Southeast Georgia March 2017 Edition

A MAN OF FEW WORDS JET THOMAS WARE COUNTY

BEING PREPARED

Thomas Echols Pierce County High School

Catching On Trevor Knowles Charlton County High School

IN THE

GAME SOUTHEAST GEORGIA

Nathan Harsh Brunswick High School

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Once a Pirate, Always a Pirate

March 2017

2017 SIGNING DAY

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

Obstetrics & Gynecology 505 City Blvd.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Pulmonary Medicine 1206 Alice Street Waycross, GA 31501 912-338-9704 phone 912-338-9758 fax Hospital 1900 Tebeau St. Waycross, GA 31501 912-283-3030 main

4 | itgsportsnetwork.com

IN THIS ISSUE

11

ALSO: Pitching to be the Strength for Yellow Jackets This Season Wayne County High School

19 Baseball Season Arrives

34

Bacon County High School

Catching On

21 Winter

Sports Finish Strong

Trevor Knowles Charlton County High School

Pierce County High School

27

Spring Has Sprung in Kingsland

Camden County High School

33 Basketball

8

Ends, Spring Sports Begin

28

Ware County High School

A Man of Few Words Being Prepared Jet Thomas Ware County

12 A Final Foray 14

Thomas Echols Pierce County High School

Once a Pirate, Always a Pirate Nathan Harsh Brunswick High School

War of the Border

16 No Pressure 22

2017 Signing Day

Blake Brockington Martha Puckett Middle School In The Game | 5

FROM THE PUBLISHER

TELL US YOUR THOUGHTS!

Before we say "hello" to the spring sports, we want to celebrate the SEGA accomplishments we had on the hardwoods and mats all over our area in winter sports. We had 11 girls’ basketball teams make the state playoffs and 10 boys' teams. The boys' teams of Liberty and Brunswick made deep runs with the Panthers making the Final Four and Chris Turner and his band of Pirates playing for their second state title in the last three years. On the wrestling mats of SEGA, we saw perennial state title winner Camden County win its third consecutive team state title in traditional wrestling.

In addition, Camden topped its five state champions from 2016 by having seven student-athletes hoist the trophy in 2017. Overall, In the Game SEGA had 10 individuals win traditional wrestling state titles in 2017. Congratulations to all of our SEGA student-athletes for an outstanding winter sports season.

Ware County Gator Jet Thomas returns to the pages of In the Game magazine as our Player Spotlight after he was a Rising Star back in 2013 when he played for the Waycross Middle School Bulldogs. Jet has been a contributor for the varsity program since arriving at Ware County High School, helping propel the Gators to a Region Championship in 2014. Now a senior leader for the Gators, Jet hopes to guide his team to another region title and beyond, making his senior season special before he goes on to play college baseball.

A three-sport athlete for the Pierce County Bears, Thomas Echols is an impressive young

6 | itgsportsnetwork.com

man. He competes in football, wrestling, and soccer but most importantly he WINS in the classroom carrying a 4.0 GPA. Thomas is a Georgia man through and through and has already been accepted to further his education at UGA and is a recipient of the Zell Miller Scholarship.

One of Thomas’ many accomplishments in life is that he has earned the designation of Eagle Scout, but trust me, this is just the beginning of the great accomplishments in this young man’s future.

The people who say you can’t go home again do not know Nathan Harsh. If that name sounds familiar, Nathan was our cover athlete in April 2011 as a hard throwing right-hander for the Brunswick High Pirates. Nathan went on to have a solid career in college and now has come home to share some of his knowledge and experience with the next generation of Pirates as the pitching coach at Brunswick High School. You know batting practice has to be fun for the Pirates.

The Charlton County Indians baseball program is one of the best in our SEGA coverage area.

Thad Marchman has put together a program that’s won two state titles and he does it with good young talent. Meet talented sophomore Trevor Knowles.

Trevor is the catcher for the 2017 Indians after winning the starting job at the end of last season as a freshman. Trevor has that confidence and determination it takes to be a great catcher with that “I’ll do whatever it takes” mentality to get the job done behind the plate.

Blake Brockington is a versatile two-sport star at Martha Puckett Middle School. Playing basketball in the winter, Blake leads the team as their point guard.

On the baseball diamond, the

young Mr. Brockington is liable to play any position on the field.

Blake readily admits he loves the pressure; he wants the ball on the mound with the bases loaded and only one out. That’s his element when the pressure is on and the game is hanging in the balance. A quote from his coach says, “Blake is very coachable and is always looking for ways to make himself and the team better." I know that has to make Justin McDonald feel good about the future.

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.

Email us at info@itgsportsnetwork.com to let us know what you thought of the February edition of ITG!

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

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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.

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A Man of Few Words Written by: Rob Asbell | Photography by: Jennifer Carter Johnson

As he strides to the plate, No. 10 for Ware County doesn’t say a word, choosing instead to let his bat do the talking once he gets into the batter’s box. His body is controlled by muscle memory gained from hundreds of hours in the batting cage; his mind is an open book.

“I try to work on my swing during practice, but when I get to the plate I try to clear my mind,” Gators senior Jet Thomas said. That’s Jet “like a plane,” his email address reminds people.

Thomas leads his Ware County teammates with a quiet demeanor and confidence.

“Jet is not a man of many words,” Ware County baseball coach Tony Yeomans said. “He leads by example.”

Coaches encourage younger players to duplicate Thomas’s actions off the field and his level of play on the field. When it comes to studying the game of baseball, Thomas becomes philosophical.

“My favorite part of the game is that you can’t kill the clock,” Thomas said.

“You’ve got to give the other man his chance.”

Sage words coming from such a young player. He has learned much over the past 12 years. His other piece of advice for up and coming players: “I never step on the line,” he says of his own baseball superstition.

A three-year starter, Thomas played most positions on the field – cen-

“I play year-round, so I am constantly working on my game,” Thomas said.

A natural righty/righty in batting and throwing, he has been a first team all-region performer the past two seasons. As a junior he batted .346 with 10 doubles and two homeruns. Now at 6’1” and 180-pounds, Thomas has been re-attracting the attention of "My favorite part college scouts of the game is that after his original scholarship you can't kill the fell through.

Everything clock. You've got to was going give the other man great when he signed a scholhis chance." arship to play baseball for Armstrong State Univerterfield, pitcher, shortstop sity in Savannah, a school and catcher – for Yeomans’ with a strong baseball Ware County team. He has tradition. But that came also played travel baseball crashing down with Armwith the Coastal Prospects strong’s merger with out of Jacksonville to hone Georgia Southern Unihis skills.

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Benefit Correct muscular imbalance versity, cancelling the Pirates baseball team and nullifying his scholarship. Now, he has begun making visits again to schools like Georgia Southwestern State University in Americus and East Georgia State College in Swainsboro.

Although it sounds like a grind to begin the process again, Thomas admitted he enjoys being recruited. Baseball observers say he will be a bargain for the lucky college who gets him to sign on the dotted line.

“I see Jet playing at the next level,” Yeomans said. “Not only playing but competing and making a differ-

Benefit Increase pillar strength and hip flexibility ence on the team he is playing for. Someone will be fortunate to have Jet on their team.”

Thomas discovered baseball when he was five-years-old playing t-ball for the first time.

From there, he was bitten by the bug and started played recreation league ball and travel ball. In seventh grade he was able to play for the Waycross Middle School Bulldogs.

“My first big hit was my first middle school homerun in seventh grade,” Thomas said.

From there it was on to Ware County High School, where he got

the chance to play as a freshman. He became a starter for Yeomans as a sophomore and was good enough to be named all-region.

“Coach Yeomans has helped me by pushing me to become a better player,” Thomas said.

His most memorable play came in a game against the Lowndes County Vikings when he made a diving catch that saved the game.

“Although Jet is very balanced in all aspects of his game, I would have to say that his defensive play and his throwing accuracy from the outfield is at the top of his game,” Yeomans said. “He is one of the best outfielders that I have coached in my career.”

Away from the baseball diamond, Thomas is like most young men his age. The son of Tony and Tina Thomas of Waycross, he maintains a 3.0 GPA in the classroom, is on the A/B Honor Roll, and is a member of the Future Farmers of America.

“I fish, play basketball, and hang out with friends,” Thomas said.

Thomas would like to play baseball in college and study to teach special education. Of course, his ultimate sports dream would be a call on draft day from a major league club informing him he is going pro.

“Character, dedication, hard work, loyalty, and a fierce competitor,” Yeomans said. “Jet adds continuity, and he performs at a high level.”

WAYNE COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL

PITCHING TO BE THE STRENGTH FOR YELLOW JACKETS THIS SEASON Written by: John Wood

The expectations are always there. It's Jesup, Gerogia, and at Bo Harmon Field the Yellow Jackets know how to play America’s favorite pastime. Wayne County has always thrived on the diamond; even so, Yellow Jackets head baseball coach Justin McDonald knows that his boys will get there between now and May.

“We have been struggling to put a complete game together,” McDonald said. “We are continuing to put the pieces together to have this thing fine-tuned come the month of May.” You can't accuse the Yellow Jackets of padding the schedule because they are going to play the best teams they can schedule early and late and pick up here and there in non-conference play.

Through nine games Wayne hit around .312 as a team and banged

out 44 hits in 144 plate appearances. That’s not exactly power numbers, but McDonald knows the hitting always comes around.

What really sticks out for Wayne is their staff ERA. Wayne’s pitching staff has a combined 2.08 ERA through nine games, which is impressive at any level for any pitching staff.

“Pitching has been one of our strengths this season,” McDonald said. “Coming in we thought there would be a lot of questions as to what this staff could do, but they have responded. I thought we have pitched well enough to win some of the games that we have lost. The only negative that we have is we are walking too many guys, and a lot of those are coming in crucial situations.”

Wayne took a pair of games from Long County with a 32-run differential. After run ruling Brantley the first time, the Yellow Jackets clung to a one-run victory.

The losses have been to some strong teams.

A pair of one-run losses to Jones 7-6 and Savannah Christian 3-2 were tough to take. Camden County shut out Wayne 5-0, and Effingham beat them 6-1.

“Offensively, we have a few guys that are carrying the load and producing,” McDonald said. “Mason Robertson and Ford Townsend are carrying the load right now. However, we have to continue to work in this aspect of the game and put together a lineup that is going to be competitive top to bottom.”

Wayne has played a gritty schedule during the first nine games of the season, and in one of the games McDonald got his 100th win as head baseball coach at Wayne County High School.

“I don’t look too much into winning 100 games because I am a small part of those wins,” McDonald said.

“It takes great players

"We have to continue to work in this aspect of the game and put together a lineup that is going to be competitive top to bottom."

“It takes great players and a great coaching staff to achieve these milestones." and a great coaching staff to achieve these milestones. However, I could not think of another place that I would like to accomplish that goal other than Wayne County.”

The focus right now for McDonald is getting his squad to the point of playing a complete game of baseball at the plate and on the mound. He also said that the team is still searching and developing the leadership that they will need in region play and down the stretch in the post season.

“Leadership is something that we are still trying to develop and gain,” McDonald said.

“We have some great people in that locker room that have a vision as to what we are about and what we want to accomplish. We have to

continue to trust the process and be playing our best ball in the end.”

Over the next week or so, the Yellow Jackets will start to close out the first half of the season and get ready to play the second half and a region schedule.

“The goal is always to win every game and compete at a high level,” McDonald said.

“We have to continue to work and get better each and every day to be sure that we are ready for region play and the state playoffs.

Region play is going to be tough. South Effingham, Ware County, and Statesboro all have competitive teams. It is going to be intense throughout these games and a fight to see who comes out on top.”

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In The Game | 11

Once a Pirate, ALWAYS A PIRATE Written by: John Wood | Photography by: Michael Brinson

Brunswick Pirates pitching coach Nathan Harsh understands everything that could be going through the minds of his young pitchers because he once wore the same uniform they wear now.

Harsh came on the scene and emerged as a developing varsity pitcher as a high school freshman under first year Brunswick head coach Charles Skipper, who had been a longtime assistant to former Pirate head coach Jimmy Brown. Al Otte was an assistant and is now the head coach Harsh works for.

“When I was a freshman, my brother was a senior, so I knew I had to play well with the upper classmen,” Harsh said.

After his freshman year, Harsh spent the next three years as the staff ace for the Pirates. During that time, he really started to understand how to apply his trade. He was firing a 94-mph fastball, putting the seams of his average fastball in the mid-80s.

In one memorable game, he went toe to rubber against Richmond Hill’s Kevin Matthews. It was virtually a radar gun row with scouts lining up to watch Matthews, and Harsh knew the task that lay in front of him.

“You could see all of the scouts,” Harsh said. “They were everywhere. I knew how good Matthews was, but I also knew how good I could be too. I was nervous to say the least. I start warming up, and before I throw my first pitch, my catcher comes up to me and kind of jokingly says that I am going to throw the first pitch to the backstop and then I’ll be ready. But I did just that. I threw my first warm-up pitch to the back stop. Then I slowed down and ended up throwing a one hitter.”

Matthews was a bonus baby for the Texas Rangers, but after AA ball, he ran into bone chips in his throwing arm and other arm troubles.

Nathan Harsh was the Player Spotlight for In the Game in April of 2011 Harsh continued to be a dominate force on the mound throughout high school and certainly created his own wave of chatter from scouts. When the draft in 2011 occurred, though, he had no idea what was going to happen.

“I got drafted my senior year coming out of high school, but I didn’t know it,” Harsh said.

“I thought I would go higher. I saw guys that I played against or knew that were going higher, and I didn’t end up in the same range, and it upset me.”

Harsh suddenly let his anger get the better of him, but had a great workout because he was so mad, at the elementary gym where Otte taught P.E. “It was probably one of the best workouts I have had ever, and I came out and started checking my phone, and all of the sudden I had 50 messages on my phone that I was drafted by the Texas Rangers in the 19th round,” Harsh said. “That was the final

year where they could pay you whatever they wanted to for a signing bonus, which has since changed.”

Harsh took his howitzer arm north to Kennesaw State University and was part of a burgeoning program that broke into the top 25 and threatened Louisville in the Super Regionals.

“I learned a lot at Kennesaw State, and I was there at a great time,” Harsh said. “I got the opportunity to play with some great players and had some great experiences.”

The Brunswick Pirates now get to benefit from all of Harsh’s experiences, and some of them are taking full advantage.

“They are curious, and they ask a lot of questions about what it was like to play at the next level, the type of pitching you saw, how hard did other pitchers throw, what did I throw, and there are always the fun and crazy stories that go along with baseball,” Harsh said.

Primarily Harsh is a pitching coach, but he throws batting practice also and isn’t that far removed from bringing that 90 mph heater from the bump. But he doesn’t do it a whole lot.

He does show them different pitches so the hitters can understand what is going through a pitcher’s mind.

“We were playing a team this year, and they had a pitcher that was throwing a big sweeping curve ball,” Harsh said. “Over half of the pitches this kid threw was that 12- to 6 curve ball that just hung out there. I told the hitters that you can’t let a pitcher continue to do that. You have to hit. You know it’s coming.

Even if you just foul it off, the pitcher will understand he can’t keep throwing that pitch.”

The Pirates pitchers especially benefit from his experience.

Even though Harsh is from the digital age like his players, he still goes back to some of the time- honored pitching mechanics of the game. He tells all his pitchers that they need to watch the documentary, "Fastball," which is on Netflix.

“This is the original primal battle,” Harsh said.

“You have someone throwing a rock, and someone trying to hit the rock with a

"Not only that, but to realize that the mound is yours and you can control what goes on in that area. ” stick. Not only that, but to realize that the mound is yours and you can control what goes on in that area.

I ask them in the fall, ‘Why isn’t the mound made out of grass? It’s clay. You dig, and you defend that piece of ground. It belongs to the pitcher.’”

Over time, Harsh’s charges started to understand what he taught them, and they learned to apply it. He has even seen the proverbial light bulb come on above their heads when they start to realize what they are capable of.

One young pitcher threw a sweeping telegraphed curve ball, but Harsh showed the pitcher how to shorten up the delivery and know that a left-handed pitcher can run the pitch on a right-handed batter's hands and it’s more like a cut fastball.

“I have had pitchers start to realize if they are in a

certain situation, or ahead or behind in the count, they throw something that didn’t feel right or the batter got a hit, they understand why it happened and then take steps to try and correct it,” Harsh said.

One other important aspect is the relationship that a pitcher should have with a catcher.

“It all starts with the battery,” Harsh said. “Those two must have complete trust with one another. A pitcher needs to know if he throws a low breaking ball in the dirt that the catcher is going to block it. In fact, I teach a pitcher after they finish throwing a bull pen with the catcher, the first you thing you do is go and shake the catcher's hand and thank them for catching you. It all starts and ends with the battery.”

In The Game | 13

A Final Foray

War of the Border Written by: Rob Asbell | Photography by: Rob Asbell

It was the last game of the season and, for many, the final game of their high school football careers as all-star teams from southeast Georgia and northeast Florida faced off in the annual War of the Border under the bright Florida sunshine in Yulee. The mid-February game offered players one last chance to show their abilities to college scouts who come to the game and to play in front of high school football fans who want to see one last contest before spring.

“They got a chance to compete at a championship level, and that game is played at a high level, before they finished their high school

14 | itgsportsnetwork.com

careers,” said Charlton County football coach Rich McWhorter, who coached the Georgia All-Stars. “For other guys it may have given them a chance to continue their football career. That game is out on hudl.com, and it has been sent to schools, so hopefully some of these kids are getting looked at.”

Players representing Georgia came from McIntosh County Academy, Camden, Charlton, Wayne, Brunswick, Bradwell Institute, Jeff Davis County, Brantley County, Ware County, Glynn Academy, Savannah High, and Johnson High.

The Florida team was represented by West-

side, Ribault, Lee, First Coast, Paxon, Wolfson, Mandarin, Raines, West Nassau, Jackson, Fernandina Beach, Atlantic Coast, Bishop Kenny, Hilliard, Baldwin, Stanton and host Yulee High School.

"I know from my experience that there are a lot of kids on that field that should be playing more football," McWhorter said. "I saw some talent out there that's college football talent. There are a few kids that I think could play Division I football."

The Georgia team wore red jerseys while Florida, coached by First Coast High's Marty Lee, donned blue with each player wearing their own team's helmet in

classic all-star fashion.

This year's edition of the SEGA/NEFL was a first half defensive battle that had moments of flash in the second half before Florida claimed the final victory 28-18.

It came down to a stingy Florida defense that allowed Georgia just 12 rushing yards the entire game. The visitors did manage 206 yards passing on 15 of 35 attempts. Georgia had a total of 218 yards of offense, most of it coming through the air on the arm of Camden County quarterback John B. Jones, who had 153 yards passing with one touchdown.

Despite Georgia's loss, it was a stellar day for McIntosh County Academy's Dustin Anderson who had five catches for 90 yards including a touchdown and a 68-yard catch and run. Anderson also had a 67-yard punt return for a touchdown and an interception on defense. For his efforts, MCA's Anderson was named Georgia's Offen-

sive Player of the Game.

On the other side of the ball, Bradwell Institute linebacker Joshua Ingram received the Defensive Player of the Game for Georgia.

Running-back Cameron Wakefield of Lee High School in Jacksonville was named Florida's offensive player of the game. He had 11 carries for 111 yards and a touchdown. Linebacker Brady Stockard of Fernandina Beach High School received the Defensive Player of the Game for Florida.

Florida scored on its first possession with a 25-yard touchdown pass from Ribault's Ryan Williams to Westside High's Dale George to take a 6-0 lead. The defenses took over with each team swapping punts and turning the ball over on downs until halftime. The second half looked to be more of the same until, with nine minutes remaining in the third quarter, Florida punted to MCA's Anderson who raced 67-yards up the right

"I saw some talent out there that's college football talent.

There are a few kids that I think could play Division I football."

sideline to tie the score at 6-6.

Late in the third, Florida struck back when Williams hit Wakefield on a 41yard pass to setup a nine-yard touchdown strike to Ribault teammate Rashad Flynn on the final play of the quarter for a 13-6 lead.

Georgia converted Anderson’s interception into points and then quickly came back with a 68-yard pass to Anderson, who then finished up the drive with a 5-yard touchdown catch to give Georgia the lead 18-13 with 10 minutes to go in the game.

Florida responded with a 65-yard drive to regain the lead and then sealed the deal with a 50-yard drive capped by Wakefield’s 26-yard run that gave Florida the lead for good at 28-18.

The game was the final foray into high school football for many months as the pads are put away for hibernation until spring for area football programs.

McWhorter became involved with the annual exhibition game when it expanded to the coast five years ago. The War of the Border is an opportunity for college scouts to get one more look at area high school seniors. This year, games were also played in Thomasville and Valdosta with players from those areas participating.

“Every player that was on both of those teams are at some level or another college athletes,” McWhorter said.

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SIGNING DAY 2017 SIGNING DAY 2017 SIGNING DAY 2017 SIGNING D

CAMDEN COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL

Chala Carey Track Gerogia Southern University Kaitlin Kilner Softball Alabama State University Mackenzie Wood Soccer University of West Georgia Brogan Boudreaux Soccer Georgia Southern University Bryant Walker Football Fort Scott Community College Jordan Strachan Football Georgia State University Casey McCormick Football University of the Cumberlands (NP) John Jones Maryville College (NP) Cole Loden Kennesaw State University (Preferred Walk-on)

Photo courtesy of Camden County High School

FREDERICA ACADEMY

Antonio Heyward Rhodes College Austyn Skelton Samford Photos courtesy of Frederica Academy

WARE COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL

Xavier Clemmons JeMar Lincoln Oljawon Smith Ha’Keem Dillard Jomoya Howard (NP) Ronnie Adams (NP) Rosheem “Fat Cat” Collins

University Of the Cumberlands Furman University Benedict College West Georgia University of the Cumberlands Independence College Middle Tennessee State

Photo Courtesy of Shawn Smoak

16 | itgsportsnetwork.com

VIDALIA HIGH SCHOOL

Sam Collins Lakia Henry Nathan McBride

Kennesaw State University Dodge City Community College University of Georgia

Photo Courtesy of Vidalia Communications / www.southeastgeorgiatoday.com

DAY 2017 SIGNING DAY 2017 SIGNING DAY 2017 SIGNING DAY 2017

PIERCE COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL

Chase Royer

Stetson Bennett IV

Middlebury College

UGA preferred Walk on

Photos courtesy of Jennifer Carter Johnson

MCINTOSH COUNTY ACADEMY

Barry Jackson Dallas Anthony Jonathan Jason

Valdosta State University Valdosta State University Albany State University

Photography courtesy of Rob Asbell

WAYNE COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL

Kendall Henderson

Georgia Military College

Photo Courtesy of Wayne County High School

In The Game | 17

SIGNING DAY 2017 SIGNING DAY 2017 SIGNING DAY 2017 SIGNING

D'Ante Demery Shawn Smith Danijah Gammage Deqwan Chapman

BRUNSWICK HIGH SCHOOL

University of Georgia University of Virginia Mercer University Albany State University

Wiley Golden Jabori Williams Brandon McMaster

Tusculum College Hutchinson Community College University of Georgia (Preferred Walk-On)

Photo courtesy of Micheal Brinson

GLYNN ACADEMY

DeeJay Dallas Miami Zalon'tae Hillery Miami Preston Joseph Lenoir-Rhyne Kendall Cross Georgia Military College Devon Peacock Georgia State (Walk-On) Xavier McClinton Undecided (Stetson, FAMU, Georgia Tech) Quantavious Walker Eastern Arizona Quandre Mosley Easter Arizona

Amari Cross Devin Roberson Travis Harris Shakour Thomas Vance Rowe Tre Sailem Trashawn Bacon Jeremiah Anderson

Kennesaw State (preferred Walk-On) Ridgwater College Ridgwater College Ridgwater College Ridgwater College Ridgwater College Ridgwater College Ridgwater College

Photo courtesy of Micheal Brinson

LIBERTY COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL

Richard LeCounte Jaalon Frazier

University of Georgia Georgia Southern University

LONG COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL

Jamin Davis Tariq Carpenter L G Williams

University of Kentucky Georgia Tech Fort Valley State

BACON COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL

BASEBALL SEASON ARRIVES Written by: Rob Asbell | Photography by: Rob Asbell

Spring is quickly approaching, and winter sports are winding down at Bacon County High School.

The Red Raiders boys basketball team of second year coach J.B. Bergeron finished the regular season as the No. 4 seed from Region 2-AA. That gave Bacon County a playoff spot against Region 4 champion Laney. The Raiders could not pull of the upset after the road trip to Augusta and ended their season in the first round of the state playoffs.

As basketball season came to an end, baseball warmed up with opening day in February. Coach Derek James, now in his eighth year as head baseball coach, hopes to improve on last year's 17-11 mark. The Raiders were

the No. 3 seed from Region 2-AA and fell in the first round of the state playoffs to Harlem High School last season. This year, Region 2-AA includes Bryan County, Metter, Jeff Davis County, Swainsboro, Benedictine/St. Vincent’s, Vidalia, and Toombs County. This year is expected to be competitive with every team fighting for a playoff spot.

"Our non-region schedule is full of great teams and is very difficult," James said. "We feel that playing these non-region teams will prepare us for our region schedule."

The overall region is expected to be difficult with the addition of Metter, Toombs County, and Swainsboro.

"The players have been working hard and getting a little better each day,” James said. “They understand how competitive the region is going to be."

The Raiders have lots of fresh young faces on the diamond this season. In fact, during Bacon County's opening game, the bases were loaded with a freshman at every base.

"We feel that we have good players returning in some key spots,” James said. “We will be looking for the seniors to help lead our younger players as the season moves along.”

Seniors on this season's Red Raiders squad include Xavier Hayes, Dawson Dyal, Alex Turner, Klein Nipper, Tyler Altman, Peyton Nobles, and Lane Fos-

ter. Bacon has a good group of seniors returning along with several talented younger players. With so many young players, the team is constantly working to improve fundamentals and overall competitiveness. They also hope to create more pitching depth as the season moves along.

"We have a lot of pitchers who will get their first varsity innings this year,” James said. “The goal is to have them ready by the time we get to the region schedule."

Among the non-region games on the Bacon County schedule this year is a double-header against state powers Lakeside and Greenbrier in Evans, Georgia outside of Augusta.

Bacon County should have an exciting baseball season, and the coaching staff encourages everyone to come out and catch a game or two this year.

2017 BACON COUNTY BASEBALL SCHEDULE: 2/13 Treutlen 2/16 @ Appling Co. 2/18 Pierce County 2/21 Montgomery Co. 2/24 Lanier 2/25 Savannah Christian

(Baseball at

the Beach) 2/28 Long Co. 3/2 Appling Co. 3/4 @ Greenbrier 3/4 @ Lakeside 3/7 @ Metter 3/8 @ Long Co. 3/10 Metter

3/11 @ Pierce Co. 3/13 @ Treutlen 3/14 @ Vidalia 3/17 Vidalia 3/21 Toombs Co. 3/22 @ Montgomery Co. 3/24 @ Toombs Co. 3/28 Benedictine 3/31 @ Benedictine 4/4 Swainsboro 4/7 @ Swainsboro 4/11 @ Bryan Co. 4/14 Bryan Co. 4/18 Jeff Davis 4/20 @ Jeff Davis

Derek James — Varsity Head Coach Scott Brown — JV Head Coach / Varsity Assistant Coach Stephen Tyre — Assistant Coach Thomas McCullough — Assistant Coach Patrick McDonald — Middle School Head Coach Ray Stevens — Middle School Assistant Coach

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DAY

DATE

SITE

TIME

MON

MAR 20 STATESBORO*

OPPONENT

STATESBORO

6:00

WED

MAR 22 STATESBORO*

WAYCROSS

5:55

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MAR 24 STATESBORO*

STATESBORO

6:00

TUES

MAR 28 LOWNDES CO

WAYCROSS

5:30

THURS

MAR 30 COFFEE CO

DOUGLAS

6:00

FRI

MAR 31 CAMDEN CO

WAYCROSS

6:00

MON

APR 3

NEW HAMPSTED*

POOLER

6:00

WED

APR 5

NEW HAMPSTED*

WAYCROSS

5:55

FRI

APR 7

NEW HAMPSTED*

POOLER

6:00

MON

APR 10

WAYNE CO*

WAYCROSS

6:00

WED

APR 12

WAYNE CO*

JESUP

5:55

FRI

APR 14

WAYNE CO*

WAYCROSS

6:00

MON

APR 17

SOUTH EFFINGHAM*

WAYCROSS

5:00

WED

APR 19

SOUTH EFFINGHAM*

GUYTON

5:00

FRI

APR 21

SOUTH EFFINGHAM*

WAYCROSS

6:00

* DENOTES REGION GAMES

11/2016 © 2016 SGHS

PIERCE COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL

WINTER SPORTS FINISH STRONG

P

Written by: John DuPont | Photography by: Jennifer Carter Johnson

PCHS WRESTLER WINS STATE PCHS grappler Todd Carter captured the state championship at the State Wrestling Traditional Tournament this past winter, winning the 113-pound title. It was a rare achievement for PCHS, as Carter became just the second Bear to do so. He also holds the distinction of being the first freshman in history to win a state wrestling title. Senior Dustin Bryant, who won in 2014, is the only other Pierce competitor to win gold.

Meanwhile, teammates Ian Kessler and Dalton Malone won fourth and fifth places, respectively, in their weight classes. Kessler, a senior, wrestled in the 195-pound class. Malone, a sophomore, competed in the 160-pound weight class.

PCHS finished 10th overall in team rankings at the state finals.

LADY BEARS BASKETBALL REACHES SWEET SIXTEEN The PCHS Lady Bears enjoyed a breakout season in 2016-17, posting an all-time high number of season wins and a berth in the Sweet 16. Second-year head coach Lacy Dowling guided the Lady Bears to a 21-8 mark and a second-round playoff berth. The Lady Bears also came within a point of capturing the region title, falling to Tattnall County 39-38.

As the second seed out of Region 1-AAA, the PCHS girls defeated Kendrick at home 51-47 on Feb. 17. Five days later, PCHS lost on the road to powerhouse Morgan County 56-39.

The Lady Bulldogs, who were the defending state champions in class AAA, ultimately advance do the 2017 Final Four, losing in the semi-finals.

The Morgan County game was the finale for seniors Ilasha Wilkins, Mary Courtney Puryear, and Marisa Ramirez.

BEARS SHOW GREAT IMPROVEMENT ON HARDWOOD The PCHS varsity boys posted a 9-17 mark in 2016-17, barely missing double-digit wins but more than doubling the wins total of four from the previous year. The Bears were guided this season

by Shan Garner, a veteran coach who previously served as head coach at Echols County and Lowndes County. This was Garner’s first season at PCHS. Highlights included region wins over Long County and Appling County, as well as an upset of traditional non-region rival Ware County. The Bears knocked off the Gators 64-57 on the road Jan. 10.

Three days later, PCHS rallied from a 17-point deficit to upend Appling 73-71. The season ended with a 67-65 loss to Tattnall County in the region tournament.

This year’s seniors included Chase Royer, Perrel Brisbane, and Jay Bethea.

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NO PRESSURE Written by: Rob Asbell Photography by: Jeffrey Griffith

Blake Brockington loves to be put in pressure situations on the baseball diamond, loves “being called on to take the mound with the bases loaded and one out,” the Martha Puckett Middle School eighth-grader said. But the final outcome, the end of the game celebration, is his favorite part of the game, with gloves and hats flying and teammates gathering at the pitcher’s mound.

A country boy at heart, the soft-spoken Brockington likes to hang with his brothers, fish, and hunt when away from school. Along with meeting former Atlanta Braves great Chipper Jones, he counts among his coolest achievements “going mud bogging and getting stuck.”

He is a dual-threat athlete, spending his winters playing point guard for coach Ryan Bailey’s basketball team and in the spring becoming an infielder for coach James Hobbs’ Jackets baseball team at Martha Puckett Middle School in Jesup.

“Blake is a very versatile baseball player,” Hobbs said. “He can,

22 | itgsportsnetwork.com

and has, played every position in the infield for me in the past. This year he is playing short and second base.”

Brockington admitted that baseball is his favorite sport. He developed a love for baseball at an early age. He was just four-years-old when he was batted in for the first time to score a run.

“This was a time that he knew he loved to play baseball,” his mom, Sheila Brockington said.

His first big play came when he turned a double-play to win the game. By the time he was eight-years-old, he was on a championship All-Star team.

“When I was 10 we played in Atlanta, and there were over 90 teams in the tournament,” Brockington said.

His traveling team at the time, the Merchants, went on to finish second in that tournament. He went on to play with the Sandgnats in the summer of 2015, when they won the championship of the Elite Stars Tournament. One of the highlights of his young baseball career was the opportunity to spend a week at the Baseball Hall of Fame in New York at the Cooperstown Dreams Park.

There, the Sandgnats

played against teams from across the country. Brockington stood out as he led his team in hitting by batting over .700 while crushing four homeruns.

Last year as just a seventh-grader, he played for Martha Puckett Middle School and led the team in batting average as well as being voted the team’s outstanding offensive player.

“Last year as a seventh grader he had the highest batting and on the team, batting .476, and the second highest fielding percentage,” Hobbs said.

This season he is being called on to do even more.

“Blake bats in the two hole,” Hobbs said. “Blake is very good at moving runners, whether I’m needing him to lay a bunt down or driving in a run.”

Brockinton looks forward to a solid 2017 season and more in the future. When asked if he looks forward to playing at Wayne County High School next year, he said, “Heck yeah.”

He likes to keep himself in shape and improve his game by practicing long throws and hitting with his father. Brockington gives a lot of credit to his father for helping him learn the game and become a better player.

He also watches other players to get pointers on hitting and throwing.

“He also runs thoughout the year so that his body stays conditioned to play,” his mom said.

And to stay in shape during the winter he plays basketball.

The son of Donald and Sheila Brockington of Jesup, Blake Brockington holds a solid A-minus average in the classroom where he prefers physical education and math classes. In the future, Brockinton would like to be in the sports field helping athletes with physical therapy.

“I would like to go to college to play baseball,” Brockinton said.

Of course, his ultimate dream would be to play Major League Baseball for the Los Angles Angels. Hobbs believes Brockinton has a bright future at the high school level as he continues to grow and mature both physically and as a baseball player.

“Blake knows the game, is coachable, and always looking for ways to make himself and the team better,” Hobbs said.

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GATORS APPAREL AND MORE: CS HEWETT ADVERTISING written by: Rob Asbell

Have you ever seen a Ware County Gators shirt and thought, "I wonder where he got that?" Chances are it came from CS Hewett Advertising in Waycross. They specialize in personalized promotional items that can be worn and seen: If it's printed or embroidered, CS Hewett Advertising creates it. Especially if it shows local pride. No matter what the occasion, if you need t-shirts, hats, banners or anything printed, you can get it at CS Hewett Advertising.

"We service all of southeast Georgia and Northeast Florida as well," said Marilyn Hewett who has owned and operated the business with her husband, Sean Hewett, for the past 12 years.

CS Hewett Advertising creates t-shirts for businesses and events in Jesup, Douglas, Brunswick and, of course, Waycross. They print t-shirts and hats for everything from school functions to car dealerships.

Shirts and accessories are available during the week at the store at 211 Knight Avenue in Waycross. With cool weather, don't forget hoodies, sweatshirts and long-sleeved shirts. As always, they have Ware County Gators' apparel and other items.

"Both of us are local alumnae of Ware County (High School). We've lived here all our lives," Mrs. Hewett said.

During football season, CS Hewett products can be found on heads and backs of home fans at Memorial Stadium on Friday nights in the fall. Hats, t-shirts, signs and banners. CS Hewett Advertising is the place for Ware County High School items.

Not all of their designs are focused on the Ware County Gators. CS Hewett Advertising is known for doing team uniforms for baseball and softball teams. All manner of groups and individuals come to CS Hewett Advertising because of their prompt service and attention to quality.

They also add their personal touch to cus-

tom screen printing, embroidery, promotional items like t-shirts and hats and signs and banners. CS Hewett Advertising also does sublimation printing on dry mesh jerseys and shirts. The printing never cracks, fades or peels. "It lasts for the lifetime of the shirt," Marilyn Hewett said.

"Great work and fast service. They do advertising all the way to team uniforms and a lot more," said one Facebook review. You can "like" CS Hewett's Facebook page which has examples of custom t-shirts and more.

Stop by their location at 211 Knight Avenue in Waycross or call (912) 548-0082.

Or send them an email at cshewettad@ gmail.com. If it's printed or embroidered, CS Hewett Advertising creates it.

In The Game | 25

26 | itgsportsnetwork.com

CAMDEN COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL

SPRING HAS SPRUNG IN KINGSLAND Written by: Rob Asbell With warmer weather comes spring sports at Camden County High School: baseball, soccer, tennis, golf and track and field are now underway.

On the diamond, the Wildcats baseball team of coach Chuck Seymour is off to a hot start losing only one game through the month of February and into March. Region play has started against Region 1-AAAAAAA foes Tift, Lowndes and Colquitt. That there will be a fundraiser night at Ops Pizza in Kingsland on Thursday, March 23 at 6:30 pm.

2/13 2/17 2/18 2/21 2/25 3/1 3/4 3/6 3/10 3/13 3/17 3/21

CAMDEN BASEBALL SCHEDULE 3/24 vs. Lowndes Co @ Glynn Academy vs. Jenkins High 3/28 @ Baker County 3/30 @ Fernandina @ Brunswick High @ Wayne Co Beach vs. Statesboro 3/31 @ Ware Co 4/4 @ The Bolles High vs. Glynn Academy School 4/7 vs. Tift County at Effingham Co vs. Pierce Co 4/11 vs. Brunswick High 4/14 @ Colquitt Co @ Tift County @ Pierce Co 4/19 vs. Wayne Co 4/21 @ Lowndes Co vs. Colquitt Co @ Yulee High

On the links, the boys golf team of coach Brian Benton and the girls team of coach Tim Youngblood got started with the Camden Classic in late February.

Juniors Chase Weathers and Thacher Neal, who both helped lead the Wildcats to a region championship last year, lead Benton’s boys team this year.

At one point, Weathers tied his previous school record of 70.

"Neal came in the group behind him and shot 69 the same day set a new school record," Coach Benton said. "Chase has won multiple junior golf tournaments on varying tours throughout and is our team captain. He always makes sure that the other players are accountable and focused on the team goal of winning a state championship."

Freshman James Ballato has joined Weathers and Neal in Camden's top three this season.

"James has won multiple junior golf tournaments in 2017 alone and played in the junior world championship at Torrey Pines in middle school," Coach Benton said.

2/25 3/4 3/9 3/14 3/18 3/23

3/4

The boys soccer team of coach Robert Gabriel got off to a 2-2 start and will start region play in mid-March along with the Lady Wildcats of coach Pam Agler. One of the senior leaders on the boys team is Eduardo Merino, who has come back from a devastating injury his sophomore year.

“He is an outstanding player and is a great student athlete,” Gabriel said.

2/14 2/17 2/24 3/1 3/4 3/17

CAMDEN BOYS SOCCER SCHEDULE @ Richmond Hill 3/18 vs. Lambert vs. Brunswick 3/21 @ Brunswick @ Savannah 3/24 @ Lowndes Christian 4/7 @ Tift Co @ Ware Co 4/14 vs. Lowndes @ Westminster 4/18 vs. Pierce Co Schools of Augusta 4/21 @ Colquitt Co vs. Tift

3/11 3/14 4/1 4/18

CAMDEN BOYS' GOLF Camden Classic @ Osprey Cove 3/25 Packer Invitational @ Sunset Johnny Paulk Tournament @ Jekyll Country Club Island - Pine Lakes 4/11 Wayne/Brunswick Match @ Frederica Match @ Sea Island Osprey Cove Wayne Match at Pine Forest 4/20 Ware Match @ Osprey Cove Viking Invitational @ Kinderlou 4/27 Pierce Match @ Lakeview Ware/Pierce Match @ Okefenokee Country Club CAMDEN GIRLS' GOLF Red Terror Ryder Cup @ Jekyll 4/20 Ware County @ Osprey Cove Indian Mounds 5/1 REGION TOUR @ Tifton's Braselton @ North Gwinnett Springhill Glynn Academy @ Jekyll Island 5/22 STATE TOUR @ Braselton's Colquitt @ Colquitt Chateau Elan Glynn Academy

The track and field teams of Coach Steven Humphrey also got underway in February. Sprinter Chala Carey signed a letter of intent to run for Georgia Southern University next year.

CAMDEN TRACK AND FIELD 3/2 vs. Glynn & Wayne 3/25 Viking Invitational in Valdosta 3/11 Swamp Relays in Waycross 4/19-4/22 Region Track Meet in Tifton 3/18 Bob Hayes Invitational in Jacksonville

BEING Prepared Written by: John Dupont Photography by: Jennifer Carter Johnson

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“I’ve never wanted to go anywhere else but the University of Georgia,” Pierce County High senior Thomas Echols said. “I grew up in Georgia, grew up going to football games. Plus, my Uncle Ted (Echols) went there, and so did my Papa Jack (Hobbs). I just love it there.”

Echols, a three-sport performer, celebrates his acceptance to UGA, where he has also qualified for the prestigious Zell Miller Scholarship. Echols’ résumé includes several other meritorious achievements, which have in turn led to other recognitions. That list includes his service on the First Southern Bank Junior Board of Directors. A man for all seasons, Echols competed in football, wrestling, and soccer at PCHS. “I think doing early acceptance as he did had a lot to do with Thomas getting accepted, but I think his extracurriculars did too,” his mom, Tricia, said. “I think they look for depth. Thomas will tell you he’s not a superstar athlete, but he enjoys being part of a team, and he wanted to find out where he fit and how he could contribute. He talked about that in his application. This was the only place he applied, and he knew the rigor of academics and the things that taught him a lot of life lessons.”

Perhaps most impressive on the Echols résumé is his elite designation as an Eagle Scout. Over the course of more than 100 years, only 4 percent of nearly 50 million Boy Scouts have ever earned the designation. Qualifications include earning at least 21 merit badges, completion of a service project, and regular demonstration of Scout spirit and leadership.

“Becoming a Boy Scout was a very big decision that I made because my grandfather and my uncle were both Eagle Scouts,” Echols said. “I also had a bunch of friends who joined, which helped me stick with it. Also, being in scouts showed me how to be a decent person, and when I received my Eagle Scout rank, I was able to look back and say that being a Boy Scout was a great experience.”

Ranking 31st in a class numbering 257, Echols carries a 4.0 GPA and a cumulative academic average of 95.429. He also scored 1280 on the SAT. He is a Beta Club member and has maintained a heavy load of college classes through the Move On When Ready (MOWR) program, including U.S. History I and II, Human Anatomy, Public Speaking, and MOWR Calculus, Alge-

bra, and Pre-calculus. doesn’t matter if he has “I need to especial- to stay up until 2 o’clock ly thank my mom for to do it. He is just an my academic success easy child to parent.”

Playing three sports because she always pushed me to do certainly didn’t make homework and study the job any easier. A for tests when in reality defensive back since his I wouldn’t want to do freshman year, Echols it, “ Echols said. “She didn’t crack the starting reminded lineup until "He's the guy me of my this seagoals like son, when everyone in getting 4.0 he became and get- the gym is the team’s pulling for. ting into long snapUGA. With- His resume per.

He out her, I was among speaks for p ro b a b l y the best in itself with all wouldn’t the region have done his honors and at the latter it.” craft, with His dad, awards. But no bad H a r r i s , his personality snaps on a d d e d : and approach extra points, “Thomas field goals, has got a to life is or punts the lot of his something entire seamama in son. Conthat most are him, but he sequently, amazed at." does a lot the Bears’ on his own. — Coach Boyett opponents You don’t were unhave to get on to him able to block any kicks, to do a lot, and I think and teammate Cooper he gets that from his Saussy established new mama. As far as home- school marks in all kickwork and schoolwork, it ing categories.

In The Game | 29

“Thomas approached me during the spring before his senior year and told me he wanted to be the starting long snapper,” special teams coach Seth Boyett said.

“He knew he wasn’t the most athletic player on the field and that he would have a very slim chance to see the field as a starter his senior year. He showed me his technique, and his snaps weren’t the best I had ever seen, but they also weren’t the worst.

I gave Thomas some pointers and told him it would take a lot of practice on his own to earn the starting spot.

With that, Thomas took the coaching and ran with it. He worked on his technique during summer workouts and on his own time. By the time the season started, Thomas earned the starting position as long snapper and found a way on the field.”

Echols’ attributes propelled him to even greater success on the wrestling mats. By 30 | itgsportsnetwork.com

his own admission he wasn’t athletic enough to play basketball, so he went out for wrestling in sixth grade.

He didn’t win a single match that first season but improved to second in his weight class at the conference tournament the following season. He was among the top 10 in his weight division by his freshman year. Brandon Jernigan, PCHS athletic director and assistant head football coach these past several seasons, served as head wrestling coach throughout Echols’ high school career.

“Thomas is probably one of the most humble young men I’ve ever had a chance to coach,” Jernigan said. “He’s the guy everyone in the gym is pulling for. His résumé speaks for itself with all his honors and awards. But his personality and approach to life is something that most are amazed at.

He comes from an outstanding family that has reared him to respect

authority and to give his all in everything he does. Thomas has ‘it,’ what you need in life to be successful, and I know that we’re going to see outrageous, crazy things from this young man in the future.”

Success hasn’t always come easy, though.

Echols broke his right leg during a wrestling warm-up as a junior. He pushed himself during rehab with coach Marlin Brown, the team’s trainer, and after hours.

“They say I rehabbed quick and got better quick,” Echols said. “I probably did a whole lot more than what I should have been doing.”

Nonetheless, he was back on the mat as a senior and considers the recovery to be the

highlight of his sports career.

Echols briefly gave baseball a look as a freshman. He has since played soccer each spring. His rookie campaign on the pitch even saw a two-goal game against Johnson High.

A self-professed “bench guy” now, he sees spot duty on defense. The soccer experience, he said, helped keep him in shape for yeararound sports. Plus, he also enjoys hanging with his good friends on the soccer team, a group that includes Saussy, Ben Hopkins, Jake Wheeler, Joe Stewart, and Ashton Cantrell.

With most of his college math requirements already satisfied via MOWR, Echols has his sights set on biology

courses as he heads to Athens. He wants to major in pre-med, though nobody in his family has ever worked as a doctor or in the medical field.

He’ll be a pioneer if that endeavor moves forward. But he has simpler expectations for how he wants to be remembered.

“I don’t really want to be remembered as some star athlete, but as somebody who knew who he was and tried his best,” Echols said. “I just want to be out there on the field and have fun with a bunch of my friends.”

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WARE COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL

BASKETBALL ENDS, SPRING SPORTS BEGIN Written by: Rob Asbell

With the arrival of warmer weather and lots of pollen come spring sports, but not before some last-minute winter action finished up on the basketball court.

The Lady Gators basketball team of coach Mandy Lingenfelter made it to the Sweet 16 of the state basketball playoffs with a last second putback by Mataea Boyd to defeat Woodland High School 45-44 in the first round. That put the Lady Gators square in the crosshairs of Gwinnett County powerhouse Buford. After making the five-hour journey to metro-Atlanta, Ware fell to the Lady Wolves to end a spectacular season at 24-5.

BASEBALL

Baseball was among the spring sports getting underway at Ware County . The Gators team of coach Tony Yeomans got off to a tough start but regrouped in February at the annual Baseball at the Beach tournament held in Brunswick.

After falling to 0-4 on the season, the Gators came alive at the tournament, defeating Appling County and Glynn Academy on consecutive nights. Ware will continue playing non-region opponents until the first day of spring when they travel to Statesboro to open their region schedule.

All games are broadcast live on the radio. You can listen to all the Gators baseball action with legendary coach James Conley and In the Game SEGA publisher Shawn Smoak on WWUF, 97.7 The Wolf.

Number one singles player Matthew Bagley leads the men’s tennis team of coach Ross Bedford. The Lady’s team of coach Nate Mooneyhan returns doubles tandem Kiersten Moye and Jayme Russell.

“They are also the only seniors on my team,” Mooneyhan said. “Both have taken college or AP courses and are managing the difficult challenge of keeping their grades up with difficult courses while playing tennis in the spring and volleyball in the winter.”

2017 WARE COUNTY TENNIS SCHEDULE

SOCCER

On the soccer pitch, Julio Nataren, who has already scored a hat trick (three goals in one game) in a one-goal victory over Brunswick, leads coach Jim Farmer’s boys team. The Lady Gators Soccer team of coach Michael Cook got their first win of the season with a 10-0 win over Bacon County. Seniors Kennedy Sanders and Madison Lloyd along with junior Sara Hitt led Ware.

2017 WARE COUNTY SOCCER SCHEDULE 2/2 2/7 2/10 2/13 2/15 2/12 2/28 3/3 3/7 3/9

TENNIS

@ Thomas County Central vs. Colquitt County @ Coffee County (Boys Only) vs. Richmond Hill vs. Brunswick @ Coffee County (Girls Only) @ Camden County @ New Hampstead vs. Valdosta vs. Coffee County

3/14 3/16 3/21 3/23 4/4 4/6 4/11 4/13 4/17 4/19

vs. Statesboro @ South Effingham vs. Wayne County vs. Pierce County vs. South Effingham @ Atkinson County @ Statesboro @ Wayne County vs. New Hampstead @ Glynn Academy

2/2 2/7 2/9 2/14 2/22 2/23 3/1 3/2 3/4 3/7 3/8 3/14 3/16 3/21 3/23 4/11

vs. Wayne County vs. Coffee County @ Brantley County @ Pierce County vs. Glynn Academy vs. Brunswick @ Glynn Academy vs. Wayne County Ware Invitational @ Waycross @ Appling County vs. Camden/Lowndes vs. South Effingham @ New Hampstead vs. Bacon County vs. Statesboro Region 2AAAAA Tournament

Catching

On

Written by: John Wood Photography by: Tammy Bell

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In a rural classroom many years ago, a second-grade teacher asked her students what they wanted to be when they grew up. One little boy in that room confidently raised his hand and told his teacher, “When I grow up, I want to be a big league baseball player.” It was one of those responses that teachers think are cute but not based in reality.

That second grader was serious, and a few years later, he won Rookie of the Year for the Cincinnati Reds. His name was Johnny Bench, which for a certain generation was synonymous with what being a catcher meant.

It doesn’t matter what age or level they are at in the game of baseball, a great catcher is one of the most important assets a baseball team can have.

Charlton County sophomore catcher Trevor Knowles has that same type of Bench confidence that a catcher must have. Catchers see everything on the field; other than the pitcher, catchers touch the baseball more than any other player.

“Last year as a freshman, we thought Trevor was going to be a JV catcher that we could use in emergencies on the varsity level if we needed it,” Thad Marchman, Charlton County head baseball coach, said. ”We had just graduated our full-time starting catcher, Chandler Peeples, but had Isreal Gilyard at the top of the depth chart to start the

season. Trevor came in determined. Thinking back on last year, I feel like he was in the mindset of, ‘I am going to do anything possible to get on the field.’“ Knowles also plays football and baseball for the Indians but excels at baseball. He started playing tee ball when he was three years old but was playing catch with his brother even before that. Other teams – not just his coaches – have noticed his ability and how naturally Trevor fits behind the dish.

“I love the game of baseball,” Knowles said. “I want to be the best, and I am willing to work hard for that.

Whether it’s putting in extra reps in the weight room, extra swings in the cage, or staying late after practice working

on footwork and technique.”

Over the years Marchman developed the Indians into a Class A power. The Indians won their region for five years straight. Knowles understands that and is willing to do anything to keep the region title streak alive. Players like Knowles and his older brother, Austin, who he was looked up to, keep that region title drive alive each season.

“It’s a long and hard process to start as an underclassman,” Knowles said. “You have to compete daily. Being a catcher, it is so important to learn attention to detail. You need to know what pitches to call at the right time and when to throw behind runners.”

As Knowles has learned his position,

Marchman has been able to rely on him more.

“He simply did everything we asked of him with intensity and urgency,” Marchman said. “It got to the point where he was setting the example as a freshman of how to practice. This practice speed allowed him to improve rapidly. The next thing you know, he is starting behind the plate when we throw our number one pitcher. He simply cares about the game, how it’s played, and winning.

He is a coachable kid.

This is probably the best compliment I can give a young player.

Halfway through the season, he was catching our number one and number two. By the time the playoffs rolled around, he was our

I love the game of baseball, I want to be the best and I am willing to work hard for that.

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In The Game | 35

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starting catcher, full time. If everyone on our team practiced with the energy that Trevor practices with, we would be better by ten fold. Sometimes players think that that extra effort does not ‘look cool.’

Trevor learned early that the extra effort gets you on the field, gains the confidence of the coaching staff, and causes your teammates to respect your play. That is cool.”

Catching is not just about handling pitchers.

Knowles proudly acknowledged that he catches the best pitching rotation in Class A, but he knows coaches have more expectations of him.

“I still have to block the plate and knock the ball down,” Knowles said. “And you get hit, but I just have to endure the pain. The coaching staff expects exceptional effort from me. They expect me to lead by example. We always meet after the game and go over what we did and what we did wrong, and my Dad does the same thing when I get home.”

Trevor’s favorite part of catching is gunning down runners on the basepaths when they are trying to steal on him.

“Being a baseball player in general has taught me a lot of character,” Knowles said. “Being a varsity catcher as an underclassman will give me a lot of experience, and it has taught me how to be patient. It has taught me that hard work pays off.”

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In The Game | 39

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