my ultimate sports dream would be to go pro," Hutchinson said.

He received Risley Middle's first ever John Williams athletic award for students who performed in three or more sports. He was also on the Glynn County 14U all-star baseball team that won the Georgia State Championship in 2016. Hutchinson started playing baseball for the

TOGETHER

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Glynn County Recreation Department at 6 years old.

"I loved it so much my dad and friends, Jaimie Jobe and Matt Wilson, put together a travel team, the Diamond Dawgs, so I could play on a team with my friends."

His father coached him in travel ball and all-stars.

"Caden had always had tons of energy, and sports has given him an outlet for that as well as teaching him about commitment and hard work," Benji Hutchinson said. "The first thing

that comes to mind about his early years is playing soft toss in the yard. He was only 6 or so, but he swung the bat so hard it spun him around and popped him in the back of the head. He was okay, and we laugh about it now and how far he's come."

Caden Hutchinson credited his dad for encouraging his athletic activities.

"He puts his heart into helping push me to not give up and work hard for what I want," Hutchinson said.

FAVORITES: Snack: Bananas with peanut butter

Food: Hibachi steak and shrimp

Hobby: Fishing Pro Team: Patriots College Team: Georgia Tech Pro Player: Mike Trout

TV Show: "The Walking Dead" Movie: "Lord of the Rings" Movie Star: Kate Upton School Subject: Science Pets: My horse, Jack Place to Travel: Scalloping in St. Marks, Florida

Car: Ford Raptor Who inspires you and why? My dad inspires me because

he was a good athlete and I want to be one.

In The Game | 39

Running

Smarter Written by: Rob Asbell Photography by: Michael Brinson

In the high speed world of sprinting, improving means running faster. Getting better is measured on the coach’s stopwatch. But to see faster times, you need more than just fast feet.

“I started listening more in order to get a better understanding of what running is all about,” Shahad Smith said. “Running teaches a lot more than just running races. It has a lot of life’s lessons, too.”

Before graduating from Brunswick High School last month, he ran the 400 meters, 4x100 relay, and 4x400 relay on the Pirates track team while also playing defensive back for the Brunswick football team last fall. Even in the mostly solo sport of track and field, the senior discovered that teamwork and leadership were requirements. In the years he’s been running, he learned to be supportive of his teammates.

sponsored by:

40 | itgsportsnetwork.com

“Shahad adds mental toughness, determination, leadership, and a never quit spirit that has impacted everyone on the team,” Ryan McKenzie, Brunswick boys track coach, said. “He makes his teammates better and does not accept any excuses from them.”

This year, McKenzie’s team had just a handful of seniors who became a tight knit group over the years. On their first day, Smith and fellow seniors Jeremiah Bacon, Danijah Gammage, and Ronald Spradley agreed to stay together until the end. This year, they made up the Pirates 4x400 relay team.

“Shahad’s strong point in his sprinting is his ability to pace himself and know when to kick and finish the race strong,” McKenzie said.

“He has great endurance, and he also runs a perfect third leg for our four-by-one team.

His ability to lean in and sprint the curve is second to none.”

Smith put in a lot of work to become a topnotch runner in the 400.

“He went from a sub-par sprinter to competing for a region and state championship through his hard work and determination to the sport,” McKenzie said.

Smith enjoyed attending practices and

preparing for races with his track mates. Practice is where members of the Pirates track and field team learned how to encourage, motivate, and build each other. They also competed against one another for fun and to help their teammates get better.

“I have had the opportunity to be track captain for every year that I have participated, even middle school, so I had no choice but to lead by example,” Smith said. “It made me a better person, and it shows every day.”

He credited the entire track team for being supportive of his efforts.

Along with his growing leadership skills, Smith also saw improvement in his times. He had been running the 400 in 60 seconds, but in his first meet as a senior, he ran a 0:51.46, more than eight seconds faster than his previous personal best. It was also his most memorable race because he was facing a former teammate who had transferred to a nearby school.

“He and I used to push each other, so it felt funny racing against someone who I was used to motivating me,” Smith said. “That race happened to be my personal best time.”

He went from a sub-par sprinter to competing for a region and state championship through his hard work and determination to the sport.

— Ryan McKenzie, coach

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FOOTBALL

CHAMPIONS

SEASON 2011-12 When he sets into the starting blocks for a race, he remembers the words of his pastor: “‘If given the opportunity to be me, I won’t fail.’ So given the chance to compete, I run as if I am trying to obtain a prize. No one can run quite like me. Although there are people faster or slower than me, there is absolutely no one that can do it as I would.”

He believes running could possibly be his path to something bigger. If all goes well, one day Smith will be running down criminals as a member of law enforcement. His goal is to get a degree in criminal justice from Georgia Southern University and then pursue a career on the federal level.

The son of Bryan and Angela Smith, Shahad Smith started running track and playing football in seventh grade. His freshman and sophomore years, he participated in Brunswick High School’s NJROTC athletic teams. That changed his junior year.

“I didn’t start back running track until my 11th grade year,” Smith said. “Basically, coach McKenzie ‘volun-told’ me to be there, and I am glad he did. I have been running ever since.”

When he is not in school, Smith enjoys spending time with his family.

“Fishing with my father and going to church; we do the two faithfully,” Smith said.

Those around him say Smith is a great athlete on the track and a better student and son, always on time and respectful.

“He’s not the fastest, strongest, or biggest person in the world, but the muscle that counts in any sport is his heart, and you can’t measure that,” McKenzie said. “He has the ‘it’ factor, and he has a work ethic that will guarantee him success at whatever he does.”

2011 Record: 12-1 2012 Record: 13-1

SEASON 2004-05

2004 Record: 14-2 2005 Record: 14-2

SEASON 1998-99 1998 Record: 12-4 1999 Record: 14-2

In The Game | 43

WAY TO GO

JACKETS

Eternal Spring: Wayne County Chases History Written by: John Wood Photography by: Shawn Smoak

It’s never too early No matter what stage in life you’re in, it’s never too early to start planning for retirement. Together we can help you work towards a better future. Call today.

Shaun O’Quinn

912-588-1051 212 S. 1st St., Ste 1, Jesup, GA shaun.oquinn@countryfinancial.com

Tradition does not die in Wayne County.

The 1967 Yellow Jackets were the last team from Jesup to bring home a state championship.

Fifty years later, the current inhabitants of the "Bo," — Bo Warren Field, the Wayne County Yellow Jackets' home turf — were once again playing for the state title. The one constant in those 50 years that intertwines those teams

forever is an unbridled passion for the game of baseball, an eternal spring for all generations.

The Yellow Jackets faced Loganville for the AAAAA state championship at Grayson Stadium in Savannah last month. Loganville finished as the runner-up to Houston County last year. The Red Devils had a strong combination of powerful hitting

and tough pitching. The pitching was more than evident when Joseph Brandon no-hit and shutout Wayne County, 3-0 in the first game.

In Game 2, Wayne thought they were experiencing deja-vu, trailing 3-0, but after six scoreless innings, the Yellow Jackets scored two runs in the bottom of the sixth. The Red Devils held in the bottom of the seventh for

their third state title since 2008.

Despite falling in the championship series, the Jackets had an outstanding season under coach Justin McDonald.

Expectations are real in Wayne County. Yellow Jacket players know that the non-conference games are going to be tough and Wayne County may come out on the losing end. One of the early losses for Wayne County was a one-run loss to Savannah Christian, who finished as the 2017 GHSA Private School Class A Champions.

Despite some losses in close ball games, the Yellow Jackets finished as Region 2-AAAAA champions and hosted Jones County to open the state tournament.

When Wayne met Jones County earlier in the season, they lost the game. In the first round

best of three series, it looked like the Yellow Jackets would make an early exit. Jones County pounded out 17 runs off of 14 hits and four Wayne errors. The shell shock was evident, and Wayne County hit a must-win Game 2 but did so in true Jacket fashion. Wayne stormed back sweeping Jones and got past Buford to move into the Elite Eight against Carrollton.

Carrollton came and went quickly as Wayne moved past them with confidence.

Wayne, which was certainly not in unfamiliar territory as a program, had some current players who had yet to play in a Final Four.

Many people around Georgia thought the team from Southeast Georgia possibly had met its match as the Yellow Jackets would face Locust Grove in the

semifinals.

Locust Grove was the defending state champs that had a sophomore pitcher who mowed down 17 hitters with strikeouts in one game, and the Wildcats offensive arsenal outscored opponents 41-3 in the playoffs. Wayne didn't flinch though.

In the same manner that Jones County had forced them to face adversity quickly in the first round, the Yellow Jackets stung Locust Grove 16-1. Wayne hitters forced deep counts early, getting base runners aboard off of walks and plating three runs off of one hit and two

errors. Locust Grove never recovered. J.T. Crosby picked up the win for Wayne, allowing one run off of four hits and driving in three runs. James Mauldin drove in five runs, and Griffin Boykin had two RBIs. The Yellow Jackets took a go ahead 4-2 lead in the fourth inning from a Ford Townsend single that they hoped would be the deciding run. The Wildcats clawed back in the top of the fifth, re-taking the lead 7-4, and Nolan Crisp held the Yellow Jackets at bay to force Game 3.

In Game 3, the Yellow Jackets looked like they were going to be able to handle Locust Grove, but an error and a few hits later the Yellow Jackets had lost a comfortable lead. Both teams picked up a run here and there, and regulation was gone.

Trailing 7-6 in the bottom of the 10th, Wayne County found some of that baseball magic that just seems to appear in those situations. Kade Lambert launched a two-run base hit that sent them to the state title series.

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Ryan Aaron Khris Bryce Mike Freddie Scott Joey Judge Davis Schebler Harper Trout Freeman Zimmerman Gallo

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In The Game | 45

Please join us

THIRD ANNUAL

Southeast Georgia High School Media Day Presented by:

Saturday, July 22 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Epworth by the Sea 100 Arthur J Moore Dr. St. Simons Island, GA

Come kickoff the 2017 High School Football Season with the Third Annual In the Game Sports Network SEGA and Southeast Georgia Health System Media Day on St. Simons Island!

** Area head coaches and key players for the In the Game SEGA coverage area teams will address the crowd and media on the upcoming 2017 Football Season!

Contact Shawn Smoak at 229.834.9044 or at shawn@itgsportsnetwork.com

In The Game | 47

912.283.4250 • 800.673.9360 www.walkerjones.com US #1 South • Waycross, GA

48 | itgsportsnetwork.com

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