Local Players to Participate in All-Star Game

Seven senior Mitchell County Eagles football players will compete in the 4th annual 2012 Border Wars High School All-Star Football Game.  The MCE Eagles will be a part of team Georgia as they face team Florida.  Team Georgia will consist of players from the Southwest Georgia region as they take on team Florida, which consists of players from the Big Bend area, (Tallahassee, FL).  This is the second year in a row that Southwest GA will play against the Big Bend area.  Last year's game ended in a tie, and Mitchell County's Jesse Atkins was awarded MVP.  The Border War is an opportunity for local players to seen by college scouts and recruiters.  Players will be able to showcase their talents and be given a chance to be awarded a college scholarship.  The Border War will take place January 7, 2012, at Bragg stadium, Florida A&M University, Tallahassee, FL, at 1pm.  Come on out and support your local players!

Mitchell County Players Participating in the Border War:

Modzelle Atkins-#27

Yancey Burns-#11

Derrick Davis-#18

Ja'kyari "Jay" Jenkins-#6

Jontae Moore-#4

Freddy Pate-#51

Grover Stewart-#52

Desmond Jones-#35







Southwest GA Schools to the Playoffs!!!

This week is the beginning of the GHSA playoffs, where some of Southwest Georgia's finest football teams will be gearing up to take on some of the top football teams across the state. We have representatives from each region and they are;

Region 1A            Region 1AA          Region 1AAA         Region 1AAAA            Region1AAAAA

Seminole              Fitzgerald              Cairo                        Northside,WR              Valdosta

Mitchell County    Brooks County     Americus-Sumter    Warner Robins             Colquitt County 

Miller County        Thomasville          Monroe                     Bainbridge                    Lowndes County

Calhoun County   Cook County        Worth County           Thomas Co. Central     Coffee County

Good luck to all Region 1 teams representing Southwest GA!!!!

Eagles Fly Over The Royal Knights

EAGLES FLY OVER THE ROYAL KNIGHTS

By: Crystal “Crissy” Daniels

                Friday night, September 23, 2011, the Mitchell County Eagles hosted the visiting Royal Knights of Stewart County. The Eagles flew over the Royal Knights last year in Lumpkin with a score of 50-6, in their 2010 Region 1A opener. This year, you can call it déjà vu, the Eagles soared over the Royal Knights in their 2011 Region 1A opener with a score of…yes, and you guessed it, 50-6.

            The Eagles scored on every possession in the first quarter. Senior Desmond Jones rushed for a 21-yard TD, on the Eagles third play of the game. Senior QB Derrick Davis found freshman tight end, Joshua King for a 27-yard reception. King was brought down by horse collar, and that penalty put the Eagles on the Royal Knights 10-yard line. Davis finished the drive off, finding King again for a 10-yard TD reception. The PAT was no good, leaving the score 12-0, with 6:26 left in the first quarter.

            Next to put points on the scoreboard was Modzelle Atkins. The senior rushed into the end zone for a 19-yard TD run. The extra point was good, making the score 19-0, with 4:07 left in the first quarter. Eagles’ senior defensive end Yancey Burns sacked Stewart County’s QB, causing him to fumble the football. The fumble was recovered by Junior Jacorey Belvin on the Royal Knights’ 20-yard line. On the Eagles fourth possession of the first quarter, QB Davis rushed for 14 yards on the quarterback keeper, putting the ball on the 6-yard line. On the very next play, Davis found Senior Kedric Jones in the end zone for a 6-yard TD reception, bringing the score 25-0, with 2:25 left in the first quarter.

            On the Royal Knights next possession, Eagles defensive end Freddy Pate caused the Royal Knights QB to fumble the ball. The fumble was recovered by Junior Bryan Ellis. The Eagles would score again, with a 12-yard TD run made by Sophomore Anfreenee Williams. The PAT was no good leaving the score 31-0, with 16.1 seconds left in the first quarter.

            The Royal Knights finally got on the scoreboard in the second quarter with a 67-yard TD pass. The Royal Knights missed the 2-point conversion, bringing the score 31-6. The Royal Knights joy of having scored a touchdown lasted less than 20 seconds when Junior Jaquan Williams ran for an 80-yard kick return on the very next play. The extra point was good, giving the Eagles a score of 37-6 lead.

            Not being able to do anything with the ball, the Royal Knights went three and out, punting the ball to the Eagles. The Eagles would score again on this drive, with a 19-yard TD run from Modzelle Atkins, making the score 43-6. The Royal Knights were intercepted by Atkins on their next possession. The Eagles final score of the game was made on a 5-yard TD run by Freshman Troy Chester. The extra point, which was kicked by sophomore lineman Dontae Davis, was good, bringing the score to 50-6, with 2:15 left in the second quarter.

            The Eagles breezed by the Royal Knights with 8 TDs for the game, 4 sacks made by Burns, Pate, Belvin & D. Jones and interceptions made by Atkins & Ja’kyari “Jay” Jenkins.

            Next up for the Eagles is a tough test on the road against 1A powerhouse, Seminole County Indians, in Donaldsonville, GA.

Quote of the Week

Never let anyone put you out of your position & think you can't win from behind.

High School Football Game Night!!!

It's game night in Southwest GA & our local teams are gearing up for games 2 & 3. The Westwood Wildcats will play their second game of the season as they travel to take on the Tiftarea Academy Panthers.  The Pelham Hornets & the Mitchell County Eagles also play their second game of the season.  The Hornets take on the Thomasville Bulldogs tonight at home, while the Mitchell County Eagles travel to Albany to take on the Dougherty Trojans.  Tomorrow, the Baconton Blazers will plat their third game of the season & take on the Bacon County Red Raiders in Camilla at Centennial Stadium.  All games begin at 7:30 PM.  Make sure you go out & support our local teams!

Thomasville Bulldogs 47 vs. Pelham Hornets 14 (Final)

9/2/11 @ 7:30 PM

Mitchell County Eagles 34 @ Dougherty Trojans 27 (Final)

9/2/11 @ 7:30 PM

Westwood Wildcats 64 @ Tiftarea Academy Panthers 18 (Final)

9/1/11 @ 7:30 PM

Bacon County Red Raiders 37 vs. Baconton Blazers 0 (Final)

9/2/11 @ 7:30 PM

High School Football Game Night!!!

High school football officially kicked off last weekend with two local schools facing each other; Pelham 33 vs. Baconton 7, now, the other two local teams start their season this week.  The Westwood Wildcats started their title defense run with a win, 40-27, over SCA last night, Thursday, August 25.  The Mitchell County Eagles will look to defend their region title win this year starting off with reigning Albany city champ Westover, tonight at 7:30 PM, at Centennial Stadium in Camilla, Ga.

Baconton Blazers 0 @ Lee County Trojans 56 (Final)

8/26/11 @ 7:30 PM

Westover Patriots 42 vs. Mitchell County Eagles 7 (Final)

8/26/11 @ 7:30 PM

 Pelham Hornets - Open

Next week - Thomasville Bulldogs

SGA Warriors 27 vs. Westwood Wildcats 40 (Final)

Next week - Tiftarea Academy Panthers

Let the Season Begin!!!

The 2011 football season begins with two local teams competing against each other to open the 2011 football season.  The Pelham Hornets will travel to Camilla to take on the Baconton Charter Blazers on Friday, August 19, 2011, at 7:30 PM, at Centennial Stadium.  Both, the Hornets & Blazers are looking to have a turnaround season this year & are hoping that tomorrow's opening game is a starting point.  Good luck to both, the Hornets & Blazers.

Preseason Showcase

Today, August 18, 2011, at 7:30 PM, the Mitchell County Eagles will take on the Brooks County Trojans at Centennial Stadium in Camilla, Ga.  The Eagles are gearing up for another successful season of football & are ready to showcase their talents today in a scrimmage against the Trojans.  So come on out & enjoy the game.  Lets see what the Eagles got.

Sports Caption

Modzelle Atkins (white tee) at the Under Armour Training Camp

During the 7 on 7 competition at the Under Armour Training Camp in Charlotte, North Carolina, Modzelle Atkins lined up against a defender ready for the play to begin.  One could only wonder what was going on in his head.  Why don't you give it a shot and take a guess.

Sports Poetry

Football Confidence

The powers that be granted me this gift

I'm the topic of a lot of conversations; if you get my drift

"That boy gone rush for a thousand yards, he gone have 20 touchdowns.

With stats like that you can tell he will be D1 bound."

I'm on the field. I see an opponent, I spin

He missed me, I'm rushing for the end zone to get this win

The buzzer goes off. I'M IN, WE WIN!

I see my teammates running towards me, let the celebrating begin

I'm happy, I'm jovial, excited about my score

I did my part, but my teammates, they did more

We were one, we were mighty, we were strong

We defeated a well known team to prove all the naysayers wrong

This is just one game down, there are seven more to go

My teammates and I are ready to get this show on the road

BCS VS. MCE 7 ON 7

The Baconton Charter Blazers football team travelled to Camilla to take on the Mitchell County Eagles football team for a 7 on 7 competition.  Check out some of the highlights. 

MCE Sweeps FSU Basketball Camp 10-0

The Mitchell County Eagles basketball team took Tallahassee by storm when they swept away opponents at Florida State's annual team basketball camp.  In all actuality, the camp was a tournament, where each team from around the Southeast played 10 games in a span of three days.  The Eagles soared as they beat state ranked teams from Florida.  Being the smallest team in the tournament, MCE beat opponents who had a huge height advantage over them, but they did not let that deter them.  MCE used their speed to out run & tire out their opponents.  The tactic worked as the Eagles ran their way into the championship game.  Having to play a well known team from Florida for the championship, MCE had everyone at Florida State cheering for the 'little guy' as they beat their opponent by one point with a final score of 28 - 27.  

Congratulations!!!! 

Local Players Compete In Under Armour Training & Combine Part 2

 Modzelle Atkins, Ja'Kyari "Jay" Jenkins & Derrick Davis

Local Players Compete In Under Armour Training & Combine

                After having travelled to Mobile, AL to participate in the NIKE SPARQ Combine, three football players from Mitchell County travelled to Charlotte, NC to participate in the Under Armour Training Camp & Combine.  On June 4^th & 5^th, three Mitchell County Eagles; Modzelle Atkins, Derrick Davis & Ja’Kyari “Jay” Jenkins went through training and combine drills equivalent to the NFL combine.  Saturday, June 4^th, after warm-up drills, the Eagles were split up into groups for their respected position; Modzelle- Running back, Derrick- Quarterback & Jay- Defensive back.  Each Eagle shined on training day, having won either 1^st or 2^nd place for their respected position; Modzelle won 1^st place for the RB’s, Derrick won 1^st place for the QB’s and Jay came in 2^nd place for the DB’s.  The coaches, scouts and players around were so enthralled with Derrick Davis, they gave him the nickname “Baby Newton” as he resembled football star Cam Newton during training camp.

            The next day, Sunday, June 5^th, the Eagles showed up to the Carolina Panthers Practice Field with their game faces on, ready to perform.  They saw the combine as an opponent and they were ready for a battle.  The Eagles had to do their best through seven stations that ranged from the broad jump to the 40 yard dash.  Having gone through the combine in blistering heat, the Eagles were broken up again into groups for the specific position to work on drills and to get ready for the 7-on-7 competition.  After the 7-on-7, the guys were lectured by the Under Armour coaches who have had brilliant careers in college and in the NFL.

            Having gained new techniques, skills & friends throughout the weekend, Modzelle, Derrick & Jay left Charlotte on a good note knowing that they left the Under Armour coaches with the knowledge that they represented Mitchell County well and that Southwest GA have tremendous football talent that they have to check out.



Local Players Participate In Under Armour Training & Combine Part1

Three Mitchell County Eagles football players travelled to Charlotte, NC to participate in the Under Armour training & combine.  The training & the combine consists of a two-day event with the training being held on June 4th & the combine being held on June 5th.  Players get to showcase their football skills to college scouts & fellow players.  Today, June 4th, the MCE players let everyone at Under Armour know that there is talent in Southwest GA, as they breezed through all the training skills.  Tomorrow, June 5th, the MCE players will get the chance to shine again as they compete in the combine, which is equivalent to the NFL combine.  I'm wishing our local players, (Modzelle Atkins, Derrick Davis & Ja'Kyari Jenkins), good luck as they continue to compete against other players in the Under Armour combine. (More to come as the event continue.)





High School Combine in Southwest GA!

COMBINE HAS BEEN CANCELLED FOR JUNE 11. WILL BE HELD AT A LATER DATE, TBA!!!

Click picture for larger view

COGI Athletic Company Inc. & the Mitchell County All Sports Booster Club presents COGI Drilz 4 Skilz, which is a football combine for middle & high school students ranging from the ages of 11 to 18.  Athletes will be tested in speed, agility & power, in different events, such as; the 40 yard dash, 20 yard shuttle & the powerball throw.  COGI Drilz 4 Skilz combine will be held June 11, 2011, at Mitchell County High School in Camilla, GA from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.  Sign your kids up so that they can showcase their football talent to their peers & coaches who have played football on a collegiate & professional level. Cost of the combine is $65.00.  Combine jerseys will be provided along with food & drinks.  First come, first serve.  HURRY & SIGN UP NOW!  Contact Shirley Daniels, Mitchell County Booster Club President at 229-225-6716.

Eagles Are GHSA State Runner-Up in Track & Field

On May 5-7, the Mitchell County track team wowed the state of Ga & ran into 2nd place at the state track & field tournament.  Coming in behind Athens Christian, the Eagles only missed the state championship by 5 points with a score of 45.  All athletes who participated in the finals came home with a medal & collectively, they brought back a runner-up trophy to Mitchell County.

100m - Justin Scott-Wesley - 1st Place

200m - Justin Scott-Wesley - 2nd Place

800m - Diquan Isom - 8th Place

4x100m relay - Kavoris "KJ" Pollard, Yancey Burns, Jesse Atkins, Justin "JB" Scott-Wesley, Desmond Jones & Ulysses "Luv" Lambert - 1st Place

4x400m relay - Kavoris "KJ" Pollard, Yancey Burns, Diquan Isom, Justin "JB" Scott-Wesley, Cornelius Thomas & Jacorey Belvin - 2nd Place

High Jump - Rueben Jackson - 6th Place

Triple Jump - Jaquan Williams - 7th Place

Discus - Grover Stewart - 6th Place



Eagles Win Region 1A Track Championship

 

On Monday, April 25, 2011, the Mitchell County Eagles stunned Region 1A again by capturing another region championship, this time in track & field in Pelham.  Upsetting the defending state champs & bitter cross county rival Pelham Hornets, the Eagles put up 184 points to capture the region title, outscoring the 2nd place Hornets by 49 points.  Mitchell County will be sending 11 athletes, with 4 alternates, to Jefferson County to compete for the GHSA Class A State Track & Field title.

The athletes going to state are:

Sprints/Running Events

Justin "JB" Scott-Wesley - 100m, 200m, 4x100m relay & 4x400m relay

Jesse Atkins - 4x100m relay

Yancey Burns - 4x100m relay & 4x400m relay

Kavoris "KJ" Pollard - 4x100m relay & 4x400m relay (alternate)

Jacorey Belvin - 4x400 m relay

Diquan Isom - 4x400m relay & 800m

  Michael Lawrence - 110m high hurdles

Ulysses "Luv" Lambert - 4x100m relay (alternate)

Desmond Jones - 4x100m relay (alternate)

Cornelius "Tango" Thomas - 4x400m relay (alternate)

Field Events

Reuben Jackson - High Jump

Anthony Brown - Shot Put

Grover Stewart - Discus

Jaquan Williams - Triple Jump & Pole Vault

Sports Caption

Before he was to run the 800 meters, Diquan Isom moved away from all the other runners & paced back & forth before the race began.  One could only take a guess at what Diquan was thinking.  Why don't you take a guess & tell me what Diquan is thinking.  Leave a comment.

Tennis Team Makes It To The Playoffs

The Mitchell County Eagles has had a successful sports season throughout the entire school year; football, basketball & track & field.  The tennis team would like to put their stamp on a great sports year as well for the Eagles.  With the guidance of coaches Tom Gilbert & Paxton Crosby, the Mitchell County Eagles tennis team finished 3rd in the Region 1A tennis tournament & will be traveling to Savannah to participate in the state tournament.  The Eagles are looking to go far in the tennis tournament but they have a big match coming up against Savannah Christian Academy.  GOOD LUCK EAGLES!!!

Sports Caption

Before they were to run in the 100 meters, Justin "JB" Scott-Wesley & Jesse Atkins sat in an event official's golf cart at Hugh Mills Stadium in Albany to avoid the rain.  Looking mighty cozy as they sit in the cart, one could only take a guess at what they were thinking.  Why don't you take a shot and guess what these two are thinking.  Leave a comment and tell me what you think.

 

Eagles Flying High During Track Season

At a practice track meet in Albany, the Mitchell County Eagles let the opposing schools know who they would need to beat during track season.  The Eagles dominated the 100 meters and the 1st team of the 100 meter relay gave a jaw-dropping performance during this practice meet which felt like a real track meet.  If you have not seen the MCHS Eagles, come out to see them take on teams from Middle & Southwest Georgia this Saturday, March 26, at the Smith & Benson Relays at Hugh Mills Stadium in Albany, Ga.

Local Athlete Sets Another Record

Mitchell County's Justin Scott-Wesley, AKA JB, is known for setting records.  Last year at the state AA track meet, Justin broke the GA state track record in the 100 meters (10.35s) and a personal best track record in the 200 meters (21.575).  Today in Tallahassee, FL, JB broke another record.  He broke the Chiles High meet record in the 100m with a time of 10.68s, (the previous record stood alone for 12 years).  JB could have shattered the meet record in the 100m but he was a little lackadaisical due to the fact that he was asleep before being awakened and told to go run the race.  For Justin to break a meet record right after waking up from a nap is amazing.  There is no telling what he would have done if he was fully focused and ran at full speed!

Southwest GA Elite...Where Are They Now?

Buster Posey

Southwest GA most popular athletic figure at the moment, Gerald Dempsey Posey III, AKA Buster, began his stellar baseball career at Lee County High School in Leesburg, GA.  While at Lee County, Buster was named GA Gatorade Player of the Year, Louisville Slugger State Player of the Year and an EA Sports All-American.

Staying close to home, Buster took his athletic talents to Florida State University.  As a Freshman, Buster played shortstop, started all 65 games for the Seminoles and was named a Louisville Slugger Freshman All-American.  During his Sophomore year, Buster moved from shortstop to catcher and came in 2nd place for the Johnny Bench Award, which is rewarded to college baseball's best catcher.  In his junior year, Posey won the Johnny Bench Award and was the 2008 Collegiate Baseball Player of the Year.

After being considered the best catcher in the 2008 Major League Baseball Draft, Buster was drafted by the San Francisco Giants with the 5th overall pick.  After playing for the Giants Class A and Triple A teams, Posey was called up to the majors his 1st time in Sept. 09.  Buster was called up to the majors again in May 2010 to play 1st base.  Having played 1st base for one month, Buster then moved over to play catcher for the Giants, where his rookie season began to take off.  Buster won several rookie accolades during the regular season and went on to become the 2010 National League Rookie of the Year.  He also helped lead the Giants to the World Series against the Texas Rangers winning the series 4-1, making Posey the 5th rookie catcher to win the World Series.

As of right now, Buster can be seen gearing up for the 2011 MLB season to make another run as a defending World Series champion with the San Francisco Giants.

Track Season Is In Session

The shot put, discus, long jump, triple jump and of course...the sprints, just to name a few, are here.  Track season is in session for all you runners, jumpers and throwers.  To see a runner pass a leader of a race at break neck speed is a rush.  To all track lovers, go to your local schools to attend a track meet and get caught up in all the excitement!

Local Players Compete In NIKE Combine

Derrick Davis, Modzelle Atkins, Ja'Kyari "Jay" Jenkins & Yancey Burns

Four football players from Mitchell County traveled to Mobile, AL to participate in the NIKE SPARQ Combine.  Along with 900 other football players from across the country, the four, who attend Mitchell County High School (Modzelle Atkins, Yancey Burns, Derrick Davis & Ja’Kyari "Jay" Jenkins), were tested on their speed and agility.  Paired off into a group of 30, the Mitchell County athletes were weighed in and given a NIKE SPARQ compression training shirt.  After signing in, the boys went through technique drills and training to warm up their muscles to fend off the frigid temperatures that plagued Mobile.

           

The first station the guys went to was the 40 yard dash.  Each player was given 2 runs to showcase their speed.  After the 40, the group moved over to the 20 yard shuttle, where the player starts in the middle, runs 5 yards to an end cone and then sprints back 10 yards to  an another end cone only to turn around and run 5 yards back to the middle cone.  Next up was the power ball, where the four had to kneel down and throw a 25lb ball the size of a basketball as far as they could.  Finally, the last station of the combine was the vertical jump, where the players were tested to see how high they could jump in their bare feet.

                

After the testing, the boys were given their scores and complimentary drinks and gifts.  They then sat down in the bleachers with parents and friends to listen to George Henshaw, who is an educational speaker with the NCSA Athletic Recruiting.  Mr. Henshaw told the guys what to expect during the recruiting process and also what to do and what not to do to get exposure.

               

Once the testing and speaking were over, the athletes checked out the NIKE display and took photos.  After all the events ended, the boys left the combine learning what they needed to work on and how to become a better football player.  They recounted their experience at the NIKE SPARQ Combine as they made the five hour drive back to Mitchell County. 

Is There Pressure On An Athlete to Succeed?

How old do you have to be to decide you want to play sports professionally, 6...15?  One doesn't really know.  Kids have dreams of being a superhero one day and an athletic star the next.  Being a star athlete in school, an athlete realizes they have something good going for them, so they decide to put the team and the school on their back; adding more pressure to themselves to be perfect.  The athletes themselves want to be the best on the team and so do their parents.  My question is, how much pressure should an athlete put on him or herself to be successful and to make everyone around them happy?  Tell me, what do you think?

Southwest GA Elite...Where Are They Now?

Teresa Edwards

Southwest GA & USA basketball most decorated athlete, Teresa Edwards is the only American basketball player to ever compete in the Olympic Games five times.  Teresa began her noted career in Southwest GA at Cairo High School as a Syrupmaid.  Scoring 1,982 points in her high school career, Teresa was named Georgia High School Player of the Year in 1982.

Edwards played collegiate basketball at the University of Georgia where she helped lead the Lady Bulldogs to two Final Four appearances, three SEC titles and was selected to the All-SEC 1st Team three times in a row.  Teresa's #5 jersey was retired in 1996, making her one of three Lady Bulldogs to have their jerseys retired.

Having participated in the Olympic Games five times & winning gold medals as the youngest & oldest U.S. Olympic basketball player, Teresa continued to play basketball overseas, having spent 9 years playing in Europe & Asia.  Teresa has been named the USA Basketball Female Athlete of the Year 4 times.  Edwards is #22 on the Sports Illustrated 100 Greatest Female Athletes of the 20th Century list.

Inducted into numerous hall of fames, Teresa biggest accomplishment besides winning 4 Olympic Gold Medals & one Bronze, was being inducted into the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame in 2010.  Today Teresa can be seen on various television networks commentating on women college basketball games.

UPDATE: Teresa Edwads is now the new head coach of the WNBA Tulsa Shock after taking over for Hall of Fame coach Nolan Richardson.  On August 12, 2011, Teresa Edwards was inducted into the Naismith Hall of Fame.

The Resurgence of the Pelham High Lady Hornets

The Pelham High Lady Hornets basketball team hasn't had much to celebrate over the last 14 years, but things seem to have changed.  This past Saturday, February 19, 2011, the Lady Hornets won their first region championship since 1997.  They not only won the region championship, the Lady Hornets will host the first round of the state playoffs as a number one seed.  The Lady Hornets dominated the regular season and the region tournament, and they are looking forward to dominating Emanuel County Institute (ECI) Bulldogs in the first round of the state playoffs.

The success of the Lady Hornets has brought their fans smiles and memories of the former Lady Hornets basketball team, who won the state championship in 1997.  Just like the 1997 Lady Hornets, the 2011 Lady Hornets are small, quick and fast.  Both teams were led by a superstar point guard that knew how to handle the basketball.  Both Lady Hornets teams were small in statue but were aggressive against their opponents.

The only difference between the 1997 Lady Hornets and the 2011 Lady Hornets is the supporting cast.  The 1997 Lady Hornets bench players were just as valuable as the starting five, whereas, the 2011 Lady Hornets bench players are not much of a factor.  The 2011 Lady Hornets have made it to the state playoffs on the backs of three key players.  It amazes everyone how far the Lady Hornets have gotten without the production play of the bench. 

Even though the Lady Hornets relies heavily on their three key players, Hornet Nation is looking for the Lady Hornets to repeat history as an undersized, aggressive team to shock the state of GA again and win the state championship.  I can see the Lady Hornets hoisting up a state championship trophy, but I am just one person stating my opinion. State your opinion and tell me, what do you think?

Southwest GA Elite...Where Are They Now?

Charlie Ward, Jr.

An athlete that excelled in every sport he participated in, Charlie Ward, Jr. was a star standout at Thomas County Central High School in Thomasville, GA.  Ward played basketball, baseball and was a star quarterback all throughout high school and later took his skilled talents thirty minutes down the road to Florida State University in Tallahassee, FL.  Charlie not only played football for Florida State, he also played basketball for the Seminoles as well.

In 1993, during his senior season, Ward won the Heisman Trophy, college football most prestigious award and he led the Seminoles to their first ever national championship.  After a stellar college career in two sports, Ward was selected by the top three major sports in the United States; Football - 2nd round, Basketball - 1st round & Baseball as a free agent twice, even though he did not play baseball in college.  Charlie chose basketball over football due to the fact that he was selected in the first round instead of the second.  The New York Knicks selected Charlie in the first round of the NBA Draft with the 26th overall pick. 

After 11 seasons and 3 different teams (New York Knicks, San Antonio Spurs & Houston Rockets), Charlie Ward retired from the NBA and settled in Houston, TX to become an assistant coach with the Rockets.  Ward later became an assistant coach for the Westbury Christian School varsity boys basketball team.  Later that year, Charlie became the head football coach for Westbury Christian School for the varsity boys.

Winning Records, Limited Facilities

To have a winning record, an athlete or team needs to work out in the best facilities one would think, right?  No that is not true.  There are plenty of teams and athletes with winning records that have very dismal practice facilities or little to no facilities at all.  You might ask, how could that be?  The answer is simple.  It could be a number of reasons but the top two are, funding or an administration that doesn't care.  This past football season, I saw first hand how a team went 9-1 during the regular season without the steady use of a weight room.  How did they do it?  One word, SPEED!  The majority of the offensive and defensive linemen looked like wide receivers.  It amazed me how they overcame the odds to win every game with the exception of one during the regular season.

This was not the first time I have seen this happen.  I was a member of a dominant track team in high school.  The boys won the region title four years in a row and the girls won three years straight.  People were amazed at how this small school could beat out major powerhouses with no track of their own.  Yes, I said it, no track.  We did not have a track of our own, so we had to travel everyday after school to the neighboring town to use our nemesis' track facilities.  The powerhouses were shocked to find out that we didn't have a track of our own, yet we were able to upset schools known for having the best track teams in the area.

Even though the football team that went 9-1 and the track team that I was a member of didn't have the true  facilities they needed to better themselves, they both showed what they were capable of and fought for the top spot.  So my question is this, what needs to be done to make sure athletes have the practice facilities they need to better themselves, when there is no funding or their administrators could care less about the athletic program?  Tell me, what do you think?

Small Town Athlete

Are you from a small town?  Know an athlete that could have gone pro?  I’m sure your answer is yes.  There are a lot of playground and small school athletes that could have made it to the next level; whether it was on a college, semi-pro or professional level.  Very few athletes from small, not heavily populated areas make it to the big leagues.  Sure, there are some athletes from small towns that make it to the top of the ranks of their preferred sport; for example, Deion Branch-New England Patriots, Phillip Daniels-Washington Redskins, Willie Harris-Washington Nationals & Buster Posey-San Francisco Giants.  Those are just a few of athletes that are on a very small list of talented small town athletes that have made it big.  So my one true question is; what should talented small town athletes, coaches & schools do to garner more attention?  Tell me, what do you think.