ITG Next South Georgia December/January 2024-2025 Magazine by ITG Next Magazine

Top Class of 2025 and 2026 Basketball Recruits in Georgia Top 10 Performers: A Week-by-Week Breakdown — Part 2

Starting Over: McIntosh County Academy Volleyball Standout Hadley Baugh Finds Comfort With New Teammates

DEC 24- JAN 25

Ousmane Kromah LEEaving Behind Quite a Legacy

Making the Cut: Richmond Hill Pitcher Hagan Weathers Combines Attitude, Love of Baseball to Make 2025 Roster

ITG Next | 1

EXCELLENCE IN ORTHOPAEDICS & SPORTS MEDICINE SINCE 1949 SPORTS MEDICINE PHYSICIANS Champ L. Baker III, MD

Garland K. Gudger, Jr., MD

Brent A. Ponce, MD

J. Heath Richter, MD

Brook Bearden, MD

Charles W. Hartzog, Jr., MD

Edgar J. Dollar II, DO

Kurt E. Jacobson, MD

Michael M. Tucker, Jr., MD

R. Lee Murphy, Jr., MD

Derek A. Woessner, MD

Kevin J. Collins, MD

Patrick J. Fernicola, MD Fred Flandry, MD

Ryan M. Geringer, DO

Matthew Heaton, MD Michael Lowery, MD

LOCATIONS

Matthew G. Stewart, MD

G. Dexter Walcott, Jr., MD Bradley L. Young, MD

2 | itgnext.com

hughston.com

ITG Next | 3

Contributors Publisher Mark Dykes Editor Anna Limoges Copy Editor Anna Limoges Graphic Design Mandy Rodriguez Cover Photography BPI Photography Feature Photography Christina Baugh BPI Photography Erin Fountain Rockstar Sports Photography Gainesville High Athletics Maggie Purvis Josh Metersky Feature Writers Phil Jones Matt Melton Advertising/Marketing Mark Dykes mark@itgnext.com

ITG Next is published bi-monthly. The contents of this publication may not be reproduced in part or in full without written consent from the publisher. Dykes Media Group LLC makes no representation or warranty of any kind for accuracy of content. All advertisements are assumed by the publisher to be correct. Copyright 2024 Dykes Media Group LLC. All rights reserved. ISSN 1945-1458.

4 | itgnext.com

Feature Stories 7

Ousmane Kromah LEEaving Behind Quite a Legacy

Making the Cut: Richmond Hill Pitcher Hagan Weathers Combines Attitude, Love of Baseball to Make 2025 Roster

Top 10 Class of 2025 Basketball Recruits in Georgia

Apalachee Football Player Favian Williford Voted ITG Next’s October 2024 Georgia Male Athlete of the Month

Top 10 Performers: A Week-by-Week Breakdown – Part 2

Starting Over: McIntosh County Academy Volleyball Standout Hadley Baugh Finds Comfort With New Teammates

Columbus Flag Football Player Alexandria Lofton Voted ITG Next’s November 2024 Georgia Female Athlete of the Month

Lowndes Football Player Marvis Parrish Voted ITG Next’s November 2024 Georgia Male Athlete of the Month

Top 9 Class of 2026 Basketball Recruits in Georgia

Gainesville Volleyball Player Avery Lindsey Voted ITG Next’s October 2024 Georgia Female Athlete of the Month

Top 10 Georgia High School Baseball Teams: 2025 Preseason Rankings

SMARTER. RUN FASTER. UN FASTER. JUMP HIGHE R. JUMP HIGHER. TRAIN S P HIGHER. TRAIN SMART ER. TRAIN SMARTER. RU Get the Added Performance Your Regular Insoles Aren’t Providing

.12 SECOND FASTER 40-yard dashes

1.6 INCH HIGHER vertical jumps

41% LESS FOOT INJURIES over the course of a season

22% LESS LOWER LEG INJURIES over the course of a season

TeamVKTRY

www.vktrygear.com

(844)-468-5879

Use code ITG for $20 off each pair at VKTRYGear.com

4 North Carter Street Lakeland, Georgia 31635 (229) 482-3585

978 Valdosta Highway Homerville, Georgia 31634 (912) 487-1200

202 W. Washington Ave. Nashville, Georgia 31639 (229) 686-9451

1201 S. Patterson Street Valdosta, Georgia 31603 (229) 244-3585

3303 Inner Perimeter Road Valdosta, Georgia 31605 (229) 244-3585

www.fmb.net

6 | itgnext.com

Member FDIC

Ousmane Kromah LEEaving Behind Quite a Legacy

Written by: Phil Jones Photography by: BPI Photography

Lee County High School running back Ousmane Kromah, a senior, has enjoyed a dominant career as a running and receiving threat for the Trojans, which is why it’s hard to imagine that he was initially chosen to be a defensive player entering his freshman season at Lee County.

Where It All Started: The Middle School Years According to Lee County Middle School East head football coach Russ Hayes, when Kromah first came out for the team, he was actually a sixth-grader. Kromah’s two older brothers both played at Lee County prior to Kromah making a name for himself. One of his brothers, Omar, approached Hayes and asked the coach if his younger brother could come try out for the eighth-grade team. “Omar was a solid player for us, and he said he had a younger brother who wanted to come out for the team,” Hayes said. The coach wasn’t sure if it was a good idea to allow a sixth-grader to come try out for a team full of eighth-graders, but Hayes liked Omar and decided to do it as a favor to his player. “We had never had a sixth-grader play for our eighth-grade team, but I thought, ‘He’ll come out, and we’ll let him in for a play or two,’ and that would be it.” You are probably thinking this is when Kromah just blew everyone away with his amazing skill and speed, right? Uh, not exactly. “Ousmane really didn’t impress me at first, to be honest,” Hayes said. In fact, Kromah was put with the defense just because Hayes didn’t think he’d be able to contribute a lot on offense.

“Ousmane really made more of an impact on defense, so we played him at safety,” Hayes said. “I remember he made a big hit on defense, and that got my attention.”

Then late in the middle school season, Lee County East was playing cross-town rival Lee County West. According to Hayes, Lee Middle got a big lead, and that’s when he felt a tug on his arm. “It was Ousmane,” Hayes said. “He asked me to let him run the ball.” The problem? Kromah had not played or practiced with the offense, so he had no idea what the play was. Hayes reverted to the old sandlot style of football. “I told Ousmane, ‘OK, you can run the ball. I want you to take the handoff from the QB and run to the right behind the right tackle,’” Hayes said. “We were at our own 40-yard line, and there was about seven minutes left to go in the game, so I thought we’d run a couple of plays and punt.” Kromah had other thoughts. “He took the handoff and took it 60 yards for the TD,” Hayes said. While that was the first inkling of what the sixth-grader was capable of doing, Hayes decided that he still wanted to keep the younger Kromah on defense. Kromah actually started at safety for the eighth-grade team in their final five games of the season. “Not only was Ousmane two years younger than the rest of the team – he was 5 foot, 7 inches tall and 130 pounds – but he was doing more than just holding his own,” Hayes said. “To be out there physically competing with eighth-graders was an incredible thing to see.” Kromah only got stronger as he began hitting the weight room. By the time he

made it to the eighth grade, he had added 5 inches of height and 50 pounds of weight to his frame. He was now 6 feet tall, weighed 185 pounds, and was noticeably stronger. Kromah set the Lee County Middle School squat record with a squat of 370 pounds. Hayes said he could have likely done more, but due to Kromah’s height, he didn’t want him trying any more. “That’s a long way up to lift that much weight,” Hayes said. The record still stands as of today. Kromah became a two-way player during his eighth-grade season, seeing time at both RB and safety. He also saw time on special teams as a kick- and punt-returner. No matter where Kromah lined up, he dominated. He led Lee County East to an undefeated season in 2020 and the conference championship. Due to COVID-19, Lee County East’s season was reduced to just seven games that year. Still, the team finished 7-0, and Kromah ended up with 1,239 yards rushing with 34 touchdowns. With Kromah’s middle school season ending on a positive note, it was time for the two-way standout to head to the ninth grade and a spot on the Trojans’ high school team.

Offense or Defense? Lee County High School head football coach Dean Fabrizio asked Hayes where he thought Kromah could best help the high school team and where they should play the rising freshman. “I told Coach that he’s really talented on either side of the ball and he could play either running back or safety,” Hayes said what he told Fabrizio. Fabrizio thought about it. “He looks like he’ll make a good safety, so I think

ITG Next | 7

that’s where we’ll use him,” Fabrizio said to Hayes. Fabrizio talked about that first conversation and his on-the-spot decision at the time.

“Truth is that Ousmane was such a dominant player, I thought he’d be good anywhere we decided to put him,” Fabrizio said.

But once Kromah joined the high school squad and began running the ball in practice, Fabrizio, who is in his 16th season as the Trojans’ head coach, recognized what a talent Kromah was on offense. “We could see just how special Ousmane was with the ball in his hands,” Fabrizio said. Kromah’s days as a defensive player were over. And with that, Lee County had a running back who was poised to become one of the best to ever put on a Trojan uniform.

8 | itgnext.com

A Visit From Mike Norvell To no one’s surprise, Kromah started as a freshman. That was the 2021 season, and he became the primary running back in Lee County’s rushing attack. He was so impressive through the Trojans’ first three games, all victories, that Kromah attracted a VIP visit from Florida State University head football coach Mike Norvell. Norvell came to see the standout freshman in the toughest test of Kromah’s young varsity career, a matchup against the Class 7A Lowndes Vikings. Kromah gave Norvell, and the rest of the high school football world, a glimpse of things to come from this unheard-of freshman. In the matchup versus Lwondes, Kromah rushed for 227 yards and three touchdowns on 26 carries, leading Lee County to a 24-21 victory. Following the game, Norvell offered Kromah a scholarship to FSU. Kromah went on to have 188 carries during his freshman season, rushing for 1,709 yards and 20 touchdowns. He also had one receiving TD and a special teams TD on a kickoff return for a score. The following season, Kromah increased his carries to 224. His overall rushing and scoring totals went up too, with a total of 1,796 yards on the ground and 24 touchdowns for the sophomore. Kromah also became a receiving threat within the Lee County offense, catching 22 passes for 208 yards and two touchdowns, giving him 26 total touchdowns for the 2022 season. Kromah’s junior year was the 2023 season, and he became more balanced as both a receiver and running back, with his total yards from scrimmage increasing.

While his number of rushing attempts was the lowest of his season totals up to that point, he increased his receiving totals in both catches and yards. Kromah finished the 2023 season with 182 carries for 1,783 yards and 19 touchdowns. However, he had 31 receptions with 522 yards receiving and nine touchdowns, giving him 28 TDs for his junior season.

2024 and Beyond At the time of writing, Lee County has just wrapped up the 2024 regular season, and Kromah, now a senior, is now getting ready to lead his team into the Class 6A state playoffs. He led his team to a perfect 10-0 regular season, rushing for 1,003 yards and 13 touchdowns on 126 carries. He has 24 receptions for 467 yards and five touchdowns. Kromah has shown his diversity as an athlete and his unselfish nature during his final high school campaign.

“Ousmane has become a devastating blocker this year, which is a quality a lot of people don’t recognize,” Fabrizio said. “That has allowed us to use Weston (Bryan, the team’s quarterback) in the running game more this year, and that’s made us a much more balanced and effective offense.”

As Kromah and his Lee County team prepare for their first-round playoff matchup, his career rushing totals stand at 4,290 yards and 53 touchdowns. His career receiving totals so far stand at 1,182 yards and 16 touchdowns. He also has one special teams touchdown from his freshman season. Since that first official offer from FSU back in his freshman season, Kromah has continued to receive attention from other colleges. According to Fabrizio, Kromah has “over 40 FBS offers, including every SEC school.” Fabrizio said Kromah took official visits to Auburn, FSU, Tennessee, and Georgia. Kromah committed to Georgia in early October of this year. At the time of writing, Kromah and his teammates are preparing for the 2024 playoffs and considered to be one of the favorites to make a run at the Class 6A state title. With a back like Kromah, you’ve got to like Lee County’s chances.

ITG Next | 9

All sports. All injuries. All year long. No matter the sport, no matter the season, the Phoebe Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine team works hard to get their patients back to what they love. From the field to diagnosis and treatment you can count on Phoebe’s certified athletic trainers, orthopaedic specialists and physical therapists for a team approach to top-quality care. To learn how Phoebe’s comprehensive orthopaedic and sports medicine team can help you, visit phoebeortho.com.

10 | itgnext.com

Phoebe Orthopaedics of Albany

Phoebe Orthopaedics of Americus

2709 Meredyth Drive, Suite 450 | Albany, Georgia

132 US Highway 280 West, Suite B | Americus, Georgia

Troy Skidmore, DO Nur Nurbhai, DO Anie Uyoe, MD Jordan Knoefler, MD

John Fennessy, MD Ryan Breland, MD

229-312-5000

229-931-6830

ITG Next | 11

Making the Cut: PERSONAL INJURY ATTORNEYS

Proud to Honor ITG Next’s Most Improved Player

Richmond Hill Pitcher Hagan Weathers Combines Attitude, Love of Baseball to Make 2025 Roster Written by: Phil Jones Photography by: Erin Fountain

2024

FarahandFarah.com | 229-222-2222 1841 Norman Drive, Valdosta GA Ofﬁces Throughout Georgia & Florida

As a freshman, Hagan Weathers was trying to break through on the Richmond Hill High School baseball team, but things were not necessarily working out for him. It wasn’t because there were other sports or activities getting in the way. Weathers has been drawn to the game of baseball since he was old enough to pick up a bat. He began playing as early as pre-K and has played rec ball, travel ball, and for his school teams throughout moves with his family that took him from Georgia to Florida and back to Richmond Hill. “I’ve lived in Richmond Hill for most of my life and played rec ball through the third grade,” Weathers said. “I moved to Florida, where I continued to play in the fourth and fifth grade. That’s when I realized I really wanted to pursue baseball.” Weathers and his family moved back to Richmond Hill, and that’s when he tried

out for a travel baseball team and made it. “I hadn’t thought I could love baseball more until I was 12 years old, playing travel ball with all of my friends,” he said. When Weathers reached middle school, he found there were a lot of other players who loved the game as much as he did and who were very good at it. “I tried out for the middle school team all three years, but didn’t make it,” he said. Weathers admitted it was tough and that doubts began to creep in, but he stuck with it and tried out once again, this time for the high school junior varsity team. When tryouts were over, Weathers nervously waited to see if he had made the final cut. He did. He made the team. Despite being ready to put the work in, though, his first season was a struggle. “I didn’t do very well in my freshman sea-

son,” Weathers said. Hill Thomas, who had just taken over the head coaching duties at Richmond Hill that same season and was seeing his players for the first time, remembers watching Weathers really struggle in his tryout for the team. “He was having a tough time,” Thomas said. “I honestly wasn’t sure if he was going to make the team or not.” The Richmond Hill head baseball coach said that following the tryouts, he and his assistants decided to take a chance on Weathers. They kept him on the team. “Even though Hagan struggled, we liked how he conducted himself and never was negative,” Thomas said. “He had good body language. We decided he was someone we could work with.” Weathers saw very little playing time in his freshman year. Then last season as a sophomore, he saw a little more time, mostly in

the outfield. Toward the end of last season, Thomas requested a sit down with his player. “I wanted to hear what his plans were moving forward and how his future looked like with us,” Thomas said.

The two of them decided that Weathers could best help the team as a pitcher. From that meeting on, everything seemed to change for the rising junior. Despite having never thrown a single

pitch for Richmond Hill, Weathers began to devote himself completely to becoming a pitcher. Following his sophomore season, he hit the weightroom and began a strict eating plan. He put on 30 pounds, and nature played a part, too. Weathers grew from a 6-foot, 150-pound sophomore to his current frame of 6 feet, 4 inches tall and 180 pounds. His pitching velocity, which was at around 72 mph, improved to 84 mph. With the 2024-2025 baseball season just around the corner, Thomas is excited to see what Weathers can contribute to the team this season and beyond. “He has yet to

throw a pitch for us, but I think he has put himself in a position to become an impact player for us and a value to our program,” Thomas said. While it seems like pretty lofty goals for a player who has struggled just to make the team and who has played sparingly over his first two seasons, we’re reminded about what the coaches saw in Weathers when they decided to put him on the roster. “Hagan has always had a strong work ethic and a great attitude,” Thomas said. “That has made him a great teammate. And now his teammates have noticed that work ethic and how he has transformed his body since the last time he set foot

on the baseball field, and they respect that. They see Hagan as a leader. “Hagan has put himself in a position to go out there this season and make a name for himself. He’s come a long way in a short period of time.” Now all that’s left is for Weathers to go out and prove it on the field.

Watch LIVE on Facebook

@itgnext.georgia

Mondays @ 5:00 PM ITG Next | 13

Top 10 Class of 2025 Basketball Recruits in Georgia Written by: Matt Melton

Over the years, Georgia high school basketball has been no stranger to elite-level talent, as the state has produced some of the nation’s top recruits in many cycles prior. When taking a look back in recent years, many of the nation’s top high school basketball recruits have called Georgia home, with some of those names now currently stars at both the collegiate and professional levels. If you need examples, look no further than Anthony Edwards, Jabari Smith, Isaiah Collier, and, most recently, Ace Bailey. The names on that list are likely familiar to you and have all gone on to see success in their own right. Which prospects from Georgia are next in line to join that group in the near future? Well, taking a look at this year’s senior class, here are the Top 10 ranked high school basketball recruits in Georgia for the Class of 2025, according to the 247Sports Composite Rankings, starting with No. 10.

14 | itgnext.com

10. Kai Rogers, Center – Overtime Elite Based out of Atlanta, the Overtime Elite program lands several players on this list, the first of which is Kai Rogers, a four-star center who spent last season in Wisconsin at Wauwatosa West High School. The Oklahoma commit is ranked as the No. 68 overall player nationally and the No. 8 player at his position. As a junior, Rogers led Wauwatosa West to an 18-9 overall record and a playoff appearance.

9. Tee Bartlett, Center – Overtime Elite Tee Bartlett also comes to Georgia from across the country; the four-star center joins Overtime Elite from Coronado High School in Nevada. Holding nearly 15 collegiate offers, Bartlett ranks as the No. 10 player at the position and as the No. 76 overall prospect in the country. At Coronado last season, Bartlett helped lead the Cougars to an 18-12 overall record and a state runner-up appearance while averaging a double-double at 20.4 points per game and 13.5 rebounds per game.

8. Zac Foster, Combo Guard – Woodward Academy War Eagles Four-star combo guard Zac Foster returns to Woodward Academy for his senior season. The Celmson commit is ranked at No. 69 overall nationally and No. 11 at his position. Last season, Foster helped lead the War Eagles to a 26-6 overall record and a Class 6A semifinals playoff appearance.

7. Tylis Jordan, Power Forward – Wheeler Wildcats A high-profile, in-state transfer from this past offseason is Tylis Jordan, who made the move to Georgia power Wheeler after a phenomenal junior season at Class 5A’s Shiloh. Jordan, a four-star prospect, currently ranks as the nation’s No. 67 overall player and the No. 12 power forward in the 2025 Class. Jordan helped lead Shiloh to a 23-5 overall record and a playoff appearance a year ago while averaging a double-double at 21.3 PPG, 10.3 RPG, 2.4 assists per game, 1.1 steals per game, and 1.4 blocks per game.

6. Samis Calderon, Small Forward – Overtime Elite

2. Meleek Thomas, Shooting Guard – Overtime Elite

Samis Calderon is a four-star prospect with Overtime Elite. He’s ranked as the No. 66 overall player in the country for the 2025 Class and as the No. 14 small forward.

The highest-ranked of those aforementioned Overtime Elite prospects in the 2025 Class is Meleek Thomas, who spent last season as a junior in Pennsylvania at Lincoln Park Performing Arts. Thomas is considered a five-star prospect, as well as the No. 11 overall player in the class and the nation’s top shooting guard. Last season in Pennsylvania, Thomas averaged 23 PPG, 10.3 RPG, 5.5 APG, and 3.2 SPG to help lead Lincoln Park Performing Arts to a 27-3 overall record and a PIAA Class 4A state title.

5. Akai Fleming, Shooting Guard – Overtime Elite Akai Fleming spent the 2023-2024 season as a junior at Osborne High School, but will take the court with Overtime Elite this year. A Georgia Tech commit, Fleming is considered a four-star shooting guard, one who ranks as the nation’s No. 11 player at the position and as the No. 55 overall prospect in the 2025 Class. At Osborne a year ago, Fleming averaged 19.6 points per game, 4.2 rebounds per game, 3.4 assists per game, 1.6 steals per game, and 1.8 blocks per game for a Cardinals team that went 9-19 overall.

1. Caleb Wilson, Power Forward – Holy Innocents’ Episco4. Jacob Wilkins, Small Forward – Grayson Rams pal Golden Bears The son of NBA Hall-of-Famer Dominique Wilkins, small forward Jacob Wilkins preps to suit up for Grayson entering his senior season. A highly rated four-star prospect, the Georgia commit is ranked as the nation’s No. 49 overall player and No. 10 small forward. Wilkins returns for the Rams this season after helping lead Grayson to a 30-2 overall record and a Class 7A state championship last season.

3. Jasper Johnson, Shooting Guard – Overtime Elite Yet another prominent newcomer to Georgia high school basketball is five-star prospect Jasper Johnson, who comes to Overtime Elite from national power Link Academy in Missouri. A Kentucky commit with over 20 collegiate offers, Johnson ranks as the No. 13 overall player and the No. 3 shooting guard nationally for the 2025 Class. Last season, Johnson helped lead Link Academy to a 21-8 overall record against a national schedule, averaging 11.9 PPG and 2.7 RPG.

Georgia’s top 2025 basketball recruit is Caleb Wilson, a talented power forward who is entering his senior season at Class 2A’s Holy Innocents’ Episcopal School. Holding upwards of 25 collegiate offers, the fivestar power forward ranks as the No. 4 player at his position in the 2025 cycle and as the No. 8 overall player. Wilson is coming off a season in which he helped lead the Golden Bears to a 26-7 overall record and a Class 4A state runner-up finish while averaging a double-double at 20.8 PPG, 14.6 RPG, 4.7 APG, 4.4 BPG, and 1.8 SPG.

ITG Next | 15

Apalachee Football Player Favian Williford Voted ITG Next’s October 2024 Georgia Male Athlete of the Month Written by: Phil Jones Photography by: Rockstar Sports Photography

Apalachee High School two-sport athlete Favian Williford is ITG Next’s October 2024 Georgia Male Athlete of the Month. He was one of four nominees considered for the award. Williford, a senior, currently plays running back and cornerback on defense for Apalachee’s football team. He also returns punts and kicks for the Wildcats, and as a four-year member of the squad, he has lined up at safety and defensive end. Williford’s performance with the Wildcats over a four-game stretch earlier this season earned him consideration for the award, but he has played in a total of six games so far in 2024. In those first four games, Williford had 758 yards rushing with seven touchdowns, averaging 189 yards rushing per game and just under two touchdowns per game. Through six games, he collected a total of 807 yards rushing on 113 carries, averaging 7.1 yards per carry. Williford also has 182 yards on seven kickoff returns, one of which was returned 91 yards for a touchdown, giving him 16 | itgnext.com

a total of eight touchdowns. He has averaged 26 yards per kick return. In addition to his football duties, Williford has also been a member of the Apalachee track team for the last three years. As good as his performance on the gridiron has been, he’s arguably been better running track. He participates in the 100-meter dash, the 200, the 4x100-meter relay, and the 4x200 relay. Williford actually runs the last leg for both relay teams, which is typically reserved for what many consider to be the strongest member of the fourman team. Apalachee’s boys 4x100 relay team broke the school record last year and advanced to the state semifinals held in Rome, Georgia. Apalachee High School was the scene of a mass shooting earlier this year on Sept. 4. The event made national and worldwide headlines. Two students and two teachers died as a result of the attack, and nine others were injured. One of those killed was math teacher and assistant football coach Richard Aspinwall. Although Apalachee

High School administration decided to postpone all football-related activities for several weeks following the shooting, Williford spoke about how returning to football helped him and his teammates start to heal from the events of that day and gave them a way to pay tribute to Aspinwall. “Football has been my coping mechanism since the tragedy that struck our school,” Williford said. “It was important that we return to the field as a team to heal and to finish the season in honor of Coach Aspinwall. “I am proud to be a Wildcat, and it will forever be Chee Nation.” Williford said his goal following high school is to play college football. He also wants to major in veterinary science and become a vet who specializes in big game animals and travels around the world. Congratulations to Apalachee High School two-sport athlete Favian Williford, ITG Next’s October 2024 Georgia Male Athlete of the Month.

“If you’re looking for an amazing dentist, I recommend Adel Dental. The staff were so sweet. They went above and beyond to make me happy! Definitely worth the drive to Adel!” – Alyssa N. “I grew up hating going to the dentist, but Dr. McCartney has changed that.” – Heny P.

Lifetime

Your Road to a

Beautiful Smile Starts Here Cosmetic Comprehensive Full Mouth Dentistry Implant Supported Crowns and Dentures Sedation Dr. Michael McCartney, Jr. DMD, FAGD (Dr. Mac)

Kids From 2 to 102 Whole Family One-Stop Shop

Creating Beautiful Smiles Since 1995 www.AdelDental.com (229) 658-1338

101 W 5th St Adel, GA 31620

ITG Next | 17

18 | itgnext.com

Top 10 Performers:

A Week-by-Week Breakdown – Part 2 Written by: Phil Jones

WEEK 8 In our last issue, we gave you the top 10 individual player performances from each week of the 2024 Georgia high school football season from Week 1 through Week 7. We’re here to do it again, and we’re picking up right where we left off, starting with Week 8. If you know of a player who deserves recognition for a big performance, please send an email to phil@itgnext. com and be sure to include the player’s name, team, position, game stats, and a brief description of their performance in the game.

TOP OFFENSIVE PERFORMANCES Houston County quarterback Antwann “AJ” Hill Jr. completed 23-of-31 pass attempts for 489 yards and eight TDs to lead his team to a 63-22 win over Northside (Warner Robins). Colquitt County running back Jae Lamar ran for 182 yards and two TDs on 13 carries. He also had 77 yards receiving and one TD reception in Colquitt County’s win over Lowndes. Lowndes quarterback Jayce Johnson was 20-of-27 passing for 312 yards and three TDs and had 10 carries for 35 yards and one TD to lead the Viking offense against Colquitt County. Harrison quarterback Xavier Hill completed 10-of-15 passes for 126 yards and one TD and rushed for 108 yards and one TD on 18 carries to lead the Hoyas to a win over McEachern. North Gwinnett quarterback Ryan Hall had 11 carries for 71 yards and three rushing TDs and completed 10-of-15 passes for 64 yards and one TD to lead his team in their win over Peachtree Ridge. Athens Academy running back, wide receiver, and athlete Keyon Standifer had two TD receptions, one for 85 yards and another for 45 yards, and added an 80yard punt return to help lead his team to a 41-6 victory over Banks County.

TOP DEFENSIVE PERFORMANCES North Gwinnett linebacker Jake Godfree recorded nine tackles, including one sack, and returned an interception 64 yards for a TD to lead the Bulldog defense last week. Worth County linebacker Shermon Smith recorded 20 tackles, including a tackle for loss against a Thomasville fourth-down try to force a turnover on downs with 1:30 left in the game. That allowed the Rams to win it on a last-second field goal.

TOP SPECIAL TEAMS PERFORMANCES Colquitt County kicker Brett Fitzgerald had a big night, converting his only field goal try from 43 yards out as time expired to lift the Pack to a 38-35 win over Lowndes. He was also 5-for-5 on extra point attempts. The 8 total points was enough for Fitzgerald to set a new GHSA state record for career kicking points from field goals and extra points. The record was previously held by his older brother, Ryan Fitzgerald. Worth County kicker Brody Hancock kicked a 25-yard walk-off field goal at the end of regulation to lift the Rams to an upset win over Top 5 ranked Thomasville.

ITG Next | 19

WEEK 9

WEEK 10

TOP OFFENSIVE PERFORMANCES

TOP OFFENSIVE Irwin County running back Shane Marshall had 11 carries for 230 yards and two PERFORMANCES

TDs. He also had two receptions for 59 yards. Brooks County quarterback Junior Burrus threw six TD passes and was 14-of-19 for 280 yards passing versus Clinch County. Milton quarterback Luke Nickel was 18-of-31 for 286 yards passing with three TDs to lead the defending Class 7A state champions to victory over Gainesville. North Oconee quarterback Harrison Faulkner was 16-of-26 for 326 yards passing with five TDs and ran nine times for 46 yards to pace the offense in North Oconee’s win over West Forsyth. Cairo running back Bryian Duncan had 16 carries with 196 yards rushing and three TDs to lead the Syrupmakers to a 38-14 win over Monroe.

TOP DEFENSIVE PERFORMANCES Lowndes defensive end Montel Hundley led the Vikings’ defensive pressure with three quarterback sacks, one tackle for loss, one forced fumble, and one QB pressure in Lowndes’ 26-7 win over Tift County. Collins Hill linebacker Jack Hernandez had 14 tackles, including one TFL and one QB hurry, to lead the defense in Collins Hill’s 13-12 win over Mill Creek. Lee County linebacker Jace Murray had seven tackles, including three TFLs, one QB sack, four QB hurries, and one pass broken up. Milton linebacker Hayden Tumminia had 11 tackles, including one QB sack, one TFL, and one forced fumble to lead the defense in Milton’s win over Gainesville.

TOP SPECIAL TEAMS PERFORMANCES Lee County kicker Ryker Moye was 2-for-2 on field goal attempts, making one from 33 yards and another from 40 yards. He also was 7-of-7 on touchbacks with every kick not returned.

Tift County quarterback Damieon Dixon was 20of-26 for 342 yards passing and two TDs. He also had seven carries for 40 yards rushing to lead the Tift County offense versus Colquitt County. Jasper County running back Jalen Stewart, a senior, had 23 carries for 177 yards and two TDs in his team’s 31-29 overtime win against Social Circle. Lowndes athlete Marvis Parrish had a big hand in the Vikings’ 33-7 win over Camden County with 17 carries for 93 yards and three touchdowns rushing. Parrish also had 108 yards receiving and one touchdown on five receptions. Richmond Hill running back Joshua Ulrich-Troupe had 23 carries for 141 yards rushing with three TDs in his team’s 35-14 win over Valdosta. Brooks County running back Chris Cole Jr. had 26 carries for 243 yards rushing and four TDs to lead the Trojans to a 39-13 win against Lanier County.

TOP DEFENSIVE PERFORMANCES Colquitt County defensive back Alfonso McNeil had six tackles and returned an interception 95 yards for a touchdown to lead the defense in the Packers’ 35-17 win over Tift County. Richmond Hill linebacker Gabe Bauman had 12 tackles, including a QB sack, in his team’s win over Valdosta. Prince Avenue Christian linebacker Kyler Giddens had six tackles, including three tackles for a loss, one QB sack, and two QB pressures, in the Wolverines’ win over Franklin County.

TOP SPECIAL TEAMS PERFORMANCES Benedictine kicker and punter Connor Ferguson was 4-for-5 on extra point attempts and 2-for-2 on field goal attempts, making one from 35 yards and another from 23 yards, in the Cadets’ 40-0 shutout win over Wayne County. Ferguson also averaged 31 yards per punt, and of his seven kickoffs, five were touchbacks.

TOP OVERALL PERFORMANCE

20 | itgnext.com

Prince Avenue Christian tailback and athlete Andrew Beard had seven carries for 115 yards rushing and one touchdown in the Wolverines’ 56-6 win over Franklin County. Beard also had one catch for 18 yards and returned a punt 60 yards for a TD.

WEEK 11 TOP OFFENSIVE PERFORMANCES Gainesville quarterback Kharim Hughley completed 2-of-36 pass attempts for 456 yards and six TDs and had four carries for 28 yards rushing in last week’s high-scoring loss versus Roswell. Worth County quarterback Lyndon Worthy had 210 yards passing on 10 completions in 12 attempts with three TDs in just the first half versus Jeff Davis to lead Worth County to their 62-17 win. Brooks County running back Chris Cole Jr. had nine carries for 210 yards rushing and three TDs to lead his Trojans to victory over Charlton County.

TOP DEFENSIVE PERFORMANCES Colquitt County defensive lineman Amari Wilson had six tackles and an interception returned 33 yards for a touchdown to lead the Colquitt County defense in their 51-41 win over Camden County. Lowndes safety Landen Wright had 12 tackles, including one tackle for a loss, to lead the Lowndes defense in their 28-7 win over Richmond Hill.

TOP SPECIAL TEAMS PERFORMANCES Colquitt County kicker Brett Fitzgerald was 3-for-3 in field goal attempts versus Camden County with kicks from 22 yards, 30 yards, and 38 yards, respectively. He also was a perfect 6-for-6 on extra point attempts and put 9-of-10 kickoffs into the endzone for touchbacks. Perry athlete Decorrion Daniels returned a kickoff 99 yards for a TD versus Benedictine in our ITG Next live streamed Game of the Week in Savannah at Memorial Stadium. The return came late in the fourth quarter and proved to be the deciding score in a back-and-forth game that gave Perry the region title for the second straight season. Daniels also had one rushing TD.

TOP OVERALL PERFORMANCE Lowndes athlete Marvis Parrish rushed 10 times for 140 yards with three TDs in the Vikings’ 28-7 win over Richmond Hill. Parrish also had four catches for 33 yards receiving, was 2-for-2 passing, and contributed defensively with one tackle. Collins Hill athlete Deuce Geralds had nine tackles on defense and contributed on offense with three carries for 26 yards rushing and two TDs to help Collins Hill to their win over Dacula. Marietta two-way standout Anthony Kruah had five carries for 26 yards rushing with two TDs and five catches for 108 yards receiving and one TD. Kruah, a three-star linebacker who recently flipped his commitment from UNC to UGA, also returned a kickoff 75 yards for a TD.

ITG Next | 21

Stay In The Game • • • •

Sports Medicine Orthopedics Orthopedic Spine Care Surgical and Non-Surgical Interventions

William Smith, M.D. | Edward Hellman, M.D.| David Banks, M.D. Kyle Fleck, M.D. | Celestine Nnaeto, M.D. | Clint Cawley, M.D.

2227 Highway 41 N, Tifton 229-386-5222 | MySouthwell.com

RANKINGS INTERVIEWS GAME HIGHLIGHTS INSPIRATIONAL STORIES Subscribe at itgnext.com/newsletter 22 | itgnext.com

WEEK 12

WEEK 13

TOP OFFENSIVE PERFORMANCES

TOP OFFENSIVE Lee County quarterback Weston Bryan completed 14-of-20 passes for 159 PERFORMANCES

yards and two TDs and rushed for 176 yards and another four TDs to pace Lee County in their 63-48 win over Houston County. Prince Avenue Christian running back Andrew Beard had 24 carries for 173 yards and one TD and two receptions for 51 yards and another TD in the Wolverines’ 34-31 win over Hebron Christian. Thomas County Central running back Christian “Deuce” Lawrence had 11 carries for 128 yards and one 26-yard TD reception to help lead the Yellow Jackets in their 38-7 win over Coffee.

TOP DEFENSIVE PERFORMANCES Colquitt County defensive back Roddriek Carter had 13 tackles, including one TFL; one sack; and a forced fumble to lead the defense in the Packers’ 31-13 win over Richmond Hill to clinch the Region 1 title in Class 6A. Oconee County linebacker Cole Johnson had seven tackles and a key interception to help lead the Warriors to a 32-30 win over Jefferson. Collins Hill defensive lineman Katrell Webb had six tackles, including three TFLs; one sack; one forced fumble; one fumble recovery; and one QB hurry to help Collins Hill’s defense preserve the shutout win over Discovery. Lowndes linebacker Lorenzo Muneton had a big night in the Winnersville Classic, pacing the Vikings’ defensive effort with 15 tackles, including one TFL, and a QB pressure in their 30-20 win over Valdosta.

Pierce County quarterback Caden McGatha had six TDs to lead Pierce County to a 41-0 win over Vidalia. He had seven carries for 171 yards rushing with three TDs on the ground and threw for three TDs. Fitzgerald running back Victor Copeland had 16 carries for 106 yards and two TDs to help lead the Purple Hurricane to a 21-16 win over Appling County. Worth County running back Kaden Chester had four TDs and 115 yards rushing on just eight carries against Brantley County to help the Rams secure their first region title since 1989. Jasper County running back Jalen Stewart had six carries for 129 yards rushing with three TDs in just the first quarter of the Hurricanes’ 63-0 win over Utopian Academy. Newton running back Zion Johnson had two TD runs that were each over 70 yards against Grayson last week. His TDs went for 74 yards and 76 yards. Grayson running back Elijah Miller had three TDs rushing to lead his team to a 43-13 win over Newton.

TOP DEFENSIVE TOP SPECIAL TEAMS PERFORMANCES PERFORMANCES Benedictine kicker Connor Ferguson was perfect on all five extra point attempts in the Cadets’ 44-22 win over New Hampstead. Furgeson was also perfect on all three field goal attempts, including a 52-yarder that broke the previous school record of 50 yards, which he set in a game earlier this season. Appling County kicker Alan Ramirez kicked two field goals of 23 yards and 37 yards, respectively, and an extra point to make the difference in the Pirates’ 13-6 win over Pierce County and help secure the Region 3 championship in Class 2A.

TOP OVERALL PERFORMANCE Appling County linebacker Tavion Wallace made 6 six tackles, including one tackle for loss; had one interception; and blocked an extra point attempt in the Pirates’ 13-6 win over Pierce County to clinch the Region 3 title in Class 2A. The four-star recruit and Arkansas commit also had six carries for 70 yards, averaging 11.7 yards per carry.

Fitzgerald linebacker Conner Price had 10 tackles to lead the defensive effort in the Purple Hurricane’s win at Appling County. Jasper County defensive back Cam Farley had nine tackles, including two TFLs, and one interception in his team’s win over Utopian Academy..

TOP SPECIAL TEAMS PERFORMANCES Grayson kicker Ricardo Martinez kicked a career-long 40-yard field goal and added 4-of-5 extra points in his team’s 43-13 win over Newton.

TOP OVERALL PERFORMANCE Pierce County linebacker and H-back Jones Herrin had a big night on both sides of the ball versus Vidalia. He had nine tackles, including three tackles for loss and a quarterback sack, and a TD reception on offense in the win over Vidalia.

ITG Next | 23

PLAYOFFS, ROUND 1 TOP OFFENSIVE PERFORMANCES Peachtree Ridge quarterback Darnell Kelly completed 14-of-20 passes for 182 yards to lead the Lions to a 43-27 playoff victory over North Atlanta. He also rushed for 149 yards on just 12 carries, giving him 231 yards combined on offense. Valdosta quarterback Todd Robinson completed 26-of-38 passes for 402 yards and five TDs to lead the Wildcats to a 35-27 playoff win at Walton in Round 1. Central (Carrollton) wide receiver Alanson Simmons, a freshman, had six catches for 122 yards and two TDs to help his team defeat M. L. King 62-19. Coffee running back Tyrese Woodgett had 23 carries for 200 yards and three TDs to pace the Trojans to a 31-7 playoff win over Jackson County. Perry running back Decorrion Daniels scored three TDs in Perry’s 38-13 playoff win over St. Pius X Catholic. He had 17 carries for 66 yards with two TDs rushing and six receptions for 76 yards receiving and a 48-yard TD catch.

TOP DEFENSIVE PERFORMANCES Worth County defensive back and running back Khalijah Thomas returned an interception 42 yards for a TD late in the first quarter in the Rams’ 54-14 playoff victory over Coosa. Collins Hill outside linebacker and defensive end Katrell Webb played a big part in Collins Hill’s 35-14 playoff win over Westlake with eight tackles, including two QB sacks and four tackles for a loss. Collins Hill defensive back Jeremiah Proctor, a sophomore, had a key interception at the goal line and returned it 97 yards for a TD against Westlake. Fitzgerald defensive back Jason Ferguson returned an interception 45 yards for a TD to lead the defense in the Purple Hurricane’s 42-21 win over Rabun County.

TOP SPECIAL TEAMS PERFORMANCES Colquitt County kick returner and athlete Ramsey Dennis returned the opening kickoff 72 yards for a TD to kickstart the Packers’ 48-20 playoff win over Wheeler..

24 | itgnext.com

PLAYOFFS, ROUND 2 PLAYOFFS, TOP OFFENSIVE PERFORMANCES ROUND 3 Houston County quarterback Antwann Hill Jr., a Memphis commit, completed 17-of-20 passes, which is an incredible completion percentage of 85%, for 440 yards and six TDs to lead the Bears to a 63-12 victory over Lakeside (Evans). Peach County quarterback DJ Hudson led the Trojans to their 37-3 win against Baldwin with a five-touchdown performance. Hudson completed 11-of-15 passes for 194 yards and three TDs passing. He also had 71 yards rushing and two additional TDs. Houston County wide receiver Isaiah “Bull” Mitchell, who recently committed to Cincinnati, had nine receptions for 269 yards and three TDs in the Bears’ win over Lakeside (Evans). Buford running back Justin Baker, a Tennessee commit, had a big hand in the Wolves’ 42-7 win over Lowndes with 103 yards rushing and three TDs rushing. Worth County wide receiver D’ontae Fulton, a Georgia State commit, had five receptions for 107 yards and one touchdown to help lead the Rams to their 63-23 victory over Dodge County.

TOP DEFENSIVE PERFORMANCES Benedictine defensive end Herbert “Third” Scroggins III, a Miami commit, had 16 tackles, including three tackles for loss, two QB sacks, and six QB pressures to lead the Cadets’ defensive effort in their 34-14 playoff victory over Ola. Milton defensive lineman Caleb Bell, who’s committed to Arkansas, had nine tackles, including 3 ½ QB sacks and three TFLs, plus three QB hurries to lead the Eagles’ dominant defensive effort in their 41-3 win over Dutchtown in Round 2 of the 2024 Georgia high school football playoffs.

TOP SPECIAL TEAMS PERFORMANCES Blessed Trinity kicker Noah Godhard was 5-for-5 on field goal attempts to lead the Titans to a 22-7 win over Jonesboro. He also converted his only extra-point attempt of the game. Benedictine kicker Connor Ferguson kicked two field goals, one from 33 yards and the other from 37 yards, and converted one extra-point attempt in Benedictine’s win against Ola.

TOP OVERALL PERFORMANCE Appling County wide receiver and strong safety Kemoni Ryals led the Pirates to their win over Carver (Atlanta) with 134 yards rushing and two touchdowns on 12 carries. He also made six tackles on defense.

TOP OFFENSIVE PERFORMANCES Coffee running back Tyrese Woodgett rushed for 606 yards and seven TDs on 20 carries in the Trojans’ 72-48 playoff win over Sequoyah. Fitzgerald running back Victor Copeland rushed for 417 yards and three TDs and passed for 106 yards and one TD to lead Fitzgerald to a win over Worth County. Lee County quarterback Weston Bryan threw for 160 yards and three TDs and rushed 13 times for 109 yards and two TDs to lead the Trojans to a quarterfinal victory over Sprayberry. Langston Hughes quarterback Christian Langford completed 10-of-11 passes for 150 yards and one TD in the Panthers’ 28-12 win against Thomas County Central. Langford also rushed nine times for 180 yards and two TDs. Worth County wide receiver Kaden Chester rushed for 107 yards and one TD and caught four passes for 160 yards receiving and one TD for the Rams. Northeast running back Nick Woodford had 34 carries for 358 yards rushing and four TDs to lead the Raiders to a 48-39 win over Fannin County. Carver (Columbus) wide receiver Braylon Jakes caught four TD passes to lead the Tigers’ offense in their playoff win over Pierce County. .

TOP DEFENSIVE PERFORMANCES Langston Hughes linebacker Keith Bass Jr. had 16 tackles, including two tackles for loss, to lead the Panthers’ defensive effort in their win over Thomas County Central. Langston Hughes defensive end Kijon Braxton had nine tackles, including three QB sacks, in their win over Thomas County Central. Milton cornerback Dylan Lewis had eight tackles, an interception, and two pass breakups in the Eagles’ 56-14 win over Houston County..

ITG Next | 25

PLAYOFFS, ROUND 4 TOP OFFENSIVE PERFORMANCES Northeast running back Nick Woodford had a seven-touchdown night and ran for over 300 yards rushing for the second straight week to lead the Raiders to a semifinal win over Fitzgerald. Hughes quarterback Christian Langford threw for five touchdowns to lead the Panthers to a win over Coffee. Lee County quarterback Weston Bryan rushed for 290 yards on 31 carries with four touchdowns and passed for 50 yards on 4-of-10 attempts to lead the Lee County offense in their semifinal game against Milton. Milton quarterback Luke Nickel threw for 302 yards passing with four touchdowns and rushed for 92 yards and another two touchdowns to lead the Eagles to a win over Lee County. Brooks County running back Chris Cole Jr. had 22 carries for 144 yards and a TD to help lead the Trojans to an overtime win against Manchester in Round 4 of the playoffs. Bowdon quarterback Charles Maxell III had a five-touchdown performance for the Red Devils in their 42-28 win over Irwin County in the Class 1A-Division II semifinals last week. He rushed for four touchdowns and threw for one touchdown.

TOP DEFENSIVE PERFORMANCES Brooks County defensive lineman Marquis Williams led the defense with 11 tackles, including six tackles for loss, and one forced fumble in their win over Manchester.

TOP SPECIAL TEAMS PERFORMANCES Brooks County kicker Rafael Mojica put his team into the state finals with his game-winning field goal in overtime versus Manchester. North Oconee defensive end and tight end Patrick Elliott returned Blessed Trinity’s blocked field goal attempt 70 yards for a touchdown. Hebron Christian kicker Cam Eblen kicked a 33-yard field goal and was 3-for-3 on extra point attempts to help lead the Lions to a 24-17 semifinal win over Fellowship Christian.Marietta two-way standout Anthony Kruah had five carries for 26 yards rushing with two TDs and five catches for 108 yards receiving and one TD. Kruah, a threestar linebacker who recently flipped his commitment from UNC to UGA, also returned a kickoff 75 yards for a TD.

26 | itgnext.com

Call for an Appointme

Excep

CLOS

A new knee for a more active you. Thanks to robotic technology.

Having chronic knee pain shouldn’t mean giving up the things you love. Thankfully, Crisp Regional has a new way to keep you moving: ROSA Knee robotic technology. Our specially trained surgeons use ROSA Knee to personalize the approach to total knee replacement — providing a solution that works for you and your unique anatomy. Contact us today to find out whether treatment is right for you, and the risks of knee replacement. Learn more at crispregional.com

Randy Lavender, MD, B.T. Davis FNP-C, James Fordyce,

DO Board-Certified Vince Culpepper, MD, FACS Alicia Register, MD Orthopedic BoardSurgeon Certified General Surgery Board Certified General Surgery

910 North 5th Street, Ste H Cordele 229-276-2286 www.CrispRegional.org

At Crisp Regional, advancing medicin We offer trusted, advanced and effective tre

Zimmer Biomet is a medical device manufacturer that provides products and other services used by health care professionals to create personalized care plans. Zimmer Biomet is not a ROBOTI medical professional and does not practice medicine. Zimmer Biomet is not responsible for the content of Crisp Regional. The persons in these advertisements SPECIALIZING are models and not IN actual recipients of Zimmer Biomet products and services. Results are not necessarily typical and will vary due to health, weight, activity and other human variables. *Not all patients are candidates 1329about N. 5th St. Ext., C for joint procedures or ROSA Knee robotic technology. Only a medical professional can determine the treatment appropriate for your specific condition. Talk to your surgeon whether joint replacement is right for you and the risks of the procedure, including the risk of impact wear, loosening, breakage, failure or risk of infection, all of which could require additional surgery. For general information on joint pain and technology, visit www.zimmerbiomet.com or call 1.800.447.5633. ©2019 Zimmer Biomet.

ITG Next | 27

APPLY TODAY!

Equal Opportunity Institution | A Unit of the Technical College System of Georgia | WGTC is accredited by SACSCOC 28 | itgnext.com

MAKE THE MOVE INTO

HIGH TECH You could be one of your workplace heroes when you enroll in programs like Cybersecurity, Networking, Computer Programming, Design and Media Production Technology, and more!

WIREGRASS.EDU

ITG Next | 29

the

BRIDGE RUN SATURDAY, FEB. 15, 2025 The Southeast Georgia Health System Foundation Bridge Run across the scenic Sidney Lanier Bridge in Brunswick, Georgia, has been certified by the U.S. Track and Field Association as “the toughest 5K in Georgia.” The Bridge Run also includes a walk and a family-friendly festival, featuring vendors, food and drinks, entertainment and children’s activities. Proceeds benefit the Health System’s cancer and cardiac care programs.

THE-BRIDGE-RUN.ORG 10K DOUBLE PUMP | 5K RUN | 5K WALK

FIREFIGHTERS’ CHALLENGE

30 | itgnext.com

912-466-2786

Starting Over: McIntosh County Academy Volleyball Standout Hadley Baugh Finds Comfort With New Teammates Written by: Phil Jones Photography by: Christina Baugh

McIntosh County Academy head volleyball coach Shanelle Palmer remembers when a new student-athlete approached her soon after arriving at the Darien, Georgia, school. The student had played volleyball at her previous high school in South Carolina and was now interested in playing for the Buccaneers. “She was very shy and very quiet,” Palmer said. “She didn’t say a whole lot, but she was very nice and well mannered.” That student was Hadley Baugh, and she had just finished her freshman season as a member of the Horse Creek Academy volleyball team in Aiken, South Carolina. Palmer wasn’t sure what to make of Baugh at first. “My first impression of her was she was very quiet, timid, and bashful,” Palmer said. They say first impressions are everything, but Palmer’s impression of Baugh changed quickly after the coach saw her new transfer take the court.

“Oh, yeah, she came out of her shell when I saw her for the first time playing on the court,” Palmer said.

That was at the start of Baugh’s sophomore season. Now, two seasons later, Baugh has become a force on the volleyball floor, and her attitude is “engaging,” according to Palmer. Baugh is a setter for the Buccaneers, but can play any position on the floor, according to Palmer. It turns out there was a reason for Baugh’s timid demeanor when she first stepped foot on the McIntosh County Academy campus. “Hadley came to us from a bigger school in South Carolina (Horse Creek Academy), which is much bigger than our school, and the volleyball team had a lot of very skilled players,” Palmer said. “With Hadley being just a freshman, she had a bit of a tough time getting on the court and finding playing time.” Baugh had been playing volleyball since she was in the fifth grade, and this sudden wall that she was facing set her back, according to Palmer. “She fell behind by not being able to play, and I think that affected her a little bit off the floor,” Palmer said. Fortunately for Baugh, her time away from the sport she loved didn’t last long. “Hadley’s parents signed her up for some local camps and training, which helped her get back in the swing of things,” Palmer said. Baugh’s McIntosh County Academy teammates welcomed her with open arms, and that has helped her to flourish with the Buccaneers. “Hadley has turned into one of our best players,” Palmer said. “She can play any position on the floor, and her style of play is phenomenal. She’s very good, and she is one of my main characters, too. When Hadely is on the floor, she plays with so ITG Next | 31

much energy. The amount of passion, love, and knowledge she possesses for the game of volleyball is far and few to find. She has the physical strength, communication skills, team work, ball control, game understanding, good sportsmanship, and encouragement for her teammates.” In addition to starring for her high school squad, Baugh is a member of two area club volleyball programs, the 17U Waves and the 17U Sharks, whom she joined last year in her sophomore season. As good as she is in her element on the volleyball floor, Baugh excels in a couple of other areas. In October of this year, Baugh was recognized for her artistic creativity as the McIntosh Art Association’s Young Artist Award. She also excels in her classroom studies, according to Palmer.

“Hadley is the epitome of a student-athlete,” Palmer said. “She is so engaged with the sport she loves, and she is an honor student. I am ecstatic she is part of the One Buc family.”

32 | itgnext.com

Columbus Flag Football Player Alexandria Lofton Voted ITG Next’s November 2024 Georgia Female Athlete of the Month Written by: Phil Jones Photography by: Josh Metersky

Columbus High School flag football player Alexandria Lofton is ITG Next’s November 2024 Georgia Female Athlete of the Month. Lofton is a two-sport, standout athlete for the Blue Devils; she is the goalie for the girls soccer team and is a wide receiver and defensive back on the flag football team. She has excelled at both sports. In addition to her goalie duties for her high school soccer team at Columbus, Lofton also plays for the Concorde Fire Premium Club soccer team. She has played with them for the past three seasons, and she has been recognized as the Best-in-Region goalkeeper for all three seasons. She has also been named to the league’s All-Regional team each year. In flag football, Lofton has helped guide her Columbus team to a combined 38-7 record over the last two seasons and a trip to the Final Four of the GHSA playoffs in 2023. Lofton and her Columbus teammates finished the 2024 regular season with an 18-6 record and, at the time of writing, are preparing for the state playoffs. Lofton has racked up video-game-type stats as the team’s top wide receiver with 105 receptions for 1,795 yards and 30 touchdowns in just 20 games. (She missed four games this season.) Earlier this year, Lofton became the first flag football player from Georgia to make the Girls Junior National Team, which represents the U.S. in international flag football competitions. Competing along with over 100 flag football athletes from around the country, Lofton won one of just 12 roster spots on the 17U team. She then helped the team win a gold medal at the 2024 Junior International Cup. Columbus head flag football coach Christian Grier said Lofton is truly a game changer. “She is an unstoppable force,” Grier said. “She can do it all on the field, on offense, defense, and on special teams. She is so much fun to watch. She can also punt the football 50 yards. That’s her goalie skills at work.” What makes all this so impressive is that Lofton has only been playing flag football for two seasons. “She tried out for the team as a freshman, but that was the first time she had ever played football,” Grier said. The head coach said last year was when Lofton broke out as a player. “She had over 1,600 yards receiving last year with 69 receptions and 29 touchdowns and then just went out and shattered those numbers this year,” Grier said. Lofton also displays many of the same traits elite athletes have, according to Grier. “Ally will stick around after practice for another hour, working to make herself even better,” Grier said. Congratulations to Alexandria Lofton of Columbus High School, the ITG Next Georgia Female Athlete of the Month for November 2024.

ITG Next | 33

Voted Best DENTIST IN SOUTH GA

15 Years in a Row!

Ashley Moorman, DMD • Barclay Woodward, DMD Hardy Gray, DMD • Rebekah Hancock, DMD ADC1 3211 Wildwood Plantation Dr Valdosta, GA 31605 229-242-4441 34 | itgnext.com

www.ADCTEAM.com All Insurances Accepted in network with many plans

ADC2 3362 Greystone Way Valdosta, GA 31605 229-242-0063

Lowndes Football Player Marvis Parrish Voted ITG Next’s November 2024 Georgia Male Athlete of the Month Written by: Phil Jones Photography by: Maggie Purvis

Lowndes High School football player Marvis Parrish is ITG Next’s November 2024 Georgia Male Athlete of the Month. Parrish is in his senior season at Lowndes, and his performance on the gridiron has been a big reason for the Vikings’ success this season. At the time of writing, the team is competing in the GHSA Class 6A state playoffs after having missed the playoffs last season. Behind Parrish’s many combined contributions this season, Lowndes has enjoyed a 9-win regular season and picked up win number 10 with a first-round playoff victory over North Paulding. After two seasons of leading the Lowndes offense as its starting quarterback, Parrish has been moved to multiple roles on the offensive and defensive sides of the ball this year. While still seeing time at QB, Parrish has also played running back and receiver. He even has an interception combined with seven tackles on defense this season. But it’s as one of the team’s primary offensive weapons that Parrish has shown just how valuable he is to the team and its success in 2024. In a limited role at his old position of QB, Parrish has still been effective, completing 82% of his passes with nine completions on 11 attempts for 110 yards and two touchdowns. In his now primary role as running back, Parrish has rushed for 906 yards on 103 carries with 20 touchdowns. He is averaging 8.8 yards every time he runs the football and has four games of over 100 yards rushing on the season. As a receiver, Parrish has 28 catches for 396 yards with four touchdowns. He is averaging 14.1 yards per reception. Lowndes head football coach Adam Carter said Parrish is as much

of a special person as he is a football player when suiting up for the Vikings on Friday nights. “Marvis is an incredible young man that has made this community proud over and over for the past four years,” Carter said. “He exemplifies everything it means to love Lowndes. He has taken on any role that was asked of him in order for the team to be successful. He has excelled at quarterback, running back, and receiver this season. He is a very dynamic player and a threat to score any time he touches the ball.” Parrish’s career numbers reflect the diversity he has been able to demonstrate as a member of the Vikings, playing a different role in each of the past three seasons. In his sophomore season, Parrish led the offense as the Vikings’ dual-threat QB. He threw for 1,329 yards while completing 116-of-216 passes with eight touchdowns. He also rushed for 709 yards on an amazing 175 carries, scoring 15 touchdowns. In his junior season, Parrish threw for over 1,000 yards once again with 1,090 yards passing. He completed 100-of-172 pass attempts with 12 touchdowns and was credited with 93 carries, good for 327 yards rushing and three touchdowns. Combined with his current season’s statistics, Parrish has racked up a combined 2,529 yards passing, 22 touchdowns passing, 1,942 yards rushing, and 38 touchdowns rushing. All three seasons combined have given him 4,855 total yards. Congratulations to Marvis Parrish of the Lowndes Vikings, the ITG Next Georgia Male Athlete of the Month for November 2024.

ITG Next | 35

17th Annual ITG Next South Georgia High School Football Banquet

36 | itgnext.com

DECEMBER 2024

Major Awards Hughston Clinic COACH OF THE YEAR

Valdosta Toyota DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR

Georgia Sports Medicine SCHOLAR ATHLETE OF THE YEAR

VKTRY Performance Insoles OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR

Vereen Sports Medicine SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYER OF THE YEAR

Farah & Farah FORWARD PROGRESS AWARD

Top Offensive & Defensive Players From 30+ South Georgia Teams Presented by:

Presented by:

Clinch County High School Lowndes High School

Cook High School Presented by:

Presented by:

Tift County High School Tiftarea Academy

Presented by: Presented by:

Valdosta High School Lee County High School

Presented by:

Appling County High School

Presented by:

Crisp Academy Crisp County High School Doooly County High School Presented by:

Bainbridge High School Thomas County Central High School Thomasville High School Presented by:

Brookwood School Boosters

Brookwood School Presented by:

Cairo High School

Worth County High School

Presented by:

Brooks County High School Colquitt County High School Presented by:

Lanier County High School

Honoring South Georgia’s Best

Coffee High School Perry High School Pierce County High School

ITG Next | 37

T H E V E R E E N T E A M IS H E R E TO G E T YOU

M O U LT R I E , G A • V E R E E N C E N T E R .C O M • 2 2 9 - 8 9 0 - 3 553

Top 9 Class of 2026 Basketball Recruits in Georgia Written by: Matt Melton

While the state has always been loaded with talent in future classes, the list of top recruits in Georgia high school basketball for the 2026 Class might look a little different now than it did a year ago. That is because, similar to the 2025 group, many of Georgia’s top 2026 prospects are new to the state this season via transfers, including the state’s No. 1 player for the cycle. This loaded group of players could easily be among high school basketball’s best in the next two years. Let’s take a look at the highest-rated 2026 recruits in Georgia, according to the On3 Industry Rankings, starting with No. 9.

9. Kole Grandison, Shooting Guard – Overtime Elite We begin this list with the first of multiple Overtime Elite prospects in Kole Grandison. A three-star prospect, Grandison ranks as the nation’s No. 156 overall player and as the No. 39 shooting guard in the country. Grandison spent last season at Immaculate Conception in New Jersey, where he helped lead the Lions to a 22-9 overall record.

8. Colben Landrew, Shooting Guard – Wheeler Wildcats This past offseason the Wheeler Wildcats brought in a few high-profile transfers, the biggest of which in the 2026 Class was likely three-star prospect Colben Landrew out of Thompson High School in Alabama. A talented shooting guard, Landrew ranks as the No. 30 player at his position in the 2026 Class and the No. 118 overall player nationally. In Alabama last season, Landrew helped lead Thompson to a 22-10 overall record and a Class 7A regional finals appearance.

7. Jaron Saulsberry, Small Forward – Norcross Blue Devils Jaron Saulsberry returns for his junior season at Class 6A’s Norcross coming off a solid sophomore campaign. A four-star prospect, Saulsberry ranks as the nation’s No. 92 overall player and the No. 28 small forward in the 2026 Class. Last season, Saulsberry helped lead Norcross to a 17-14 overall record and a Class 7A state quarterfinals appearance.

6. Manny Green, Small Forward – Cedar Grove Saints After a strong sophomore season at Class 3A’s Cedar Grove, Manny Green returns for his junior campaign with the Saints this year. The four-star small forward ranks as the No. 19 player at the position and the No. 62 player in the 2026 recruiting cycle. As a sophomore, Green helped lead Cedar Grove to a 16-9 overall record and a playoff appearance while averaging 17.6 points per game.

ITG Next | 39

5. Jalan Wingfield, Power Forward – Tri-Cities Bulldogs The Top 5 begins with Jalan Wingfield, who is set to take the court this season with Class 5A’s Tri-Cities after transferring from Thomas County Central. A four-star power forward, Wingfield ranks as the nation’s No. 61 overall player and the No. 10 player at his position. Thomas County Central finished last season with an 11-15 overall record as a member of Class 6A.

4. Adam Oumiddoch, Shooting Guard – Overtime Elite Overtime Elite lands three different players within the Top 5 of this list, the first of which is Adam Oumiddoch. A four-star prospect, Oumiddoch ranks as the nation’s No. 31 overall player in the 2026 Class and the No. 10 shooting guard in the country. Oumiddoch is a returning Overtime Elite prospect who suited up with the program a year ago.

3. Tay Kinney, Point Guard – Overtime Elite Tay Kinney is a new face to Georgia this season, joining Overtime Elite from Kentucky where he attended Newport High School. A four-star prospect, Kinney ranks as the nation’s No. 19 overall player regardless of position and as the No. 3 point guard in the 2026 Class. Last season in Kentucky, Kinney led Newport to a 32-4 overall record and a playoff appearance, averaging a combined 17.5 PPG, 4 rebounds per game, 2.6 assists per game, and 1.1 steals per game.

2. Moustapha Diop, Center – Overtime Elite The highest ranked Overtime Elite prospect in the 2026 recruiting cycle is currently Moustapha Diop, a four-star recruit who spent his sophomore season a year ago at Class 2A’s Walker. Diop ranks as the nation’s No. 18 overall prospect and the top center in the 2026 Class. He holds offers from several top SEC programs. At Walker last season, Diop helped lead the Wolverines to a 20-9 overall record and a Class 2A second-round playoff appearance while averaging a double-double at 18.1 PPG, 13.1 RPG, 2.4 APG, and 3.2 blocks per game.

1. Caleb Holt, Shooting Guard – Grayson Rams Georgia’s top 2026 recruit, Caleb Holt, is new to the state this season after transferring from Buckhorn High School in Alabama in the offseason. The five-star prospect is set to take the court this season at Grayson. Holt, who holds nearly 20 collegiate offers, is ranked as the No. 3 overall player nationally and the No. 1 shooting guard in the country. Named Mr. Basketball by the Alabama Sports Writers Association a year ago, Holt averaged 20.2 PPG, 9.5 RPG, 3 SPG, and 2.4 APG at Buckhorn last season to lead the program to a 27-7 overall record and their second straight Class 6A state title.

40 | itgnext.com

YOUR LOGO HERE

embroidery screen printing promo items

Gainesville Volleyball Player Avery Lindsey Voted ITG Next’s October 2024 Georgia Female Athlete of the Month Written by: Phil Jones Photography by: Gainesville High Athletics

Gainesville High School three-sport athlete Avery Lindsey is the ITG Next’s October 2024 Georgia Female Athlete of the Month. “I am so appreciative of the Gainesville community and everyone else that has supported me, and I am honored to have received the ITG Next Georgia Athlete of the Month award,” Lindsey, a senior, said. The Gainesville, Georgia, native swims and plays soccer and volleyball, and she has lettered in all three sports every year that she has attended Gainesville High School. “Volleyball is definitely my favorite sport,” Lindsey said. “I try to play every day and anytime I can. When I can’t play indoor, I play beach volleyball. My goal is to get as many touches as I can on a daily basis.” 42 | itgnext.com

The dedication and the time devoted to volleyball has paid off for the setter. This past season in a region volleyball tournament match against Milton, Lindsey became the school’s record holder for all-time career assists and for most assists in a single-season. The previous school record of 2,369 career assists was set by Savannah Roys. In the match versus Milton, Lindsey picked up her 2,370th career assist. The Red Elephants finished fourth in the region, and Lindsey said she is proud of what she and her teammates accomplished this year. “We played pretty well throughout the season, and I was pleased with how we finished the season in a very tough region,” Lindsey said. “I feel like our entire team really bonded over the season, and we grew as a team.”

She added how much it meant to take the court with teammates who are also longtime friends. “My favorite part of this senior season was sharing the court with my friends that I have been playing with since the sixth grade,” she said. It’s no surprise that Lindsey is an athlete, as she comes from athletic parents. Adam Lindsey, her father, actually serves as the athletic director at Gainesville High School. “Both of us (parents) are athletic, so she was born into it,” Adam Lindsey said of his daughter. “From a small child, she has always been active and wants to be playing something at all times.” Adam Lindsey said that his daughter’s love for volleyball started at an early age and that she has never looked back. “Avery started playing volleyball when she was 6

years old, and ever since she has worked at it every chance she gets,” he said. As Avery Lindsey grew, so did her love for volleyball. When she entered the sixth grade, she began to train six days a week and has continued that same level of energy and commitment to making herself the best she can be. That hard work and love for the sport has paid off. She currently has offers to play college volleyball, but has not yet decided on where she’ll go. “At this time I have four college offers, so we will see where I will wind up,” she said.

Top 10 Georgia High School Baseball Teams: 2025 Preseason Rankings Written by: Phil Jones

The 2025 baseball season is right around the corner, and ITG Next is giving you a peek at the teams we think could be the ones to watch. Our 2025 Georgia high school baseball preseason rankings include some programs that will be expected to contend for state championships and others that are dark-horse picks.

1. Etowah (Class 6A) The Etowah baseball program has become one of consistency with solid pitching, timely hitting, and, of course, great all-around talent. The Eagles are the defending Class 6A state champion and will head into the 2025 season led by one of the top pitchers in the state in junior Matthew Sharman, a University of Georgia commit. Outfielder Deion Cole, a junior, is committed to Georgia Tech.

2. Buford (Class 6A) Buford will be one of the top contenders in Class 6A once again, benefiting from the return of several players from last season’s quarterfinals squad that lost a heartbreaking series to Brookwood 2-1 after winning Game 1. The Wolves will feature the nation’s No. 1 prospect from the Class of 2028, outfielder and right-handed pitcher Dexter McCleon Jr. They’ll also have outfielder and right-handed pitcher Ayden Lockett, a junior; catcher Vance Brock, a junior; and standout right-handed pitcher Braden Burton, a senior. Senior starting catcher and Brevard College commit Parks Cleveland and senior outfielder Cannon Goldin, an Ole Miss commit, are also back to lead the Wolves.

3. Houston County (Class 5A) Don’t worry, HoCo baseball fans! Your Bears will likely be climbing toward another state title again in 2025. After winning the Class 6A state title in 2023, head coach Matt Hopkins’ team fell in last season’s semifinals 2-0 to Pope. The Houston County baseball program will return 10 starters from last season’s team, including the state’s No. 2 rated right-handed pitcher in Will Allen, three-time All-State selection Vick Gann, Kendall Jackson, Ethan Buffone, Tucker Hale, Isaiah Galason, Max Willhide, and junior outfielder Noah Odom.

44 | itgnext.com

4. Loganville (Class 5A)

8. Cherokee Bluff (Class 3A)

The Red Devils are coming off yet another state championship season in 2024, their eighth overall state title for the program, and there’s no reason to think Loganville won’t be back in the mix in 2025 for a ninth title. Head coach Bran Mills was named the Georgia Dugout Club’s 2024-25 Class 5A Coach of the Year, and he’ll welcome back a strong starting core of players who will be key to another run at a championship. They are junior right-handed pitcher and infielder Jake Boland; senior infielder Tripp Braswell; and standout junior shortstop Matt Berardinelli, who will be the table-setter for the Red Devils’ batting order as their likely leadoff hitter.

The Region 8-4A champion and Class 4A state runner-up Cherokee Bluff Bears are led by Georgia Dugout Club Class 4A Coach of the Year Jeremy Kemp and Player of the Year Caleb Miele. The Bears will have one of the state’s best returning in junior infielder Bubba Coleman, who recently decommitted from LSU baseball. Coleman is ranked as a Top 10 Class of 2026 player by Perfect Game.

5. Pope (Class 5A) The Greyhounds have produced one of the most impressive multi-year runs of success over the past 15 seasons, which have included five state championships, nine title game appearances, and 105 playoff wins over that stretch. Pope was the state runner-up in Class 6A last year, falling to eventual state champ Etowah. They’ll be right back in the mix this year with standout juniors Nick Bobrowski, a left-handed pitcher, and Kayden Campbell, an infielder, leading the 2025 squad.

6. Cartersville (Class 4A) The Cartersville Purple Hurricanes are hoping to get back to the state championship game, where they fell just short last season. Head coach Kyle Tucker was named the Georgia Dugout Club’s 2024-25 Class 5A Coach of the Year, and he’ll have several returners from last season, including juniors Cooper Adams, shortstop and third baseman Peyton Klewein, and right-handed pitcher Nate Russell. Senior standout infielder and right-handed pitcher Andrew Purdy, a University of Alabama commit, will serve as the ace of the Canes’ pitching staff this year with a fastball clocked in the 90-mph range.

7. Coffee (Class 5A) Scott Grove has taken over as head coach of Coffee baseball’s program with the departure of longtime head coach Sy Jones. Groves is a former pro baseball scout with tons of baseball experience. He’ll inherit a team that includes one of the state’s top shortstops and right-handed pitchers in junior Ben Fussell. Senior infielder and right-handed pitcher Matt Strickland, who has an explosive fastball that’s been clocked in the 90-mpg range, will also return to the 2025 Trojans. Both Strickland and Fussell have committed to Mercer University baseball. Senior infielder Connor Stewart, an Augusta College commit, will provide Coffee with power at the plate this season. Outfielder Brax Carson, a LaGrange College commit, is also back.

9. Lowndes (Class 6A) The Vikings have won back-to-back baseball state championships. Even though head coach Ryan Page will lose some key players that were a big part of those state title teams, he’ll still have enough great baseball talent to make a run at a three-peat. Left-handed pitcher and outfielder Matthew Kerrigan, an Auburn commit, will return from Tommy John surgery to lead Lowndes in 2025. Other key team members include infielder Cason Fletcher, a Mercer commit, and right-handed pitcher Drew Inman, an ABAC commit. Look for junior first baseman Derrick Carter Jr. to be a force at the plate as a left-handed stick and on the mound as a southpaw. Standing at 6-foot-3, junior right-handed pitcher Easton Blanton is quite an intimidating presence on the mound and could prove to be a shutdown reliever for the Vikings in 2025.

10. Glynn Academy (Class 5A) The Red Terrors have what is perhaps the finest high school field and stadium among Georgia high school baseball venues, and they always put some of the best talent on the field too. Glynn Academy will be a little young this year, but head coach John Welborn is as good as any coach at developing talent. He’ll have one of the best in the country returning this season in junior outfielder and LSU baseball commit Wessley Roberson, a First Team Perfect Game USA All-American selection. Other key members of Glynn Academy’s 2025 roster include shortstop and right-handed pitcher Nico Munoz; sophomore infielder and right-handed pitcher Luke Parrish; sophomore left-handed pitcher Kai Orr; and senior first baseman and right-handed pitcher Carson Ritola.

ITG Next | 45

TICKETS ON-SALE NOW THURSDAY

JANUARY 2

7:30 PM

BILL GAY GROUNDS AT EVERBANK STADIUM | JACKSONVILLE, FL

TAXSLAYERGATORBOWL.COM

46 | itgnext.com

AWARD WINNING HOTEL

♦ Azalea’s Restaurant & Lounge ♦ Full Service Amenities ♦ Meeting & Reception Facilities ♦ First Class Accommodations ♦ 49” Flat Panel HD Televisions ♦ Family & Executive Suites ♦ Fitness Center & Business Center ♦ Large Swimming Pool & Palm Terrace ♦ Complimentary Airport Shuttle

HOLIDAY INN HOTEL & CONFERENCE CENTER

I-75 (Exit 16) ♦ 1805 West Hill Avenue ♦ Valdosta, GA (229) 244-1111 (800) 465-4329 Ideal Hotel and Meeting Venue for Sports Teams! www.WilliamsHotelGroup.com

Exit 18 229-249-8900 Valdosta

Exit 18 229-245-1700 Valdosta

Exit 22 229-244-4460 Valdosta

Exit 62 229-382-3300 Tifton

Exit 62 229-382-8100 Tifton

Exit 62 229-382-8500 Tifton

Exit 18 229-249-2000 Valdosta

Exit 16 229-249-1000 Valdosta

Exit 16 229-249-8000 Valdosta

Exit 62 229-382-8505 Tifton

Owned and operated by Williams Investment Co. A proud part of South Georgia’s growth since 1963

Exit 62 229-382-8250 Tifton

Exit 39 229-896-2244 Adel

Exit 39 229-896-4574 Adel

Exit 18 229-249-8880 Valdosta

Exit 16 229-249-8800 Valdosta

ITG Next | 47

Keep going.

. g n i w o r g p Kee 2024

HONORING ITG NEXT’S

MOST IMPROVED PLAYER

YOU CAN’T PLAN FOR EVERYTHING LIFE THROWS AT YOU. At Farah & Farah, the name of the game is to never stop fighting for you. We are proud to provide you and your family with the expertise and grit that your case deserves. With 6 offices across Georgia, we are at your service. ®

1841 Norman Drive, Valdosta, GA