Southeast Georgia May 2018 Edition by ITG Next Magazine

40 LOVE VS. LIFE Ravien Green, Ware Co. High School

DRIVEN Emma Thomas Ware Co. Middle School

ALMOST PERFECT Glynn Academy

Reaching the Goal

GAME SOUTHEAST GEORGIA

May 2018

IN THE

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In The Game | 1

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In 8 14 18 19

e u s s I s i h tT

Reaching the Goal

Nico Bulatao, Glynn Academy

40 Love Vs. Life

Ravien Green, Ware Co. High School

Almost Perfect Glynn Academy

A New Foundation

Brian Crawford, Brunswick High School

Driven

The Double Double?

Also 25

Lady Gators Win Region Title

A LEAGUE OF HIS OWN

Ware Co. High School

Pierce Co. High School

Emma Thomas, Ware Co. Middle School Ross and Ryan Rush, Jeff Davis High School

In The Game | 5

FROM THE PUBLISHER

28 The final push to several state title runs has begun. At the time of this letter, the Southeast Georgia coverage area had three teams remaining in the hunt for a baseball title. Jeff Davis was trying to repeat as the 2A state champs; Appling was traveling almost to Tennessee in Ringgold, Georgia, to try and keep their 3A hopes alive; and Charlton was fresh off their court case (another story for another day) to try to win their third state title in six years for 1A public. We had several region title winners in SEGA: The Ware County Lady Gators track team won Region 2-5A for both boys and girls. The Brantley tennis teams won back-to-back Region 2-3A tennis titles. The Ware County rifle team won its second state title in a row while posting the best score ever recorded for a Georgia state title in riflery. The Glynn Academy girls soccer team was traveling to Atlanta to take on Alpharetta in the 6A state title. Congratulations to all the teams in SEGA for a fantastic spring sports season. It’s great to see high school athletes make a commitment at a young age to be a great student-athlete. Recognizing you’re not where you want to be and putting forth the effort to change your situation in life is rare in young people today. Glynn Academy soccer player Nico Bulatao recognized at a young age he was going to do whatever it took to be successful. As a senior for the Red Terrors, he’s the go-to player for

6 | itgnext.com

coach Brockman with the offense running through Nico. I say the goal has been achieved. Let’s see: She maintains a 93 GPA, has marched in the band for four years, has been playing varsity tennis for four years, and has been the No. 1 singles player for the Gators the last two seasons. Respected by her teammates on the tennis court — where she leads by example — and praised by her teachers for her dedicated work in the classroom, I’d say Raiven Green has had an excellent high school career at Ware County. I was not that familiar with Brunswick High Pirates new head baseball coach Brian Crawford when he was hired in the offseason to replace the longtime coach Al Otte. Back on Feb. 27, 2018, at a game versus Ware County, I learned everything I needed to know about coach Crawford. In a five-minute span he won my respect and admiration. I won’t get into details, but let’s just say it was the greatest thing I’ve seen on a high school baseball field ever! I knew after that entertaining “incident” that Glynn County athletic director Steve Waters had made the right choice and that Pirate baseball was in good hands with coach Crawford. Emma Thomas is a true threesport athlete. Emma is part of the cheerleading squad at Ware Middle School that dethroned the Pierce Middle School squad after eight years of domination as the conference champions. In the spring she doubles up for good measure, playing both soccer and golf for the WCMS Gators. The Ware Middle School eighth-grader has left her mark at the middle school level and is eager to

compete at the high school level, having already made the 2018-19 cheerleading squad for the high school. The double double? Meet the Rush twins of Jeff Davis High School: Ross and Ryan. The twins play baseball for coach Paul Glass and the Yellow Jackets, who won the 2A state title in baseball in 2017. Now the twins and the Yellow Jackets have an opportunity to win back-to-back state titles as they are headed to the Final Four in 2A. Could the Rush twins (double) win another state title (double)? We hope you enjoy reading In the Game as much as we enjoy producing and publishing it. We are always open to suggestions as well as story ideas or ways you think we can improve our magazine. Please visit our website at www.itgnext.com and Facebook at www.facebook.com/itgnext. Follow us on Twitter @SEGAInTheGame and on Instagram at inthegamesega. Keep a lookout for some exciting news coming soon on new online programing via our online radio station. While you’re online, don’t forget to nominate a deserving student-athlete or coach for one of our feature articles. You’ll be glad you did.

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Contributors

Publisher Shawn Smoak Editor Mark Dykes Graphics Mandy Douthit Cover Photography Michael Brinson Feature Photography Michael Brinson Jennifer Carter Johnson Gena Churchwell Chelsea Brantley Feature Writers Rob Asbell W. John Wood John DuPont Phil Jones Evan Smoak Jaron Raulerson Copy Editor Anna Limoges Advertising/Marketing Shawn Smoak shawn@itgsportsnetwork.com Mark Dykes mark@itgsportsnetwork.com Website Manager Mandy Douthit SEGA Prep Sports P.O. Box 2960 Waycross, Ga. | 31502 Corporate Office: Dykes Media Group LLC P.O. Box 812 Valdosta, Ga. | 31603 In the Game is published monthly (excluding July). The contents of this publication may not be reproduced in part or in full without consent from the publisher. Dykes Media Group, LLC 2018 makes no representation or warranty of any kind for accuracy of content. All advertisements are assumed by the publisher to be correct. Copyright 2015 Dykes Publishing Group, LLC. All rights reserved. ISSN 1945-1458.

Reaching the Goal Written by: Rob Asbell Photography by: Michael Brinson

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For many years, the great soccer players of the world have been known by a single name: “Pele,” “Messi,” and “Renaldo” just to name a few. In Southeast Georgia, people take notice of the name “Nico” — as in Nico Bulatao, the Glynn Academy senior who was co-Region 2-6A Player of the Year last season.

“All teams know we play through Nico and he gets the ball more than any player we have,” said Bobby Brockman, Glynn Academy head soccer

coach.

Bulatao is a center midfielder and two-year captain for the Region champion Terrors. He has been a starter since joining the team as a freshman and has been named all-Region each year he has played. At 5’7”, Bulatao is compact and fast. He keeps possession well and plays with confidence, yet is a

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humble player who leads by example. A fierce competitor who hates to lose, Bulatao has great technical ability. He is a strong header and tough tackler. He has worked hard to become a star player for the tradition-rich Glynn Academy soccer program. “I’ve learned over the years that the saying, ‘What you put in is what

you get out,’ is as true as it gets," Bulatao said. "If you want it, and I mean really want it, then you will do anything in your power to make sure you get it.” He started playing soccer at 6 years old when his parents signed him up to play in the inhouse league at the soccer complex on Jekyll Island. He continued playing through sixth grade

when he added travel soccer. “It got a lot more competitive,” he said. He started out on the “B” team in travel soccer and had to work his way up. “I wasn’t anything special," he said. "I was a kid that was on the heavier side with large legs and mediocre pace. Then, I started to really commit

“I REALLY wanted to play on the ‘A’ team when I was younger, so I did everything I could to accomplish that goal.” — Nico Bulatao

myself to working on my craft.” The additional benefit was that he started to lose weight and gain speed. The next season, he not only made the “A” team, he was a starter. “I really wanted to play on the ‘A’ team when I was younger, so I did everything I could to accomplish that goal,” he said. Bulatao worked hard In The Game | 9

at every practice, exercised during his free time, and started eating a healthier diet. “I committed myself to what I wanted, and eventually I reached my goal.” Upon entering high school at Glynn Academy, Bulatao became a starter for the Terrors. His first big play occurred his freshman year against cross-town rival Brunswick High School.

“It was my first time playing in the city rivalry match, and I was so nervous," Bulatao said. "That whole day, all I could think about was the game and how I hoped I’d play well.” As the game progressed, Glynn Academy took possession and started moving up the field. Seth Carroll makes a run on the right side and has massive amounts of space in front of him. They get the ball to the open man who takes off down the flank, pulling in the defending center backs. Bulatao sprinted down the center and started calling for the ball. Carroll played a perfect pass right near the penalty kick spot, and Bulatao finished it with one kick. “A huge sigh of relief left my body after that one,” he said. Through the years he has won awards and accolades but perhaps none as flattering as a compliment from an opposing coach following a region game this season. The coach praised Bulatao's talent and effort and then said that he wanted his kids to imitate Bulatao's style of play. “That’s when it hit me; the way I play had influenced this coach so much that he wanted his children to exhibit the same characteristics I do when 10 | itgnext.com

“I’ve learned over the years that the saying, ‘What you put in is what you get out,’ is as true as it gets. If you want it, and I mean really want it, then you will do anything in your power to make sure you get it.” — Nico Bulatao

In The Game | 11

I’m on the field,” Bulatao said. Rather than tell them to imitate Messi or Renaldo, he wanted them to play like Bulatao. “This coach wanted his kids to play like No. 22 from Glynn Academy," Bulatao said. "To me, that was a very humbling experience and is definitely the highlight of my high school soccer career.” The son of Joseph and Beth Bulatao of Brunswick, Nico Bulatao carries a 4.0 GPA and is a mem-

“This coach wanted his kids to play like No. 22 from Glynn Academy. To me, that was a very humbling experience and is definitely the highlight of my high school soccer career.” — Nico Bulatao

ber of the National Honor Society, Spirit Club, and Latin Club. He is a recipient of the University of Georgia Certificate of Merit and is a Presbyterian College Junior Fellow Scholar. His plans are to attend UGA and major in cellular biology. “I want to be a pediatrician specializing in immunology and disease prevention,” he said. He credited his parents for influencing him as a player and a per-

son. They have covered the costs of playing and chauffeured him to games and practices. “But that’s just a sliver of the effort and work they put in for me; they raised me right as a kid,” Bulatao said. Bulatao is a typical teenager who spends time with friends, although he admited to finding time to read a good book on occasion. “Playing soccer relieves me of all the stress that goes on in my life.,"

he said. "It helps me forget about whatever may be bothering me, making me think only about the game at hand.” Coaches and teachers described Bulatao as a tremendous student and a strong role model for younger players.

“Nico is an absolute joy to coach and just be around,” Brockman said. “He will be sorely missed next year.”

The story behind the number: Nico Bulatao has worn No. 22 since he was a young man. “No. 22 was actually the number of a professional soccer player, Eric Abidal,” Bulatao said. Abidal was a popular player for FC Barcelona. “One day, though, I remember reading online that he was diagnosed with cancer, so he’d have to take a long break from the game he loved,” Bulatao said. When Bulatao had to choose a new number, he decided to pay homage to Abidal by wearing his number. “My dad and I thought we should change it to 22 just to show our admiration for Abidal and everything he had accomplished while playing the sport,” Bulatao said. Courtesy of si.com/soccer

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tlanta pro soccer teams are preparing for the next season. The Atlanta United preseason began in February, and regular season MLS play begins March 3 against the Houston Dynamo. They will be on the road for the season opener at the BBVA Compass Center. This will be the team’s fourth season. They share the Mercedes-Benz Stadium with the NFL’s Atlanta Falcons. They will be coached by Gerardo Martino, who is in his second year as the team’s coach. The team was granted a berth to the playoffs a season ago, where they were eliminated in the first round because of penalties. Centre back Leandro Gonzalez Pirez is looking to capitalize on an impressive first season with Atlanta. He led the defense to be top five in the league last season. “Instead of being in the top five like last year, we want to be the top three or the best in the league as far as goals allowed,” Pirez said in an interview with Ryan Catanese. “We’re a very ambitious team, and we’re going to give our all and go for everything.”

Josef Martinez feels that there is unfinished business in Atlanta after falling short and will do whatever it takes to reach their goal. The 20-year-old Venezuelan sensation scored 19 goals, according to atlutd.com, and challenged for the Golden Boot Award. The National Premier Soccer League season begins in August. The Atlanta Silverbacks will begin their NPSL play on August 1 at the CFA Correcaminos. The Silverbacks call the Atlanta Silverbacks Park their home. The team went 6-4-2 in 2017, where they lost in the NPSL Conference Semifinals and lost in the second round of the Open Cup. This team wants to return to the prominence of 2013, when they won the championship. The Silverbacks have a new coach in town – Roberto Neves who was appointed in December. Neves was an assistant coach for the Silverbacks in 2013, their championship season. This will make the season interesting. Neves could be the ingredient to getting the Silverbacks back to the championship with his championship history.

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40 Love Vs. Life

Written by: W. John Wood Photography by: Jennifer Carter Johnson

Some athletes will play their last down, quarter, or inning, and then their time actively playing that sport abruptly ends. However, you choose a different timeline of playing a sport when you pick a lifetime sport like tennis. Ware County senior Ravien Green picked up a tennis racket for the first time in sixth grade. Typically as athletes start

to enter middle school, natural talents start to separate players; however, athletes also develop habits of perseverance, leadership, and a passion for the game that enhance their athletic abilities. Once Green served her first ball and hit her first backhand, she found a game that she became passionate about.

For me, one thing I learned and would want to tell younger players is that nothing you deserve comes easy, so hard work is a must. — Ravien Green

“I only play tennis," Green said. "When I developed a love for the game, it drove me to continue and get better. I watched and studied, attempting to perfect various techniques that I wanted to emulate. In my most improved year, I felt my growth and development as a player. For me, one thing I learned and would want to tell young-

Five Workouts on the Agility Ladder to Improve Footwork:

Start

14 | itgnext.com

One Leg Hops

Ickey Shuffle

Move up the ladder with one foot lifted while hopping from one panel to the next for speed.

Follow the pattern of in, out, and up. If you start to the left, move your feet one at time to outside left of the panel, to the inside of the panel, to the outside right of the panel, up to the next panel, and repeat.

Start

er players is that nothing you deserve comes easy so hard work is a must.” She started to watch professional tennis and players in a different way. Totally consumed by wanting to be the best she could be, she spent hours watching players like Venus and Serena Williams and considering the technical aspects of their swings and what Left Foot

Right Foot

Start

she could do to be able in everything I do," to use those same me- she said. "Alongside chanics within her ability. studying techniques, I “I studied all forms of made sure I mastered tennis," she said. "From the foot placement fundamentals to pros, I learned and grew in ev- and stroke precision ery possible way because of my back- and foreI was willing to get better. hand throughout my The force the pros play improvements to get with is what I aspire to even more powerful embody. Seeing Serena with my swing and acand her sister, Venus, after curacy." all these years still putting The film work, footin the work work, and lets me and cardio and the rest of strength the world Seeing Serena and, training paid know that her sister, Venus, off for Green the grind after all these years when she does not was selected ever stop. still putting in the as the No. 1 The key work lets me and singles playto having the rest of the world er for the power and Lady Gators strength in know that the grind her final two every stroke does not ever stop. years of varcomes from sity tennis. — Ravien Green the will “I have to follow been told through. If you do not that my swing is pretty diffollow the shot, it is weak ficult to handle from my and unresponsive to any teammates, and for that, form of stroke you were I am extremely grateful hoping for." to have that capability," Entering high school, Green said. "To put as Green not only played much speed and power varsity all four years, but and precision as Serena she excelled in the class- can is definitely not easy. room and was part of the But something that helps marching band. is building your body in

“Being in marching band for all four years of my high school career allowed me to enhance my skills in being able to multi-task and have discipline

the weight room, so I too am in the weight room with the football players, digging in every day and trying to ‘better myself’ as Coach Stevens would put it." Lady Gators tennis

3 Forward 2 Back

Side Straddle Hop

In and Out

Keeping your feet together, follow the pattern of three single hops forward and two hops backwards.

Moving along the side of the ladder, hop in and out of each box with both feet and avoid clapping your feet.

Facing the side of the agility ladder, touch in and out of each box with both feet. Follow a four count of in, in, out, out. Repeat this drill on both sides of the ladder.

Start

In The Game | 15

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coach Nate Mooneyham has seen Green’s game transform over the years. “Ravien is a great student-athlete" Mooneyham said. "She has excelled in varsity tennis for four years, the last two playing No. 1 singles. She's done this all while maintaining a 93 GPA and being an active participant in the band program. The considerable improvement she has made is all due to her extreme hard work and per-

sistence. She was always a great teammate, but by the end of her senior season, she was a leader that others looked up to. She set a great example as to what I was looking for in our players. She is heading to South Georgia next year to begin her collegiate education." In only a number of days, Green will finish her time completely and walk across the stage at Ware County High School. Though she will major in

science at South Georgia College, her favorite subject is English because of her eighth-grade English teacher, Mrs. Giraldo. Green’s goal is to finish at UGA or KSU and be an epidemiologist.

“This past year, I stepped out of my comfort zone and was thrown into a weight training course that I was in no form prepared for," Green said. "Although it stretched

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12 Billie Jean King

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9 Maureen Connolly

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9 Monica Seles

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18 Chris Evert

8 Molla Mallory

me to my limits in the beginning, it taught me to be resilient, powerful, and coachable so that I could reach my full potential."

that I now resonate with physically, emotionally, and spiritually,” Green said. “Although I am thankful for every member of my family, I do not know where I would be without my dad motivating me every day and vocalizing his constructive criticism, inspiring me to persevere all the more.”

Ware County has certainly made its mark on Green, who counts the coaches and teachers along with her own family for making her successful. “My coaches and teachers have imprinted this mentality in me daily

In The Game | 17

ALMOST PERFECT Written by: Rob Asbell Photography by: Gena Churchwell

It may not have been perfect, but the Glynn Academy girls soccer team still had a season to remember. Despite flirting with a perfect record, the Lady Terrors fell in the GHSA 6A championship game 3-2 to Alpharetta. “The season was great overall despite losing the final game, but I’m very proud of my girls and the way they handled the pressure all year long,” said Thomas Lemmon, Glynn Academy girls head soccer coach. The title game was played at a neutral site: on the artificial turf at McEachern High School in Powder Springs, Georgia. A large contingent of Terror fans made the trip to the northwest side 18 | itgnext.com

of metro-Atlanta and cheered on the team, including a standing ovation for a freshman who had to fill in at goal for 30 seconds. It was the first trip to the big game for the Lady Terrors, who had won all 21 of their previous games this season, 16 of them by shutout. Things changed in the championship game, with Glynn taking on the most potent offense it had faced all year. The two teams stayed close the entire game. Alpharetta scored first on a breakaway nine minutes into the game. The Lady Terrors answered back quickly when, a minute later, senior Mady Carroll found the net to even the

score. The Lady Raiders scored on a penalty kick to take the lead once again. With just under six minutes to go in the first half, freshman Sally Brock took advantage of an Alpharetta miscue and slammed a loose ball into the goal to tie it at 2-2. Alpharetta took the lead for good early in the second half with a powerful shot on goal that slipped past the outstretched arms of Glynn Academy goal keeper Bliss Hutchings. Prior to the championship game, she had not allowed a goal in more than a month. She had not been scored on in the previous seven matches, including the four state tournament

games leading up to the championship. A senior, Hutchings will attend the United States Military Academy at West Point next year. She is one of five seniors who will graduate which means Glynn will have 18 returning players on the 23-person roster in 2019. “We will have to wait and see what next season brings us," Lemmon said. "We’re very young this year, but lose a lot of great senior leadership.” Many players made a huge impact for Glynn this season. Brock, Anna Meredith, and Haley Williams were up top, while Marley Johnson, Whitley Barbee, Beth Kelsch, and Lacy Tucker were dom-

inate on the defensive side of the field. “We are very young, and the young players got a good taste of what it takes to get to the state final,” Lemmon said. “I’m very proud of my girls and what they have accomplished this year, but we have unfinished business that will help fuel them for next season.” Glynn Academy was undefeated during the regular season and won Region 2-6A with an 8-0 record. In the playoffs they shutout Northside (Warner Robins), Heritage, Creekview, and Pope.

A New Foundation Written by: Rob Asbell Photography by: Michael Brinson

Every time Minnesota seed in the state playoffs. Twins center fielder By- Being named head baseron Buxton makes a play, ball coach this year is the Brunswick baseball coach culmination of a great Brian Crawford smiles just deal of hard work and a little. He was there when patience by Crawford, the phenom got his start who relishes the chance at Appling County Middle to lead the program. School in Baxley. “It is the first real base“He (Buxton) was ball opportunity to do committed to playing the what I have wanted to do game with the respect the for a while, and I am so game demands,” Craw- grateful,” he said. ford said. He brings a winning atCommitment, respect, titude formed from a great and discideal of pracpline are tice and hard Commitment, the founwork by the dations team that respect, and u p o n bought in to discipline are which the C ra w f o rd ’s first-year the foundations program of coach is inuing upon which the cont building improvefirst-year coach ment. the Pirates baseball “He is alis building the program. ways telling Pirates baseball us we can A l ready this do things program. spring, better,” said Crawford senior Harhas led the relatively rison Trawick, voted the young Pirates to a win- 2018 Region 2-6A Player ning season and a No. 3 of the Year. “If we beat a In The Game | 19

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team 15-0, he is still able to find the negatives of our performance to still help us get better.” Brunswick did have a 13-0 victory this season and finished the year with a record of 17-13 with five of their wins coming by one run. A winning attitude and a playoff berth were not the only bright spots for the Pirates this season. The team exceeded expectations during the annual Baseball at the Beach tournament in February. Playing unknown opponents, Crawford’s team held its own against two of the best in the state — Lassiter and Gainesville. Brunswick downed the Lassiter Trojans by one run in extra innings before beating

the Red Elephants 9-3. “I can remember “Those games had a those nine guys, three of bit of everywhich were thing from eighth-grad“Most of our complete ers, and problems are control, thinking how mental. No matter a d v e r s i t y, much out of if it’s baseball tenacious their element or softball, they play, luck, they were,” patience, Crawford have to accept the and a never said. situation the game quit mental- calls for and believe Fre d e r i ity,” Craw- they can get the job ca faced a ford said. strong Brentdone well.” Although wood team in his first that year and — Brian Crawford year at the gave them a good game helm of the Brunswick before falling. baseball program, this is Prior to coaching the not Crawford’s first stint Knights, Crawford was an as a head coach. He was assistant at Appling Counhead baseball coach at ty, where he coached ByFrederica Academy 2009- ron Buxton. He left Fred12. The Knights made the erica Academy, a private playoffs in 2011 for the GISA school on St. Simons first time in years. Island, to become an as-

sistant at Glynn Academy. In 2015, Crawford returned to Brunswick High School as a baseball assistant as well as head coach for the Pirates softball program, a position he still holds. A two-sport athlete is fairly common in high school sports, but a two-sport head coach is more unusual. Then consider that the two sports are girls softball and boys baseball. Similar, yet different. “They have overlapping strategies: For one, you are trying to square up a round ball with a round bat,” Crawford said. “Second, you’re attempting to throw strikes over a 17-inch plate between the ‘letters’ and knees.” While there are other obvious similarities,

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softball is a faster paced game. “Most of our problems are mental," he said. "No matter if it’s baseball or softball, they have to accept the situation the game calls for and believe they can get the job done well.” Crawford will have to juggle both sports as they condition and train during the offseason. The main challenge will be communicating with all of the players involved. They fill the gap during softball offseason with the Diamond Crushers travel ball team and Pound 4 Pound Softball. Originally from Jesup, Crawford attended Wayne County High School, where he played for then-coach Jay Brinson, who taught him to stay humble. He played college baseball for both Georgia Southern and Valdosta State Universi-

ty, where he learned the mental side of the game along with the intangibles of being competitive. “When the connection between player and coach is made evident, they finally see what you see in their ability and what they can bring to the table,” he said.

Players say he has brought a whole new culture to the Pirates’ baseball program. “He’s kicked things up a notch here at Brunswick High,” Trawick said. “He’s definitely the most competitive coach I’ve ever played for. He doesn’t care who is in the other dugout, he knows we can beat them.”

The Coach’s Philosophy The foundation of my coaching philosophy is based on the mindset for commitment, discipline, and respect. It is my belief that these three factors are the key ingredients to building a motivated and cohesive atmosphere that will better the individual’s performance on the field and in the classroom. • Commitment is a decision and the first pillar to set. Committing to something larger than yourself gives you purpose of action. • Building discipline is made possible after the decision to commit is accepted. • Respect is understanding that one must show respect first in order to gain respect.

Please join us

FOURTH ANNUAL Southeast Georgia High School Media Day Presented by:

Saturday, July 28 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.

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

Come kick off the 2018 high school football season with the Fourth Annual In the Game SEGA and Coastal Pines Technical College Media Day on St. Simons Island!

Area head coaches and key players from the In the Game SEGA coverage area teams will address the crowd and media on the upcoming 2018 Football Season.

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

WARE COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL LADY GATORS WIN REGION TITLE Written by: Evan Smoak | Photos Courtesy of Ware County High School

While some of Ware County's female athletes are serving aces on the tennis courts or lacing up a pair of cleats on the pitch, a select few are racing around the oval. The Ware track teams have been a force to be reckoned with for years now, being a mainstay near the top of the region charts. Last year, the boys team hoisted a region trophy, and the Lady Gators followed suit this year as Region 2-5A girls track champions. This isn’t new for the Lady Gators, as they captured their first region title in 2014. In 2015 the lady gators placed third; the following two years, they fell just short and were region runners-up. However, this year the Gators were set on getting back their title. “From the first day of practice, the girls have been focused and determined to change this year’s outcome," said Alesia Gibson, head coach. After a back and forth region track meet, the Lady Gators pulled away from host Statesboro to capture the title. At the region meet, many Lady Gators captured season best times and region champion or runner-up titles. Senior Arviniec McDonald was a region champion in the 100-meter dash and a region runner-up in the 200 dash. Freshman Ronasche Fluker was a region runner-up in the 400 dash and was a member of the region runner-up 4x400 relay team. Kaylah Youngblood, L’Daja Davis, and Latreona Holmes rounded out that relay team. Sophomore Savannah Boyd was a region champion in the 300 hurdles. The Lady Gators 4X100 relay team — consisting of Demya Gibson, Matea Boyd, Miyah Daniels, and McDonald — caught a region title for the Gators. In the high jump, Cornesha Cannady claimed a region title, while McDonald was a region runner-up in long jump. Fluker also gained a triple jump region title. In pole vault, the Lady Gators earned the region champion and runner-up titles as Youngblood finished first and Hannah Boggan second. Shoovier Spaulding & Waynisha Coleman were region runners-up in discus and shot put, respectively.

In The Game | 25

PIERCE COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL

A LEAGUE OF HIS OWN

Written by: Jaron Raulerson | Photo courtesy of Chandler Watson

On April 27 against Worth County in the first round of the GHSA 3A state playoffs, foreign exchange student Alexander Kessler scored a whopping seven goals for the Pierce County Bears to help them advance to Round 2. This was one of the highest scoring games in Bears history and the highest scoring game in playoff history for the boys team. The Bears went into that game with a 12-5 record, 8-2 in region play. They started the game off sluggish, giving up a goal within the opening minutes of the game, but quickly responded with a goal of their own by Kessler, who scored his second goal within what seemed like a matter of minutes. Pierce seemed to be in a rhythm, and after Kessler’s third straight goal, they were on fire. The Bears averaged a goal every 5 minutes in the first 15 minutes of the game. Kessler scored his fourth goal with an assist from Jake Wheeler for the first goal of the second half. Christian Lacot scored his first goal almost 2 minutes later, upping the score to 5-1. Wheeler joined the party after scoring his first goal of the game, which was the sixth straight unanswered goal by Pierce County. Kessler scored another goal for the team, the fourth goal within 5 minutes for the Bears. Jaime Gaona was the next Bear to score a point after a penalty kick. Lacot scored his second goal of the match and the 10th overall for the team. Pierce County kept quiet and didn’t score again until the last seconds of the game, when Kessler scored his seventh and final goal for the night to cap of an amazing game for himself and his team. Coach Matthew Wheeler’s team, in only his second year as head coach, had just made it into the Sweet 16 of the playoffs, a big accomplishment for the boys and for Pierce County High School. On April 26 they traveled to Zebulon to battle Pike County and keep their shot at a state title alive. After a hard fought battle, the boys fell just short from advancing. Pierce County finished the season overall with a 13-6 record, 100th overall in the state of Georgia, and left the fans with hope for the 2019 season.

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Written by: John DuPont Photography by: Jennifer Carter Johnson

Three-sport stars don’t grow on trees, and Ware County Middle School student Emma Thomas is an even rarer find. The daughter of Cecil and Heather Thomas, the eighth-grade standout plays soccer and golf in the spring alone, this in addition to competition cheerleading in the fall. She’s also a straight-A student. With a proven record of success, Thomas has Gator faithful excited about the future. 28 | itgnext.com

“Emma has been an outstanding student-athlete at Ware County Middle School, and she will definitely be missed,” said Chad Starling, WCMS athletic director. “She has a very bright future ahead, and we wish her the best.” Fueled by a desire to succeed at the highest levels, Thomas and her

cheer teammates started the school year by ending Pierce County’s eight-year run of championships in the Southeast Georgia Middle School Athletic Conference. She has already punched her ticket for the varsity cheer squad as a rising freshman at Ware County High School. “We have competition (cheer), and everybody that makes the team also does football and basketball,” Thomas said. “In

high school, I will cheer on the JV sideline and for high school competitions. I’m not sure yet if I’m going to be on the floor for varsity competition, but if I am, I’ll be a base.” Base. Cornerstone. Linchpin. All describe Thomas's roles on each respective team. This spring WCMS advanced to the conference soccer semi-finals, finishing third. Thanks to convenient scheduling, the 5’3” center-mid never had to

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worry about golf matches game since age 7, Thomconflicting with soccer. as recently battled to a “Usually I go to all of three-way finish for low the soccer practices be- medalist honors at the cause it’s a team sport conference golf tournaand I have to work with ment. Ware Middle finmy team,” said Thomas, ished second as Thomas one of the team’s cap- fired a nine-hole score of tains. “But in golf you can 41. One of her co-medalwork out on your own, so ists was Thomas’s cousin, I did go to a couple of Carlin Paulk of Waycross golf practices. However, I Middle School. mainly worked my game “Carlin has always on the weekends with my been a little bit ahead dad.” of me in golf,” Thomas First taking up soc- said. “Because I played cer in grade soccer too, school, Thomwe actually as competed got a chance at the YMCA I got interested to play toand in recent gether in the in soccer years also tournament. played with a Her first few because it Jekyll Island holes were based team. would push me really great, She did opt to be the best I and mine out of travel were not so could be with great. I had soccer this my friends. to get mypast spring to focus on self together, school athletand I wound — Emma Thomas ics and acaup playing some of the demics. However, travel best golf I’ve ball remains near and ever played. We were dear to Thomas. so shocked. Sharing that “I got interested in with Carlin was really spesoccer because it would cial.” Former Ware County push me to be the best I could be with my friends High School and Univer— also, for just love of sity of Kentucky golfer Erthe game,” she said. “If I ica Still Grady, who now quit playing travel soccer serves as girls golf head today, I would always re- coach at Brunswick High member the time I scored School, has monitored my first goal with the both Thomas and Paulk Golden Isles United. We throughout their careers. players were very close, and we all got better.” Tasha Musgrove, girls “Emma has explosoccer coach at WCMS, sive power through said: “Emma is a player the ball,” Grady said. that follows through with commitment, strives to “Her background in put the team's success competitive cheer and above hers (on and off weight training gives the field), and displays her an advantage on strong character and high the golf course. She integrity during any given has that competitive match. She also demon- edge that drives her strates her responsibility to get better. I retoward academics. Emma member getting my possesses the awareness that academics is the first start at golf in the step toward being the same shoes as Emma at Ware Middle. It best athlete you can be.” Honing her golf makes me extremely In The Game | 29

proud of both Emma and Carlin when I see them work hard on their game.”

but I need to make sure I have enough time for my school work and to make all A’s.” “Emma is a dedicated and driven athlete,” said Mutual admiration ex- Colbi Sellers, girls golf ists between Thomas and coach at WMS. “She has managed to play these Still. “I want to play in col- two sports at a very comlege like Coach Erica did,” petitive level. I have enThomas said. “Besides fix- joyed watching her learn ing a couple of things in and grow through the my swing, she taught me years, and I’m extremely how to approach the ball proud of the player she and carry myself on the has become. I expect big course with my mental accomplishments from game so I can perform her.” Already a National the way I need to.” Honor SoThroughciety memout her career, Thomber, Thomas as has relied competes upon golf- “I think I’m going on the math ing advice team. She to have to focus from her particularon one sport to father, Cely enjoys be really good. I cil, and her the probgrandfather, haven’t officially lem-solving G e o r g e . made that decision aspect of We e ke n d s math. yet. I think I can in the spring “You can play both, but I and fall ofalways prove ten find need to make sure why you’re them on I have enough right and the links at time for my school why other Okefenochoices are kee Country work and to make wrong,” she Club. That’s all A’s.” said. “On because the math tests, I youngest always know — Emma Thomas member of that with the trio busfour choices, ies herself with soccer or three of them are wrong.” cheer practice during the Desiring a future in week. the medical field, Thomas “I’m not sure I will play said she would also enjoy soccer in high school,” a math-related field. Thomas said. “I think I’m Her resume includes going to have to focus service as a leader in on one sport to be really her Fellowship of Chrisgood. I haven’t officially tian Athletes Huddle at made that decision yet. WCMS. She also attends I think I can play both,

Central Baptists Church in Waycross and is active in her youth group. In fifth grade, she participated in a mission trip to Haiti. “We went to a pre-school in the day,” she said. “We painted their walls and re-did some other stuff. We played with the kids and talked with them about their lives and what they wanted to do. I want to help people. I think that’s kind of cool.” As for how she wants to be remembered, Thomas offered the following take:

“I just hope to leave an impression of determination and responsibility. I want people to know that I am determined not only in sports but in my school work and that I am compassionate about people.”

GOLF TRIVIA

Who are the oldest and youngest players to win the Masters in 1963 and 1986?

30 | itgnext.com

2 What is the only grand slam event Lee Traviano won?

Who was the first golfer since Jack Nicklaus to win eight PGA events in their first six years on tour?

Which Japanese golfer is the only player to win events on the PGA, Senior, Japanese, European, and Australian tours?

5 Which golfer won nine tournaments during her 1978 rookie year on the LPGA Tour?

Answers: 1. Jack Nickalus 2. The Masters 3. Phil Mickelson 4. Isao Aoki 5. Nancy Lopez

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In The Game | 33

The Double Double? Written by: Phil Jones Photography by: Chelsea Brantley

In Hazlehurst, Georgia, there is a pair of seniors at Jeff Davis High School who are wrapping up their season as teammates for the Yellow Jackets baseball team. But these arenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t just any two teammates. They are the only brothers on the Yellow Jackets team, and they just happen to be identical twins. Meet Ryan and Ross Rush.

Like many of their teammates at Jeff Davis High, the Rush twins began playing baseball at a young age. Ryan started at catcher, while Ross played first base and pitched a little bit. As a left hander, his youth league coaches began using him more as a pitcher until he moved to pitcher exclusively in the 10th grade. Both have played for Jeff Davis since they were freshmen, and each has fond memories of their career.

Ryan said that for him, the highlight was being called up from junior varsity at the start of last season by Yellow Jackets head coach Paul Glass to fill in for the Yellow Jackets starting catcher, who was out due to an injury. He recalled how big the games were. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I had to catch Cody Ogelvee, who was one of our top pitchers and could really throw hard," Ryan said. "Plus, the game was at Moultrie (a larger school; the Packers compete in Class 7A), so I knew it was going to be in a tough environment. Then, I had to catch the very next game versus Statesboro, and our pitcher was Jordan Dubberly. Both Jordan and Cody went on to play college ball (Jordan at UGA and Cody with South Georgia State College), and at the time, they could both throw in