South Georgia June 2017 Edition by ITG Next Magazine

CHAMPIONSHIP EDITION

PLUS

2017

Athletic Awards Banquet

e v e i h ac

pg. 44

e r i p s in The magic of

l l e h c t i M Malcolm continues

Year in Review

Near Death to New Life

One Down and One To Go

In the Game’s Top Content From 2016-17

South Georgia’s Fall, Winter, and Spring CHAMPIONS

Weise’s Journey to the U.S. Paralympic National Soccer Team

GAME SOUTH GEORGIA

$4.00 / Issue

IN THE

JUNE/JULY 2017

Tony Morales — Central High School

In The Game | 1

THE

HUGHSTON DIFFERENCE YESTERDAY.

•

Providing you, for over 60 years, with research, education, and treatment

•

Organizing preparticipation physicals since 1976

•

Covering over 1,500 local sporting events each year

•

Saturday morning injury clinic

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Researching and implementing concussion management software for local athletes

LOCATIONS Albany Auburn Columbus Dothan LaGrange

Moultrie Phenix City Thomaston Thomasville Valdosta

Hughston Clinic 706-324-6661 2|

6262 Veterans Parkway, GA 31909 1-800-331-2910 / www.hughston.com itgsportsnetwork.com

TODAY. TOMORROW.

In The Game | 3

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ARE YOU In?

South Georgia

In the Game No matter the moment, no matter the circumstance, the real athletes never leave the Game. Classroom? In the Game. Weight room? In the Game. Board room? In the Game. 100% in everything you do. Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s what it means to be In the Game. .

Cole Parker

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF In The Game | 5

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P I H S N O I n P o i t i M d e A

G T I 7 1 0 2

IN THIS ISSUE 16

Achieve & Inspire

Near Death to New Life

25 27 28 29 34 43 44 52

The Magic of Malcolm Mitchell Continues Weiseâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Journey to the U.S. Paralympic National Soccer Team

State Champions Made in the Offseason

Pelham High School Lady Hornets Win 2016-17 A-Public State Title

The More Things Change

Multisport Athletes Have Eventful Senior Year Columbus High School

Top 3 Covers of the Year Top 5 Photos of the Year 10 Questions with Chris Whidby

54 62

2016-17 State Champions

Top 2 Graphics of the Year

No Strikeouts, On or Off the Field

Glenwood School Takes 2 State Titles in Basketball

Taylor Peebles, Houston County High School

One Down and One to Go

Giving Back to Baseball

74 76

2016-17 South Georgia Athletic Awards Banquet

Winning in the Water

Deerfield-Windsor School

Top YouTube Videos of the Year

From the Publisher Welcome to the season finale. We are proud to introduce In the Game Magazine’s 201617 South Georgia June-July issue: the Championship Edition. This entire school year, like many before, was one of remarkable triumphs. State championship trophies were added to trophy cases across our South Georgia region, and we would like to congratulate and commemorate each and every one of them. This magazine is largely meant to honor and recognize the outstanding efforts and achievements of South Georgia’s finest teams, coaches, and individual student-athletes during this past school year. Yet at the same time, we also recognize that this season was one of heartbreaking losses. Some teams and players saw the highest of the highs, while others saw the lowest of the lows. And South Georgia stayed strong through it all. Even if state championships weren’t won, we still believe that in the championship mentality, living In the Game is worth celebrating as well. Not only was it a great year for South Georgia athletics, but it was a great year for us at In the Game Sports Network. We continue to grow, diversify, and thrive. With a refined mission, vision, and outlook, we also view this magazine as the Year in Review edition, so we hope that

you enjoy remembering some of our highlights of this past year as we readily anticipate the next one. To be clear, all of this isn’t just about this year’s athletic achievements; while the talents may bring these people to the center of conversation, it is their character, work ethic, support systems, and drive that will make them successful in life. On the field, in the classroom, around the community, being In the Game isn’t just about being in our magazine; it’s about living In the Game. We are looking for people who understand what it means to passionately persevere, inspire, and strive for greatness in all areas of life. In short, we are looking for people who understand what it means to BE In the Game. So, the question is: Are You In? Our mission is simple: to inspire your inner athlete toward the passionate pursuit of excellence, on and off the field. So, if you know of a player, coach, or fan deserving of recognition as we head into the 2017-18 school year, head to our website and officially nominate that story! We thank you for your continued support of your local athletic programs and In the Game Sports Network. Follow us on social media @InTheGameNation and visit us at www.InTheGameSportsNetwork.com in order to #StayInTheGame!

In the Game Apparel @InTheGameNation

South Georgia Team Publisher Mark Dykes Editor Cole Parker Magazine Director Brittany K. Wyche Graphics Brittany K. Wyche Mandy Douthit LaDarius Dennison Cover Photography Courtesy of Read with Malcolm Feature Photography Micki Krzynski Micki K Photography Marque Milla Reese Milla Creationz Photography Aaron Musgrove George McDuffie Jerry Christenson Emmanuel Magbanua Brittany K. Wyche Vince Jupiter Feature Writers Zack Pine Beth Welch Cole Parker Hillary Griffin Julie Patrick Jon Nelson Lambert Bales Miranda Moore Sarah Turner Copy Editors Anna Limoges Beth Welch Advertising/Marketing Mark Dykes mark@itgsportsnetwork.com Brittany K. Wyche brittany@itgsportsnetwork.com Digital Manager Cole Parker Tell us what you thought about the April/May issue of In the Game! info@itgsportsnetwork.com

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In the Game 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 2017 Dykes Media Group LLC. All rights reserved. ISSN 1945-1458.

In The Game | 9

Contributors

Mark Dykes

Cole Parker

Brittany k. Wyche

Mandy Douthit

Chief Executive Officer

Chief Operations Officer

Magazine director

Graphic Designer

Founder and CEO Mark Dykes is the entrepreneur and mastermind behind the In the Game vision. Back in 2007, Mark set out to create a company that captured the passion, intensity, and unrivalled commitment towards high school athletics in the South Georgia area. Today, that vision has become a reality, and he continues to be the leading influence in what lies ahead for In the Game Sports Network.

As a recent Cornell University graduate, Cole dove head first into the working world by taking on a leadership position with In the Game. As the Chief Operations Officer, he has come on board to manage all business operations, digital development, and company expansion. Combining his experience in entrepreneurship and marketing with his extensive sports background, Cole is looking forward to further establishing and growing In the Game Sports Network.

It takes a lot of talent and drive to handle the graphic design workload here at ITG, but we found the perfect fit in Brittany. Starting her collegiate career as a soccer player at ABAC, she decided to transfer to Wiregrass in order to study Design and Media Production. Since then, she purchased her own design computer for freelance, but ITG has provided her the perfect opportunity to combine her love for sports and art.

Mandy recently made the move from Pine Mountain, Georgia, to Valdosta in order to join the ITG corporate team. The University of West Georgia alum graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Art with a concentration in Graphic Design. Her artistic nature has allowed her to use graphic design to win national and international design competitions, and now she will be bringing those skills to In the Game.

aNNA Limoges

Lambert Bales

Zack Pine

Jon Nelson

Copy editor

Contributing writer

Contributing Writer

Anna is a senior Interdisciplinary Studies major at Valdosta State University. She started working with In the Game Sports Network in early 2016 and lends her editorial eye to the words that grace ITG’s pages. She enjoys the meticulous process of copy editing and plays an important role in making each story and magazine the best it can be.

The Atlanta native and VSU alumnus has played a role within In the Game since 2015. Beginning as a marketing intern, Lambert’s main tasks were to keep all digital platforms active and up to date. As his responsibilities began to increase, he was given the opportunity to lead the way on numerous assignments across the entire scope of operations. He has continued to show his versatility by producing fresh, stimulating content for the South Georgia magazine.

In May of 2016, Zack Pine received his B.A. in History and joined our staff at In the Game. After graduation, Zack decided to stay in Valdosta to pursue his M.A. in teaching and to write for our South Georgia region. He hopes to use his time at ITG to focus not just on athletics itself but also the bigger picture issues in athletics. We look forward to his interesting writing for South Georgia.

Jon Nelson has been in TV for 27 years based in Atlanta. He graduated from Florida State University with a B.S. in political science. Twenty-four of those years have been at GPB as a host and Senior Correspondent- writing five books with more on the way! He is blessed with a far-morepretty wife, Patty, and his two furry children- a Pekingese named Trooper and a cat that acts more like a dog, Trouble.

Micki Krzynski

Marque Milla Reese

George McDuffie

Jerry Christenson

Contributing Photographer

When it comes to loyalty to In the Game, it is hard to top Micki. Since the very beginning of In the Game Magazine, Micki has provided strong, creative, and highly professional photos. Consequently, Micki and her son/ assistant, Jake, have become our goto photo duo. With enough talent, equipment, and experience to make her dangerous, she continues to push ITG’s photography forward.

Marque “Milla” Reese was born a humble, ambitious child on the south side of Tifton, Georgia. He has always had a vision to see things differently than others as he drew out his imagination, and he went through numerous potential career choices before finding “the one”: the dream of becoming a photographer. With the helpful hand of his wife, Rebekka Reese, Milla is living out that dream as a key member of ITG.

George may have retired from the Muscogee County School system in 2013, but that doesn’t mean he isn’t staying busy. With a background in Business Management, a love for the Auburn Tigers, and knack for photography, George has been able to capture amazing sports shots for our Columbus Valley schools. We are always excited to have George’s photos featured in our magazines!

In an area as expansive as the Chattahoochee Valley, covering it with great stories and photography is no easy task. Thanks to Jerry, however, In the Game continues to be able to do each story justice. Teaming up with Beth Welch, the Area Editor, he is part of the tag team that makes it all happen. Jerry’s experience in photography and familiarity with the local sports scene make him a vital piece of the ITG puzzle.

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What to look forward to: Your High School Gridiron Guide

South Georgia’s Top Players to Watch

Columbus Valley’s Top players to Watch

Play Our ITG Pick’Em Challenge!

GHSA Appears Strong on a National Scale By the Numbers: North Georgia vs South Georgia

Columbus Area Editor

Courtney is an established professional in the world of communications, sports, marketing, and digital media. She received her degree from Florida State University while studying communications and business. Courtney is the Director of ITG for the North Florida region and is in charge of all operations, focusing on producing the magazine and TV show. She is a strong reporter for the show and writer for the magazine. Her positive attitude, work ethic, and experience make her an ideal Director.

Beth has been a part of the ITG Team since 2009 when she began writing for the Columbus Valley edition of In the Game. Now, she heads up all of the Chattahoochee Valley content as Area Editor. Having children who participated in sports in local high schools and later were collegiate athletes, Beth has been involved in athletics in the area for many years, making her the perfect fit for her current role.

Alexis Myers

Vince Jupiter

videographer

videography Intern

As the demands of our video department have escalated, Alexis has continually risen to the occasion. As a graduate of Lowndes High School and the College of Southern Nevada, this award-winning filmmaker has set the bar high during her start here at ITG. Alexis copes with the constant disappointment of being an Atlanta Braves fan by traveling, singing and songwriting with her ukulele, and hanging out with her dog Abi.

The Lee County alumnus and current Valdosta State Mass Media major joined our intern team back in the summer of 2016, and Vince has since proven himself to be a talented and trustworthy addition to the staff. As one of the most senior interns, he has become just as much a member of the ITG Team as any, despite the unfortunate fact that he is an avid LSU and Saints fan.

SOUTH GEORGIA

August 2016

Beth WElch

Jacksonville Area Director

August - September 2017 Preseason Football Edition Are you ready for football? Get the inside scoop on all of South Georgia’s teams as they prepare for the season to begin.

October - November 2017 Basketball Preseson Edition Do you love our football preseason magazine? Do you also love basketball? Well in October-November of 2017, we will be unveiling our first ever Basketball Preseason Edition!

Aaron Musgrove Contributing Photographer Originally from Live Oak, FL, Aaron found his home as a multitalented photographer and graphic designer after moving to Valdosta in 2007. As the lead graphic designer at Colquitt Regional Medical Center since 2010, Aaron has found his passion in corporate graphic design and commercial photography, but he also loves capturing the unique dynamics of sports with ITG.

2017 High School Football Awards Banquet Each December, we gather the top players, coaches, and fans from South Georgia’s prestigious football culture in order to celebrate the season. Stay tuned to see how you can get involved!

BE IN THE GAME

Courtney Wagner

Find Your Team’s Preview Inside!

In The Game | 11

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In The Game | 13

Our Mission (Why We Exist)

INSPIRING YOUR INNER ATHLETE TOWARD THE PASSIONATE PURSUIT OF EXCELLENCE, ON & OFF THE FIELD. Our Vision (Where We Are Going)

Total immersion into the life of athletes and athletics as we positively influence mentalities through our compelling content and competitive culture.

Our Model (How We Get There)

We strive to showcase active, inspired lifestyles and a championâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s mentality as we awaken the former, current, and future athlete in every person.

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In the Game’s Year In Review Refined vision. Renewed purpose.

Looking back on the 2016-17 year, In the Game Sports Network has continued to evolve and expand. With a clear focus and mission, we invite you to join us as we celebrate the efforts and successes of this past year through our "Year In Review" features throughout this magazine, starting on page 29. We are looking forward to another great year ahead of us! Want to read more about our company’s identity and culture? Visit the “About Us” tab on our website, www.InTheGameSportsNetwork.com

In The Game | 15

Achieve & Inspire:

Written by: Cole Parker Photography by: Aaron Musgrove and Read with Malcolm

“In order to succeed, you have to read.”

These are strong words coming from an extremely gifted football player whose most recent accomplishment is earning a Super Bowl championship with the 2017 New England Patriots, yet Malcolm Mitchell believes these words to his very core. The remarkable story of Malcolm Mitchell’s triumphs and inspiration has been well documented, yet he continues to achieve and inspire at every phase of his career. The Valdosta, Georgia, native came from humble beginnings as he and his brothers were raised by their single mother, but he was also brought up under the tutelage and influence of Valdosta High School’s football tradition. Motivated by the work ethic of his mother and refined by the “never, never, never quit” mantra of the Wildcat tradition, Mitchell developed a champion’s mentality early on in his life. “You can truly accomplish whatever you put your mind to,” Mitchell said. “You go after it with everything within you. You know, that’s a message that my mom has sent me since I was a little child, and it’s a message that I will send, because whatever you want to achieve, it’s out there. You will have to go through some obstacles – everything won’t go your way – but if you don’t quit, you keep going, you have a better chance of reaching your goal.” It didn’t take long for his talents as a wide receiver and defensive back at Valdosta High School and as an Under Armour All-American to project to the next level, yet it wasn’t until his years at the University of Georgia that he was truly awakened to the reality of his academic shortcomings. “When I first got to college, I was able to still accomplish things on the field, but as a person I felt like I was failing myself,” Mitchell said. “My mission is to be the best person I can be, and that doesn’t just amount to football; that’s every aspect of life. And everything off the field wasn’t the way that I wanted it to be, especially reading.” Unwilling to accept this limitation on his potential,

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The Magic of Malcolm Mitchell Continues Mitchell went to work, on and off the field. After battling back from an ACL injury following his All-SEC Freshman campaign, he ended his career as a Bulldog as their leading receiver in his final season. More importantly, however, was a newfound emphasis on reading, which lead to the founding of the Read With Malcolm Literacy Initiative and the Share the Magic Foundation. Recognizing the impact that this literary revolution was making on his life, Mitchell wanted to take that magic to elementary schools and homes across the nation to address the negative effect of low reading achievement in underserved schools and communities. In a few short years, he transformed from a college student who was reading at a junior high level to becoming a national inspiration and award-winning author for his children’s book, “The Magician’s Hat.” The goals of Mitchell’s foundation are to introduce book ownership to students in households where reading is not a priority and to improve literacy in schools with below grade-level reading skills. They accomplish this through partnerships with individuals, school systems, and entire communities, headlined by Mitchell’s visits to schools across the nation for his Reading Rallies. “Everywhere I go, I continue to push the message that reading can truly change your life and reshape it in a way that you achieve the goals that you set out for yourself,” Mitchell said. In its first year, Malcolm’s book, “The Magician’s Hat,” which challenges young readers to think about what they want to be when they grow up, was distributed to more than 13,500 students in over 57 elementary

SOUTH GEORGIA

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In The Game | 17

“The Magician’s Hat,”

Mitchell’s award-winning children’s book, is available for sale on his website, www.ReadWithMalcolm.com. Purchase yours today!

How to win the

STEP

Super Bowl

schools, children’s hospitals, and community service organizations. Malcolm has personally visited over 19 elementary schools. In everything that they do, Mitchell and the leadership behind his foundation and initiatives aspire to transform the lives of young students through literacy with the belief that “there’s a little bit of magic in every book,” as Mitchell likes to say. Since the founding of Read With Malcolm in 2015, Mitchell has been recognized as the 2016 Georgia Writer’s Association Children’s Author of the Year, American’s Promise Alliance Hero Award Winner, the National Captain of the AllState Goodworks Team, National Haier Ultimate Achievement Award, Atlanta Sports Council Community Service Award Winner, The Jack Turner Award Winner presented by the Georgia Chapter of the National College Hall Of Fame, and the UGA Student Athlete of the Year. Yet even with this incredible list of off-the-field achievements already under his belt, Mitchell still had his greatest athletic achievement ahead of him. After being drafted to the New England Patriots in the fourth round of the 2016 NFL Draft, Mitchell

worked his way into the lineup of the league’s most dominant franchise. The result? Malcolm Mitchell was name to the NFL All-Rookie Team, playing in 14 games and amassing 32 receptions, 401 yards, and four TDs, and most importantly, a Super Bowl ring. In this historic comeback and overtime victory over the Atlanta Falcons in the 2017 Super Bowl, Patriots quarterback Tom Brady found Mitchell as a reliable target and key piece of their second-half surge. Mitchell finished the game with six receptions and 70 yards, trailing only behind Brady’s veteran targets of Danny Amendola and Julian Edelman. As the Patriots punched in the touchdown that capped off the league’s largest Super Bowl comeback, the celebration began. Confetti flew, tears of joy streamed, and the Lombardi Trophy made its way into the welcome embrace of rookie Malcolm Mitchell, who was showcasing an unmistakable smile that told the whole story without a single word. That celebration, however, exceeded the bounds of just that day. After the culmination of these achievements, Mitchell made the trip back south to say thanks to his biggest fans: his hometown crowd of family, friends, and fans. On “Malcolm Mitchell Day,” local supporters rushed to Valdosta High’s historic Bazemore-Hyder Stadium as Mitchell expressed his gratitude and received a “Key to City of Valdosta, GA” for his work on and off the professional football field.

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Athlete

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“Just wiser. Back then I thought I understood what it took to be the best I could possibly be, but the road is a lot harder than I could have imagined.” “I’ve had a tremendous amount of support from my hometown of Valdosta, to Atlanta, to Massachusetts,” Mitchell said. “Pushing that message that reading is important and it will help you grow and help you become the person you want to be is something that I will forever do, and I approach that with the same mentality that I approach football.” His message on that day, and every day, was one of humility, gratefulness, and of course, inspiration. Current

SOUTH GEORGIA EDITION

• OCTOBER 2010 • $4.00

When asked about the biggest difference between the guy that graced the cover of one of our 2010 In the Game South Georgia Magazine, Malcolm said:

Player Spotlight

Malcolm Mitchell

Valdosta High School

Coach’s Corner Jay Walls

Tift County High School

Academic Athlete Kristeena Suarez

Fitzgerald High School

Rising Star Ian Bennett

Hahira Middle School

Also Inside: Fellowship of Christian Athletes • Stingers

www.InTheGameMagazine.com

or former student-athletes, young or old, Malcolm Mitchell serves as a role model to all in his approach and actions. “Never give up,” Mitchell said without hesitation. “You will be faced with obstacles at some point. Even when you are successful, always keep striving for more.” Despite his youth, despite his disadvantages, and despite his setbacks, Malcolm Mitchell has worked for and achieved success. “No matter what hap-

pens in life, I will forever be a World Champion,” he said following the Super Bowl victory. But if anything is clear from the still-young life of Malcolm Mitchell, he knows that there is much to life beyond football. From his play on the field to his work as an author and as the founder of Read With Malcolm, he continues to use his past to inspire future generations.

“My goal is to make sure that every kid, especially every first grader, has ‘The Magician’s Hat’ in their hands on their first day of school,” Mitchell said. “But just sharing that passion for reading, continuing to write to inspire… I don’t really see a cap to it, because you can never push that message enough. So, until I can no longer talk, I will be pushing that message that reading can take you anywhere.”

“Everywhere I go, I continue to push the message that reading can truly change your life and reshape it in a way that you achieve the goals that you set out for yourself,” Mitchell said.

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Near Death to New Life Weise’s Journey to the U.S. Paralympic National Soccer Team

Brazil

Italy

Germany

Uruguay

Argentina 2 England

France

Spain

Inspirational Story Jordan Weise Written by: Lambert Bales Photgraphy by: Micki K Photography

Lionel Messi

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Jordan Weise, 2011 Lowndes High School graduate, was living in Atlanta during the summer of 2012. Fresh off his first soccer season at Georgia State University and playing for the Atlanta Silverbacks Reserves, he experienced a tragedy that forever changed his life. Growing up in Valdosta, Weise was exposed to many sports throughout his youth. Like many of his friends, he played football and baseball growing up and ultimately chose soccer and basketball when he got to Lowndes. During his sophomore year, he knew he had to devote more of his time to one, and that is when he concentrated solely on soccer. “At that point in time, you have to make a commitment,” Weise said. “You can’t be spread out with so many things.” Knowing he would be limited from reaching his full potential in South Georgia, Weise and his father traveled three hours after school, daily, so Weise could play for the Florida Rush, a high-profile youth soccer club based in Orlando. During this time, Weise was exposed to some of the top talent the United States had to offer. Overall, he grew as a player and succeeded at the highest of levels not only in the region, but nationally and internationally as well. As time came closer and closer for Weise to narrow down his college decision, many factors began to creep in. Weise attracted interest from programs such as Northwestern and Notre Dame. But, an ankle injury he suffered at a tournament in Disney World provided clarity in the end. “I decided on Georgia State because being a Georgia resident, it was a no-brainer,” Weise said. “Going to Atlanta was nice. It was a nice change from Valdosta. When I got to Atlanta, it was awesome. Everybody loves this sport.” During his one year in the Panthers program, Weise tallied three goals and two assists in 22 appearances. After the season, Weise stayed in Atlanta and joined the Atlanta Silverbacks Reserves. Bright stars often play at the club during the summer to increase their exposure. Chris Duvall and Chris Klute, two of his teammates, went on to play in the MLS. Weise appreciated the experiences he had in Orlando and Atlanta. He credited the coaches and instructors he learned from along the way. “I was fortunate,” Weise said. “Not many people in Valdosta can experience that without taking a military route.” Then July 5, 2012, happened, a day that changed the life of one of the brightest soccer stars to ever come out of South Georgia. On that unfortunate day, Jordan Weise fell down a flight of stairs and suffered a traumatic brain injury that nearly killed him and left him in a state of paralysis. He underwent a craniotomy to allow his brain to swell out of his skull rather than into his spinal cord. “Hearing the odds, with the level of my brain injury you’re looking at a 10 percent chance of surviving,” Weise said. “That stuck with me for a really long time.” Weise is unable to recall a full picture of everything that happened that day and still is unsure about moments before and after. “What’s amazing about the brain is maybe I don’t have the whole picture, but as someone starts to talk to me, pieces start to come back together,” Weise said. “I honestly do not remember anything from about a week or two before that.” Weise added that his daily routine included working out with a former teammate at the time. “We would go to the park [Historic Fourth Ward Park] and run,” Weise said. “We’d run there in the early mornings, and then I’d go back there to Silverback Park at about 10 a.m. for practice. Besides that, I can’t tell you a tremendous amount of stuff. A lot of the summer, even after that, pieces together.”

In The Game | 21

Media Day South Georgia High School Football

July 29, 2017

10:00am-2:00pm

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The next few weeks were trying for Weise as he began his recovery. One instance he recounted had a sobering effect on him that he still thinks about. “It’s like I was brought down to reality,” Weise said. “As you sit in a hospital bed and look out the window seeing people walk down Peachtree Street, you’re drooling on the right side of your face; your right hand doesn’t work; you can’t move your right arm; you can’t walk; you’re struggling to remember your name, your age. You look out the window saying, ‘I want to be like them – I want to be like the person walking down the street.’” Weise paused for a moment. “That’s when it hit me. I really took too much for granted.” Weise was discharged from the hospital at the end of July and returned to Valdosta for a few weeks before going to Atlanta’s Shepard Center for outpatient therapy. When he got back to Atlanta, he faced an uphill battle; performing daily tasks like walking up and down stairs, cooking, and getting on an exercise bike were a grind in the beginning, but relearning those activities was ultimately worth it. “I felt like a child in the beginning,” Weise said. “Then, boom! One or two weeks later, it all clicked.” Weise’s time at the Shepard Center impacted him in a lasting way. The rehabilitation program, Pathways, allowed him to meet many great physicians and nurses who helped him get better and ultimately find a new vision in life: having a career in the medical field, particularly physical therapy. “It was a 9-4 type of thing,” Weise said. “I was continuing with therapy; physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, and cognitive therapy. I can’t tell you which one was the most critical, but I could say that each had their own special thing that changed and molded me into what I am today. And what I’m studying right now. And why I chose to go to grad school and pursue what I’m going to do.” Over the next two months, Weise got stronger and became more adept at using the right side of his body again. He worked on projects and tasks his doctors assigned for him to learn more about the medical field. They even allowed him to look at his own medical records and challenged him to diagnose what happened. Weise returned to Valdosta in the fall of 2012, and despite what his doctors told him, he didn’t take long to delve into his new-found passion as he enrolled at Valdosta State for the

spring 2013 semester as a biology major. “It was a great step in the right direction,” Weise said. “There were a lot of times when I was leaving Shepard where the neurophysiologist would say, ‘You can’t go back to school.’ But to me – of course the moral support of friends and family was great – but it was that doubt that really motivated me the most. That’s why I decided to pursue it and pursued it so hard.” During the Chemistry 2 course he took the summer session of 2013, Weise realized his hard work was paying off. “I received a ‘B,’” Weise

said. “A ‘B’ is not a great grade, but when you can’t stand up on your own two feet and you’re considered disabled, a ‘B’ within a year from having a near death experience is something to be proud of.” Unfortunately, he suffered a slight setback in January 2014. During a game of pickup basketball, he was hit in the head and was taken to Jacksonville’s Brooks Rehabilitation Hospital because he was experiencing right-sided hemiparesis. Luckily, because he wasn’t as affected as during the first injury, he jumped right into rehab, which lasted until March. During

his second rehab stint, he was introduced to Tony Annan and Stuart Sharp, who invited him to the U.S. Paralympic Soccer facilities in Chula Vista, California, upon clearance. In the meantime, Weise continued with school. Now enrolled at the University of North Florida, Weise focused more on studying physical therapy, taking all the prerequisites to get into physical therapy school. His reasoning for this focus was simple: “help others who were just like me.” “I want to be able to find that next kid that has a brain injury that doesn’t feel motivated to get better,” Weise said. “I want to be

able to tell him that I’ve done it… I’ve done it twice. And I promise you I’m going to do everything to help you do it too.” During the summer of 2014, he accepted that camp invite to California. Much like his days as a youth, this opportunity led Weise around many parts of the world. This time he represented his country alongside others facing similar hardships, all while doing something as trivial as playing soccer. “It was an awesome opportunity,” Weise said. “Fantastic group of guys. Coaching staff, physical therapists, physician assistants, doctors were great people. Some of these guys who have served for our country who’ve had ridiculous amounts of traumatic brain injuries and are still alive today happy to represent our country”. It once again reiterated to him that there is so much more to be thankful for in life and that there are people worse off than himself who don’t let struggles discourage them. “I always felt bad for myself,” Weise said. “‘Why me?’ Then I’d see some of the guys with cerebral palsy, who were born that way put a smile on every day, who’ve overcome so much and have a positive outlook on life.” He played his last game with the national team a couple of years ago, as he’s finishing up with school. But if the right moment presented itself, he wouldn’t hesitate to be a part of it again. Weise appreciates everyone who stood by his side through the difficult road, including his parents, friends, and physicians. But he wanted to particularly thank three of his former coaches: Brett Surrency, Ed Joyce, and Stuart Sharp. “They were very important in giving me the opportunity to play for the Paralympic team and my opportunity to play in college,” Weise said. As it nears toward five years since his accident, Weise still uses his experience as motivation to strive for success. He will spend the upcoming summer finishing his degree at UNF through an internship at Exodus before heading to Gainesville to begin physical therapy school at the University of Florida in August. “I was dealt a bad hand of cards, but somehow I managed to get through the game,” Weise said. “I was just an average guy doing what I think anyone would do. When your back is against the wall, you don’t have much direction to go. When you hit the bottom, the only direction to go is up.”

In The Game | 23

C O N G R AT U L AT I O N S

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State Champions Made in the Offseason: Pelham High School Lady Hornets Win 2016-17 A-Public State Title

Written by: Sarah Turner Photography by: Vince Jupiter

The Pelham High School girls basketball team conquered their 2016-17 season, and as the clock ticked down in the final quarter of the state championship game against Telfair County, an accomplishment that hadn’t been achieved in exactly 20 years for the girls team, the ultimate dream for any high school athlete, became reality. “I took my Player of the Year out first, Destiny Thomas, and she just grabbed me and hugged me, and we nearly ended up on the score table falling.” Antonia Tookes, Lady Hornets head coach, said. “She was so happy. I took the rest of my starters out one by one so they could get a standing ovation. Then they were waiting on the clock to run out, and when it did, they just took out onto the floor, hugging each other, crying, and I think I was crying too. It just was awesome.” The Lady Hornets ended up with an 18-point win over Telfair County to earn the A-public state title with a final score of 60-42 at the Georgia Dome in Athens, Georgia. However, the Lady Hornets’ success didn’t begin at the tip off of the state championship game, and it didn’t begin after their first playoff game win against Lanier County High School. Actually, the beginning of the regular season didn’t even mark the start of this particular team’s victory road. “The season actually begins over the summer,” Tookes said. “We wanted to play the state championship runner-up from last year, which was Carol County, and they wanted to play the game I guess because she thought there would be no competition, and I kind of wanted to play her to better our team as well. We ended up beating them, and I think it kind of gave the kids a little confidence. If we beat the state runner-up, then we should be playing for a state championship. It put a light in their heads that they could actually win this thing for real.” The Lady Hornets proved their potential over the summer as they continued to beat or just miss beating elite level teams. Once the regular season began, the Lady Hornets took off. They won 14 straight games until they lost to Lowndes High School at the Vikettes’ home gym. After that game, Tookes received an email from the superintendent reminding her that an undefeated season

Season Record

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In The Game | 25

simply isn’t the main goal. Win the last game – that’s all that matters. “I read that to my team the next day,” Tookes said. “We wanted to go undefeated, but we couldn’t worry about that loss. We had another game to play. I guess they took their frustration out in the next game, and we had 17 straight victories after that.” For Tookes, their last game and eventual win was fairly intimidating. To have come so far and finally make it to the game that either made history or was merely noted in the record books as another “almost state title” is understandably

something to be nervous about. For the girls, however, they had played in The Dome at a previous UGA summer camp, and something about the team on this day reflected that they wouldn’t take “almost” for an answer. “When we ran out of the tunnel, the kids were relaxed, but I was nervous to death,” Tookes said. “The kids were telling me, ‘Coach, sit down. We’re good. You’re okay. We got you. We got this.’ I really didn’t want them to see how nervous I was, but they saw it, and they were teasing me, but I was thinking, ‘Okay, they’re not nervous.’”

As confidence and nerves combined for some healthy adrenaline, the game began. The first couple quarters were close, but the Lady Hornets took off by the second half. “The first thing that went through my mind was, ‘We finally did it after coming so close before,’” said Thomas, senior guard, Region Player of the Year, and GACA Player of the Year. “It’s still unbelievable now. Maybe I’ll finally realize once we get our rings.” Accomplishing a goal young women had been trying to re-accomplish for the past two decades isn’t an easy event to let sink in, but

for Mahogony Randall, junior guard and member of the All-State Team and First Team All Region, hardware is certainly helpful. “It was unbelievable,” Randall said. “I don’t think it was real until I got the trophy in my hand. We had a great season. We all feel like family, and the coaches did a great job. As for next season, I plan on working even harder at practice.” Randall will return, and Tookes is prepared to help her team repeat the winning season, which is starting right now. “The season begins in the summer.” That’s a mantra Tookes lives by, and it’s something her players believe in too. They believe in each other. They believe in their coach. And when those beliefs are genuine, that’s the recipe for state titles. “She is a very hardworking coach; she always pushes us to play our best no matter the team we’re playing,” said Aliyah Williams, senior guard and member of the All-State Team and First Team All Region. “We have to listen because we want to win, and we have to trust our coach in order to win.”

PELHAM HIGH SCHOOL

LADY HORNETS CONGRATULATIONS, STATE CHAMPIONS!

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“God blessed me with a lot of heart and no height, and I’ll take that any day.” Nate Robinson Point Guard, 5-9 Former NBA Player

FAST BREAK

THE MORE THINGS CHANGE Written by: Jon Nelson Photography by: Jennifer Carter Johnson and Michael Chapman

It all comes down to one word: change. And you don’t need David Bowie or Sheryl Crow to talk about it for us all to realize that another high school football season is right around the corner! (Although, it never really leaves with National Signing Day, the 7v7 camps all around the southeast, and the recruiting camps that seem to have a life of their own now.) This year, it actually starts at the top for the GHSA as Robin Hines takes over for Gary Phillips as the new executive director. If you look at the coaching turnover, the numbers might look

staggering. But, really, the high-90s is about 23 percent of the head coaching jobs based in the state. So, while the numbers might tell you one thing, change is the only real constant in all of this. (For the record, the most in a season is 101 back in 2008, according to the GHSFHA.) Believe it or not, there is an actual chain you can follow for this one. Call it “Six Degrees of In the Game.” Welton Coffey retires as head coach at Camden County to become athletic director. He brings in Bob Sphire from North Gwinnett to coach. (That was one of the shockers in the offseason.)

Larry Harold is gone from Brunswick. Pierce County’s Sean Pender is in, which meant Jason Strickland could move from Fitzgerald to Pierce, which meant Tucker Pruitt could move from assistant to head coach at Fitzgerald and be a legacy hire there with his dad having been coach when he was a player in town. And that barely starts it. John Ford moved from Roswell to Buford when Jess Simpson went from Buford to Georgia State to the Falcons in the snap of a finger. Jeff Herron left the state of Georgia after his title run at Grayson and is now at TL Hanna in South Carolina. Former Valdosta head coach Rance Gillespie moved to Hart County near the South Carolina border from the college ranks. And, for the record, he now has one of those Apple-powered wrist watches. He can’t set it 10-20 minutes fast anymore to keep him ahead of the gameday itself. Chip Walker left Sandy Creek and is now at Newnan. Rick Tomberlin retired at Calvary Day, and the school brought back

Mark Stroud. And you see names like Von Lassiter, John Small, Steve Pardue, Mark Fleetwood, Tony Welch, Steve Pennington, and Bill Ballard either in or out of work. And you see schools like Statesboro, MCA, Tattnall, Jefferson, Milton, and Walton with new coaches, and it says a LOT about the sport today. You even have two former NFL’ers – Jeff Saturday and Terrence Mathis – now patrolling the sidelines. And the sneakiest hire of the offseason might have gone to Colquitt County where Mo Dixon left his head coaching job at Walton and moved to be the defensive coordi-

nator in Moultrie. Dude can coach, and they want to win more championships. So, as the season is about to get into the practice stages all over again, What do you think, Dear Reader, is the best hire in the offseason for your school? And it doesn’t even have to be a head coach. Reach out to me on Twitter @OSGNelson or here at In the Game @ InTheGameNation, and there’s always Facebook – or seeing me face-to-face when we do. Play it safe, everyone. Can’t wait to see y’all again! And, it will be sooner than you think!

In The Game | 27

Multisport Athletes Have Eventful Senior Year Written by: Beth Welch | Photography by: George McDuffie

Columbus High School requires their seniors to participate in a senior project prior to graduation. Floyd and Scott have outgoing personalities that were evident when asked about their projects. Tumbling was Floyd’s senior project, and due to spending so much time with basketball and sports, she was a little afraid of not making it to the deadline without getting a “tuck” nailed down. Laughing at herself, Floyd said she learned quickly that what looked so easy on television was actually hard work. For her project, Scott chose to take up crocheting. As she described the intricate work involved, she had both young women laughing when she said she was almost finished with her crocheted dog rattle. Eventually, Scott clarified it was a baby rattle crocheted in the shape of a dog.

28 | itgsportsnetwork.com

Track athletes Brittany Floyd and Marlisa Scott missed the early part of track season this year at Columbus High School. Ordinarily, such absences might result in disciplinary actions or other repercussions at the discretion of the coach. For Floyd and Scott, however, their lack of attendance at a few practices and a couple of meets didn’t bother their coach, Robert Peters. “It worked out fine,” Peters said about the athletes, who actually had a really good reason for their late start. “They came in like they hadn’t missed anything.” Both young women were members of Columbus High School’s girls basketball team, which took top honors in March as AAAA state champs. “It was exciting,” Floyd said with a big smile. Scott not only echoed her teammate’s feelings about the winning season, but she said the team set a goal to go all the way to the title win.

“We were ranked No. 1 in the preseason,” Scott said. “We knew we could do it, so that was our goal.”

The seniors just ended their high school years and will be attending colleges on athletic scholarships. Surprisingly, neither will be playing basketball as collegiate athletes. Floyd, 5’4” and a twosport athlete, signed as a track and field athlete with the University of Alabama at Birmingham. She got her start with the sport in the seventh grade and will be used at UAB for the long jump, triple jump, and 800-meter race. “They wanted me to run cross country, but I don’t think I will be doing that,”

Floyd said. “I love the long jump. I love jumping in the sand.” At Columbus High, Floyd was a long jumper, participated in the triple jump, ran the 800, and was a member of the 4x400 meter relay team. Her fastest time in the 800 prior to this track season was 2 minutes, 20 seconds, and the senior set a goal to shave five seconds off that by the end of the 2017 season. She also planned to be first in the state in her school’s classification for long jump. Scott signed an athletic scholarship to play softball at Jackson State in the fall. The 5’8” centerfielder and secondary shortstop has been playing softball for years. She started playing baseball at the age of 5 and eventually moved to softball when she wasn’t allowed to play baseball any longer. “Yes, I played baseball first but had to change to softball because I was a girl,” Scott said, laughing. She chose to attend Jackson State over some other offers because of tradition. “It’s a Historically Black College,” Scott said. “Both my parents attended Historically Black Colleges, and I liked the idea of continuing in that tradition.” As a track and field athlete for four years at CHS, Scott participated in the 100-meter and 300-meter hurdle events and was a member of the 4x100 and 4x400 relay teams. She got her start in hurdles because her father ran hurdles and Scott decided she wanted to see how it was done. Both young women selected Columbus High School after middle school because of the school’s reputation for high academic standards. Students who attend CHS learn to adapt to the rigorous course load, and

managing one sport much less two or three in that environment is impressive. Floyd ended her senior year with a 3.9 GPA while juggling two sports, and three-sport athlete Scott graduated with a 3.5 GPA. Playing basketball together for four years provided them with a lot of great memories. Floyd, a point guard, and Scott, a shooting guard, discovered their freshman year at Columbus High it wasn’t the first time the two played basketball together. Back in elementary school they played on the same team for a local YMCA youth league. Unlike that ex-

perience, the athletes’ time as part of the Lady Blue Devils ended with seeing a state championship goal become a reality. One of the best rewards for that accomplishment came in the form of jewelry: a state championship ring. When asked if they had received theirs, the young women said they hadn’t been sized yet for the rings and didn’t know when the rings would be delivered. The anticipation of that event was still exciting to them, though. “I can’t wait,” they said, almost in unison.

Lowndes County

One Mile at a Time, Lowndes High School Sets Standards For South Georgia Running Columbus Valley

Archery Program Hits Bullseye With State Championship

New Year, Same Mission: Clinch County Standouts Aim to Bring Home Another Title

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Crisp County High School has not been known as a powerhouse football program since the 1980s. In fact, five of the seven region championships that the Cougars own came from 1980-89. The only other two came in 1995 and 2016. How then, were the Cougars able to put together the most wins in school history out of seemingly nowhere? My guess, as well as many others’, would be their prized four-star defensive end and linebacker Markaviest Bryant. Bryant, who was born and raised in Crisp County, fell in love with the game of football early on and never looked back. However, the road hasn’t always been easy for him. Growing up, he was a long and lanky kid who was never really seen as an elite athlete. That is until he discovered an insatiable work ethic and dedicated his entire life to becoming a great football player and student. All of his hard work payed off with 85 scholarship offers and a National Letter of Intent to Auburn University. To view Markaviest Bryant’s full story, go to our website!

“I was told I wasn’t big enough,” Bryant said. “I was told I wasn’t strong enough and that I wasn’t fast enough. All of that gets taken into consideration, and it drives me. I don’t play to prove them wrong, though. I play to be the best Markaviest Bryant I possibly can.”

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In The Game | 35

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“Coach preaches that we can’t have a ‘me’ attitude—it’s got to be about the team.”

Written by: Shane Thomas Summarized by: Zack Pine Photography by: Marque Milla Reese Published in the January 2017 Edition

A Family That Plays Together

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Family is a term that we hear thrown around the sports world almost every day. Every team wants to have a family atmosphere between the players and coaches. Family is supposed to bring out the best in everyone. The Turner County basketball team embodies everything family means for a team. The father of this team is head coach Shedrick Office. Office believes in a “we, not me” mentality that he preaches to his team, and we are seeing the fruits of his labor. In this family atmosphere, Office touts his players’ abilities to police themselves. Also, the close bond the players formed over the years allows them to be best friends on and off the court. As Office has proven, to be a great team, you not only have to talk the talk, but you have to walk the walk as well. To view Turner County’s full story, go to our website! In The Game | 37

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Tiftarea Gymnast Balances Life’s Beams to Perfection Written by: James A Washington Summarized by: Zack Pine Photography by: Marque Milla Reese Published in the October 2016 Edition

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t a young age, it was apparent that Tiftarea’s Anna Sumner would be destined for gymnastics. Growing up in a family that participated in gymnastics led Sumner to fall in love with the sport, and she has never looked back. Sumner is now a Level 10 gymnast as a sophomore, and this comes off the heels of her competing at the Eastern Nationals in Tampa, Florida. Not only is Sumner a fantastic gymnast, but she is also a model student. In addition to what amounts to a part time job in gymnastics, Anna also participates in BETA Club and the National Honors Society while maintaining a 4.0 GPA. This goes to show that with enough hard work and dedication, you can truly do anything you set your mind to. To view Anna Sumner’s full story, go to our website! In The Game | 39

Bennett, George Lead Experienced Group of Hornets With High Hopes for 2017 Cook High School has a proud tradition in baseball. Two guys who look forward to carrying this tradition on are Sam Bennett and Gunner George. Unfortunately, in the 2015-16 season, the Hornets finished with a respectable 18-8 record but failed to make the playoffs. However, Bennett and George are certain they’ll change that in the 2016-17 season. This season, the Hornets return a nucleus of young talent and are poised to make a run at the playoffs. The lessons they learned from the disappointing 2016 season certainly carried over into the offseason as the Hornets worked as hard as they ever have to make it back to the GHSA playoffs. For Bennett, his 2017 goals are to make first team all-region, commit less than 3 errors, and bat a .450 average. For George, his 2017 goals are to have more productive at bats, improve his on base percentage, and break the Cook stolen base record. To view Cook’s full story, go to our website!

“I feel like playing for Cook has taught me trust, commitment, good work ethic, how to be a leader, and how to never give up and always give one-hundred percent,” Bennett said.

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Written by: Jacob Dennis Summarized by: Zack Pine Photography by: Micki K. Photography Published in the January 2017 Edition

What does it mean to leave a legacy? It means doing everything you can do and always finding a way to get the goal accomplished, no matter the circumstances. You are remembered forever for what you achieved. That is exactly what Valdosta Wildcat Antwon Kincade did. Among his accomplishments are a first-round game-sealing interception against North Cobb in 2015; win number 900 against Lowndes; and, most recently, the 25th state championship for the Valdosta Wildcats. Not only did Kincade leave a legacy on the field, he has also created a legacy within the halls of Valdosta High. Kincade is a bit of a celebrity with his teachers and other students in the school for being a gracious and hardworking student. One thing is for sure: If youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re going to leave a legacy at a place like Valdosta High, you had better do something special because the amount of talent that has touched Bazemore-Hyder Stadium is unmatched. Kincade, however, did exactly that. To view Antwon Kincadeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s full story, go to our website!

Leaving a Legacy: Antwon Kincade Written by: James Washington Summarized by: Zack Pine Photography by: Micki K. Photography Published in the October 2016 Edition

42 | itgsportsnetwork.com

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10 Questions

with

Chris Whidby Written by: Beth Welch Photography courtesy of Chris Whidby

I t’s probably never been easy to navigate through

the recruiting process for high school athletes. Today’s athletes, however, have a virtual minefield to maneuver when seeking college scholarships by way of athletics. College coaches and recruiters have thousands of applicants each year from male and female athletes. Often, very talented athletes miss an opportunity to play at the next level simply because they are unaware of how to work through the process. Chris Whidby is one of a new breed of entrepreneurs who are assisting athletes on the road to gaining a college degree while playing sports. His company, CoachRecruitMe, is on a mission to help young athletes pursue the dream of becoming collegiate athletes. In the Game asked Whidby 10 Questions about his background, his business, and the college recruiting process. In The Game: Did you play sports in high school? Chris Whidby: Yes, in high school I played football, basketball, track and field as well as baseball. ITG: What did you do after high school? CW: After high school, I served in the US Army for 10 years training and teaching soldiers. ITG: When did you become involved in coaching? CW: About 25 years ago I started coaching youth programs during middle school years. Over the course of time, I started coaching adult league sports in military from basketball, football and baseball. ITG: What led you to become interested in the recruiting of high school athletes? CW: About two years ago, some friends that played collegiate and professional sports began looking for a way to help high school athletes attain scholarships. For the last two years, we have been helping high school athletes throughout the southeast states. Our team of certified recruiting coordinators knows the NCAA and NAIA rules and requirements for all sports. Our team members have experience in the scouting field in all sports.

Personal Bio Name: Christopher Whidby Job title or occupation: Collegiate Recruiting Coordinator; CEO/President of CoachRecruitMe,LLC; CEO/President of Southeast Battleground Tour Hometown: Monticello, GA Current residence: Phenix City, Alabama Education (high school/college): Jasper County High School, Monticello, GA: BS in Sport Management, Columbia Southern University, Orange Beach, AL Sports awards or accomplishments: Defensive Player of the Year, 1996, Jasper County High School; Defensive back for Empire League in upstate New York; Head Golf Coach, Forest Trail Sports University, 12/15 to 2/17; Member of United State Golf Association (USGA), play some events with Golf Channel Pro-am Tour Family: Been married for 18 years and have two teenage boys, Jeremiah and Khalil Hobbies or favorite pastime: Playing golf events, training athletes Person you most admire: Jesus, and my family as well as mentors in my life.

Website: www.coachrecruitme.com; www.sebattlegroundtour.com

ITG: Why is there a need for high school athletes to seek assistance when considering playing collegiate sports? CW: There are a few reasons. First, there needs to be a scouting evaluation report to be conducted on skill set of the athlete in the sport and position they are pursuing. For example, height, weight, speed, bench and squat max and more. Second thing is their academic qualifications, GPA, NCAA, Core Classes requirements and more. This is why it’s so important for parents to reach out to our team for help. Our team members can go into great details about the recruiting process. ITG: What steps are involved with a high school athlete seeking assistance with regard to the recruiting process? CW: First thing is to fill out high school evaluation report completely. Second, make sure the athlete summits a good phone number for one of our team members to contact the athlete. After a review of the athlete’s status, someone from our team will set up time to go over the report with the parents about the athlete. ITG: What mistakes do you see parents/guardians of athletes or even athletes themselves make when attempting to seek athletic scholarships? CW: There are a lot of mistakes parents make mainly because of not understanding the recruiting process. Parents trying to do scouting reports on their athlete not knowing what information college coaches are looking for. College coach only has a few minutes to view each athlete’s profile information. They receive thousands of athlete profile packages each season so everything has to be in order on their profile. This step is so important. They only have one shot with that coach. Parents have to understand there are 8 million seniors each year around the country. It’s important for you to let our certified team members do the work for you. ITG: Are there any new rules or regulations that high school athletes may not be aware of when thinking about seeking college scholarships? CW: There are some new rules in NCAA. Main two review the 16 Core Classes requirement and registration fees. Visit NCAA website for more details. ITG: What advice would you give a high school athlete who feels he or she might be able to play at the next level? CW: Go to our website page and submit your evaluation report so our team can review your information. One of our certified recruiting coordinators will contact you to go over your report. ITG: What is the best part of working with young athletes? CW: Able to see their dreams come true to be able to play at the collegiate level and earn a four year degree in the process. Knowing that I was a part of helping change someone’s life for the good forever. In The Game | 43

2016-17 South Georgia Athletic Awards Banquet

2017 AWARDS BANQUET

Written by: Cole Parker | Photography by: Micki K Photography South Georgia is home to countless premier individuals, teams, and athletic programs, so you can imagine just how difficult it was to narrow down and select the top three best male and female athletes in every sport. There were many, many deserving nominees within each sport, as well as the overall award winners, but with the help of local coaches, players, and fans, our ITG Team assembled what we consider to be an extremely worthy group of individuals. On June 1, 2017, we gathered the top athletes in South Georgia together in Downtown Valdosta for a night of recognizing their incredible talents, efforts,

and support systems. Surrounded by their peers, families, coaches, and fans, each of these outstanding student-athletes were awarded for their accomplishments. Before the awards ceremony, everyone shared a meal together and heard an inspiring message from Zach Parker, former Lowndes High School and Valdosta State University football player and national champion. His message of hard work, perseverance, and translating the lessons learned from sports into life after sports left a resounding impact on the room. We want to extend a special thanks to our sponsors for making this banquet

Football - presented by ELead James Graham: Fitzgerald Cam Walker: Valwood Antwon Kincade: Valdosta

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possible: the Vereen Rehabilitation Center, Kevin Ross Financial Services, Farah & Farah, Tift Regional Medical Center, McDonaldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s, eLead, State Farm, Citizens Community Bank, Wild Side Running, and Big Nickâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Barbeque. If you missed the banquet, be sure to head to our website or Facebook page to see video footage and more great photography! Again, congratulations to our ITG Athletes of the Year, and best of luck next season.

Softball Rylan Hedgecock: Lowndes Ally Clegg: Lee County Madeline Parker: Thomas County Central

Volleyball - presented Citizens Community Bank

Erin Moss: Valwood Kenzley Bell: Lowndes Kamryn Lane: Lee County

2017 AWARDS BANQUET

Girls XC - presented by Wild Side Running Emily Golden: Tift County Monica Webb: Pelham Charlotte Augenstein: Deerfield-Windsor

Competition Cheerleading Anna Bullington: Lee County Andria Rich: Thomas County Central

Boys Swimming & Diving Carlton Paulk: Colquitt County Jacob Harper: Tift County Parker Hardigree: Colquitt County

Girls Swimming & Diving Claire Ryland: Tift County Dorian Usry: Deerfield-Windsor Tara Stevens: Bainbridge

Boys Basketball Micah Johnson: Tift County Reggie Perry: Thomasville Octavius Fudge: Lowndes

Girls Basketball Destiny Thomas: Pelham Diamond Hall: Colquitt County Nadia Marshall: Bainbridge

Wrestling Dalton Burks: Tift County Wright Walker: Irwin County John Watts: Coffee County

Gymnastics Anna Sumner: Tiftarea Elyssa Roberts: Tift County Timia Fowler: Colquitt County

Boys XC - presented by Wild Side Running Kaleb Wolfenden: Lowndes Ethan Merrit: Deerfield-Windsor Dallas Hunt: Tiftarea

In The Game | 45

2017 AWARDS BANQUET

Boys Tennis Geoffrey Martin: Thomasville Robby Espano: Irwin County Thomas Harrison: Brookwood

Girls Tennis Hannah Clayton: Irwin County Rachel Cooper: Brookwood Sophia Winters: Coffee County

Boys Soccer Cameron Earls: Tift County Luke Wallace: Thomasville Logan Bryant: Fitzgerald

Girls Soccer Cassidy Norman: Lee County Yuli Serrano: Fitzgerald Margo Rainey: Thomasville

Boys Track & Field Ziare Andrews: Irwin County Morgan Jamison: Lowndes Kevin Martin: Fitzgerald

Girls Track & Field Kennadie Williams: Lowndes Mahogany Walter: Thomas County Central Rebecca Chandler: Berrien

Baseball-Kevin Ross Financial Servies Steven Williams: Deerfield-Windsor Josh Hatcher: Lee County Emerson Hancock: Cairo

Boys Golf Hunter Courtney: Cairo Tanner Brown: Colquitt County Chip Thompson: Brookwood

Girls Golf Elizabeth Funderburk: Colquitt County Emma Somers: Lowndes

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Congratulations

Tamorrion Terry

Vereen Center 2016-17 Male Athlete of the Year