HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS MAGAZINE
®
South Georgia February 2015
In This Issue:
10
13
10 Facts & Figures Eric Holland
Tift County High School
13 The Barrett Sisters
CONTENTS
TCCHS Swim
18 Champion Diver
Emily Ann Wolfson Valwood School
22 Academic Athlete
Courtney Terrell
Colquitt County High School
27 Lanier Baseball
22
27
18
32 Player Spotlight
17
Fitness: Push Your Limits
19
College Signing: Why Not Stay Home?
38
Irwin County High School
39
10 Questions wth Lee Blenman
41
South Georgia United Soccer Club
Make Your Online Passwords Strong
43
Protein: The Most Bang for your Bite
53
Tift County High School
Rondesha Williams
Colquitt County High School
49 Rising Star
Also Inside Georgia High School State Records
Tyrie Jackson
Zachary McBurrough
Pine Grove Middle School
09
Lanier County High School
36 Where Are They Now? Ryan Helms 44 Coach’s Corner
32 There’s Nothing ‘Minor’ About Minor Sports
Andrew Patton
Lowndes Middle School
Paul-Michael Montgomery
44 49 36 Read. Subscribe. Share.
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HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS MAGAZINE
®
South Georgia February 2015
From the Publisher It’s always hard to get used to a new year. I will write the previous year for several months on anything that needs to be dated. While we never have what you could consider truly bad weather down here, the months of January and February can be difficult – it’s cold(er), the greenery is brown, and there’s not a lot to do outside.
Publisher Mark Dykes
Editors
Contributors
Unless you play spring sports.
Mark Dykes Sarah Turner
Graphics Sarah Turner
Cover Photography Micki Krzynski Micki K Photography
Feature Photography Micki Krzynski Micki K Photography
Feature Writers Robert Preston, Jr. Jon Nelson 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
I have probably mentioned this before, but the “spring” in spring sports is almost a misnomer. When the season begins, there is nothing springy about them. Ever tried to hit a baseball when it’s 40 degrees and windy? How about getting stretched out and warmed up to run the 100 meters? Or jogging out for soccer practice on a cold, mushy field? The same goes for standing on the first tee on a golf course or stepping onto a tennis court. There’s just something about weather and a golf course – it seems 20 degrees colder in the winter and 30 degrees hotter in the summer when you’re playing golf. Despite the challenges, our student-athletes are outside every day getting ready for their respective seasons. The end of the school year is in sight, and while many students are putting things on cruise control expecting the last days of school, our athletes remain wide open and focused on the postseason, which in some sports comes dangerously close to taking place after school ends.
Robert Preston, Jr.,
Features & Commentary
Sarah Turner Editor
As always, this month we are highlighting some of those studentathletes. These kids have been working all year, playing soccer, golf, tennis, baseball, and running seemingly without a break. These socalled “minor” sports have nothing minor about them. Hour after hour, game after game, mile after mile, practice after practice – that’s what these athletes do day in and day out. They also manage to keep up their grades, and many are at the top of their class. Such is the case with this month’s Academic Athlete, Courtney Terrell from Colquitt County. She’s an All-Region tennis player, valedictorian of her class, actress, and singer. Where does she find the time? She doesn’t find it; she makes it. The same can be said for the rest of our featured student-athletes this month: Diver Emily Ann Wolfson, Zachary McBurrough and Paul Montgomery (Rising Stars), Andrew Patton, and the Barrett sisters. Then you have the coaches: the ones who give thousands of hours to their players and their schools. Yes, they want to win. Yes, their job security ultimately hinges upon winning more than they lose. But they also teach young men and women lessons that will last a lifetime – far beyond the length of their playing careers.
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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There is nothing ‘minor’ about the minor sports by Robert Preston, Jr.
The minor sports. I have been thinking about them a lot lately. Maybe it’s because of the time of the year we’re in. Maybe it’s because I played a minor sport growing up (tennis), and I continue to participate in minor sports into my 40s. Maybe it’s because I grew up around minor sports; in my family you can find some extremely talented golfers and tennis players. My father, for example, played golf at Mercer. You will not, however, be able to count me among those talented players. Yet I harbor a fascination with, and an appreciation of, the minor sports. In our area, football is king. Basketball and baseball are next. The remainder of the sports pantheon (swimming, wrestling, soccer, golf, tennis, cross country/track, diving, volleyball, and whatever else I’m forgetting) is more like an afterthought. However, that’s not the case in many areas around the country. Football is losing popularity just about everywhere except the South. Some AAU programs dominate prep basketball in big cities. Baseball has been on the decline throughout the United States for years, which is one reason why there are so many Hispanic players at the highest level; American youths just aren’t playing baseball like they used to. Instead, many kids are gravitating toward previously ignored sports: tennis, soccer, running, swimming, and the like. The rea-
sons why are simple: These sports are often easier on the body, they can be played for a lifetime, and there are more opportunities to move on to the next level than there are in the three major sports. This is particularly the case for female athletes. I guess the equivalent of the Big Three for females would be soccer, softball, and basketball. It’s hard for young ladies to secure scholarships in those sports. But swimming, running, and golf? Parents, does your daughter want to play a collegiate sport? If so, put a golf club in her hand, make sure she keeps her grades up, and get her breaking 100 with occasional dips into the 80s. If she does that, she will play in college somewhere. And she could very possibly leave college with the potential to be a local club champion. While there may be more opportunities in the minor sports, there is nothing minor about the work required to be successful. I’ve always scoffed at the term “minor sports,” for there is nothing minor about these activities at all. The prime example to me is swimming. The best swimmers seldom take days off from the pool. Every day, regardless of weather. Lap after lap. Hour after hour. Two-a-days. The work is relentless. And this is for an event that seldom lasts more than two minutes, often much less than that (with the exception, of course, of the longer events).
It’s not that much different in wrestling, golf, tennis, soccer, and running. To be good, you have to practice and compete almost daily. There is no offseason. Often, there are no holidays. And that may be one reason why these sports have been slow to catch on down here. It takes facilities (you can’t swim outdoors in January and February, not if you’re a sane individual anyway), and it takes opportunities to compete. Travel for some of these sports is already expensive enough. I’ve talked to plenty of golfers, tennis players, wrestlers, and soccer players and coaches who already travel the country and beyond competing. It’s taken some time but parents, coaches, and schools in rural Georgia are starting to take notice. We have a lot more sports from which to choose than we did when I was in high school. We didn’t have soccer, swimming, cross country, or volleyball. Softball was slow pitch. Our golfers, tennis players, and track athletes couldn’t compete beyond the region level. Now, thankfully, things are changing. We are still a bit behind the metro areas, but we are catching up. Last year, we had state champions in football and basketball. A few baseball teams made some good postseason runs as well. How long will it be before we have a GHSA or GISA state champion in tennis, golf, soccer, swimming, or track? Hopefully, it won’t be long at all. ITG
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On the Cover
Eric Holland: Tift County High School Basketball From competitive play to coaching: I started playing at an early age (five) and made the team in seventh grade. I started at point guard for Seminole County High School and played for the legendary Reginald Knight. After high school, I walked on at Georgia Southwestern. That’s when my playing competitively days ended, and I started playing intramurals. I graduated and started teaching and coaching football and basketball. I still play pickup from time to time. Away from the court: I used to play video games daily. I’ve moved to golfing and reading. I’ve gotten into yard work; I really enjoy working in my yard. As of today, I’m back active in working out. P90X3. I’ve lost 30 pounds and feel great! I run two to four miles daily. Any other athletic aspirations? I still dream of being a head football coach. My first love is football. I was a part of two state championship football teams at Americus High. I served as the quarterback coach. I love the Denver Broncos—they’ve been my favorite team since 1983. Believe it or not, I watch very little NBA basketball. Kobe is my favorite player.
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State Championship
Games Won
55 Games Lost
15
The total number of years Holland has coached basketball (10 as head coach, 5 as assistant coach)
Nine
Region Chamionship Teams Coached
Coaching jobs prior to Tift County High: Head basketball coach at Turner (five years), assistant coach at Americus High (four years), Recruiter for South Georgia Technical College (one year)
5
Years with Tift County High (currently in his sixth)
(Atlanta Metro), Rayshard King (Albany Tech), Jerome Graydon (Middle Georgia), Colby Neloms (Albany State), Breon Dixon (Troy/Valdosta State), Tae Jolly
(Valdosta State), Demetrius McCray (Middle Georgia), Colby Czerepinski (Georgia Southwestern), JP Short (Berry College), Ricky Frambo (Central Georgia Tech), Austin Pickett (Cedarville University), Vernon Moore (South Georgia Tech), Donell Tuff (Gardner-Webb), Brannen Greene (Kansas), Tadric Jackson (Georgia Tech), Demarcus Bryant (Savannah State), Ladarius Stewart (Eastern New Mexico), Nate Thomas (South Carolina-Aikens/ Savannah State), Rashawn Canady (Albany Tech), Quay Fergerson (Georgia Highland), TJ Cromer (Columbia State)
252 37 Holland’s Age
Travis Jones (Albany State), Brett Gipson (Albany State), Rashawn Jackson (Albany Tech), Willie Jackson (South Georgia Tech), Ternell Davis (Southeast Missouri State), Trey Pearce (South Carolina State/Coastal), Chris Spears (Savannah State), Antonio Caswell (South Georgia Tech), Demarcus Daniels (North Florida), Marquis Jackson (Atlanta Metro), Demetrius Ewing
photo courtesy of thebleacherreport.com
Players who have gone on to play in college:
photo courtesy of usatodaysportsimages.com
2
Children Eric Jr. & Ayden
1 11
The Barrett quartet forms heart and soul of women’s swim team at TCCHS by Robert Preston, Jr.
“The girls are so valuable to us because we can put them in any event, and they will earn points. Most teams have one or two swimmers like that, but we have four. It doesn’t matter which event it is – they know all of the strokes and they will finish near the top,” said Todd Wilson, one of two swim coaches at Thomas County Central High School of the sisters Barrett -- Jordan (senior), Peyton (senior), Avery (sophomore), and Savannah (freshman) – who form the nucleus of the women’s swim team and are among the best female
photography by Micki K Photography
swimmers in the region. Jordan Barrett, the oldest by 17 months (because she and Peyton are less than a year and a half apart, they ended up in the same grade), began swimming when she was about six years old. Around the same age, each of her sisters took up the sport as well. Since getting in the pool the first time, all four (as well as a fifth sister, Taylor, who is in the seventh grade) have been year-round swimmers. All the work in the pool has paid off, and the four siblings are on the verge of leading the Yellow
ause we can ec b s u to le b a lu va “The girls are so points. rn ea ill w ey th d n a t, put them in any even mers like that, im sw o tw r o e n o ve Most teams ha but we have four.”
Jackets to a region title. “It’s still early, but we have a chance to get first in the region,” said Jordan. Three of the sisters – Jordan, Peyton, and Avery – also have a chance to do something else that hasn’t been done in Thomas County Central swimming history: Qualify for the state swim meet. Those three are members of the 200 meter freestyle relay; at the time of this writing, the relay team was just .37 of a second off qualifying for state. Their best time of the year had been 1:53.37 – it takes a 1:53 to qualify. “We’ve still
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got a few opportunities to cut our time. We’re trying very hard to get to state,” said Jordan. All four girls are also formidable swimmers in their individual events. While they can swim any distance with any stroke, Jordan is focusing on the 100 meter backstroke and the 100 meter breaststroke, Peyton the 50 meter and 100 meter freestyle, Avery the 200 meter butterfly and individual medley, and Savannah (the team’s only freshman) the 500 freestyle. “That’s what they have been working on but really, they can swim anything we need them to,” said Kyle Burton, TCC’s other swim coach. The Barrett sisters are close to being a part of Thomas County swimming history. They are where they are because of hard
work, dedication, and the fact that they truly get along well. “We’re all so close in age that we’re very close as sisters. We get along well,” said Jordan. Peyton and Jordan will be graduating this year, but Wilson and Burton will have many more years of at least a couple Barrett sisters on the team. And that’s fine with them. “They are really good girls. They are good students and well-rounded young ladies. They are easy to work with and they’ve been a pleasure to coach,” says Coach Burton. ITG
Hardwork Dedication
Camaraderie 15
Records that last Carlos Hampton’s points in a game record has held for over two decades. However, he still recalls the sensation of feeling as if “he just couldn’t miss.” After playing his share of college basketball, Hampton chose to remain in his hometown to raise a family. He currently works in landscaping; however, you’ll still find him on the hardwood, whether he is playing pickup games or officiating middle school play. His daughter, Mackenzie Hampton, is proving to inherit some of her father’s talent, as she is already seeing varsity time as a freshman at Pickens High School.
Georgia High School Basketball Records: Boys: Points in a Game Rank
Player
School
Record Date(s)
1
Hampton, Carlos
Pickens
62
02/15/94 vs Gilmer
2
Glenn, Mike
Coosa
59
1971-72 vs Pebblebrook
2
Hampton, Carlos
Pickens
59
12/20/93 vs Holy Innocents
4
Banks, Vincent
South Atlanta
58
2002-03 vs Therrell
5
Birchfield, Cole
Dade County
57
11/24/12 vs Howard Acad
6
Johnson, Reggie
Cedar Grove
56
6
Wilkens, Raymond
Cross Keys
56
6
Porter, Dante
Chamblee
56
6
Burke, John
North Springs
56
11/11/10 vs North Paulding
10
Houston, Seth
Oak Mountain
55
02/11/11 vs Dawson Street
10
Houston, Seth
Oak Mountain
55
12/04/10 vs LaGrange Acad
10
Smith, Danny
Cedar Shoals
55
2003-04 vs Rockdale Co.
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Valwood’s one-person diving team sets records, blazes a trail for others Emily Ann
Wolfson
Emily Ann Wolfson Valwood School
by Robert Preston, Jr. photography by Micki K Photography
While she may not totally grasp the significance of what she’s doing, Emily Ann Wolfson is blazing a trail for future divers at Valwood. Nobody has ever represented Valwood until she came along. And she already has established a championship resume. Still, it may be awhile before another Valwood diver comes along. It’s not an easy sport to get into, and it’s even more difficult to keep up. A diver’s whole family has to be on board – pun not intended. It’s a two-hour round trip to Moultrie each day, and there aren’t any days off. It’s going to take a family as committed and supportive as the Wolfson clan, and those aren’t easy to find these days. 18 18
I
t’s not easy being the first at anything. It’s even more difficult if you’re not just the first, but the only. And that is where Emily Ann Wolfson, a 14-yearold eighth-grader at Valwood School, finds herself. At the moment, she is the first and only member of Valwood’s diving team. And she has already brought the school its first-ever state championship in diving. It’s not a stretch at all to say that Emily Ann Wolfson was born to be a diver. Her father, local attorney David Wolfson, attended the University of Georgia on a diving scholarship. Wolfson began diving just over three years ago after dabbling in gymnastics. She loved the twisting and flipping of gymnastics but wanted to apply her love of aerials in a venue other than a gym. The pool seemed like the perfect place. David Wolfson had heard of Moultrie’s Moss Farms Diving Academy. In July of 2011, he had some business in Moultrie. While he was down there, he stopped by and visited the facility. He was impressed with what he saw, and he hit it off with the staff. Not long after, his daughter was diving. Diving isn’t easy. It takes tremendous nerve to stand on a springboard or platform anywhere from 10 to 30 feet off the water and fling yourself into the air, twisting, turning, and flipping all the way down.
Water is a very unforgiving substance, and poor finishes are painful. Wolfson battled her nerves by working her way up in height and difficulty of maneuvers. Within her first year, she was diving off the fivemeter springboard and doing a little at 7 ½ meters. Her specialty, however, is on the one- and three-meter springboards. In her short diving career, she has qualified for the national championships each year. This year, she won the three-meter springboard event in the girls 14-yearold division at the 2014 AAU National Diving Championships in Atlanta. The AAU named her an All-American at that event as well. Wolfson also won Valwood a state title this year in the one-meter springboard at the 34th Annual War Eagle Middle School State Championships at Marist. The championship was Valwood’s first ever in a diving event. The day after winning the state championship, she won the Georgia All Stars Diving Meet at the University of Georgia in both the one- and three-meter springboard events. So what is the secret to Wolfson’s success? “Practice, practice, and more practice,” she said. Monday through Friday, she travels to Moultrie where she works out three hours a day. Weather doesn’t stop the Moss Farms Tigers. If it’s 50 degrees or warmer, they are in the pool (which is, thankfully, heated). If the temperature dips below 50, they are inside doing dryland
workouts on trampolines and in foam pits. Wolfson’s schedule is a demanding one; in addition to the daily workouts an hour from home, she also competes year-round in AAU, YMCA, and USA Diving competitions. “Diving involves a big sacrifice, not only for me, but also for my whole family. We plan everything around diving, including vacations and holidays,” she said. To keep from getting burned out, Wolfson takes every day as a new challenge. She also looks forward to being with her teammates and her friends at the pool. “Each day is a new day. I love being around my teammates and my coaches. You also get to meet new people and make new friends,” she said. Her father is impressed by her tireless work ethic and insists her career should surpass his. “She works so hard and is very committed to the sport. She showed a lot of aptitude early on. She’s better than I was when I was her age,” David said. “She isn’t bothered by the sacrifices the sport requires.” Wolfson would like to follow in her father’s footsteps and earn a scholarship to a Division I diving program. “I want to go to a major university with a great diving program and great academics. But now I want to have fun and do my best,” she said. iTG
a big “Diving involves ly for me, sacrifice, not on whole but also for my ever ything family . We plan clud ing around d iving, in olid ays .” vacations and h
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FCA to Host 2015 Spring Banquet
O
ur Spring Banquet is quickly approaching on February 24, and we are pleased to announce Coach Mark Richt, Head Coach of University of Georgia Football, as our guest speaker. We have been trying to book Coach Richt for the past couple of years and were so excited when he confirmed his attendance to this year’s fund-raising banquet. Upon booking him, however, we were informed that our usual facility was completely full and would not be able to host our event this year. We were concerned that we would not find a venue big enough for the large crowd we anticipate and began to pray that God would provide a
place. Danny Broyles, Area Director for Southeast Georgia Fellowship of Christian Athletes, discussed this issue with the principal of Lowndes High School and SEGA FCA Banquet Chair, Jaybez Floyd. Principal Floyd mentioned the cafetorium at LHS as a possible backup. The FCA staff and board immediately saw that this might very well be the Lord opening a door for us to have a larger facility, allowing this to be the largest banquet to date SEGA FCA has produced! It was amazing to tour the facility and see the potential for growth in 2015. With this new venue we are able to offer better selective seating, a larger and more exclusive private reception with Coach Richt,
and over thirty more tables than we have been accustomed to in the past. We hope to fill the room to capacity, sharing the message of Christ’s work in SEGA FCA with the largest crowd we have ever had! Anticipation in the community is growing every day, and table sponsorships are quickly filling. Please contact our office as soon as possible if you would like more information at (229) 245-1717, or check out our website banquet page at http://segafca.org/spring-banquetmark-richt . You can also check out http://segafca.org/ for information on all upcoming events and banquets in SEGA FCA.
For many of us, the routine remains the same. After Thanksgiving, we feel out of shape due to stuffing ourselves with turkey (no pun intended). As we near the end of the year, the trend continues as we reunite with family, fun, and more food for the Christmas holidays. Then, just before New Year’s hits, we all make the decision: “Next year” will be the year that I take control of my health. “Next year” will be the year that I start working out. “Next year” will be the year that I finally get in shape. The problem? Aside from those of us that are engaged in some sort of sport, we tend to ignore this resolution within the first few weeks of the year, sometimes even sooner. While the excuses are plentiful, one of the biggest tends to be the difficulty in staying motivated. Everyone has that desire to succeed initially, but it often doesn’t last long. If you’re one of those that have already strayed away from your exercise plans, don’t feel bad; you’re not alone! Below are a few ideas of how to get back on track:
Fitness
An Extra Push
by James Washington
Hire a personal trainer. Many people that are motivated to work out often lose enthusiasm because they don’t always know what they are doing. They don’t see results as quickly as they would like, and this makes them lose interest. A personal trainer can keep you on the right track to ensure that you are doing what needs to be done.
Join a fitness group. Another reason that people lose interest is that working out alone can be rather tedious. Also, people may feel insecure around people that appear to be in better shape. Contact your local gym or exercise facility and find a class that fits you. Everyone will be there for the same reason, so there is no need to feel isolated or out of place.
Find something you enjoy doing. It may sound cliché, but you can find an exercise in just about any daily activity in which you engage. Try to find something that you enjoy. It can be as simple as a daily swim, a walk around the block, or even walking up and down your stairs in your house a few extra times a day.
Be patient. Results won’t come overnight. The most important thing that you must understand is that getting in shape takes time. Getting your mind prepared for the process is half the battle.
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or i n se tt i u q l o C the at the top of heap – on the nd a rt u o c s i n n te oom in the classr
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Academic Athlete
Courtney Terrell by Robert Preston, Jr.
M
ost of the interviews I do for In the Game follow the same template. It’s the same questions, usually similar answers from one studentathlete to the next, and the stories take a familiar tone. In the rural South, experiences are similar from community to community, and the road to success leads down a common path. Every once in a while, though, an interview is different. We get into some uncharted territory. The first few answers deviate from the standard, leading to different questions. And that happened almost immediately when I reached Courtney Terrell, an All-Region tennis player and Colquitt County High’s valedictorian of the Class of 2015, by phone. Yes, Terrell has been playing tennis for many, many years. Yes, she has played a number of USTA tournaments – events that shaped her game and taught her how to compete in big matches against superior opponents. Yes, she spends hour after hour at the tennis court each day, serving and hitting seemingly endlessly. And yes, she made up her mind several years ago to be the absolute best student she could be. But Courtney Terrell is just . . . different. Not in a bad way at all. She talks differently than her peers. She speaks with an authority not often found among young ladies in her age
photography by Micki K Photography
group. Terrell sounds like an academic, and it doesn’t take long to realize there’s a good reason why. As important as tennis is to Terrell, her grades are even more so. A little over a year later, she spent a summer at Duke University. She was a rising freshman back then, and for the first time, she found herself in the company of people who shared her academic vision. One of the classes she studied was an in-depth course in the biology of cancer. The class fascinated her, and that set her down a path toward the medical field. In fact, the entire experience at Duke was one that has shaped her academic future ever since. “For the first time, I was around people as nerdy as me,” said Terrell with a laugh. “It laid the foundation for AP chemistry, calculus, and other honors classes. It had a huge impact on me.” Terrell has never shied away from an academic challenge. As a sophomore, she took three AP classes, including chemistry and calculus. Though she has always been a gifted student, he tenth-grade year was not easy. Terrell claims that though she has taken more AP classes in the years since (she has five now), her sophomore year was the toughest of her high school career. “I struggled that year and really had to work. I had to give more than I ever have,” she said. Terrell survived her tenth23
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
grade year and flourished in the years since. As she continued a track to the medical field, she added another interest to her academic resume: Engineering. As a part of honors scientific research, a class Terrell had at Colquitt County High last year, she had to put together a project for a science fair. This, however, was
“I’ve had to play smart during my career. I’m not overpowering. I stay calm and keep my composure.”
When she was in the seventh grade, she decided she wanted to be valedictorian. “That’s always been a driving force for me,” she said. no ordinary science project. Titled “Examining the Efficiency of Vertical Axis Wind Turbines Using Inexpensive Materials”, the project arose out of a desire Terrell had of building a wind tunnel. When the wind tunnel didn’t happen, she decided to study turbines. The project won Grand Champion at the Darton State College Regional Science Fair and earned her a trip to the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair. This year, she is working on another project, one that investigates distilling water using solar energy. A big advocate of green energy, Terrell states that a great deal of water can be distilled quickly using the sun’s natural energy. With her varied interests, what career path does she intend to take? While Terrell has
yet to decide upon a university, she plans on majoring in biomedical engineering with a focus on pre-med. “I can apply my love of research in medicine through engineering,” she said. Five AP classes. An international-level science project. Attempting to save the planet through green energy (not really, but kind of, if that makes sense). Holding on to her class’s number one ranking. Singing in Colquitt County High’s various choirs and landing the lead in the annual musical (two activities we haven’t discussed but take up a significant portion of Terrell’s time). Where in the world does she find time to play tennis? Quite simply, she just makes the time available.
During that defining sophomore year, Terrell made a conscious decision to ease up on tennis. She stopped playing the USTA events and focused solely on playing for Colquitt. The lessons she learned playing USTA were invaluable – she learned strategy, how to read an opponent with which she wasn’t familiar, how to handle better and stronger players, and how to develop the mental aspect of the game. “Those were big lessons. But I had to choose between tennis and school. I went with school,” Terrell said. That doesn’t necessarily mean that her tennis game has suffered. Terrell remains one of the better players in the region. An All-Region selection last year,
she hopes to play number one singles this year. As you might expect, what makes Terrell such a strong player is her command of tennis’s mental side. “There are two sides of tennis: the physical and the mental. You have to be good on the physical side – placing your shots, limiting mistakes. I can do all of that. But I play mentally aggressive,” she said. Terrell doesn’t let her emotions show, even when she’s behind or if she is injured. She extends points and plays within herself. Terrell is a consistent shotmaker, and she wears down her opponents with long rallies and keeping unforced errors at bay. “Each game is different, and it presents a different challenge. I’ve had to play smart during my career. I’m not overpowering. I stay calm and keep my composure. It’s not easy to do that when you’re behind, but I think I’ve been able to do a pretty good job of that,” she said. At the time of this writing, tennis season was still several long weeks away. After making the state tournament in her first two years, Colquitt missed the postseason last year. Terrell hopes her team gets back to the state tournament and advances far enough to get to the Atlantaarea schools. Until then, though, she will keep doing what she does best – read, study, solve problems, and work equations. And when the time comes, Courtney Terrell will use those lessons she’s learned in the classroom to fool her opponents and hopefully lead Colquitt back to the state tournament. “I hope we get to the Sweet 16. That will get us to the Atlanta teams,” she said. ITG
25
Andrew Patton
Two-sport star eyes a future on the mound
by Robert Preston, Jr.
I
Lanier County High School
photography by Micki K Photography
n all honesty, Andrew Patton, a 6’5,” 225-pound senior at Lanier County High (Lakeland, Ga.), has a choice of which sport he could play in college. He is a standout basketball and baseball player and has been named to the All-State team in basketball and the All-Region teams in both basketball and baseball. For Patton, though, there really is no choice at all. “I’ve had some interest from colleges about basketball. But I want to play baseball. I like being on the mound and controlling the game. In basketball, the ball changes hands so much that one person really isn’t in control all the time. When I’m 27
pitching, I have the ball on every play. I like that,” he said. Last year for the Bulldogs, Patton, Lanier’s number-one starter (who also hits when he’s on the mound), finished the season with a 4-5 record, one save, 86 strikeouts, and a 2.26 ERA in 55 2/3 innings. Hitting primarily out of the number three spot, he posted a .424 batting average. When he isn’t pitching, he plays the corner infield spots; he was also named region Defensive Player of the Year. “I’ve been on the mound since I was in middle school. I always knew that I would pitch in high school,” he said. Everyone knew Patton would be a special player from the time he first stepped on the field. Even as a freshman on a senior-laden team, his coaches showed the confidence they had in Patton by giving him the ball in the third (and decisive) game of the first round of the playoffs. He had played in games
one and two, but had been in the field. In game three, he got the ball. “It was a great experience. It helped me grow up quickly,” he said. The game didn’t turn out the way Lanier would have liked (the Bulldogs lost 7-4), but Patton learned several important lessons during that series. First of all, he gained tremendous experience playing in big games and secondly, he saw exactly how much faith his coaches had in him. Andrew Patton would be one of the key components of Lanier County’s baseball future. Patton is a confident, talented young man who, like all good pitchers, wants the ball in his hands when the game is on the line. He has the arm strength (87-88 mph), the build, and the work ethic to be a great pitcher. But it might be his mental strength that gives him such a big advantage over his opponents. Patton understands that a large part of success or failure is determined before ever throws a pitch. To make sure he is ready for a start, he spends as much time getting his mind prepared as he does his arm. “I stay to myself, get down by the outfield fence, and finish my warm up. I stay focused and I try to stay alone as I finish up,” he said. At the time of this writing, baseball season was several months away. Still, he was working out and already preparing his strategy for the 2015 campaign. “I want to have a winning record and make the playoffs. We made the playoffs my freshman year. That was kind of unexpected. We had a lot of seniors, and I learned a lot from them,” he said. What is, however, in season right now is basketball. And Patton, who plays forward and on the wing and averaged 19.6 points and 10.4 rebounds a game last year and was named region Offensive Player of the Year, is hoping to lead his team to the playoffs. He was a member of the Lanier County team that won their region and made it all the way to the Final Four in 2012, and he would love to make another run like that. “I didn’t get to play much when I was a freshman. But it helped a lot being around those guys,” he said. As the second semester of the academic year nears, Patton can see the end of his career at Lanier approaching. Even though his athletic year doesn’t really get going until the last part of the year, he knows the end isn’t far away. Patton will attend college and more than likely play baseball. As good as he is in basketball, it’s baseball that he truly loves. “I’ve got four offers for baseball but I haven’t made a decision yet,” he said. ITG
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Tyrie Jackson
Set to lead Tift to another Title run by Robert Preston, Jr.
“I want to get better each and every game. I would like to be a good leader and be able to put the team on my back if I need to. I want to take over games and help pick up my teammates when they’re down,” said Tyrie Jackson, a 6’0”, 190pound guard for the Tift County Blue Devils. Jackson is a junior who already plays like a seasoned veteran. Over the course of his young career, his teams have never finished outside of the Final Four. As a freshman, the Blue Devils boasted a team that included several future Division I players. Popular belief was that if Tift couldn’t win a title with that team, they couldn’t win a title at all. Nobody told that to last year’s Blue Devils. Tift, led by Tyrie’s brother, Tadric Jackson, shocked the state and won the Class AAAAAA State Championship. Now, Tadric is a freshman guard at Georgia Tech, the Blue Devils are loaded once again, and Tyrie is one of the featured players in Tift’s program. According to head coach Eric 32
photography by Micki K Photography
Holland, Tyrie is an explosive player who can both shoot and play defense. He handles the ball well and can shut down opposing players on the opposite end of the floor. “He plays very hard and is a mid to high major player,” said Coach Holland. At the time of this writing, Tift was a perfect 6-0, and Jackson was averaging 18 points, four rebounds, three steals, and four assists per game. “I just want to make play plays and stop the other team on defense. I like to keep the tempo up and make shots. I just love the game,” Tyrie said. His love for the game has inspired him to become the best player he possibly can be. And even though he’s just a junior, he’s already pretty good. With talent comes responsibility, and Tyrie understands what his role on the team is. He wants to lead and be the guy his coaches and teammates can count on to get the job done. That’s something he learned from watching Tadric play. “Tadric taught me to be a leader,
Player Spotlight
Tift County High School
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to set a good example for others. I learned to stay focused from him. He helped keep me in the right place,” Tyrie said. During last year’s state title run, Tyrie shared the moment with Tadric. Throughout the playoffs, Tadric showed just how good of a player he was, and Tyrie was right there with him along the way. In the title game, Tyrie scored six points and gained confidence with each passing minute. As the game wore on, he saw that Tift was gradually gaining more and more control over the game. One by one, key players on the opposing Wheeler Wildcats fouled out. By the end of the third quarter, Tift had the game in hand. “That’s when I knew we would win. When the last second ticked off Everything was good. he gave me the ball and I the clock, I can’t explain I loved being out there could do my thing, it was the feeling. I cried. with my brother. When special. I miss playing
T yrie’s FavoritePsaul is
N BA Player: Chr Clippers s le e g n A s o L : m Tea
with him,” Tyrie said. Though Tyrie still has two years left, he is already looking to the future. And maybe, just maybe, he will get to share the court with his brother one more time. Thus far in the season, Tadric is getting about 14 minutes per game off the bench and is averaging just over seven points per game with the Yellow Jackets. Hopefully, Tyrie will have the opportunity to play with Tadric at Georgia Tech. He has several solid Division I schools looking at him already, and Georgia Tech is one of them. “I haven’t made a decision where I want to go just yet. But I would love to play with Tadric again,” he said. ITG
er high
sup p m u J : r e w o p r e p u S as Vegas Place to travel: L lay: Football p ld u o c u o y h is Sport you w fin to meet: Blake Grif Person
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Georgia High School State Record Holder and 2012 SEC Diver of the Year Returns to In the Game by James Washington
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photography by Micki K Photography
Colquitt County High School (Moultrie, Ga.)
University of Tennessee (Knoxville, Tenn.)
A 2008 graduate of Colquitt County High School, Ryan Helms enjoyed a tremendous record-setting career as a diver for the Packers. He set the Georgia state record for overall score (615) and was the Player Spotlight athlete in the February 2008 edition of In the Game Magazine.
Helms departed for Knoxville the day after graduating from CCHS in order to begin summer school. During his senior year, he won two SEC championships on the one-meter and three-meter springboard and finished fourth on the three-meter springboard at the NCAA Championships in Seattle, Washington. He was also named a First-Team All-American, 2012 SEC Diver of the Year, and 2012 SEC Scholar-Athlete of the Year.
“I was honored to dive for and represent my hometown,” Helms said. “The amount of support I received from the Moultrie community throughout the entirety of my career is “My transition from high school unbelieveable.” athletics to college athletics was very difficult,” Helms said. “I found it hard to leave my family and friends. But even though I didn’t go to the University of Georgia, as many probably wished I had, my hometown still supported me all the same. I have a lot of pride in my hometown, and I miss it very much.”
Today Helms graduated from UT with a degree in kinesiology, also known as exercise science. He is still attending the college and is currently in his second year of graduate school in the Doctoral of Physical Therapy Program. On December 14, 2013, he married the love of his life, Alyssa. They enjoy watching movies together, taking walks through the park, traveling to see family and friends, and playing disc golf. They also spend time with their two “fur-kids,” Bravo (a male Australian Shepherd) and Tibby, their Corgi “princess.” Although he no longer competes, he occasionally finds time to attend competitions at his alma mater. “I dove from age seven or so to age 22,” he said. “I am now enjoying the new direction life is taking me; marriage, physical therapy school, and soon, a new profession.” 37
College Signing: Why Not Stay Home? by Jon Nelson, GPB Sports
I have always maintained that the four seasons here in the state of Georgia are not summer, fall, winter, and spring… They’re football, Spring football, National Signing Day, and recruiting… And February means that the last two are in full swing… The one item that consistently gets to me (and this is if everyone who is going where they say they’re going as they sign on the line that is dotted) is the amount of athletes that are NOT staying in the state of Georgia… and I have no idea why it stays that way… I counted six athletes in one of those “Top 75” pages that are going to Auburn and another five going to Alabama. Even Kansas State had pulled four athletes from the state, including Tucker’s Duke Shelley, that we got to see first-hand on GPB Sports’ “Football Fridays in Georgia.” I guess it has to do with thinking that the school you are representing is a national brand- and that’s what part of the process is these days- the growth of your “brand.” But at what cost? Maybe wins over a longer period of
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time? But when your favorite football team can make it nationally, it’s a big step in the process as well. But, I have always thought, that success starts at home. How do you lose three large offensive linemen from inside of your own state to ONE SCHOOL? It’s an odd feeling… and I know that it’s one that college football fans ask all the time… But, the other side of that these days is the idea of playing “now.” And you see the impact of all the talent here in the state from one end of the country to the other, regardless of level of competition. It could be Division I, Division I-AA, Division II, Division III, or NAIA football, you see them all over the place. And that makes me proud as someone who has seen all the different levels of competition in high schools throughout Georgia. I could be in a place like Folkston, Kingsland, Hazlehurst, Valdosta, Homerville, Moultrie, Tifton, or Ellaville. I could be watching Single-A football. I could be watching 6A football.
To me, it doesn’t matter. There’s always talent, and there’s always a story out there to tell. That’s the beauty of what we do and what you tell us about every time we go out in public. Every town has a team or a program that means something. It’s a special part of the pride, the landscape, and the history of all of us. We like to see the successes and the building blocks that lead to sustained success in the classroom and on the field. Here’s the question for this month: What part of your history makes you the most proud for the team you root for on a daily basis? Let me know and let all of us know herewhether it’s on the In The Game Magazine or GPB Sports Facebook pages, by e-mailing us at either place, or reaching out on Twitter and Instagram. I want to hear from you, since we all know football is a 12-month-a-year enterprise. All the time… Play it safe, everyone… I’ll talk to you soon. ITG
Irwin County Indians Irwin County ends Football Season in the Dome by Dusty Vassey and Sandy McClurd
One of the most momentous seasons in Indian football history ended in the Dome with a loss in the state title game to Hawkinsville. The road to the Dome’s first playoff game was Atkinson County. Irwin had just defeated Atco (21-14) two weeks earlier in their regular season game. It was a good thing the Indians were prepared and determined, because the Rebels came to play tough playoff ball. The game ended Irwin the victor 15-6. Playoff Game Two - Irwin hosted Dooly County. The Indians used 34 second-half points for a comeback win over the Dooly Bobcats. The 4029 victory set the stage for Irwin to host the state semifinal game for the second year in a row. The semi final game, the Indians fell behind to
Commerce. Senior running back Jakyron Young and the O-line had had enough. #1, Jakyron Young took the handoff and slipped into a wall of blockers, threading his way through a crowd of combat, before emerging as the frontrunner in a chase, but no one was as fast as the Region 2-A Player of the Year. Sixty-nine yards later Young had Irwin on the board. Young’s three additional touchdowns was another win for Irwin 28 – 7. Despite a dominant defensive performance, the Indians were unable to overcome the Hawkinsville Red Devils’ 15 - 6 victory for the GHSA Class A Championship. Yes, Irwin wanted a victory….but as passionate Indian fan, Miss Neola Ford said, “State Runner Up ain’t bad”. Irwin loves their Indians and their coaches; fans and supporters
declare….Irwin will be back! Irwin’s head coach Buddy Nobles, led the Indians to a Region Title and State Class A Runner-up in his first season at ICHS….the Indians, Coach Nobles, and the coaching staff are looking real good for a good future together. Yes, Irwin will miss their talented, devoted seniors. They gave Irwin many thrills, great victories, and took the community to places they have not been in years, a Region Championship and the Georgia Dome. ICHS and the Indian Nation thank each senior athlete and wish them a bright and successful future….and, the returning Indians, fans are already looking for to the 2015 Season. Gooooooooooooooooo Indians!!!
Irwin County High School
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S
ince its inception in 2008, the South Georgia United Soccer Club has grown into one of the premier soccer clubs south of Macon and one of the better clubs in Georgia. The United is the result of merging three different South Georgia clubs into one in 2008: The Valdosta-Lowndes Soccer Club, the Tift Area Soccer Association, and the Flint River Fusion. Over the years, under the watchful eye of director Lee Blenman, a former semi-pro player and police officer in England, the club has produced some of the state’s top players. We spent a few minutes with Coach Blenman and talked about his background and the growth of soccer in South Georgia. In the Game: From where did you come to the United States? Lee Blenman: I was born in Leytonstone, London, England, the same place where Alfred Hitchcock and David Beckham are from. ITG: What is your playing experience? LB: I grew up playing in the Echo League in London, which is the same league that a lot of current and retired pros played. I also played in a few other semi-pro leagues. I always thought it would be fun to be a police officer if soccer didn’t work out. When it didn’t, I got a real job and became an officer with Scotland Yard. I started out as a bobby, and then I became a detective. All in all, I was a police officer for 12 years. ITG: What brought you to the United States? LB: When my wife and I married, we decided to move to America. She is from Huntsville, Alabama. We moved to Atlanta, where I hooked up with the Atlanta Concorde Fire. It was there that I realized I could make a full time job out of coaching soccer. I got all of my coaching licenses, then I moved to Tallahassee and coached the Tallahassee United. That club merged with another club in 2008. A friend of mine named John Romaine brought me to Valdosta. The Valdosta-Lowndes Soccer Club merged with the Tift Area and Flint River clubs to become the South Georgia United. I’m the club director, and now we have about 800 kids who participate in the program each year. ITG: How long have you been in South Georgia? LB: We moved down to Tallahassee in 2007, then to Valdosta in 2008. ITG: In the years you’ve been here, how has the level of play improved? LB: We have more kids in the program and the level of play, both in terms of teams and individual players, has never been better. Both of our high school-aged teams played in the top division in Georgia this year and finished in the top four. Many of our players go on to play in college. ITG: What style of play do your teams incorporate? LB: I try to make sure that our club as a whole
possesses the ball downfield and build the game as we play. But you also have to take what the other team gives you. We pass the ball out of the back, through the middle, and up to the front. On defense, we press and try to win the ball high on the field so we can get to the goal. We have tremendous athletes and we play to our strengths. Possessing and passing aren’t strategies that come naturally to American players. We spend a lot of time early on developing those skills.
Ten Questions With
Lee Blenman by Robert Preston, Jr. photography by Micki K Photography
ITG: How do our players compare to the players in larger cities around the state? LB: In the younger ages, the players in Columbus are stronger. But among the older ages, we are stronger. It’s not really fair to compare us to the Atlanta-area clubs. They have clubs with 5,000 kids. But at the top level? Our top kids can play with theirs. ITG: Have your kids ever played abroad? LB: Yes. We played in Brazil in 2013. It was a great experience for our players. They played against kids who will be pros one day, and we weren’t far behind. ITG: What do we need to do to catch up technically? LB: We need more players participating at younger ages. Our kids need a ball on their feet every day – dribbling, passing, receiving. They just need to spend more time with a soccer ball. ITG: What does the future look like for soccer in South Georgia? LB: We are going to continue to improve in the next five years. We now have one club that oversees soccer throughout the region. The key to me is player development. Our coaches need to challenge our players, and our kids need to buy into to what we’re doing and work on their own. Our kids need to play year-round and our parents need to support the program as well. At the younger ages, we don’t need to sacrifice player development to win games. We need to develop our youngest players, and in the next five years, our kids will be ahead of our current 16- and 17-year-olds.
South Georgia United Soccer Club
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Are your passwords strong enough to protect your accounts from unauthorized access? Most of us have a variety of online accounts – everything from financial tools to social media. All of these accounts have varying degrees of sensitive information. Having a strong password is one of the most important things you can do to protect your online accounts.
Here are some password protection tips: • Don’t use the same password for everything
You should have a different password for every account, especially ones that involve finances and payments.
• Don’t use short or predictable passwords
Sure, short or common words are easy to remember, but they’re also easier to hack. Also easy to hack, are passwords using words that can be found in the dictionary. If it’s easy for you, it’s easy for criminals.
• Make them long and strong
Experts recommend that you use at least eight characters – more if possible - and that you mix upper and lowercase letters, numbers and symbols.
• Get creative
If you are having a tough time creating a strong password, use the first letter of each word in a phrase that you can easily remember, and make sure it doesn’t spell out a real word.
• Hide your passwords and don’t share them
Don’t write passwords down and leave them somewhere they can be easily found. Hide them so only you know where to look. Keep passwords to yourself, and don’t give them out to anyone.
Financial Facts Fitness
Make your online passwords strong
provided by
MEMBER FDIC
• Be aware
If you hear on the news that a site where you have an account with has been hacked, change your password for that site, and any other site that you used that same password for.
• Have a plan
Making sure your passwords are unique helps protect your accounts, but it can also be confusing. Be sure to create passwords that can’t be easily hacked, but don’t make them impossible for you to remember. It’s also recommended that you set up password recovery options for your accounts, so that if you do forget a password you’ll be able to reset it.
It’s time to fortify your online defenses with strong passwords.
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“I tell my players everyday that half the battle of basketball, of anything, is believing that you can do it.”
Coach’s Corner
- Rondesha Williams
Lady Panthers Coach Strives for Success On and Off the Court by James Washington
M
otivation comes in many different forms. Typically, family, money, and pride are common reasons that people strive for greatness, though the list is endless. For Colquitt County girls head basketball coach Rondesha Williams, the greatest motivation is success. But not quite in the way that you would expect. “Nothing makes me happier than when one of my former players comes back to share their success stories with me,” Williams said. “I love to see my kids doing well. Just having them think of me enough to come back and say ‘thank you’ means more than they know.” Coach Williams has found herself in a terrific position at Colquitt County High School. She is able to combine her most admirable traits into an enjoyable career: her passion for kids, her desire to see each and every child succeed, and her love of basketball. She took over as head coach for the Lady Packers in 2008 after spending a decade as an assistant coach at Dougherty High School (Albany, Ga.). 44
photography by Micki K
It’s no secret that South Georgia is football territory. Colquitt County is currently sitting on the throne, having won the 2014 GHSA Class AAAAAA State Championship in December. While the prevalence of football doesn’t apply to girls’ sports, Coach Williams is often faced with a problem that many basketball coaches in the area are forced to overcome. “There aren’t many basketball players around here,” she said. “But what we do is take eager students and we build them into basketball players. I tell my players everyday that half the battle of basketball, of anything, is believing that you can do it. You have to believe that you can succeed before you can make it happen.” Basketball is a sport that thrives on a team concept. History has shown that the most successful organizations, at any level, are able to play as one unit in order to achieve their goals. In that aspect, the position that Coach Williams finds herself in is only fitting. She has proven to be a perfect example of what the local community, affectionately referred to as “Packer Nation”, is
all about. No matter how many accomplishments come her way, she always takes the time to share the credit with those around her. “I am fortunate enough to have a wonderful staff that supports me, day in and day out,” she said. “None of this success would exist without them.” The success that Coach Williams speaks of is vastly understated. The Lady Packers have never suffered a losing season under her guidance. They clinched postseason appearances in three of the last four years, reaching the second round of the GHSA State Playoffs in 2013. Also, during the 2013-14 season, she recorded her 100th victory at CCHS when the Lady Packers defeated Godby High School (Tallahassee, Fla.). Away from the court, her dedication to the children of Colquitt County is just as noticeable. Williams is the assistant principal at CCHS, and as expected, the students come before anything else. “I coach basketball, but first and foremost, my job is to look out for these kids,” she said. “Our job here is to keep these stu-
dents motivated, to keep them on track.” This year’s Lady Packers are doing just that, despite losing five players due to graduation. Among those graduates was the 2013-14 Region 1 Player of the Year and current Georgia State Lady Panther Makeba Ponder, who led Class AAAAAA in points per game (24.5), free throw percentage (85.0), and three-pointers made (88)
during her senior campaign. “We have a young team this year,” Coach Williams said. “There are four freshmen on our roster. But none of that matters. The team is determined, and I see great things happening here in the near future.” Coach Williams has been married to her husband, Felton, for 13 years, and has two children: Anthony, who is in his first year of college, and Taylor, who is in fourth grade. They have all grown to love the tight-knit, supportive community that has been called home for nearly seven years. “I love being a part of Packer Nation,” Coach Williams said. “It’s full of loving, caring people that really go above and beyond the call of duty for these students. Colquitt County is an awesome place to be.” The Colquitt community has long shown pride and support for their students. Coach Williams is certainly no exception. With the special attention given to the future of the youth of Packer Nation, both athletically and academically, she is a part of Packer Nation whose value just cannot be measured in wins alone. ITG
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Rising Star
Presented by:
Familiar Foes Create Dynamic Duo in Offseason by James Washingotn
B
asketball is a game of familiarity. Since players often face their opponents on multiple occasions over the course of a season, it becomes necessary to study mannerisms, movements, and patterns to gain an edge on whomever they are facing. In Valdosta, Ga., two players in particular prove this point, as the Vikings of Lowndes Middle School take on their counterparts from Pine Grove. “Force him out of the corner,” said Lowndes Middle seventh-grade guard/forward Zachary McBurrough. “You can’t give him space in that corner. Once he has room to release, you’re giving up three (points).” The “him” that Zack is referring to is Pine Grove’s seventh-grade guard, Paul-Michael Mont-
photos by Micki K Photography
gomery. Similarly, Paul is in the opposing huddle giving pointers about Zack to his teammates as well. “He’s going left,” Paul said. “Once he gets to the right wing, he always drives left. Trap him and make him give up the ball. He’s not gonna force it himself.” With middle school seasons being much shorter than at the higher levels, the schools usually only see each other once a year. Interestingly enough, however, these two boys are keen to each other’s every move. Their best performances typically come at the expense of other defenders, because their awareness of each other normally results in a stalemate if they end up guarding one another. “I know a lot of Zack’s tendencies,” Paul said. “I
“Playing together for so long has helped us develop excellent chemistry.” 49
know he’s a really strong shooter. So my goal is to take that away from him.” Zack keeps a close eye on Paul during the school season as well. “Sometimes I feel like I can tell what he’s thinking,” Zack said. “It makes it a little easier to guard him, but he can still get by you because of his quickness and finesse.” Zack and Paul have an interesting advantage that works in their favor. While they only see each other once during their school’s basketball season, they spend about five months a year outside of school as teammates. They are part of an AAU (Amateur Athletic Union) team, the South Georgia Shooters, that competes from February to June each year. During
their 2013 season, the Shooters represented South Georgia in various tournaments throughout Georgia and Florida. Basketball season at their respective schools is normally finished by the time the AAU season picks up. And as much as each of them appreciates the time spent on their school team, their AAU experiences are irreplaceable. “We travel a lot more with the Shooters than we do during our school season,” Paul said. “It’s a lot more fun because we get to go so many places.” During their first tournament in Atlanta in 2013, the team was taking a break between games when they noticed a towering figure watching games
across the gym. The boys approached the quiet giant (who actually stood at 7’2”) after their coaches informed them of who he was. What followed was an impromptu photo op with four-time Defensive Player of the Year and eight-time NBA All-Star Dikembe Mutombo. “It was really cool,” Zack said. “I’ve never seen anyone as tall as him. Plus, I’ve never seen an actual NBA player in person before.” Tournaments in larger cities have their fair share of competition. The team faced some adversity when they headed to larger areas, but it can’t be argued that the Shooters are boasting some of the best middle school basketball players in the area. In their local leagues and tournaments, they enjoyed an undefeated 2013 season, and they took home multiple championships. Both players agree that there is a certain level of comfort that comes along with playing together. They also agree that their comfort paves the way to misfortune for opposing defenders. “If the defense is in a 2-3 zone and I see Zack open on the wing, I know I can slash to the middle and kick it out,” Paul said. “He’s a really good threepoint shooter, so it always works out.” Zack echoes the same opinion. “Paul’s shooting always spreads the floor,” he said. “If the defense focuses on me, Paul is usually all alone in the corner. And once he gets hot, they shift and it frees me up. It works out for both of us.” Zack and Paul have one final year of head-tohead competition remaining before they could very well end up as teammates, once again, at Lowndes High School. “Playing in high school with Paul would be great,” Zack said. “It’s makes the game easier having someone that’s always on the same page. I think that together, we can only get better.” Likewise, Paul looks forward to one day taking the court during the school year with his AAU teammate by his side. “We know each other so well,” Paul said. “Playing together for so long has helped us develop excellent chemistry.” The South Georgia Shooters have paired two extremely talented basketball players together. And if their bond from traveling basketball is any inclination as to what high school holds, Viking fans are in for a treat very soon. ITG
Paul-Michael’s Grade: 7th Height: 5’2” Position: Point Guard Parents: Cedric and Dawn Montgomery How long have you been playing basketball? Since I was six What is your favorite aspect of the game? I’m a shooter. I love to shoot.
Favorites:
Food: Pasta Subject: Social Studies Team: Paul Georgia Hobbies: Playing video games Athlete: Paul George
Zachary’s Grade: 7th Height: 5’4” Position: Shooting Guard Parents: Tegan and Adrian Gardner How long have you been playing basketball? Since I was three What is your favorite aspect of the game? I love to learn new things, and the competition is never the same.
Favorites:
Food: Velveeta shells and cheese Subject: Social studies Team: Oklahoma City Thunder Hobbies: Playing video games and watching TV Athlete: Kevin Durant
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The most bang for your bite It’s no secret. Athletes need more of any macronutrient than the average Joe. Protein is a macronutrient that must not be overlooked—especially for athletes looking to gain muscle or maintain their current physique. Your body uses protein to build and repair tissues, hence the reason you should consume a substantial amount of protein in your post-workout meal or snack. If you find it difficult to reach your grams-per-day of protein, In the Game has provided a list of some of the most protein concentrated foods available.
Food Turkey Breast Fish Non-fat Mozzarella Egg Whites Pork Loin Lean Beaf Whey Protin Powder Beans
Calories per 1 gram 4.5 kcal 4.5 kcal 4.7 kcal 5 kcal 5.2 kcal 5.3 kcal 6.1 kcal 10.4 kcal
Your daily gram intake should correlate with whatever sport(s) you play. Athletes should consume 1-2 grams per kilogram of body weight per day. Cross country runners should keep to around 1 gram, while football players and weightlifters can move on up the spectrum. Non-athletes are advised to consume 0.8 grams per kilogram.
Nutrition Fitness
Protein
by Sarah Turner
Let’s say you are a 100-kilogram basketball player. You should probably shoot for around 1.6 grams per kilogram. Therefore, you should consume 160 grams of protein per day. Don’t know how much you weigh in kilograms? Simply divide your weight in pounds by 2.2. 220 pounds / 2.2 = 100 kilograms
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