December 2014 South Georgia Edition

HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS MAGAZINE

®

In This Issue:

South Georgia

16

December 2014

10 On the Cover The Meaning of Christmas

South Georgia Area High Schools

CONTENTS

16 Pair of Purple Hurricanes Caleb Ray Gerald Morgan

Fitzgerald High School

22 Life of a 6A Cheerleader

South Georgia Area High Schools

10

22

27 Valiant Duo

Zach and Zane Edmondson Valwood School

31 Player Spotlight

Joneria Grant

Colquitt County High School

39 Overcoming the Odds

31

Also Inside

4

Athletics to Academics, CCA Junior Does it All

09

2014 Red Nose Run 5K

13

529 College Savings Plan

15

Will Tift County Blue Devils Repeat as State Basketball Champions?

19

Timeless Moments in Sports

21

VHS Cornerback Commits to Ohio State

25

Ten Questions with Colquitt County’s Sihiem King

37

Tift County Riflery

43

Holiday Eating

45

The Jump Shot: Perfecting the Process

51

In the Stands

54

Ask the Doctor

60

Cook County High School

61

Irwin County High School

63

27 39

Erick Winston Jr.

47 Academic Athlete

Chance Roe

Lowndes High School

52 Coach’s Corner

Pernell Smith

Coffee County High School

57 Rising Star

Aushaud Evans

Valdosta Middle School

52 57 47

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HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS MAGAZINE

®

South Georgia

December 2014

From the Publisher It’s hard to believe that football season is almost over. For the majority of teams around the state, it has in fact already ended. Just a few, the best of the best, are still playing, searching for a state championship. As I write this, the playoffs have not yet started. For the most part, we know who will make the postseason, but a few slots are still up in the air. How many of our South Georgia teams will make the playoffs? How deep will they go? It’s an exciting time of the year; unfortunately, as this edition goes to press, we still don’t have those answers.

Hopefully, when this edition finds its way into our readers’ hands, several of our South Georgia teams will still be suiting up on Friday nights.

Publisher Mark Dykes

Editor Mark Dykes Sarah Turner

Graphics Jennifer Alexander

Cover Photography Micki Krzynski Micki K Photography

Feature Photography Micki Krzynski Micki K Photography Mr. D Photography Connie Southwell Photography Michael Chapman Sarah Turner

Feature Writers Robert Preston, Jr. James Washington Sarah Turner

Copy Editor James Washington

Advertising/Marketing Mark Dykes mark@inthegamemagazine.com Mike McGuire mike@inthegamemagazine.com Rachel Thrasher rachel@inthegamemagazine.com

Website Manager Sarah Turner

For those that won’t be, though, it’s time to get ready for basketball. The season started last month and right now, teams are still trying to hit their stride. The annual Christmas tournaments will be held in just a few weeks; after those, the urgency of the season begins to set in. One of the biggest questions this year involves Tift County. Can the Blue Devils repeat in 2015 as state champions?

People thought Tift’s best chance to win a title was two years ago. When they didn’t win in 2013, many wrote them off. But the Blue Devils came back with a vengeance last season and did the unthinkable. Head coach Eric Holland believes they can do it again. We spoke with Coach Holland this month, and he says the expectations of the program have not changed one bit – region championship, followed by a state championship. Tift has a large target on its back this year.

We’ll see what happens over the next couple of months.

Speaking of basketball, we have a few more basketball features in December.

Our Coach’s Corner is Pernell Smith at Coffee High School in Douglas. The Trojans have had some pretty good basketball teams over the years. They did quite well in 5A in football this year; it will be interesting to see how well they do in basketball at the lower classification. The Player Spotlight is Colquitt County’s Joneria Grant. A pint-sized point guard who has never let her 4’11” frame stop her from causing opponents as much grief as possible, Grant and the Lady Packers have an opportunity to do something special this year.

Contributors

Robert Preston, Jr.,

Features & Commentary

Jennifer Alexander, Graphic Designer

We also spent a few minutes with Erick Winston Jr., an elementary student in Valdosta who was born three months early with a host of medical issues, not the least of which was acute kidney disease. As a result, EJ, as he’s known to his friends and family, underwent a kidney transplant a few years ago. After being toild he would never play contact sports, he’s now a fantastic athlete who plays football, basketball, and baseball. He plays several different skill positions in football and takes a lot of hits. You’d never be able to tell he has dealt with so many serious medical problems by watching him play. He is an inspiration to everyone around him.

And, of course, we still have a few football features in December, including a look at two players from Fitzgerald High School, as well as a story on the air rifle team in Tift County. Air rifle is growing in popularity in our area and several of our teams are doing quite well around the state.

This is the time of the year in which we are always shocked that it is almost time to bring in a new year. But it’s hard to believe 2014 is already over!

We are ready to close out the year and usher in the winter and spring sports seasons in 2015. Thanks for reading and have a great holiday season.

For distribution or subscription information contact: info@inthegamemagazine.com For advertising information call: 888-715-4263 Dykes Publishing Group, Inc. P.O. Box 812 Valdosta, GA 31603

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In the Game High School Sports Magazine is published monthly excluding July. The contents of this publication may not be reproduced in part or in full without written consent from the publisher.

Dykes Publishing Group, Inc. makes no representation or warranty of any kind for accuracy of content. All advertisements are assumed by the publisher to be correct. Copyright 2014 Dykes Publishing Group, Inc. All rights reserved. ISSN 1945-1458.

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Athletics to Academics, CCA Junior Does it All

by Robert Preston, Jr.

I

guess the year was 2006 or 2007. At the time, I was working at South Georgia College (now South Georgia State College).

I worked in the PR office and coached the cross country team. As such, I spent a lot of time in the gym during the summer and the fall.

One day, I overheard our then-athletic director, softball coach, and women’s soccer coach Rob Brunel discussing something that had happened in one of his PE classes that morning. A non-traditional student was on the treadmill during personal fitness and wasn’t particularly happy about being in the gym. Coach Brunel’s daughter, McKenzie, was in the building for a few minutes that day. He looked at his student and told her that if she could outlast McKenzie, who was probably just nine or 10 at the time, on the treadmill at whatever speed the student chose, she would get an A for the class and wouldn’t have to come back for the rest of the summer.

As the student pondered the challenge, Brunel told her to consider everything carefully. “I don’t think you’re going to beat her,” he said. The student took Brunel’s challenge, and the two hopped on adjacent treadmills. The student chose the tempo. Just over two minutes later, the student stopped her treadmill and announced that she’d just have to come to class the rest of the semester. McKenzie, meanwhile, wasn’t even breathing hard.

Now, McKenzie is a junior at Citizens Christian Academy in Douglas. Her father teaches and coaches at the school, and the Lady Patriots softball team is in the midst of a four-year run as region champions. McKenzie plays softball, basketball, and runs track, and she does all of them quite well. Her parents, Rob and Melanie, are both athletes themselves and have always encouraged and supported McKenzie in whatever sport she chose to play. These days, the lines between sports are often blurred; McKenzie moves almost seamlessly from sport to sport to sport.

Just how good is she? McKenzie has tremendous speed that makes her dangerous from the left side of the plate. She is also an excellent centerfielder who covers a lot of ground on defense. At just 5’2” and 103 pounds, she knows

how to use her speed and quickness to get to the basket.

At CCA, basketball is the premier sport (the ’12-’13 team finished second in the state). For McKenzie, softball is her first love. She has been an All Region player from eighth grade through her junior year, All State the last two years, and she led the region with 39 stolen bases this year.

McKenzie batted over .600 for the season and helped the Lady Patriots to their fourth consecutive region championship.

The track, however, is where she has really shined.

She runs the 400 meters, 100 and 300 hurdles, and the 4x100 and 4x400 relays. She went to state for the first time as an eighth grader. A year later, she won first place in the 100 hurdles, 300 hurdles, and 400 meters. She ended up as the second overall girl in the region that year. At state, she was third in both hurdle events and fourth in the 400 meters. Last year, McKenzie won both hurdle events and the 400 meters at region as well as the individual region championship. At the state meet, she was second in the 100 and 300 hurdles and she won the 400 meters. Both relay teams finished in the top six as well.

As if all that weren’t enough, McKenzie is ranked #1 in her class and has a legitimate chance to be the Class of 2016’s valedictorian.

She hopes to play softball in college and become an anesthesiologist one day. She is also involved in a number of other activities at CCA, including One Act Play, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Key Club, and Lion’s Club. She is also president of her class.

Most of the athletes I talk to here at In the Game are kids I have never before met. After we conduct our interviews, there’s a good chance we won’t ever talk again. McKenzie, however, is different. I got to know the Brunel family not long after they moved to Douglas, where I live. I have seen McKenzie grow into a tremendous athlete and young lady. To me, she exemplifies what high school sports is all about – get involved, work hard, and take the lessons from the field and apply them to other areas of life. McKenzie has already accomplished a great deal, but her greatest accomplishments lie ahead. She is indeed a special young lady. ITG 9

The Meaning of Christmas

Aimee Staten Echols County High Senior - Shooting Guard

Micah Johnson What does Christmas mean to you?

Tift County High Sophomore - Point Guard

Family What do you want for Christmas this year?

Another championship ring Will you be practicing during the holiday break? Yes Christmas Favorites Food: Red Velvet Cake Pastime: Working on my game Decoration: Christmas Cookies Song: “Last Christmas” Reindeer: Rudolph

Paxton King Echols County High Junior - Power Forward

What does Christmas mean to you?

A holiday to enjoy with family and friends What do you want for Christmas this year?

A tool box or cash Will you be practicing during the holiday break? Yes, mostly on shooting and a lot of jump rope Christmas Favorites Food: Honey Baked Ham Pastime: Basketball Decoration: Nativity Scene Song: “Jingle Bells” Reindeer: Blitzen 10

What does Christmas mean to you?

To celebrate the life of Jesus and to be together with your friends and family What do you want for Christmas this year?

New winter clothes Will you be practicing during the holiday break? Yes Christmas Favorites Food: Cookies Pastime: Spending time with friends and family Decoration: Christmas tree Song: “Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer” Reindeer: Prancer

On the Cover Preston Horne, Jr

Di’era DeLoatch

Tift County High Sophomore- Forward/Center

Lowndes High Junior - Power Forward

What does Christmas mean to you?

What does Christmas mean to you?

The day Jesus Christ was born

Sharing special memories & moments with your family and remembering the birth of Christ

What do you want for Christmas this year?

Another championship ring

What do you want for Christmas this year? iPhone6

Will you be practicing during the holiday break?

A big, YES!

Will you be practicing during the holiday break? No, but I’ll be going to therepy

Christmas Favorites Food: Dressing Pastime: Basketball Decoration: Christmas tree lights Song: “Last Christmas” Reindeer: Rudolph

Christmas Favorites Food: Sweet potatoe casserole Pastime: Working on my game Decoration: Christmas tree Song: “Jingle Bells” Reindeer: Rudolph

Justin Williams

Tyrie Jackson

Valdosta High Junior - Shooting Guard

Tift County High Junior - Shooting Guard

What does Christmas mean to you?

The most exciting time of year What do you want for Christmas this year? New NBA basketball goal Will you be practicing during the holiday break? Yes Christmas Favorites Food: Cookies (chocolate) Pastime: Basketball Decoration: Christmas tree Song: “Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer” Reindeer: Rudolph

What does Christmas mean to you?

Family

What do you want for Christmas this year?

Another championship ring Will you be practicing during the holiday break? Yes Christmas Favorites Food: Dressing Pastime: Basketball Decoration: Candy canes Song: “Last Christmas” Reindeer: Rudolph

11

2014 Red Nose Run 5K and Half Marathon

by Sarah Turner

photos courtesy of The Thomasville JSL

S 2013 Half Marathon Winner - Ryan Kelly and JSL President Mandy West

ometimes, it is difficult finding an event that lets you set a new personal record and give back to the community all while wearing a good pair of antlers. If this “lack-of-event” is an issue of yours, look no further. You can do all of the above at the 2014 Red Nose Run 5K and Half Marathon in Thomasville on December 13.

The event is put on by the Thomasville Junior Service League, a women’s organization dedicated to meeting the economic, recreational, cultural, and medical needs of children in the community. The Red Nose Run is completely nonprofit, and all proceeds will go to children in the community.

“The Junior Service League puts a lot of effort and love into the event,” Todd Smoot, owner of A Course/ Line, LLC said. “The police are very supportive, the course has been certified, and the ladies utilize/acquire resources available to put on a top notch event.”

The run has been very successful in the past, and event planners only hope to see its popularity grow.

“Last year it was cold, there was lots of hot chocolate, but it was tons of fun!” Amanda Gates, JSL member and race coordinator, said.

The half marathon (13.1 miles) and 5K (3.1 miles) will begin and end at the Millpond Road entrance at Thomas University. According to Gates, the race is not traditionally competitive.

“I think the runners are more competitive with their own times than they are with other runners,” Gates said. “There are lots of marathons and half marathons that come out in the spring, but this is more of a training session for many of the runners.”

And training runners will do. According to former runners, the course is not your everyday South Georgia course. Half marathon winner and Valdosta High Cross Country coach, Ryan Kelly, enjoyed the event, but admitted the course was challenging.

“Runners can expect to be in a constant elevation flux as they experience hills that vary from long with a slight grade to short with a steep grade,” Kelly said. “I would encourage every regional runner to participate in this event at least once.”

If you’ve ever considered running in a half marathon, this certified course is ideal for a first timer.

Not to mention, half marathons aren’t as common as shorter race distances in South Georgia, so travel would be less of an expense.

Whether you’re in it to win it, or just to get a Saturday run in, be sure to remember you’re helping some child, somewhere. So strap on your flashiest red nose, tighten up your laces, and hit the roads with hundreds of other community members to get a taste of winter and holiday spirit. ITG

Saturday, December 13th at 8 a.m.

Thomas University 2013 Half Marathon Overall Female winner Sarah Batt, Female Masters Winner - Mary Anne Grayson, and JSL President Mandy West

Cost: Half Marathon Half Marathon without shirt 5K 5K without shirt Note: there is a $2-3 sign-up fee

$50 $40 $20 $10

Awards: Overall, Masters and Age group awards All half marathon participants will receive a medal

Sign up online: www.jslthomasville.com/red-nose-run 13

College Savings Plans If you are looking for a wise investment for your family’s future, saving for college is a smart place to start.

Although there are various options, a 529 college savings plan gets high marks for its tax benefits and flexibility. And since it’s an investment, the sooner you start saving, the more you’ll have when you need it.

There are two types of 529 plans: savings and prepaid tuition. Savings plans are available in most states, while the prepaid plans are less common.

The biggest benefits of these state- or school-operated ‘qualified tuition programs’ are: • The earnings are tax free if used for qualified higher education expenses.

• The funds are controlled by the person who opened the account until they are withdrawn.

• Significant contributions can be made by you, family members or friends.

• And these plans can be set up for your children, grandchildren … even for yourself.

So what’s the difference between a savings and prepaid tuition plan?

Savings plan Think of the savings plan as an investment, with your earnings based on the performance of the stock market. The 529 savings options are a lot like mutual funds, with the offerings usually being a mix of stocks and bonds, and they are likely to be offered with choices at various levels of risk – from aggressive to conservative.

These plans – which generally earn more money than traditional savings accounts like money markets or CD’s - are offered by most states. The money and its earnings can be used for both undergraduate and graduate costs - including tuition, room and board, even computers and peripheral equipment – at any accredited college or university.

A benefit of this type of plan is that you can invest one state’s plan and send your child to a school in a different state. And, if you like, you can move your money once a year into a plan that might be more attractive in another state.

You can invest in any state’s 529 savings plan and your earnings are not subject to federal income taxes when used for qualified education costs. While the actual contributions are not deductible on your federal taxes, some states do allow this type of deduction.

Prepaid plan

although some plans might cover other expenses as well. And most prepaid plans have age or grade limits for the beneficiary.

Since these plans are usually targeted at the schools offering them, make sure you check to see what your money-transfer options would be if your child or beneficiary chooses a different school to attend.

An advantage of this type of plan is that your payments lock in future college costs and the plan must make good on its promise.

Things to keep in mind: While 529 college plans are attractive because their earnings are tax-free when the money is used for qualified education expenses, another big benefit is that large amounts of money can be deposited for the beneficiary – in excess of $300,000 for some plans.

Contributions under $14,000 annually fall under the federal gift tax exclusion and a lump-sum deposit of up to $70,000 can be spread out over five years and still qualify. To make saving easier, automatic transfers can also be set up from your checking or savings accounts.

The plans are also professionally managed, but you’ll want to check on any fees associated with the plan you choose.

Financial Facts Fitness

529

provided by

There also are other considerations to be aware of.

If the money in the plan isn’t used for qualified education expenses, you face a 10% withdrawal penalty on the earnings (not the principal), and the withdrawn earnings will also be taxed at your regular income tax rate.

MEMBER FDIC

However, if your child decides not to attend school, the person who controls the account could name another beneficiary for the money and it could be used for that new person’s qualified educational costs.

The money in a 529 account will have some effect on financial aid applications. Be sure to check with an advisor on how this is affected by federal or school rules.

And as part of any financial planning, make sure to do your research on the options you have, and check with a trusted financial advisor on the various plans’ options and risk levels.

These plans allow you to pay money now to lock in future college costs, but they are less widely available than the 529 savings plans.

Depending on the type of prepaid plan, the money you pay usually allows you to cover in-state tuition costs, 15

Gerald Morgan

Caleb Ray

Ray, Morgan Lead Purple Hurricanes to Postseason in Their Final Year

by Robert Preston, Jr.

“W

hen I started playing, my dad told me to enjoy each and every game. He said it would go by fast. And it has. We’ve enjoyed playing, and we’ve come a long way. I feel like we’re keeping Fitzgerald’s football legacy going,” said Caleb Ray, the Purple Hurricanes’ 6’0,” 195-pound outside linebacker. Ray and quarterback Gerald Morgan are key members of a Fitzgerald team that

16

photography by Sarah Turner

went 9-1 in the regular season and made the playoffs for the 15th consecutive year.

Ray is a hard worker who loves everything about the game of football. He grew up playing and always wanted to be a Purple Hurricane. It’s an honor for him to step on the field each Friday night, and he wants to do the absolute best he can.

He respects his coaches and trusts their instruction.

We’ve enjoyed playing, and we’ve come a long way. I feel like we’re keeping Fitzgerald’s football legacy going,” said Caleb Ray

“I just do what I’m told. I try to hit hard, make tackles, and execute the game plan. If I do that, everything else will fall into place,” he said.

As much as he loves football, Ray’s future just might be in baseball. He’s a left-handed pitcher/center fielder who hovers around the mid-80s on the gun.

He can also play solid defense in the outfield and he can hit.

“I just love the game. It clicked with me when I was young. I love being in control of the game when I’m on the mound. I’d love to help our team make a strong playoff run this year,” he said.

Gerald Morgan never really thought he would be Fitzgerald’s quarterback.

He was a hard-hitting defensive back who loved nothing more than punishing opposing ball carriers. Morgan loved contact and wanted nothing more than to inflict as much pain as he could on anyone who came his way. But the team found itself without a quarterback this

year, and head coach Jason Strickland saw the qualities of a great leader in Morgan.

“He always shows tremendous leadership on the field. He looks like the guy who’s in charge when he’s out there,” said Coach Strickland.

Coming into this year, Morgan wanted to rush for 1,500 yards. At the time of this interview, which was conducted just before the final regular season game, Morgan had 1,438 yards on the ground and just over 1,000 yards passing.

“I believe I’ve accomplished those goals,” he said.

Morgan loves playing defense, but he has taken to the quarterback position like the proverbial duck to water. He immediately understood the responsibilities that go with playing the position, and he made up his mind to be the best quarterback he possibly could be.

“I need to be a leader. I know people are looking to me. I’ve got to do things right, and I’ve got to know every play we run. I need to know everybody else’s assignment. I have to know what everybody on the field is doing,” he said.

Morgan has done exactly what Coach Strickland and his teammates have asked of him. He’s played with confidence, and he can put the entire team on his back if need be. And every once in a while, he still gets to play defense.

“When it gets crunch time, we’ll put him in on defense,” said Coach Strickland. “He had a big interception against Irwin. But for us, he’s an offensive player.”

“Gerald is a good leader. He has to be if he’s going to play quarterback. He isn’t scared to hit, and he doesn’t fear anybody. That’s impressive and unusual for a quarterback,” said Ray. iTG

17

Will Tift County Blue Devils Repeat as State Basketball Champions?

by Robert Preston, Jr.

T

he answer many people will give to the question posed in the headline above is, of course, a resounding “No!” The Blue Devils got lucky last year, they will say. A South Georgia team won a state basketball title once, but it won’t happen again. Luck. A few key breaks. And a little more luck. Tift won one, but they won’t win again. It isn’t possible. They’ll be good, maybe make a solid playoff run, but they won’t win again. It just can’t happen.

Tift County head coach Eric Holland doesn’t listen to those kinds of comments. Neither does his team. They block out the negative, focus on the positive, and work every day toward the same goals and expectations they always have. Those goals include winning another state championship.

“Our expectations remain the same every year. We want a region title and a state championship. Those are always our goals. We have the right pieces and the right coaches. We’re at a point with the program where we don’t have to rebuild. We simply have to remodel,” he said.

The reason Coach Holland speaks with such confidence is because he wasn’t given a

photography by Micki K Photography

chance to win the title last year. He had a very good team but most thought it a less talented group than the 2012-2013 squad, which included Tadric Jackson (now at Georgia Tech) and Brannen Greene (now at University of Kansas). If the Blue Devils couldn’t win a title with that team, they certainly couldn’t win the year after they left.

The Blue Devils, however, weren’t listening.

“We were written off. Nobody thought we could win with last year’s group. But we did,” said Coach Holland. And if they’re going to win this year, it’s going to happen with what amounts to a brand new team. Tift lost eight players from last year’s team. Seven are back, four of which saw significant playing time. Those four – Tyree Jackson, Jalen Lewis, Preston Horne, and Hayden Mullinex – will have to lead the Blue Devils this year. “This is a different team, but we still build on our core principles. They are more athletic and we’re going to be more of a full-court team than the half-court game we played last year,” said Coach Holland. “They are willing to work and sacrifice for the good of the team. They are young, but this is one of the best teams I’ve ever coached.”

One thing Tift has been careful to do is not

to spend too much time looking back at the title run from a year ago. The coaches don’t wear their championship rings very often, and they don’t spend a lot of time talking about the title.

Instead, they focus on this season and what is yet to come. “It’s business as usual. These kids are who’s next for us. We want to look forward as a coaching staff. We want them to create their own image and destiny as a team,” said Holland.

And what identity is that? One of hard work, sacrifice, and a willingness to put personal goals aside for the betterment of the team.

“Everybody has to sacrifice something individually on a daily basis. We have to focus and put in the time required to get better. Right now, nobody knows their names. They have to create that for themselves. And when they walk out of that gym, people will know who they are,” he said.

So where does Coach Holland believe his team will be at the end of the season? If the Blue Devils stay on task and remain committed to the team concept and establishing their own dominance, they will be successful. “In January, we will be one of the best teams in the state,” he said. iTG 19

        

Phoebe Orthopaedic Specialty Group Robert S. Pilcher, M.D., PhD Troy E. Skidmore, DO Nur Nurbhai, DO Kiyoshi Yamazki, MD Brandow Glow, PA-C Augusta E. Soltero, MD 

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Timeless Moments in Sports

December

12.9.1984

12.7.1980

It’s Never Over

After trailing 35-0 at halftime the San Francisco 49ers recorded the largest comeback in NFL regular-season history. The 49ers were able to force overtime before defeating the New Orleans Saints, 38-35, on a 36-yard field goal by Ray Wersching.

12.13.1983

Running Away with History Los Angeles Rams running back Eric Dickerson set a new NFL record for rushing yards in a single season. His 215-yard performance against the Houston Oilers pushed him past the previous record of 2,003 yards (held by O.J. Simpson of the Buffalo Bills). Dickerson’s season total of 2,105 yards still stands to this day.

December Birthdays

Scoring in Bunches

Aaron Rodgers – December 2, 1983

(Quarterback, Green Bay Packers)

The Detroit Pistons defeated the Denver Nuggets in a tripleovertime contest by a score of 186-184. In the process, numerous records were set: most points scored in a game by one team (Detroit, 186), most total points scored in a game (370), most field goals scored by one team (Detroit, 74), most combined field goals (142), and most combined assists in a game (93).

Larry Bird – December 7, 1956

(Hall-of-Fame Forward, Boston Celtics)

Rex Ryan – December 13, 1962 (Head Coach, Hew York Jets)

LeBron James – December 30, 1984 (Small Forward, Cleveland Cavaliers)

Gabby Douglas – December 31, 1995 (Gymnast, Olympic Gold Medalist)

12.22.1971

27 and Counting With a 127-120 win over the Baltimore Bullets, the Los Angeles Lakers set a new record for consecutive wins (27), surpassing the former record held by the 1916 New York Giants (now known as the San Francisco Giants). The streak would eventually reach 33 games before a loss to the Milwaukee Bucks, and still stands as the longest in any major-league professional sport.

12.26.1919

Gone, Babe, Gone Struggling financially, Boston Red Sox owner Harry Frazee decided to sell baseball legend Babe Ruth’s rights to the New York Yankees for $125,000 and a $300,000 loan. Ruth had already set records for home runs in a season (29) and led the American League with 103 runs and 114 RBIs; during this time, the Red Sox had also won three championships. This transaction began what would be known as “The Curse of the Bambino;” Boston would go without a World Series victory 85 years, finally reclaiming the top prize in 2004.

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22

The Life of a 6A Cheerleader

by Robert Preston, Jr.

E

very football team, from recreation league up to the NFL, has cheerleaders. They are there every game, cheering, dancing, performing, and inspiring.

For most fans, their only glimpse of cheerleaders is what takes place on game day, and they may neither understand nor realize just how difficult cheering is. The sport – and yes, cheering, both sideline and competition – are legitimate sports that take tremendous work, sacrifice, and talent.

Some of the best football in the state is played here in South Georgia. The cheerleading squads that support those teams are also among the best you will find anywhere. This month, three cheerleaders from different Region 1-6A programs share a few insights regarding what it takes and what it means to be a cheerleader in Georgia’s highest classification.

For most cheerleaders, their initial exposure to the sport came when they were very young – in elementary school attending high school games with their parents, seeing cheerleaders from the high school come to their campus for pep rallies, or both. The impressions the varsity cheerleaders make on young girls cannot be overstated.

“I remember players and cheerleaders coming to see us when I was in elementary school. I looked up to the cheerleaders and I wanted to be one,” says Alexandra Hall, a senior cheerleader at Valdosta High School who also cheers on the competition team. Tift County junior Addie Eanes, who moved to Tifton from Vidalia when she was in the sixth grade, agrees. “I loved the colors at Tift County. When we moved here and

A l e x a n d r a

photography by Micki K Photography

I saw the uniforms, I immediately wanted to wear one. When the varsity girls came to pep rallies at the middle school, I told myself, ‘I really want to do that,’” she recalls.

What those impressionable elementary students don’t realize is how difficult it is to be a cheerleader. They practice just like other teams.

They spend summers training, lifting weights, tumbling, conditioning. They also put themselves at tremendous risk; few sports have the number of serious injuries that cheering does. Being a cheerleader is also like being a member of an exclusive club. There are only a few slots available and hundreds of girls often try out in hopes of finding their way on the team. “It’s an honor for me to cheer. We only have 16 spots and so many people try out. It’s nerve-wracking. You

M e g

don’t know if you’re going to make it. It takes a lot of work to make the team,” says Meg Glorius, a junior cheerleader at Lowndes High School.

What takes place on the sidelines on Friday night is but a small part of what cheerleaders actually do. The girls spend upwards of 15 hours per week practicing. They also support and encourage the football players and become almost an extension of the team. They celebrate the team wins, they feel the sting when games don’t go their way. “One of the hardest parts is dealing with losses. It’s not easy,” says Glorius. In fact, all three young ladies agreed that one of the best things about cheering is getting to know the players and encouraging them each and every week. They feel like a part of the program and they want to do their best to inspire the players to

A d d i e

win each Friday night.

While a lot of what goes on behind the scenes is extremely important to the vitality of a program, cheerleaders make their bones on Friday nights, in front of the crowd, performing for an entire game. Cheering is very much an aerobic sport, one that requires both strength and endurance. “We are constantly moving. We stunt.

We jump. We dance. We have to memorize hundreds of cheers and about 20 dances. It takes a lot of dedication,” says Eanes. The girls consider themselves performers and they put themselves out there in front of some of the largest gatherings their communities will see all year. “I love everything about it. I consider myself a performer, and I love being in front of people doing what I love to do,” says Glorius.

When you talk to cheerleaders, they say the same thing about their sport as other athletes do about theirs. They mention the hours at practice.

The long summer workouts. The demanding nature of their games. The emotional ups and downs that come with winning and losing. They have a lot at stake on Friday nights; they celebrate the wins and mourn the losses just like the players and coaches do. “Cheering takes a lot of work and a lot of time. You always have to be on your game, in shape, and you have to know the game of football. You’ve got to know the game to know how to cheer for it. You spend a lot of time with the team and you represent your school as well. We want to represent our school as well as we can,” says Hall. ITG

23

VHS Cornerback Commits to Ohio State

by Robert Preston, Jr.

P

atience.

It’s a word Valdosta High cornerback Josh Norwood uses often.

Norwood, a 6’0,” 175-pound senior, is a ferocious player. He is a versatile young man who gives his coaches tremendous options. He plays in the secondary but also returns kicks and punts. Norwood is a playmaker who doesn’t let much get by him, but he doesn’t seek the spotlight. He simply steps on the field each Friday night and does the best he can. And as it turns out, his best often attracts a lot of attention.

A varsity starter since he was a sophomore, Norwood worked tirelessly to get in varsity games as quickly as he possibly could. When he was named a starter as a 10th-grader, it was one of the most significant moments of his career.

“It surprised me. I worked hard to earn it, but it was nice that my coaches recognized the effort. It meant a lot to me,” he said.

Norwood has since rewarded his coaches by becoming one of the best players in the state. This season, the Wildcats finished 9-1, took the second seed in the playoffs, and hosted a home playoff game for the first time in many years. To Norwood, it was a great way to cap his career: to have a season reminiscent of Wildcat teams of the past.

“We had to grow closer as a team. It’s about relationships, both among teammates and between players and coaches. We had to play as a unit, and we did more of that as the season went on,” he said.

As a senior on one of the best Valdosta High teams in a long time, Norwood had to grow up and show he was a leader. He knew that coming into the season, and he took that responsibility very seriously.

“I knew I had to develop leadership skills,” he said. “We’ve had our ups and downs, but we’ve grown as a team. We’re a lot closer now than we were at the beginning of the season.”

Norwood finished the regular season with six interceptions and two touchdowns. One of his scores came on a 37-yard pick-six on a screen pass against Swainsboro. The other came on the opening kick against Veterans (Kathleen, Ga.). He scampered 77 yards to the end zone on that play.

What is the secret to his success? Besides his tremendous athletic ability, Norwood doesn’t rush things on the field. He plays methodically and lets the play develop in front of him. When he sees what’s about to happen, he reacts – and he does so in a hurry.

“You have to be patient. I can do a lot of things on the field. I can make plays, but I also try to put my teammates in position to make plays as well,” he said.

Norwood’s style of play had colleges across the country seeking his services. He had decided to go to Cincinnati – until the Ohio State Buckeyes came calling. He was immediately impressed with the school, especially the football program.

“I like the confidence of the program. They are a confident team, like us at Valdosta. I like the coaching staff, and it’s where I want to be for the next four years. I feel like it’s a place I can grow as a player and a young man,” he said.

Norwood also plays basketball and runs track. With his athletic ability, he can play almost any position on the court. On the track, he runs the 110 hurdles, the 300 hurdles, 400 meters, and the 4x100 and 4x400 relays. This year, however, he may not play either sport.

He believes he has the credits he needs to graduate early. If so, he will leave Valdosta High this month and enroll at Ohio State.

At the time In the Game spoke with Norwood, football’s regular season had just ended, and the Wildcats were preparing for the postseason.

What were Norwood’s goals heading into the second season?

“We have to focus and prepare ourselves.

We have one goal: To get to the Dome.” ITG

Norwood is a playmaker who doesn’t let much get by him, but he doesn’t seek the spotlight. He simply steps on the field each Friday night and does the best he can. And as it turns out, his best often attracts a lot of attention.

25

Camaraderie Fuels Hard Work and Determination of Valiant Duo

by James Washington

M

any sports enthusiasts will agree that football can be a much less personal game than others. It can be hard to relate to a player when their face and head are almost always covered by a bulky helmet and facemask. If not for the numbers on a player’s jersey, their identity quite often remains a mystery.

Being able to see the players’ faces tends to add a different feel to the viewing experience; you may not know each player individually, but for a split second, it almost feels as if you can connect with them.

Every so often, on the sidelines of Goddard Field, amongst the crowd of competitors, you’ll see two players in particular engaging in conversation near the Gatorade cooler. One wears jersey #2, and the other, #8. Hand gestures and calm reactions are the driving force behind their exchanges. If you’re lucky, one of them may crack a smile every once in a while. What makes the interactions between these two special, however, is the fact that their mannerisms appear so similar. It’s almost as if each one can anticipate the reaction of the other; as if there is a connection between them that extends far beyond the gridiron.

But then the two remove their helmets. And the confirmation is clear: These two are much more than

photography by Michael Chapman

just teammates. They are brothers. Twin brothers.

Indistinguishable to the point that, aside from the unique number adorning their uniforms, it is nearly impossible to tell them apart.

Meet Zach and Zane Edmondson. Separated by only one minute (Zane is older), the boys are as close as siblings can be. The only children of Steve and Trish Edmondson, they share a strong love of family and friends that can easily carry a person through anything. That loyalty and solidarity seamlessly translates into their everyday lives as Valiants.

After transferring to Valwood from Brooks County High School (Quitman, Ga.) prior to their sophomore year, both boys quickly found their niche on the football field. Their quick acceptance on the gridiron easily translated to a feeling of belonging in every aspect of their new academic setting.

“It’s just an excellent environment to be in,” Zane said. “We heard a lot of great things about Valwood, and it feels good to know that it was all true. I have a good relationship with all of my teammates, and the fans are great.”

Zane offered arguably his best season of his high school career as a junior. In 2013, he rushed for 957 yards on 102 attempts (both team-highs), and he added 12 touchdowns on the ground, which was a tie

for the most out of the backfield. Through the air, he was just as valuable, hauling in 14 receptions (totaling 161 yards) and one touchdown. Defensively, he accounted for three and a half tackles (two solo) for a Valiants team that posted a near-flawless season (12-1, 5-0 in Region 3-AA), going undefeated before falling to the Blue Thunder of Memorial Day Academy (Savannah, Ga.) in the GISA Class AA State Championship. His impressive season was enough to get him named to the GISA All-Region (3-AA) team.

Though a collarbone injury heavily restricted Zach’s playing time in 2013, he was still able to contribute when healthy, giving the team 152 yards on 18 carries (with one touchdown). On the opposing side of the ball, he made his presence known at the defensive end, totaling three and a half tackles on the season (two solo). “(Zach) was out for eight weeks last season,” said Valwood head football coach Ashley Henderson.

“He came back for the last regular season game and played throughout the playoffs. He worked just as hard when he returned, trying to get his timing back and get back on the field. His time was limited because Zane had such a good year and was so explosive at the running back position. He is now better than ever and 100 percent.”

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Both boys are tremendous assets to Valwood’s football team, who, at the time of this writing, are 8-1 (including 5-0 in their region) after moving up a class before the season, from AA to AAA. Through the first nine games, Zane totaled 325 yards and four touchdowns on 83 rushing attempts.

While the 2014 season has proven to be more of the same for him, it has also served as a reminder to the opposition that, when healthy, Zach can be just as dangerous.

Zach has put together an impressive season, responsible for 278 yards on 23 carries. He has also recorded 14 tackles and one interception on defense, as well as a special teams touchdown on a kickoff return.

“I refused to get down or discouraged when I went out last season,” Zach said. “I know that everything happens for a reason, so I just trusted that God would take care of me and I pushed myself to come back strong.”

Once football season ends, the boys lose the helmets and head to the track, where Zach competes in 100-meter, 200-meter, 400-meter, 4x1, and 4x4 relays. Zane takes part in the 100-meter, 400-meter, 4x1, and 4x4. Each has won bronze medals at the state championships for Valwood.

The brothers have proven to be outstanding assets, both athletically and academically. But what sets them apart from the pack is their dedication to leadership and

camaraderie. Both are seen as tremendous leaders in the locker room and on the field.

“Zach and Zane are good Christian leaders, first and foremost,” Coach Henderson said. “They are strong in their faith and are a friend to everyone on the team. They are also gifted athletes and football players.”

Both boys have their future in sight. They are applying to the University of Oregon, University of Louisville, and Liberty University. Zach plans to major in sports management, while Zane has decided on psychology.

“Valwood has teachers that genuinely want you to succeed,” Zach said. “Also, I’ve met some great people since coming here. I have made some life-long friendships from being here.”

Prior to the 2013 season, the football team coined a one-word catchphrase to sum up their focus for the year: “Relentless.” The team had a unified mindset that nothing could stand in their way. Zach and Zane Edmondson are ideal personifications of their team mantra. With the perfect combination of a strong work ethic, a calm, cool demeanor, and their “never-say-die” attitudes, whether or not they will find success after high school, is all but a mystery. ITG

Team (College and/or pro): Oregon

Zane’s Favorites:

Ducks, Georgia Bulldogs

Meal: Steak, mashed potatoes Snack: Sunflower seeds

Athlete:

Movie: Fury Actor/Actress: Alicia von Rittberg

Subject: English Place to travel: Europe

Marcus Mariota

Zach’s Favorites:

Meal: Grilled chicken (with A1 steak sauce), greens, mashed potatoes

Snack: Dill pickles,

sunflower seeds Movie: God’s Not Dead, Soul Surfer Actor/Actress: Shia LeBeouf, Jennifer Lawrence, AnnaSophia Robb Team (College and/or pro):

Oregon Ducks

Athlete: LaMichael James, Bethany Hamilton Subject: Composition Place to travel: Europe 29

Joneria Grant Colquitt County High School

Player Spotlight

Presented by:

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Colquitt Senior Steps Out of the Shadows and Into the Spotlight

J

by Robert Preston, Jr.

photography by Micki K Photography

oneria Grant, an 18-year-old senior point guard for the Colquitt County Lady Packers, is standing on the cusp of an exciting season. She has an opportunity upon which she has been waiting for a long time. As one of just three seniors on this year’s team, she will be tasked with leading the Lady Packers on and off the floor. The team is hers. They will go where she goes.

And she has the talent to take them a long, long way.

Grant isn’t very big. In fact, she’s quite tiny. She stands just 4’11” – beyond small, even by women’s basketball standards – but she has never let her size (or lack thereof) stand in her way. Grant began playing basketball in the seventh grade. By her eighth-grade year, she knew she could be pretty good; she just had to keep working and staying focused on becoming the best player she could be.

At first, Grant relied more on her speed than anything else. She was fast, athletic, and coachable, but she didn’t know the game very well.

“She has worked very hard to become a good player. It’s been amazing to see her develop. She has learned how to use her size to her advantage, she has a good jump shot, she can make lay-ups, and she can play defense. She’s the total package, although it’s a pretty small package,” said Rondesha Williams, the Lady Packers’ head coach, followed by a laugh.

Last year, Grant worked her way into the starting line-up. She shared the floor with Makeba Ponder, who scored 2,200 points during her career, was an All-State player, a former featured athlete on the pages of this magazine, and now plays at Georgia State. “Joneria is now ready to make a statement. The spotlight is hers. She will have to lead us and she will drive this team,” Coach Williams said.

This summer, Colquitt played 40 games during the offseason. Grant showed she was quite capable of doing everything Coach Williams will ask of her this season. A year ago, Grant averaged nine points, four assists, and three rebounds per game. To get Colquitt back to the playoffs, Grant will have to be the Lady Pack’s leading scorer and turn around and lead the team on defense.

Grant is particularly comfortable on the defensive end of the floor. “I try to stop the ball up top. I play my hardest on defense. It’s the best part of my game,” she said.

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The biggest challenge Grant will face this year will be leading a group of freshmen throughout the season. To be successful, everyone must buy in to what Coach Williams and her staff are trying to do. Four years ago, Grant decided to do that very thing, and her game had benefitted tremendously.

Now she has to show the underclassmen the same thing.

“It’s going to be a big task but she can handle it. She’s fast, confident, and very relaxed. She plays a nice, smooth, fundamentally sound game. She’s been a joy to coach these last four years,” Coach Williams said.

What does the future hold for Joneria Grant? She would love to play basketball in college, though she doesn’t have any offers just yet. Coach Williams is confident her star point guard will find a spot on a college roster. “She will be able to play. She’ll just have to find the right fit – maybe a junior college or a smaller four-year school,” she said. iTG

Joneria’s Favorites:

Team: Oklahoma City Thunder Player: Kevin Durant Subject: Math Least favorite: Literature Pepsi or Coke? Pepsi Best movie of the last year: The Hunger Games: Catching Fire Place to travel: Hawaii

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O

ne could point to any one of several reasons why the Colquitt County Packers finished the regular season as the state’s top-ranked 6A program with a perfect 10-0 record and a Region 1-6A title. On a team loaded with collegiate talent, one player has proven to be the catalyst for the Packers. Sihiem King, a 5’8”, 175pound Colquitt County native has in many ways carried the Colquitt County offense for the last couple of years.

He’s a fleet-footed and sure-handed running back, equally adept at making plays with his legs and his hands. King has rushed for over 2,500 yards and over 30 touchdowns in his career. A two-star recruit who has earned both All Region and All State honors, King took a few minutes out of a busy schedule that included preparation for the first round of the state playoffs to answer a few questions for us.

In the Game: When did you start playing football?

Sihiem King: When I was seven years old. I wasn’t sure if I was going to keep playing when I first started. But seeing my two older brothers play made me keep playing. I didn’t want to be the one left out. I had to toughen up.

ITG: What were your goals coming in to this season?

SK: I wanted to be a leader to our underclassmen. I also wanted to win region and state.

ITG: Do you feel like you’ve accomplished those goals?

SK: I think I’ve accomplished the first two. To be a good leader, I had to go hard every day and try to set a good example. I wanted to make sure everybody had the same mindset our team.

ITG: Who is your biggest inspiration?

SK: My brother, Tevin King. He tells me what he’s learned, and he’s always stayed on top of me to make sure I made good grades and kept a good attitude. (Note: Tevin King, a former Packer and featured athlete in In the Game, currently plays football for Louisiana Tech.)

ITG: What’s been the biggest moment of your career?

SK: Any time I score a game-winning touchdown for my team. It happened two or three times last year. This year, it happened against Camden. We were down 21-24 with about six minutes left in the game. I was able to run 48 yards for a touchdown, and we won 28-24.

Ten Questions With

Sihiem King

by Robert Preston Jr.

ITG: What’s been the most challenging aspect of this season?

SK: Our region. It’s tough down here. The Camden game was our toughest. They came out faster than we expected and they attacked us harder than we thought they would.

ITG: What do you think you do well on the field?

SK: I think I have good speed and quickness. I’m also determined to win and I think I have good leadership.

ITG: How have you blocked out the distractions and attention Colquitt County has received this year?

SK: As seniors, we tell the underclassmen to stay humble and always focus. That’s the big thing – you have to stay humble.

ITG: What does the future hold for you?

SK: I’m still undecided. I have about 13 college offers. Most are Division I schools. But I haven’t decided where I’m going yet.

ITG: What’s the biggest lesson football has taught you?

SK: Good character and leadership.

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Erick Winston Jr.

Overcomes the Odds to Excel at Three Different Sports

by Robert Preston, Jr.

W

photography by Micki K Photography

hen Erick “EJ” Winston Jr. was born in 2003,

he was lucky to be alive. He arrived three months early, very sick, and in serious condition. EJ brought with him a host of medical problems, including multiple kidney ailments.

Though he was premature, he still weighed over seven pounds, mainly due to all the fluid he was retaining.

Doctors were optimistic that he would survive, but his parents, Shaneka and Erick Winston Sr., were told that little EJ wouldn’t be able to play sports, particularly contact sports.

The doctors may have told EJ’s parents he couldn’t play, but they never told EJ. And if they had, he probably wouldn’t have listened anyway. He made it through the critical period and grew into an active, athletic young man. His kidneys always gave him problems, and he always retained a little fluid, but he never for a minute slowed down. EJ even started playing flag football when he was six years old. He was surprisingly fast and nimble, and everyone could see that he had the chance to become a really good player down the road.

His kidneys, however, refused to cooperate. When EJ was born, he had general kidney disease, but he also had an enlarged bladder. That caused urine to back up in his kidneys, resulting in further damage. Doctors knew he would one day require a kidney transplant.

That day came sooner than everyone expected.

In 2009, just before EJ’s flag football games began, his kidneys shut down. He needed a kidney transplant.

Doctors discovered Erick Sr. was a match, and on Sept.

1, 2009, he donated a kidney to his son.

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“We were told he couldn’t play any contact sports after the transplant,” Shaneka Winston said.

When a patient undergoes a kidney transplant, the new kidney is placed in the front of the recipient’s abdomen, around his or her belly button. That

particular area isn’t designed to protect a kidney, making the new kidney more susceptible to injury. During EJ’s recovery, though, a doctor saw him goofing around with a football. He could see that EJ had a little gridiron talent and immediately began thinking of a way to get him back on a football field.

“One of EJ’s doctors said that he needed to be playing football. He thought that if we put EJ in a brace to protect the kidney and made sure he stayed hydrated, things would be fine,” Shaneka said.

As amazing as it sounds, six months after the transplant, EJ was back playing football. “My cousin, Aaron Winston, played for Lowndes. He encouraged me to play. But I got sick. When I got better, I wanted to play tackle football,” EJ said.

Turning EJ loose on the field, even with a brace, was scary – particularly considering the position in which he plays. EJ spends time all over the field – quarterback, running back, wide receiver, and cornerback. He even punts on occasion.

Because of where he plays, he often has a target on his back. He is in the line of fire and he gets hit often.

How does his mother handle it? “I get concerned any time one of our players gets hit,” she said. “Since he’s been playing, we haven’t had any scares or injuries.” In addition to overcoming plenty of obstacles just to get on the field, he has the talent to secure a starting spot and the big-play ability to be an integral part of his team’s success. Playing for the 4th and 5th grade Vikings from Moulton Branch Elementary, the 11-year-old threw a game-winning touchdown pass with 24 seconds on the clock to beat Pine Grove 13-12. “I’m going to keep playing as long as I can – all the way up to the NFL. I want to play for the Seattle Seahawks.

Then I will be able to take care of all my family’s bills,” he says.

EJ, who also plays basketball, was scheduled to undergo another round of tests in early November. The new kidney has moved and is now sitting under his

rib cage on his right side. That isn’t a problem – in fact, it provides the kidney with an extra layer of protection. What is a problem is a build-up of fluid around the new kidney. Doctors will run more tests to find out exactly what is going on, so EJ still has his fair share of challenges to overcome. However, he remains optimistic and committed to being as active as he possibly can be. His family is right there by his side the whole way. “We want him to keep playing as long as he can,” says Shaneka Winston. ITG

41

Pair of Seniors Lead Tift’s Riflery Team

by Robert Preston, Jr.

S

elf-control. Cardiovascular fitness. A short memory. Razor sharp focus. A steady hand.

Such are the qualities that make one an accurate shooter. And Hannah Rucker and Miles McDonald, a pair of seniors on Tift County High’s air rifle team, have all five in bunches.

Shooting sports are growing in the South Georgia area. Most 4-H programs have had some kind of shooting sports for a long time. Finding a high school that offers these sports in South Georgia has been difficult until recently. Now an established sport, air rifle offers participants a different kind of sporting participation.

“The people you get to know through shooting makes it a fun sport. It’s not physically demanding, but it is very challenging. I also didn’t want to wait four years to get on the varsity team like you do with other sports,” said Miles McDonald, a 17-year-old senior.

And therein lies the beauty of the sport: It’s very difficult. It requires cardiovascular conditioning, but it doesn’t necessarily reward the biggest, strongest, and fastest. In fact, it’s one of the few sports out there in which women are often better than men. The reason?

Because women are able to remain calmer in difficult situations, and they keep their emotions in check. And that often leads to high scores.

Hannah Rucker began shooting after traveling with her dad, who was involved with the 4-H Sharpshooters team, to 4-H competitions. She started shooting in the fourth grade and enjoyed it. So she kept on pulling the trigger. Her mother, Julie Rucker, was instrumental in starting the rifle team and served as its head coach for the first few years. These days, she is an assistant coach; Brad

photography by Sarah Turner

Winger now leads the team.

Participants shoot 10 shots from three different positions: Kneeling, standing, and prone. A perfect score is 300. A 290 gets an individual shooter to state.

Rucker’s high is 288. Her goal this year is to qualify for state and to qualify for the Junior Olympic team. She has shot in three different qualifiers but hasn’t made it yet.

“I hope to make it soon,” she said.

Miles McDonald has qualified for the Junior Olympic team in precision air pistol (the rifle team participates in precision air rifle) with the Tift County 4-H team. Like Rucker, he has shown tremendous talent for the sport.

He averages a 282 but would like to record a 295 this year. The secret to his success is no secret at all: “You have to be in control. You have to know when to sit down and when to pick it up. And you have to be strong mentally. If you’re strong mentally, you will be ahead of your opponents,” he said.

To remain calm and in control, Rucker and McDonald have developed their own unique ways of controlling their emotions. Rucker writes out her plan and places it in her ammunition box. It has each position listed and what she needs to do to be successful at each phase of the competition. Before she shoots, she lies down and relaxes. McDonald practices deep breathing and wears earplugs to block out noise. The less distracted he is, the better he will shoot. And McDonald never looks back. “I always look forward,” he said. “I always look ahead, never behind.”

Both would like to shoot in college. Rucker has toured Georgia Southern University and would like to earn a spot on the Ea-

e it’s such “I like shooting becaus to beat a mental spor t. You have ll the trigyour mind. Once you pu can do. ger, there’s nothing you ot , you And if you make a bad sh u can’t let just have to move on. Yo er. it bother you,” said Ruck

gles’ rifle team. McDonald also has his eyes on a few colleges and hopes he will find an opportunity to shoot competitively beyond high school. For the time being, though, both are focused on doing the very best they can for the Blue Devils’ rifle team. The season begins in January and lasts nearly the entire semester. It can be a grind, but the kids wouldn’t want to be doing anything else. And along the way, they are learning some valuable lessons. In the fast paced world in which we currently live, the rifle team may teach the most important lesson of all. ITG

“Every thing takes time,” said McDonald.

“If you want to be good, you have to be patient.”

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Tips to defend your game from weight gain You don’t have to come back from the holidays feeling tired, heavy, and slow. Keep your gut drills speedy and your rebounds full of life with these helpful tips on avoiding the dreadful holiday weight gain:

Finger foods aren’t meant for stacking When it’s time to tackle that long table of delectable finger foods at your holiday gathering, be sure to grab the smallest plate available and keep your food limited to one layer on the plate.

Enjoy yourself, but only pick out your favorites.

You don’t need to try every kind of dip paired with each type of cracker.

Keep up your training

Nutrition Fitness

Holiday Eating:

No matter what sport you play, don’t let your physical activity level decrease. Shoot some hoops with friends in the evenings, pay your gym some attention, or sign up for one of the many holiday themed community races.

Don’t show up to the party hungry Be sure to have a light meal to fill your stomach before heading to a party where you know food will be plentiful. Have something like a warm bowl of soup or a light cappuccino—anything to keep your eyes around same size as your stomach.

by Sarah Turner

Don’t drink your calories Someplace, somewhere, there is a rule stating that to have a holiday party, you must serve the most calorie-dense drink options known to mankind.

Homemade fruit punch can range up to 200 calories per 8 ounce serving. Eggnog packs on 223 calories per serving of the same size. Sweet tea and hot chocolate aren’t far behind.

Take your time Even gatherings during the holidays aren’t all about the food. Enjoy socializing and eat slowly. This will help you avoid getting full before the main dish is even served.

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Chance Roe Leads Viking Cross Country to 6A Region Title

by Sarah Turner

photography by Micki K Photography

C

Academic Athlete

all it discipline, determination, ambition or craziness— but becoming a long distance runner leads not only to satisfaction on the race course, but also in everyday life. Chance Roe, a junior at Lowndes County High School, doesn’t pass up what running has to offer him.

This season, the boys cross country team over at Lowndes High took the region 1-6A title and, although they may not agree, they made it look effortless. They earned nearly a perfect score with their top five runners in the top seven. The squad was led by Roe. More impressive than his finishing places this season, are the numbers that flash across his stop watch at the end of each race. Running a 16:31 at the 33rd Annual Westover Invitational, Roe earned a new personal record this season which trumped last year’s season best time of 17:10 at the same meet.

“I’ve been training harder than last year,” Roe said.

“I’ve also been trying to get different types of workouts and trying to keep a variation going to keep my muscles on edge.”

Roe has had good help in his attempt at boosting his speed. Head Coach Martha Mazurkiewicz id by no means an easy coach. The Vikings cross country teams have twoa-days twice each week during their ten-meet season. As an advanced member on the team, Roe puts in between 50 and 60 miles per week which helps him at practice and during races.

“His focus and self discipline help him complete workouts that others may have more difficulty with,” Mazurkiewicz said.

According to Mazurkiewicz, his exceptional efforts at practice bleed over to other aspects of his life. She has seen his leadership qualities and his relationships with his teammates grow throughout his time at Lowndes.

In fact, Roe is already coaching. He is a coach for the Viking Runners Club where he helps improve runners’ abilities, but also mentors them on nutrition and, with younger runners, grades.

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“I help give out workouts, and I motivate some of the people who really don’t know if they want to stay in the program,” Roe said. “I just try to get them motivated so they can go faster and be the best they can be.”

It may seem difficult to have time for anything else between going to high school and knocking out 60-mile weeks.

However, adding to his coaching duties, Chance is also a member of the Beta Club and the Spanish Club. He spends his spare time studying for his AP classes to keep his A plus average.

Although still a very respectable finish, Roe didn’t run his ideal race at the GHSA 2014 State Cross Country Championships. He finished 39th out of 222 other runners who qualified for the race. His finishing time was a 17:34.

While that sounds like light speed for getting in 3.1 miles to the average person and most runners, Roe is that kind of kid who is always seeking improvement, and lucky for him, he is only a junior. Even better for him, he prefers track to cross country. Let’s wait and see what spring holds for this speedster. ITG

What’s his motivation?

Chance has his eyes set on Florida State University and wants to major in agricultural engineering.

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Games start at 1 p.m. each day TEAMS:

TIFT • VALDOSTA • WESTLAKE • COOK • LAKE WALES, FL COLQUITT • NORTH FLORIDA (EI) • WARE COUNTY DOUGHERTY • LOWNDES • PELHAM • BRUNSWICK

The Jump Shot: Perfecting the Process

by James Washington

The Catch As a shooter, you want to think a step ahead. Imagine the shot before it happens. As the pass comes to you, begin positioning your body to take the shot. Also, it helps to jump into your initial catch, as this gets your legs ready and makes your jump into your shot feel more natural. As a passer, you want to make sure your pass ends up in what is known as the shooter’s “pocket.” Usually located between the lower chest and abdominal area, a pass to this area is the easiest to convert into a shot because the motion into the shot is more fluid.

Positioning Body alignment is very important. Have your body, especially your feet, facing the basket (with your feet about shoulder-width apart). You want to keep your shooting elbow in, close to your body, and form an invisible vertical line, running from the ball, through your shooting arm, down through your knee and ending at your foot. Proper alignment makes it more likely that your shot will go straight upon release.

Release The point of a jump shot is to get an extra edge on your defender. By jumping, you create space in order to get your shot over him or her. Therefore, it is vital that your release is properly timed. You want to make sure that you are releasing your shot on the way up (towards the peak of your jump. Do not wait until you are at the peak of your jump, because this may cause a variety of problems. Releasing on the way up allows more use of your legs, while waiting until the peak of your jump causes you to rely more on the use of your upper body and arms (which will likely tire you out faster). Also, waiting until the peak of your jump gives the defender more of a chance to contest your shot.

Follow Through The shot is not over as soon as the ball is released. Many players underestimate the importance of following through after the shot. You want to make sure that, at the end of your shot, your shooting arm is completely straight, and you have also followed through with a snap of the wrist. After the release, your fingers should be pointing downward (this is often referenced by telling players to pretend they are reaching into a cookie jar).

Many young athletes attempt to emulate the form of their favorite shooters during basketball games.

Professionals such as Ray Allen, Stephen Curry, and Klay Thompson are known for their spectacular shooting ability. While their shots are all slightly different, upon closer inspection, there are a few things that make them more similar than you think. Below are a few things that make these players dangerous shooters and ways that you can improve your own jump shot.

Routine Perhaps the most important aspect of your jump shot is familiarity. A majority of jump shots are missed because a defender (or a mental lapse) causes the shooter to change their form to something uncomfortable. For all of the physical work that goes into being a good basketball player, the mental aspect is just as great (if not greater). Once you find a shooting form that works for you, make it yours.

Don’t compromise your shot.

All of these are equally important to becoming a more effective shooter, but the most important step cannot be ignored: you have to practice. Each of these tips is woven together in order to work for you, and adequate practice time is what will make them work the best for you. Furthermore, practice helps to build the confidence necessary to take the big game-winning shot. So make sure you’re putting in work outside of the game; it will make for a greater experience once you’re in the moment!

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Coach’s Corner Trojans Basketball Coach Knows the Value of the Assist

by James Washington

A

ny successful individual can tell you that prosperity does not exist without hard work and determination.

Nothing is handed to you; if you want something, you’d better be prepared to work for it.

Pernell Smith is a perfect example of the fruits of hard labor. He is now in his third season as head coach of the Coffee County High School boys’ basketball team, but the team is very familiar with their commander and what he brings to the table. Prior to taking over for the Trojans, he spent a decade and a half as an assistant coach at the school.

“During my time as an assistant (at Coffee), I had the chance to work with some terrific head coaches. Coach Henderson was always eager to teach and help me grow. I gathered exceptional organizational skills from him.

I also had the chance to coach alongside Wade Hughes, who had formerly coached me as a player as well. He’s definitely like a father figure to me.”

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photography by Mr D Photography

His team has been a presence since his arrival. After going 17-11 during the 2012-13 season, they improved slightly the following year (going 18-11 in 2013-14).

Smith’s tremendous efforts upon his arrival were enough to earn him the 2012-13 Coach of the Year award, but what stands out even more than his success in his first two seasons at the helm, is the road that he took to get to his

current position.

According to Coach Smith, the coaching bug has always been in him.

“My father, Ernest, laid the groundwork early. He provided me with the foundation to be a leader and a competitor.”

Before coming to Coffee, Coach Smith received his college education at Northwestern State University (Louisiana), where he alternated between point guard and shooting guard.

“I’ve been around sports my whole life,” Coach Smith said. “I played basketball and baseball in high school. I was also on the cross country team. Once I got to college, it was strictly basketball.”

He’s been lucky enough to have terrific mentors and coaches along the way, which only fueled his desire to one day, take over the reins of his own team.

“I’ve been blessed,” Coach Smith said.

“Growing up, I was fortunate to have (former Atlanta Braves hitting coach)

Greg Walker as my recreational league baseball coach. He taught me so much about the game, but a lot more about being a leader and taking charge.”

While Coach Smith’s teams have had respectable finishes in his first two years, he believes that there is always room for improvement. More importantly, he knows that his players have all the determination and willpower to take that next step.

He knows because he sees a little of himself in each of his boys.

“I love working with kids because I’ve been there before,” Coach Smith said. “I love seeing that next great athlete come into form.

Sometimes a player can have all the talent in the world; but it takes direction and guidance

to put it all together. I take pride in taking the different pieces that a player possesses and putting them together to make a final product.”

When he isn’t coaching, Smith is also a health and physical education teacher at the school. One of the best parts of being a Trojan is creating special bonds with the members of the basketball team.

“I have to stay on my toes with these guys,” Coach Smith said. “They’re always trying to one-up me; they think that they can beat me at everything. They know that I’m extremely competitive, so I’ll never back down from any challenge. We’ll compete in basketball, pingpong, whatever. I enjoy their fighting spirit; it keeps me young.” iTG

Before coming to Coffee, Coach Smith received his college education at Northwestern State University in Louisiana, where he alternated between point guard and shooting guard.

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photos by Sarah Turner and Mark Dykes

Lynnwood Gibson shows what being a true Packer fan is all about.

The Packers get an early lead against the Blue Devils with a kickoff return at Brodie Field.

A referee hurries to settle a dispute at

A couple girls from the Packers cheerleading squad pose between cheers.

the Tift vs. Colquitt game.

the Game Before the Game with In on 105.9! live was broadcast

The Valdosta High cheerleaders pose in front of the stage before the contests begin.

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The prize table was full at the Before the Game with In the Game on Winnersville-eve

winners could not A few Winnersville Trivia me t-shirts. wait to wear their In the Ga

Even the youngest of fans participated in Winnersville Trivia

Event host, MarkMore Dykes, youn g ands a game predict dem ion from a Hal Blue lowDevil een Exp fans ress employee.

Who wouldn’t want to participate in a Wing Eating Contest served by Buffalo Wild Wings?

A Winnersville Trivia win ner poses with her In the Game t-sh irt

The boys finished off the

competition.

The girls were up first.

Napkins and water were much needed after the very quick dinner.

The Valdosta High wing-eating team was runner-up! (VHS would later redeem themselves)

Lowndes High representatives and your 2014 winners of the In the Game Wing Eatin g Contest!

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Aushaud “Petey” Evans Valdosta Middle school

Rising Star

Presented by:

VMS Eighth Grader Has Bright Future in Wrestling, Football

by Robert Preston, Jr.

W

hen Aushaud “Petey” Evans stepped on a wrestling mat for the first time, he had no idea what to expect. He didn’t know much about wrestling; he just wanted to hang out with his friends. And one of his best friends wrestled. He quickly discovered that not only did he enjoy the sport, but he was also

photography by Micki K Photography

pretty good at it.

“I kept wrestling because it kept me active and it made me work hard. Within a couple of weeks, I was getting the hang of it,” he said.

Now in his third year on the mat, Evans has made a name for himself through his work ethic, energy, positive attitude, and, of course, his talent.

“I try to work hard. I push others to get better, and they turn around and push me as well. I also pay attention to my coach and do what he says,” he said.

His attention to detail has paid off pretty well. Evans finished last year with a 15-5 record and won two meets outright. He went to regionals but didn’t do as well as he had 57

hoped. This year, he would like to get back to regionals and move on to state. At the time of this interview, he was doing what he needed to do to make that happen – he was undefeated, and he looked to be in great earlyseason shape.

“I just need to get better and keep working. I need to find my limits and then go beyond them. That will help me get to state,” he said.

Evans is such a mild-mannered kid that his wrestling ability caught a lot of folks off guard, none more so than his grandfather, Steve Hunter, with whom Evans lives.

“He is so aggressive when he wrestles. When I saw him for the first time, I couldn’t believe it. He was fast and he could really wrestle. He was only 76 pounds then. He won a lot of matches and tournaments,” Hunter said.

Evans, now wrestling at 100 pounds, is much more than an athlete. He is also a tremendous student who understands that hard work extends to the classroom as well.

“He is very good in school. He respects his teachers.

He’s a hard worker. He also helps out around the house.

He’s just an all-around great kid,” Hunter said.

Evans also plays football for Valdosta Middle. A cornerback, Evans is looking forward to the day when he can join the Valdosta High Wildcats.

“I want to be a Wildcat. I love playing defense, and I love the intensity of football. It’s something else that keeps me working and active,” he said. iTG

Aushaud’s Favorites: Sport to watch on TV: College football Team: LSU Tigers Sport you wish you could play: Rugby Subject: Social studies Superhero: Batman Super power: Super speed Food: Ribs

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Ask the Doctor With Dr. Scott Romanowsky How often do you deal with ankle sprains?

What is your best advice for preventing the injury?

Ankle sprains in the general population are fairly common, but in the sports population, especially jumping sports like basketball and volleyball, they account for more than 50 percent of injuries. Also, typically once they occur, the need for rehab is pretty high, and because they respond so well to rehab, we do treat the greatest percentage of them.

For the jumping athlete, proper footwear is important to maximize the stability of the joint without impairing the athletes speed or quickness. Taping can also be used as a prevention tool.

What is your recommended treatment for a sprained ankle?

Treatment of a sprained ankle can be divided into phases. The first phase is RICE (Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation). This is usually for the first 72 hours and is accompanied by non painful range of motion exercise. The second phase is continuing phase one and adding weight bearing activities on level surfaces and modified weight bearing cardio work (stationary bike etc), as well as gentle exercises for the muscles impacted by the sprain. Phase three is initiating sport specific drills in preparation to return to full activity.

Depending on the severity of the sprain, phase two and phase three can last a few days or up to two months.

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If not taken care of, can a sprained ankle lead to anything more serious?

A sprain is damage to the ligamentous supporting structures around a joint. Without that support, the joint is more susceptible to ever increasing severity of sprains, and in the long term, arthritic changes from the lack of stability.

Dr. Scott Romanowsky, Vereen Rehabilitation Center

Cook County Hornets “Things you do in and out of football can affect your future.” - Coach Jon Lindsey

Cook County Overcomes Challenges of New Region

by Jade Davis, Natalie Roberts, and Shonte Brown

Photo by Emily Densmore

performance but our character as well.”

Under the leadership of Coach Jon Lindsey and the rest of the coaching staff, the Hornets are undefeated with a record of 7-0 in the 1-3AAA region. In transitioning to a larger region, this record is very impressive for Cook County. The Hornets have competed against the following region teams this season: Pierce, Islands, Brantley, Tattnall, Toombs, Appling, and Dodge.

Photo by Tammy Walker

Sophomore Kejon Deberry breaks free from the defender for a hornet touchdown during the homecoming game against Tattnall County.

Hornets win 33-8 Photo by Micahlea Farmer

Imagine transferring to a new school in the middle of the year and having to adjust to a completely different environment. In March 2014, Coach Jon Lindsey did just that, transferring from Irwin County to take the position of Head Football Coach at Cook High School. Coach Lindsey not only had to impress his players, but the parents as well. This change was incredibly difficult for everyone, considering the unexpected resignation of Coach Ken Cofer who had served as Cook’s Head Coach for five years.

“Starting the season off was not what we had anticipated, but as the season progressed and we got to know one another, our performance on the field improved greatly,” stated Coach Lindsey in response to how he felt about the 2014 season thus far. The coaches expect the players to have better focus going into the region playoff game than they did opposing Dodge County.

Freshman running back, Darius Cleveland, who first started in the varsity game against Islands stated, “I was nervous, but confident going into the game and I knew I could handle whatever Coach Lindsey threw at me.” Junior center, Kyle Cook, also commented on the hot topic regarding the new coach. “Coach Lindsey is more understanding and works not only to improve our

Coach Lindsey calls plays and pumps up the players during the game against Pierce County. Hornets win 17-6

Senior Jeremiah Smith gains 30 yards toward the end of the 4th quarter against Dodge County. Hornets win 13 to 10.

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Irwin County Indians Irwin County Region 2A Champions Irwin County High School

On October 31, Atkinson County came to Ocilla to play tough football, and they gave “the Tribe” a scare, but the Irwin County Indians stuck to their game and won 21-14, claiming their first region championship title since 1998. Jakyron Young scored three touchdowns and swiped an interception, and Robert Moore ran like a freight train, gaining 217 yards on the night.

The road to the Region Championship began September 19 with Irwin’s first region contest against the Panthers of Clinch County. Under the leadership and strong coaching of Irwin’s Head Coach Buddy Nobles, in a total of six region games, the offense totaled nearly 2,500 yards and 31 touchdowns, and the defense was responsible for 238 tackles and 10 interceptions. The Indians are the Region 2-A Champions! The numbers look great, but ask any

Indian and he will tell you there are many hours of hard workouts and practices. Then they will tell you that it is all worth the sweat and pain.

The playoff-bound Indians finish their regular season Nov. 7 with Turner County. Coach Nobles tells the team to take it one game at a time. That

is what the Indians have done all season, focus on this week’s game. Irwin fans and supporters are hungry for the state playoff games. The question is, how far will the Indians go? Of course there is a goal, but the team and the fans will do as they are coached: focus on one week at a time.

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