2016 BLITZ Hall of Fame Inaugural Class: 27 Inductees

Posted on November 22, 2017 by blitzsportsga One comment

Football

TAVARRES KING

King was second in voting (107 votes) to get in the BLITZ Hall of Fame in 2016. The Habersham Central (c/o 2008) star receiver was far and away the best deep threat in the state during his incredible career. He led the Raiders to deep state playoff runs in his last two years, and gave the Raiders back-to-back Region Championships. King still holds almost every receiving record in school history, and is currently sixth in state history in career receiving yardage (3,270 yds) and third in state history for most in a single season (1,641 yds on 100 catches in 2007). He owns the top two spots in Habersham history with passes caught in a single game with 12 and 11, and the top spot in career catches (207) and single season (100). He also holds the Raiders mark for single game receiving yards (207), season receiving yards (1,641) and career (3,270), as well as season TDs (17) and career (37). He is one of only 13 Raiders to be a four-year letterman. King was named 1st Team All-State twice by GACA and by the AP and AJC, and was named 4A State Player of the Year by GACA twice and once each by the AP and AJC.

TK went on to a stellar career at UGA that saw him become one of the top go-to targets for the Bulldogs in his last two seasons. He played so well that he was drafted by the Denver Broncos in the 2013 NFL Draft and has seen time with the Broncos, Carolina Panthers, Jacksonville Jaguars, Tampa Bay Buccaneers and currently is with the New York Giants, with whom he caught a TD pass in the NFC Playoffs in 2017.

ASHELY LOWERY

Lowery led the public polls (155 votes) for the inaugural voting, and rightfully so. The White County c/o 2011 star two-way athlete is in our Hall of Fame for both football and basketball. Lowery had a heck of a prep career on the gridiron, becoming one of the state’s most feared running back and defensive back. In his senior year in which the Warriors made the Sweet 16, Lowery ran for 1,340 yards with 15 TD (6.8 YPC). He added 258 receiving yards with a TD and passed for three more scores. On the flip side in 2010, he totaled 112 tackles and 2 interceptions. Despite his success, he was a self-less teammate who gives more credit to them than he does himself.

His junior year was just as impressive, with 1,175 rushing yards and 12 scores (8.2 YPC). He goes down as perhaps the best to suit up for White County, and was twice named the BLITZ Player of the Year (2009, 2010) and a Player of the Week once during his prep career. Lowery went on to play for the University of Kentucky as a safety, compiling over 150 career tackles and four interceptions as a Wildcat. ASHELY LOWERY HIGHLIGHTS

JOSEPH MANCUSO

With over 50 votes in his first year on the ballot, Mancuso got the producer’s pass right into the BLITZ Hall of Fame in 2016. Mancuso (Class of 2016) more than earned it, silently becoming one of the top signal callers in the state of Georgia. He led his Union County Panthers to three straight state playoff trips. The Richmond Spiders quarterback finished his prep career with 8,110 passing yards (10th in GHSA history) and 88 TD (5th in state history) with 2,048 rushing yards with 21 TD. His junior season included over 3,000 passing yards and 35 TD, with over 2,000 passing and 1,000 rushing in his encore performance. His 109 total TD rank third most all-time in Georgia.

Mancuso, also a standout baseball player, was our Football Player of the Year in 2013 and Baseball Player of the Year in 2014. He added four Player of the Week awards to his list of honors. Mancuso’s career was pushed by a strong support system, including his loving family, and has excelled in overcoming adversity throughout his life. JOSEPH MANCUSO HIGHLIGHTS

CHARLIE WOERNER

Even as a freshman it was clear Charlie Woerner would be a stud athlete at Rabun County. The nephew of former UGA great Scott Woerner played under coach Lee Shaw for the Wildcats (Class of 2016) and put up gaudy numbers, earning him 73 public votes and a spot in our Hall of Fame. To assign him as any other position on offense other than “Athlete” would be misleading. He was at one time a 1,000 yard rusher as a running back, but also collected a 1,000-yard receiving season as a wideout, and could line up as a tight end as well. He was just as dominant defensively, eliminating the deep threat and was always one of the first to the ball on every play.

Woerner, a quiet and respectful young man, closed his prep career with four trips to the state playoffs (34 wins), including back-to-back region titles. He tallied over 5,000 yards of offense, accounting for 66 TD. He recorded 2,358 yds rushing (36 TD) & 2,703 receiving (30 TD). He also had 428 tackles (17 for loss) and 12 INT for 249 return yards.
Charlie Woerner was our 2014 Football Player of the Year and Track Athlete of the Year in his sophomore year. He became the second-most decorated BLITZ athlete, adding five Player of the Week awards to go with his two Player of the Year awards. Woerner is currently starring at UGA. CHARLIE WOERNER HIGHLIGHTS

Softball

JENNA ABBOTT

With 97 public votes, Abbott led the pack in the inaugural BLITZ Hall of Fame class. The former Dawson County (Class of 2013) star pitcher and hitter had a superb career, leading the Lady Tigers to multiple state playoff runs, including a Sweet 16 run in 2012.
In her senior season at Dawson, she hit a mind-blowing .611 with 7 homers and 26 RBI. In the circle, she posted a 13-3 mark with a 1.70 ERA and 107 strikeouts, adding one save.

Abbott currently plays for Auburn, where she has spent her time coming up with clutch homers and pitching fairly well from time to time also, appearing in two College World Series, including coming within one win in 2016 before falling to Oklahoma in game three of the finals. Abbott was the BLITZ Player of the Year in 2012 and won a Player of the Week award as well.

STEPHANIE SATTERFIELD

Satterfield notched 83 votes, enough for a nod into the BLITZ inaugural Hall of Fame induction. The former slugger from White County (Class of 2011) enjoyed an amazing prep career, complete and capped with a miraculous Class 3A State Championship in 2010. That year, Satterfield tied the state record for homeruns in a single season (16).

The pitcher and first baseman hit .485 with 16 homers and 53 RBI her senior year, going 14-3 with a 1.44 ERA in the circle, adding 55 strikeouts while adding a save. Her junior season included a .422 average with three homers and 27 RBI, going 13-6 with a 1.47 ERA and 133 strikeouts and a save. Satterfield goes down as one of the top softball talents to ever play at White County, and was named BLITZ Player of the Year in 2009 and 2010, adding a pair of Player of the Week awards in her time at White County. Satterfield went on to play at Georgia Perimeter College, where she enjoyed a solid career for the Lady Jaguars.

Volleyball

HALEY GERRIN

The lone volleyball nominee for the inaugural Hall of Fame induction was Gerrin, and she garnered 47 votes to earn a spot. Gerrin led Habersham Central as both a volleyball and basketball star, going on to play collegiately in the latter at Georgia State. The Lady Raiders star (Class of 2013) middle hitter posted 287 kills (8.2/game) her senior season, adding 92 blocks (2.6/game) and 54 digs (1.5/game).

Gerrin added 26 aces and had a .495 attack percentage. Gerrin won the Player of the Year award in volleyball in back-to-back seasons, and in her junior year also won the Basketball Player of the Year award her junior year. Her junior year in volleyball also saw her post gaudy numbers, including 286 kills and 79 blocks, very close to her senior year numbers.

Cross Country

JENNA GEARING

Gearing tallied a grand total of 193 votes, which was nearly 75% of the votes, to be the lone cross country inductee in the inaugural BLITZ Hall of Fame class. The White County (Class of 2016) long distance champ is far and away the most decorated in school history, and in BLITZ history. From day one as a freshman, Gearing was a rare talent, who also embodied the humbleness that is a breath of fresh air among high school athletes who have even a portion of her talent.

Gearing’s career is unmatched, with 12 individual region titles (four straight in cross country; eight straight in 1600/3200 track & field) and five state championships. She easily could have had six state titles, but broke her leg in her senior year of cross country just meters away from the finish with plenty of distance between her and the next runner. She rebounded, as only she could, with the help of a solid support system and her unwavering faith, to return months later and win two region titles in track and finish runner-up in both 1600 & 3200 in the state meet.

Gearing was the BLITZ Cross Country Runner of the Year all four years of her career, and added two BLITZ Track Athlete of the Year awards, and added five BLITZ Player of the Week awards – our most decorated with 11 awards! Gearing is currently running for Clemson.

Boys Basketball

TYLER DOMINY

Tyler Dominy was the inaugural vote leader for the BLITZ Hall of Fame in basketball (114 votes). Dominy was a four-year star at Dawson County in both football and basketball, leading the Tigers to deep state playoff runs in his time (Class of 2013). The guard/forward averaged 13 points per game and 10 boards per game his senior year, including three blocks per contest. He shot 46% from the field and 31 minutes played per game. Dominy is best remembered for his soaring dunks and timely clutch shooting from virtually anywhere on the court. He won the Player of the Year award in both football and basketball in the 2012-13 school year, and is one of the more highly decorated BLITZ players with three Player of the Week awards also to his credit.

Dominy, a 1,000 point scorer, currently plays for North Georgia in basketball, becoming a regular scorer in his junior year. TYLER DOMINY HIGHLIGHTS

ASHELY LOWERY

Lowery (White County Class of 2011) not only earned enough votes to make the BLITZ Hall of Fame for football, but also for basketball (106 votes). Lowery was an intense player on the hardwood, and although he didn’t go on to play basketball at the next level (UK football), he certainly had the talent.

The guard was the BLITZ Player of the Year in football in both 2009 and 2010, and won a Player of the Week award as well. As Lowery went, so went the Warriors on the court. Lowery knew only one speed, and that was fast. ASHELY LOWERY HIGHLIGHTS

ZEZ STEEPLE

One of the most electrifying players ever covered by BLITZ, Zez Steeple (Class of 2016) made it in the BLITZ Hall of Fame with 106 votes just weeks after graduating from Banks County. The guard was one of three teammates to eclipse 1,000 career points, and in his prep career Steeple tallied 1,336 points.

In his senior year, Steeple averaged almost 22 points per game and close to four assists per game. He added 2.4 rebounds and 1.1 steals per game in a season that saw the Leopards win a regular season region title and advance to the Sweet 16. Steeple plays at Erskine College, where he made a tremendous impact as a freshman. A winner of three Player of the Week awards, Steeple also was named the 2015-16 BLITZ Player of the Year. ZEZ STEEPLE HIGHLIGHTS

Girls Basketball

KAITLYN DUNCAN

Perhaps one of the top talents in Northeast Georgia, and no doubt one of the best to ever play at Banks County, is Kaitlyn Duncan. She garnered 67 votes to earn her spot in the BLITZ Hall of Fame in 2016. The guard/forward/center was so unique and versatile because she could run the point, post up down low, make driving layups on the break, or hit a clutch 3-pointer.

Duncan (Banks County Class of 2015) closed her prep career with 1,451 pts and 1,063 rebounds. In her senior campaign, KD averaged 20.4 pts per game, 11.2 rebounds, 2.8 steals, 2.1 blocks and 1.5 assists. While shooting 47% from the floor, The Lady Leopards star notched 23 double-doubles.

Duncan’s game grew exponentially even from her solid junior year in which she averaged 13.9 points and 10.8 rebounds. Along with her BLITZ Player of the Year award in 2014-15, she was three times named our Player of the Week. Duncan now stars for Furman University. KAITLYN DUNCAN HIGHLIGHTS

HALEY GERRIN

If there’s been a more dominant inside-the-paint presence in girls basketball in our coverage area, we haven’t seen it. Haley Gerrin (Habersham Central Class of 2013), also a BLITZ Hall of Famer for volleyball, had an incredible junior year (18.9 pts, 9.5 reb) and already tallied 1,161 career points before starting her senior season. Gerrin closed her Habersham career with a Sweet 16 run, and averaged 16.5 pts and 18.8 reb over her career.

Gerrin (55 votes) was the 2011-12 BLITZ Player of the Year, and won back-to-back POY honors for volleyball as well. She finished with 1,537 career points, a then-school record, and garnered interest from over 30 collegiate programs. She accepted an offer to play at Georgia State, where she finished her career with 543 pts (5.3 PPG) and 372 reb (3.6 RPG) in 103 games played. HALEY GERRIN HIGHLIGHTS

CARLY GILREATH

The great Carly Gilreath notched 90 votes to get in the first year, and rightfully so. The former Dawson County Lady Tigers (Class of 2013) star led Dawson to a State Championship game in her senior year. A solid four-year starter, Gilreath scored over 1,000 career points, and was nearly unstoppable from anywhere on the floor. In her senior year, Gilreath averaged 15.6 pts per game (516 total), 2.6 assists, 2.2 rebounds and 1.8 steals per game, shooting 30% from 3-point range and 41% from the floor.

She was the BLITZ Player of the Year in the 2012-13 season, and was twice a BLITZ Player of the Week! Gilreath went on to play at USC Aiken, where she finished her career with nearly 500 pts (3.9 PPG), making 92 3-pointers. CARLY GILREATH HIGHLIGHTS

STEPHANIE PATTON

Not many have had the career that Stephanie Patton has had (Towns Co / Hayesville Class of 2015), as the athletic and physical guard was as gifted as any, especially from long range and at the free throw line. Patton (Towns Co/Hayesville Class of 2015) nearly had 2,000 career points, something we have not quite seen before. Patton earned over 20 votes for the BLITZ Hall of Fame and got the producer’s pass to be inducted.

Making this all the more impressive was the fact that she transferred from Towns to Hayesville, NC in the midst of her junior year, sitting out most of the second half of that season. Her sophomore year at Towns earned her BLITZ Player of the Year honors after putting up some incredible numbers (19.5 pts, 2.9 reb, 2.2 ast, 3.8 stl). She led her team to the State Semifinals that season, and got Hayesville to the Quarterfinals in her junior year.

In her time at Hayesville, she had the highest free throw percentage in the entire state of North Carolina, and was one of the tops in Georgia as well. Patton finished her career with 1,937 pts, 352 rebounds, 239 assists, 369 steals and 255 career 3-pointers made. She shot 79% from the FT line and went 97-23 in her prep career, advancing to 2 Final 4s and 2 Sweet 16s. She also carried a GPA of 4.0. Patton, a rare combination of talent and humbleness who embodies a Christlike attitude, played at Liberty University and got her undergraduate degree in just two years. STEPHANIE PATTON HIGHLIGHTS

Wrestling

CHANCE MCCLURE

McClure (Commerce Class of 2014) faced personal adversity and overcame it in a big way. Also a standout football player, you could tell there was something special about Chance McClure, who took 69 votes to be in the BLITZ Hall of Fame as a wrestler.

Not only was his team constantly state champions, but McClure pulled off the rare feat of being a four-time state champion. He went 47-0 as a junior, winning the BLITZ Wrestler of the Year award, and followed that up with a 39-0 senior campaign, with another Wrestler of the Year award. He finished his illustrious career with a 191-2 overall record, winning a state title at 189 lbs and three straight 220-lb titles! He currently wrestles at the University of Virginia.

CALEB MORRIS

Caleb Morris (White County Class of 2012) had a stellar beginning to his career, winning a pair of state titles in two weight classes (125 & 130). His final overall record was 212-6 as a Warriors wrestler, easily giving him 68 votes for the BLITZ Hall of Fame in 2016. Morris was twice a BLITZ Wrestler of the Year.

Baseball

SPENCER ADAMS

Spencer Adams (White County Class of 2014) was a shoe-in for the BLITZ HOF (213 votes). The former White County star baseball and basketball player, was one of the best, if not THE best, pitcher in the state of Georgia. Despite committing to UGA, he was drafted so high in the MLB Draft (2nd round, Chicago White Sox) as the 44th overall pick.

With his mid-90’s fastball to impeccable command of his full arsenal, Adams, not surprisingly, has excelled in professional baseball in the White Sox organization. He currently pitches for the Birmingham Barons (AA), and continues to motor through the system.

A two-time BLITZ Player of the Year (one in baseball and one in basketball), Adams amazingly lost two games despite a 0.72 ERA in his senior year. His 4-2 record may not look like much, but he struck out 90 hitters in 58.1 innings of work, walking just 11 and giving up only 27 hits. This included five complete games and four shutouts, and a 0.650 WHIP.

At the plate, Adams hit .377 with a homer and 6 RBI. He led his Warriors team multiple times to the state playoffs. Adams also nabbed a BLITZ Player of the Week award.

DAVID SOSEBEE

Sosebee (White County Class of 2011) closely resembles the success of teammate Spencer Adams, who was a freshman when Sosebee was a senior. Sosebee notched 52 votes to earn his way to the BLITZ Hall of Fame after a career that led to him having much success at UGA and currently in the MLB New York Yankees organization (Charleston RiverDogs (High A).

David Sosebee was a great talent on the mound as well as at the plate, though he’d go pro due to the success on the bump. His prep senior season saw him hit .386 with 10 HR and 30 RBI, and saw him go a mind-blowing 10-1 on the hill with a 0.63 ERA, striking out 115. He hurled seven complete games and two shutouts, earning the BLITZ Player of the Year award. He also earned it the year prior, as well as a Player of the Week award, by going 7-1 with a 0.76 ERA as a junior, striking out 106 to the tune of a 0.801 WHIP. He also hit .450 that year with 14 RBI.

Boys Soccer

BRANDON LUND

Brandon Lund (Dawson County Class of 2015) was an outstanding talent at the prep level at Dawson County, leading the Tigers to many deep state playoff runs in his time. The forward tallied 19 goals and 14 assists as a senior, and had 22 goals and 15 assists in his even-better junior year. Both seasons earned him back-to-back BLITZ Player of the Year awards and a Player of the Week Award. It’s easy to see how he gets the nod to be in the BLITZ Hall of Fame (43 votes).

Girls Soccer

KAITLYN HOOPER

Kaitlyn Hooper (White County Class of 2011) was a standout for the Lady Warriors, being the go-to offensive weapon for White County. The former back-to-back BLITZ Player of the Year, who twice was Player of the Week as well, scored 20 goals and 8 assists as a senior, shattering her school records set the previous season of 15 goals and one assist.

Hooper (74 votes) finished her career with 57 goals and 16 assists, and had a solid career at Asbury University.

ALEXIS SATTERFIELD

Alexis Satterfield has been far and away one of the best scorers in northeast Georgia. The Lumpkin County (Class of 2016) forward had an eye-popping 32 goals and four assists in a junior year that is unprecedented, leading the Lady Indians to a state semifinal appearance. She followed that with 29 goals and five assists as a senior. She was named BLITZ Player of the Year in both 2015 and 2016, adding a pair of Player of the Week awards.

Satterfield, who gathered 100 votes to make the BLITZ Hall of Fame, is showing her talents at Brenau, where she is a difference-maker since day one.

Boys Golf

LEE MCCOY

Lee McCoy was a state champion in his lone season at Habersham Central after moving from Florida. He notched 61 votes to make the BLITZ Hall of Fame, and was the 2012 Golfer of the Year after winning his state championship. He had seven tournament wins and scored a 69.9 average.

His career at UGA was even better, as he finished it with a sixth place finish in the national tournament. He was the SEC Player of the Year, and SEC tournament champion, and set UGA records for career average (70.87) and single-season average (70). His amateur highlight came in the Valspar Invitational, where he played alongside Jordan Spieth, and beat him, while placing fourth in the PGA event, but was unable to collect on the winnings ($292,800). McCoy has since made the PGA Tour as a regular.

Girls Golf

MADISON CALDWELL

Madison Caldwell (Dawson County Class of 2015) was our back-to-back-to-back BLITZ Golfer of the Year from 2013-15. Just 12 days after surgery during her senior season, she captured a region title (her third) with a 77, then captured her first state championship with a 73 (winning by five strokes)! She came within one stroke of winning the championship her junior season.

Caldwell, also a former Player of the Week, is currently starring for Western Carolina University and took 51 votes to earn her Hall of Fame spot.

Girls Tennis

BRITTANY STEWART

Brittany Stewart (Lumpkin County Class of 2014) was a two-time BLITZ Player of the Year, and led the Lady Indians to a region championship and state playoff appearance. The #1 singles star was 11-5 as a senior and 27-7 in her career as a number one, and 37-13 overall. Stewart currently dominates the court at the University of North Georgia.

Boys Track & Field

AUSTIN PIERCE

Austin Pierce (Lumpkin County Class of 2016) became one of the top sprinters in the state, winning a state championship his junior year. The speedster was named the BLITZ Track Athlete of the Year subsequently, and took 123 votes to get into the BLITZ Hall of Fame. Pierce is competing collegiately at the Naval Academy.

Girls Track & Field

JENNA GEARING

Jenna Gearing (White County Class of 2016), with 114 votes, made it into the BLITZ HOF for Track & Field along with Cross Country. Just add to her list of accomplishments. See above for her career highlights. The now-Clemson long distance runner had her pick of the litter for where to run next, but Clemson won her over.