2016 Best of Preps Award Winners

OnlineAthens.com

2016 Best of Preps High School Sports

Dreco Thomas, Emily Soles, Kamar Baldwin take top honors

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H2 • Athens Banner-Herald

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Sunday, May 22, 2016

jackson EMC All area team — fall FOOTBALL

CROSS COUNTRY BOYS RUNNER OF THE YEAR

Chase Kennedy, East Jackson, junior.: Kennedy won the Class AAA state title for the second consecutive year, finishing the course at Carrollton in 17 minutes, 7.73 seconds, as East Jackson finished fourth. Kennedy also won the Region 8-AAA championship in a time of 15:40.64.

Kennedy, whose best time this season was 15:32.31 at the Alexander/Asics Invitational in October, earned six first-place finishes this fall and figures to be a factor for the Eagles’ track team, as he won the 3200 meters in Class AAA at the Georgia Olympics last May.

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Player of the Year

Colby Wood, Jefferson, sophomore: Wood accounted for more than half of Jefferson’s total offense this season. The Dragons reached the second round of the Class AAA state playoffs.

••• Coach of the Year Josh Alexander, Athens Academy: The former Archer offensive coordinator led the Spartans to a 9-2 record in his first season as a head coach. Athens Academy reached the playoffs and hosted a postseason game for the first time since 2012.

All Area Team QB: Zeb Noland, Oconee County, Sr. RB: CeCe Green, Winder-Barrow, Sr. RB: Kevon Hudson, Prince Avenue Christian, Sr. FB: Will Thomas, Commerce, Jr. HB: Cole Chancey, Commerce, Jr. WR: Andre Jackson, Winder-Barrow, Sr. WR: Da’Marco Canty, North Oconee, Sr. ATH: Richard Jibunor, Athens Christian, Soph.

TE: Wyatt Settles, Athens Academy, Sr. LB: Chase Forrester, Commerce, Soph.

LB: Zach Ragle, Prince Avenue Christian, Sr. LB: Nathan Millwood, Winder-Barrow, Jr. LB: Jaleel Laguins, Oconee County, Sr. DB: Zack Boobas, Jefferson, Sr. DB: J’Varius Wood, Commerce, Sr. DB: Jordan Hightower, Prince Avenue Christian, Sr. DB: Rayshawn McCall, Clarke Central, Sr. K: Jared Pringle, Prince Avenue Christian, Jr. P: Eli Dixon, Madison County, Sr.

All-area linemen OL: Caleb Chander, Jefferson, Jr. OL: Auwan Fleming, Cedar Shoals, Sr. OL: Rob Kraeling, Prince Avenue Christian, Sr. OL: Cody Weaver, Commerce, Sr. OL: Jarred Bloodworth, Prince Avenue Christian, Sr. D: Dontae Wilson, Jefferson, Jr. DL: Joseph Randolph, Jefferson, Sr. DL: Dalton Owens, Prince Avenue Christian, Jr. DL: Jerry Scott, Winder-Barrow, Sr. DL: Daniel Parrish, Prince Avenue Christian, Soph.

Honorable mention Ricky Wonzon, Apalachee Drew Richardson, Will Corry, Wyman Baxley, Rolf Reynolds, Magill Bauerle, Frankie Sinkwich, Athens Academy Cody Lee, Austin McDaniel, Terrell Mattox, Travis Kellogg, Archie Killian, Athens Christian Jerphari Colbert, Greg Smith, Stavion Stevenson, Trent Harris, Tyreik Sims, QuenJarvis Hall, Ryan Huff, Cedar Shoals JaQua Daniels, Anthony Smith, Tyrell Gordon, Jonathan Sewell, Clarke Central Caleb Brooks, Jared Pate, Trevonta Williford, Commerce Cody Parr, Nathan Elrod, Andrew Scott, East Jackson Malik Tuck, Mason Williams, Chase Wester, Tyler Sartain, Jackson County David Metts, KJ Burton, Madison County Conner Krieger, Preston Wilkie, Eric Bell, Will Newman, Khyrie Moore, Mils Eisenberg, Simon Clarke, Saajan Patel, Sam Middlebrooks, North Oconee Christian Casey, Roques Dowdy, Tyler Davis, Abe Noland, Champ Bell, Tay Brown, Gavin Adcock, Oconee County Noah Campbell, Prince Avenue Christian Tristen Swords, Ahikam Griffin, Jerry Scott, Mason White, Joey Junius, Alan Leighton, Noah Chapman, Winder-Barrow

BOYS COACH OF THE YEAR Tommy Sitton, East Jackson: Paced by the Kennedy brothers and led by Sitton, East Jackson finished in second place at the Class AAA state meet, the Region 8-AAA championships, the Fall Runaway and the Eagle Invitational.

Class AAA 800 and 1600. With Block and Morales both having two more years of competition to go, you can expect to hear a lot about them.

BOYS ALL-AREA Alex Branch, Athens Academy, Fr. Addison Cochran, Jefferson, Jr. Jake Hadden, Oconee County, Jr. Michael Hans, Oconee County, Sr. Noah Irwin, Athens Christian, Fr. Ryan Iyer, Athens Academy, So. Chandler Kennedy, East Jackson, Jr. Thomas Moore, North Oconee, Sr. Anthony Potts , North Oconee, Jr. Harper Sigler, North Oconee, Sr. Jeryck Wilson, Cedar Shoals, Sr.

GIRLS COACH OF THE YEAR Geoffrey Walton, Athens Academy: The veteran coach led the Spartans to a second-place finish at the Class A Private state championships. Athens Academy also had three first-place and two second-place finishes during the season.

BOYS HONORABLE MENTION APALACHEE: Merit Fontinel, Nathan Crocker, Fabian Martinez.

ATHENS ACADEMY: J.T. Camp, Jay Bangle, Ryan Cook, Severen Brown, Thomas Suarez, ATHENS CHRISTIAN: Orlando Stephenson, Jordon Arnold, Samuel Hayes, Amarie Garrett, Zane Wolf, Dewitt Wood.

CEDAR SHOALS: Jack Schramski, Justin Oglesby.

CLARKE CENTRAL: William White, Gabriel Mantione-Holmes, COMMERCE: Jael Heredia, Chase Bridges, Michael Patton, Jose Verde, Jair Heredia.

EAST JACKSON: Ethridge Chaisson, Jose Tovar, Shane Shelafoe, Luis Hernandez, Michael Barry.

JACKSON COUNTY: Nathan Galloway, Oscar Ponce, Bryan Lozado, Tyler Rutledge, Nathaniel Hutchinson, Dawson Miller, Filo Perez.

JEFFERSON: Max Higgins, Derek Hilderbrand, Taylor Reed, Kamiru Ndirangu, Jared Brown.

MADISON COUNTY: Jackson Williams, Lucas Williams.

NORTH OCONEE: Andrew Cowick, Brady Kalessa, Dawson Frey, Jacob Ash, OCONEE COUNTY: saac Krumm, Harrison Morris, Wesley John, Davis Hardell, Colin O’Neal.

OGLETHORPE COUNTY: Abe Tompkins.

WESTMINSTER CHRISTIAN: Jackson Stewart, John Koslowsky, David Lanclos, Jackson Mulkey, Xander Haymore, Sean Johnson, Jeremiah Smith.

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GIRLS RUNNERS OF THE YEAR

Anna Marian Block, Athens Academy, sophomore, and

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GIRLS ALL-AREA Emily Ballard-Myer, Athens Academy, Jr. Maggie Dyer, Jefferson, So. Emily Elder, Athens Academy, So. Tanner Guest, Athens Christian, So. Gabby Huff-Streiter, North Oconee, So. Kate Massey, Commerce, So. Mackenzie Morse, North Oconee, Jr.Abigail Snyder Westminster Christian, Jr. Kacie Wilson, Winder-Barrow, Fr.

Sue Ann Morales, East Jackson, sophomore: Both Block and Morales were individual champions in 2015, with Block winning the Class A Private title in 19 minutes, 9 seconds and Morales winning in Class AAA in 19:51. Block, who also won the state crown

a year ago, was named the Banner-Herald’s Girls Runner of the Year in 2014.

Both also figure to be vying for state track championships in the spring. Block set Class A state records in the 800 and 1600 meters a year ago and Morales also won the

SOFTBALL PLAYER OF THE YEAR

VOLLEYBALL PLAYERS OF THE YEAR

Emily Soles, Prince Avenue Christian, senior: A Georgia Dugout Club All-State selection, Soles led the Wolverines to three state runner-up appearances and one final four appearance in her career, which included 86 wins and nearly 1,100 strikeouts. This past fall, she paced Prince Avenue Christian to a 20-9 mark with a 14-5 record, 188 strikeouts and an ERA of .078. She also carried a batting average of .328.

Maggie Carlson, Oconee County, senior, and M.E. Eberhardt, Athens Academy, senior: In pacing their teams to their respective final fours, these players no doubt have shelves heavy with awards.

Carlson, an outside hitter, was named the most valuable player for Region 8-AAA, was named first-team all-region and was also a Class AAA all-state selection. Eberhardt, a setter and Area 6-A’s player of the year, was also named Class A all-state and made the all-area tournament team. For the year, Eberhardt posted 706 assists and 64 aces.

Carlson led her team in kills (276) and had 2.8 kills per set and recorded 115 service aces and 357 digs.

••• COACH OF THE YEAR Donnie Byrom, East Jackson: In his first year at the helm of the Eagles, Byrom led East Jackson to a 26-12 record (7-4 in the tough Region 8-AAA) and its first visit to Columbus, where the team posted an exciting 4-3 victory over Franklin County in the second round.

ALL-AREA TEAM Courtney Alexander, Madison County, Sr. Mattie Canup, Commerce, Sr. Caroline Davis, Jackson County, Fr. Maura Grace Dickens, Oconee County, Jr. Emily Duffy, Jefferson, Sr. Katie Foote, North Oconee, Jr. Faith Grooms, East Jackson, Sr. Shelton Kendrix, Jackson County, Sr. Libbi Lance, East Jackson, Sr. Jessie Marvin, East Jackson, Jr. Mackenzy McFarland, Winder-Barrow, Sr. Kaci Meeler, North Oconee, Sr. Jessie Michael, Oconee County, Sr. Savannah Mullins, Commerce, Sr. Jenna Pulliam, Oglethorpe County, Fr. Abby Resop, Athens Christian, Sr. Olivia Pineo, Athens Christian, Sr. Jordyn Smith, Prince Avenue Christian, Sr. Lexi Veamoi, Athens Christian, Jr.

GIRLS HONORABLE MENTION APALACHEE: Analee Bradach.

ATHENS ACADEMY: Sarah Irvine, Emily Doherty, Janie Williams, Hart Hequembourg.

ATHENS CHRISTIAN: Drew Davis Bailey, Maude Todd, Miranda Powell, Kayla Martin, Layla Howard.

CEDAR SHOALS: Mya McCurry.

CLARKE CENTRAL: Emma Ramsay, Ella Sams, Lydia Jackson, Christina Kurian, Johanna Hall, Sofia Lopez.

COMMERCE: Akyn Trudnak, Lauren Pryzenski, Brittany Webb, Madison Rodriguez, Kendell Moon, Madison Smith.

JACKSON COUNTY: Monica Jiminez, Megan Kral, Madeleine Mierzejewski, Morgan Davidson, Ana Torres, Stephanie Tapia, Promise Ledford.

JEFFERSON: Mitchell Morgan, Ella Rosenberger, Estefania Cook, Jamie Romano, Autumn Donaldson, Kelsey Reschly.

MONSIGNOR DONOVAN: Maddie McAuley, Paxton McCullough NORTH OCONEE: Kate Mattison, Hollis Brown, Sofie Brown, Melanie Bowden, Courtney Jones, Anna Cobb.

OCONEE COUNTY: Cailey Dunford, Megan Crozier, Evie Bielen, Annie Whatley, Kay Mallet, Carlie Fass.

OGLETHORPE COUNTY: Vivi Diaz, Donna Tran, Melinda Tank, Jojo Diaz, Juliana Montgomery, Sara Colquitt.

WESTMINSTER CHRISTIAN: Rachel Snyder, Hadley Kirsche, Peyton Turner, Kinley Phillips, Faith Nesbitt, Eliana Spichal WINDER-BARROW: Micah Weathers, Katie Arrendondo, Sara Carpenter, Sarah-Grace Weatherford, Hope Richardson, Nadiah Allen, Meagan Lumley.

••• HONORABLE MENTION APALACHEE: Holly Janco.

ATHENS CHRISTIAN: Kinsley Dickerson, Toni Davis, Morgan McCannon.

CLARKE CENTRAL: Hannah Gorman, Autumn Venson, Kailan Willis, Nya Daniel, Kaitlyn Hooker.

COMMERCE: Harlee Ingram, Morgan Partin, Kristin Lord, Alishia Webb, Autumn Mathis.

EAST JACKSON: Ashlie Wuertley, Lauren Barnett, Hannah Poole.

JACKSON COUNTY: Jessica Burke, Joni Lott, Madi Pecht, Jaycie Ponce, Kelsie Gassner, Brooke Kibbe.

JEFFERSON: Caroline Mitchell, Angelina Lord.

MADISON COUNTY: Kirsten Casper, Kelsey Wood.

OCONEE COUNTY: Chloe Fambrough, Ansley Hart, McKenzie Pollock, Hanna Manders, Lauren Murphy, Hannah Patridge.

OGLETHORPE COUNTY: Emily Frey, Katie Huff.

COACH OF THE YEAR Michael Paul, Jefferson: In his final season as coach, the Dragons posted a school-record 36 victories and advanced to the third round of the Class AAA state tournament. In nine years at Jefferson, Paul’s teams went 277-121, made eight state tourney appearances and reached the final four in 2013 and the elite eight this year.

ALL-AREA TEAM Morgan Britt, Westminster Christian, senior Emily Boswell, Oconee County, junior Madison Corbett, Jefferson, senior Ali Garrett, Athens Academy, junior Sami Gascho, North Oconee, junior Kala Horvat, Cedar Shoals, senior Ansley McClain, Oconee County, junior Emilia Melendez, East Jackson, junior Toya Osuegbu, Winder-Barrow, senior

Makenzie Perry, North Oconee, sophomore Morgan Vandergriff, Apalachee, senior Lauren Waters, Clarke Central, junior Samantha Watson, Madison County, junior Sydney Williams, Athens Academy, junior Abby Wood, Jefferson, junior HONORABLE MENTION Taylor Bennett, Apalachee Malia Busenitz, Athens Academy Calina Croy, Athens Christian Jessica Owensby and Kamri Henson, Cedar Shoals Fredricka Sheats, Kira McIntyre and SeQueena Baldwin, Clarke Central Sydney Mathis and Desiree Green, East Jackson Lindsey Nilsen and Olivia Przybysz, Jefferson Amber Adams and Vannah Strozier, Madison County Lizzy Aldrich, Emma Boughner and Madison Thomas, North Oconee Mary Ford Smith, Westminster Christian

Sunday, May 22, 2016

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jackson emc All area team — Winter BASKETBALL

WRESTLING

CO-WRESTLERS OF THE YEAR

Tanner Thurmond and Caleb Little, Jefferson: Thurmond, a senior, won his second state championship and produced a record of 49-0 while winning accolades at the Baton Rouge (La.) Duals and the Pigeon Forge (Tenn.) tournament. Little, a junior, is a three-time state title winner and has the opportunity to win four titles before his high school career is over. Little posted a 49-0 record this season and, like Thurmond, was never taken down by an opponent.

••• COACH OF THE YEAR Kendall Love, Commerce: All 14 of Commerce’s starters qualified for the Class A state finals this year, with 11 Tigers winning individual state titles and the team capturing its third consecutive Class A crown.

PLAYER OF THE YEAR

Kamar Baldwin, Apalachee: The 6-foot-2 Baldwin, who last November signed with Butler, was twice named Region 8-AAAAA Player of the Year and has been an All-State performer since his sophomore season. In his career at Apalachee, Baldwin scored 2,593 points (most ever by a Barrow County player) and had 1,002 rebounds and 337 assists.

••• COACH OF THE YEAR Dreco Thomas, Cedar Shoals: The 1990 graduate of Cedar Shoals has in six years posted a mark of 117-57 (55-22 in Region 8-AAAAA). During Thomas’ time as coach, the Jaguars have been to the Sweet Sixteen three times and the Final Four two times. In the 2015-16 season, Cedar Shoals went 29-3 (13-1 in region) and had winning streaks of seven and 18 games.

FIRST TEAM Travis Anderson, East Jackson, So. Kamar Baldwin, Apalachee, Sr. Drue Drinnon, East Jackson, So. Joel Ellis, Jackson County, Sr.

Phlandrous Fleming, Cedar Shoals, Jr. Richard Jibunor, Athens Christian, So. Jack Mangel, Clarke Central, So. Jerick Mitchell, Cedar Shoals, Sr. A.J. Stokes, Monsignor Donovan, Sr. Duncan Taylor, Prince Avenue Christian, Sr. SECOND TEAM Golston Gillespie, Madison County, Sr. Preston Giroux, Jackson County, Sr. Quenjarvis “Snipe” Hall, Cedar Shoals, Jr. Jabari Hill, Apalachee, Sr. Jacob Hudson, Athens Academy, Jr. Jalen Morgan, East Jackson, Jr. Matthew Quint, North Oconee, Jr. Malik Sims, Monsignor Donovan, Jr. Stavion Stevenson, Cedar Shoals, Jr. Hunter Thompson, Jefferson, Sr.

FIRST TEAM 106 pounds • Tucker Flint, Commerce, Fr. 113 pounds • Kole Burchett, Commerce, So. 120 pounds • Jake Brewer, Commerce, Jr. • Mitchell McGhee, Jefferson, Sr. 126 pounds • Dylan Deaton, Commerce, Fr. 132 pounds • Dalton Flint, Commerce, Fr. • Tanner Thurmond, Jefferson, Sr. 138 pounds • Austin Brock, Commerce, Jr. 145 pounds • Owen Brown, Commerce, Jr. 152 pounds • Nick Patrick, Commerce, Fr. • William Ballard, Jefferson, Sr. 160 pounds • Chase Forrester, Commerce, So. • Chris Couch, Oconee County, Sr. 170 pounds • Knox Allen, Commerce, So.

Girls Player of the Year

HONORABLE MENTION • Apalachee: Dylan Staples, Preston Marlowe, Chance Wheeler, Mikey Hitchcock, Corbin Lang, Dalton Hood • Clarke Central: Bangahly Touray, Calvin Nimley, Melvin Nimley • Jackson County: Jacob Love, Davey Jennings, Noah Breakspeare, Steven King • Jefferson: Gavin Blackburn, Mason Corbett, Chuck Allen, Jackson Bowen • Madison County: Jordan Wiley • Oconee County: McCrae Claas, Jordan Silvey, Jacob Webb, Tay Brown

Danielle Della Torre, Oconee County: Della Torre, a junior, won state titles in the 200 IM and 100 breaststroke for the second consecutive season. She has qualified for the Olympic Trials in the 200 IM, which will be held in Omaha, Neb., in June.

Jenna Bradberry, Monsignor Donovan, and Olivia Nelson-Ododa, Winder-Barrow: The 5-foot10 Bradberry led the Rams to their first GISA Class AA state championship, scoring at least 25 points in 10 games.

The 6-foot-4 Nelson-Ododa was named Region 8-AAAAA Player of the Year and led the Bulldoggs to their first state tournament in more than two decades and the Class AAAAA state championship game.

••• CO-COACHES OF THE YEAR Dodd Rentz, Monsignor Donovan, and Brandon Thomas, Winder-Barrow: After reaching the GISA Class AA state finals a year before, Rentz and his charges won the state title in 2016 and never lost a game after Jan. 5. Thomas led the Bulldogs to a 27-6 record (11-4 in Region 8-AAAA) and their first state title appearance in 21 years. Winder-Barrow lost in the championship game by one point to Southwest DeKalb.

FIRST TEAM Jazmin Allen, Jefferson, So. Jenna Bradberry, Monsignor Donovan, Sr. Asia Jones, Commerce, So.

Anna Moore, Monsignor Donovan, Jr. Olivia Nelson-Ododa, Winder-Barrow, So. Olivia Pineo, Athens Christian, Sr. Sarah Quinlan, Monsignor Donovan, Sr. Chellia Watson, Winder-Barrow, Fr. Emma Weynand, North Oconee, Jr. Camryn Williams, North Oconee, Jr. SECOND TEAM Nia Johnson, Commerce, So. Mya Jones, Commerce, So. Jarrett Kemp, Athens Academy, Jr. Shelton Kendrix, Jackson County, Sr. Libbi Lance, East Jackson, Sr. Brianna Love, Jackson County, Jr. Fredricka Sheats, Clarke Central, Sr. Alexis Smith, Oglethorpe County, Jr. Jordyn Smith, Prince Avenue Christian, Sr. Latrice Perkins, Winder-Barrow, So.

HONORABLE MENTION Apalachee: Shania Thomas Athens Academy: Garry Mastandrea, Maddie McCleary Athens Christian: Abby Resop Cedar Shoals: Laurie Thomas, Jayla Barnett, Kamri Henson, Cierra Pittard Clarke Central: Cameron Mims, Tyra Thompson East Jackson: Faith Grooms Jackson County: Brianna Love Jefferson: Hope Forrester Madison County: Jordan Bailey, A’Dryana Maxwell North Oconee: Keller Barks, Holly Stroman Oconee County: Kay Mallett, Ansley Hart, Sara English Oglethorpe County: Rayne Pyfrom, Audrey Adamson Prince Avenue Christian: Kate Marlowe

SECOND TEAM 106 pounds • Brandon Navixay, Clarke Central • Ian Statia, Jefferson 113 pounds • Dawson Bates, Jefferson • Cleveland Benton, Clarke Central 120 pounds • Cody Bond, Madison County • Luke Gonzalez, Jackson County 126 pounds • Patrick Islip, Clarke Central • Cole Potts, Jefferson 132 pounds • Chandler Saine, Jackson County • David Sprague, North Oconee 138 pounds • Coy Strong, Jefferson 145 pounds • Me’Shai Coleman, Clarke Central • Connor Crump, Jackson County • Jacob Lindenmeyer, East Jackson 182 pounds • Owen Graham, Clarke Central 195 pounds • Steven Kreyenbuhl, North Oconee • Dontavious Mosley, Commerce 220 pounds • Dalton Sikes, Oconee County Heavyweight • Cade Ridley, Commerce

SWIMMING

HONORABLE MENTION Apalachee: Ricky Wonzon Athens Academy: Connor McCleary Athens Christian: Cody Boyd Cedar Shoals: Greg Smith Clarke Central: Jabriel Parks, Ellis Flurry, Desmond Sorrells Madison County: Trevon Daniel, Jackson Bailey North Oconee: Jack Chambers Oconee County: Chance Peden Oglethorpe County: Isaac Hulin, Jeffrey Glenn, Matt Wells Prince Avenue Christian: Mack Simmons, Noah Campbell, Sam Todd

CO-PLAYERS OF THE YEAR

• Rexx Hallyburton, Oconee County, Sr. 182 pounds • Caleb Little, Jefferson, Jr. • Cole Chancey, Commerce, Jr. 195 pounds • Deshon Lester, Jefferson, Sr. 220 pounds • Michael Patton, Commerce Heavyweight • Nick Holman, Jefferson

Boys Player of the Year

Robert Wylie, Oconee County: Wylie, a senior, placed third in state in the 500 freestyle. He signed to swim with West Virginia, choosing the Mountaineers over Georgia Tech and Kentucky.

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Sunday, May 22, 2016

jackson emc All area players — spring TENNIS

Connor McCarthy Oconee County High School McCarthy was the No. 1 singles player for the Warriors, who went 12-6 overall, 6-0 in Region 8-AAA, and reached the Class AAA state finals. McCarthy was also named the region’s Player of the Year.

GOLF

Jessica Ingram Oconee County High School Ingram was the low-medalist for the Warriors at the Region 8-AAA tournament. Oconee County won by seven strokes to qualify for the Class AAA state golf tournament in Augusta.

TENNIS

Ansley Hardeman North Oconee High School The sophomore was the No. 1 singles player for the state-champion Titans, who finished the season with a 23-2 record and the Region 8-AAAA championship. Hardeman was also named the region’s Player of the Year.

BASEBALL

Pat DeMarco Winder-Barrow High School The junior hit 14 home runs this spring and was one of the most productive batters in a strong lineup — the Bulldoggs reached the quarterfinals of the Class AAAAA state tournament and finished the season with a 25-7 record.

GOLF

Will Kahlstorf Prince Avenue Christian The sophomore, who has already committed to the University of Georgia, was the OnlineAthens/ Athens Banner-Herald Boys Co-Golfer of the Year in 2015 and this spring led the Wolverines to the Class A Private state tournament.

sOCCER

Nick Morin Oconee County High School The senior midfielder has been a starter for the Warriors since his freshman season. In that time, Oconee County has gone 59-22-4 with three appearances in the Class AAA state semifinals and one trip to the state finals.

BOYS TRACK

Richard Jibunor Athens Christian The sophomore won his second consecutive Class A Private 300 hurdles state title at the Georgia Olympics on May 14. Jibunor also tied for second in the high jump and helped the 4x100 relay team to a second-place finish.

TRACK AND FIELD

Anna Marian Block Athens Academy The sophomore distance specialist has now won four state track medals — and broke four records in the process — and is one of the area’s top cross country competitors. She’s a twotime Cross Country Runner of the Year and a two-time Track Runner of the Year.

SOCCER

Greer Moseley Athens Academy The freshman forward was one of Athens Academy’s most productive scorers down the stretch as the Spartans advanced to the Class A quarterfinals and finished with a 15-2-2 record.

Sunday, May 22, 2016

OnlineAthens.com Coach of the year

Dreco Thomas Cedar Shoals High School Thomas, a 1990 Cedar Shoals graduate, has led the Jaguars to back-to-back Region 8-AAAAA titles and state semifinals appearances. In six seasons, he is 117-57 and 52-22 in region play. They’ve reached three Sweet Sixteens. This season, they posted a 29-3 record and a 13-1 mark in the region en route to the state semis.

Nominees

Dreco Thomas | Cedar Shoals High School Dodd Rentz | Monsignor Donovan Brandon Thomas | Winder-Barrow High School Tomy Sitton | East Jackson Comprehensive High School Geoffrey R. Walton | Athens Academy Josh Alexander | Athens Academy Colin Connors | Oconee County High School Steve Stewart | Athens Academy Donnie Byrom | East Jackson Comprehensive High School Derek Hon | Oconee County High School Michael Williams | North Oconee High School Ryan Aiello | Athens Academy Michael Paul | Jefferson High School Kendall Love | Commerce High School

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Sunday, May 22, 2016

Athens Regional Medical Center Boys athlete of the year

Kamar Baldwin Apalachee High School Senior Baldwin set the county record for career points this season and finished with 2,593 points, 1,002 rebounds and 337 assists in four years at Apalachee. The two-time Region 8-AAAAA Player of the Year and three-time all-state selection will play at Butler next season.

Sunday, May 22, 2016

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Athens Regional Medical Center Girls athlete of the year

Emily Soles Prince Avenue Christian Senior In four seasons as a pitcher for the Wolverines, Soles led Prince Avenue to three state runner-up and one final appearances.

She accumulated 86 wins and almost 1,100 strikeouts. This season, she was 14-5 with 188 strikeouts and a .078 ERA. She had a .328 batting average. Soles will play at Georgia State next season.

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Sunday, May 22, 2016

Pilgrim’s Pride Academic athletes of the year

Jack Schramski

Haley Grable

Cedar Shoals High School Senior

North Oconee High School Senior

Schramski earned early enrollment at the University of Georgia and will graduate from Cedar Shoals with a 4.21 GPA and ranked seventh out of 267 students. He competed for four seasons on the Jaguars’ cross country team and played soccer for two seasons. He participated in Spanish Honor Grad, BETA Club and PACS (Positive About Cedar Shoals).

Grable is ranked first in her class and has a 104 average.

She won two state championships with North Oconee’s girls golf team. She has volunteered with the elderly and children, including working to preserve local monuments and provide outdoor space for kids to play.

Nominees

Robert Bohler North Oconee

Jared Brown Jefferson

Charles de Leon Franzen Clarke Central

Preston Giroux Jackson County

Austin McDaniel Athens Christian

Drew Richardson Athens Academy

Cole Wilson Clarke Central

Toni Davis Athens Christian

Emily Dufty Jefferson

Amy Ho Cedar Shoals

Jessie Michael Oconee County

Savannah Mullis Commerce

Magdalene Stripen Clarke Central

Jakayla Sullivan Winder-Barrow

Sunday, May 22, 2016

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Akins Arena Versatile players of the year

Drew Richardson

Jakayla Sullivan

Athens Academy Senior

Winder-Barrow High School Sophomore

Richardson will play football at Washington & Lee next season after posting a 3.8 GPA and leading the Spartans’ football and baseball teams. He was named the Region 8-A Player of the Year after guiding Athens Academy to a 9-2 finish, rushing for 950 yards and 24 touchdowns and throwing for almost 2,000 yards.

He was a first-team all-region selection for baseball.

Sullivan, ranked 13th in her class, completed her second seasons on the varsity basketball and softball teams this year.

She was first-team Region 8-AAAAA selection in softball after posting a .300 batting average with three home runs and a .964 fielding percentage. In basketball, she helped guide the Bulldoggs to a state finals appearance. She was second on the team in rebounds and tallied 122 points.

Nominees

Chase Wester Jackson County

Jase Latty Jackson County

Connor Kreiger North Oconee

Scholl Wright Clarke Central

Mattie Canup Commerce

Allie Dominicali North Oconee

Hannah Gorman Clarke Central

Madison McCullough Westminster Christian

Brittney Wenrich Oconee County

Preston Giroux Jackson County

Noah Campbell Prince Avenue Christian

Jackson Bowen Jefferson

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Sunday, May 22, 2016

Nakanishi Community leader of the year

Cole Wilson Clarke Central High School Senior Wilson helped the Gladiators soccer team to a Class AAAAA state quarterfinals appearance this season. He is ranked 13th in his class with a 4.0 GPA. Wilson also volunteers weekly with the special education program through a club he created three years ago. They play board games and sports and eat lunch together each Wednesday. Wilson, who will attend the University of Georgia next fall, also played for the Athens United soccer program and is a three-year volunteer at the Clarke Central Youth Soccer Camp.

Nominees

Jenna Burgess Clarke Central

Mattie Canup Commerce

Claudia Gorman Clarke Central

Sheridan Cofer Clarke Central

Cade Hubbard East Jackson

Reaganne Coile North Oconee

Robert Kraeling Prince Avenue

Madison Corbett Jefferson

Kevin Mobley Clarke Central

Johana Diaz Oglethorpe County

Sarah Quinlan Monsignor Donovan

Emily Dufty Jefferson

Leah Scarborough Madison County

M.E. Eberhardt Athens Academy

Charity Williams Athens Christian

Athens Orthopedic Clinic comeback player of the year

Kevon Hudson Prince Avenue Christian Senior After tearing two ligaments in his knee on the opening kickoff of football season as a junior, Hudson recovered in time to not only qualify for the Class A Private state track meet in May, but to place third in the 200 and fourth in the 100. As a senior, he keyed Prince Avenue to a Region 8-A title, a 12-1 record and a state semifinals bid.

He competed in the long jump, 100 and 200 at the Georgia Olympics in May. He will play football at Carson Newman next season.

Nominees Will Haver Athens Academy

Rayshawn McCall Clarke Central

Chandler Vismor North Oconee

Sunday, May 22, 2016

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Sunday, May 22, 2016