Several of the spring sports teams had stellar seasons. Some stood above the rest. Here are the Spring Sports Teams of the Year for 2024.

BASEBALL

TALLULAH FALLS INDIANS

Coach: Justin Pollock
Record: 27-12
Accomplishments: 1A DI State Runner-Up, Region 8-A DI Runner-Up, #2 State Ranking

The team of destiny…Tallulah Falls honored former player Jeremy Medina, who died tragically. They wore ‘4 Jeremy’ shirts under their jerseys every game, and passed the #4 jersey from player to player throughout. Fueled by honoring him and his family, the Indians knew they were going to have the best year in school history. But no one could have predicted this run. The offense was lethal, averaging nearly 8 runs per game (294 total), and the pitching allowed just 168 runs (just a tad over 4 per game). Region POY and JR OF Danny Grant (.424-2-32) anchored an offense that included SO IF Ashton Roache (.274-7-23), star SR catcher Caden Walker (.327-2-32), clutch-hitting JR OF BJ Carver (.352-1-15), and several others. Cole Bonitatibus (8-2, 1.26 ERA, 105 K, 3 Saves), Chase Pollock (7-3, 1.95 ERA, 74 K, 2 Saves), and Andrew Skvarka (5-2, 3.28 ERA, 41 K, 2 Saves) were a 3-speared rotation that dominated. Handfuls of team and individual records were set, including the team gathering 9 wins over top-10 ranked teams. Overall, TFS went 27-12 with a pair of 6-game win streaks, earned a #2 state ranking, Region Runner-Up finish, and State Runner-Up finish. The Indians made quick work of Oglethorpe County in the first round of state, then hit the road and used a walkoff hit by Carver in game two at #4-ranked Pepperell to force and win game three. A sweep of #8-ranked Swainsboro at home in the Elite 8 included a 4-run comeback in game two. Beating #2-ranked King’s Ridge on the road in two straight, including a 6-run comeback in game one and a 7-run first to open game two got TFS into the title series against Prince Avenue Christian. After leading by 2 heading into the final inning of game one, the Indians saw Prince Ave storm back to win in extras, then clinch in game 2. Regardless, this team is one of the best we’ve ever seen.

Honorable Mentions: Dawson County (Elite 8), Habersham Central (Sweet 16), Jefferson (Sweet 16), Banks County (Sweet 16, Region Champs), Towns County (Sweet 16)

GIRLS SOCCER

JEFFERSON LADY DRAGONS

Coach: Molly McCarty
Record: 18-1-1
Accomplishments: 5A State Final 4, Region 8-AAAAA Champions, #1 State Ranking, #7 National Ranking

The Lady Dragons were absolutely dominating, outscoring opponents 95-5, going 18-1-1, losing only once in the Final 4 in PKs to GAC, the eventual state champions. Jefferson won the region title and held a #1 ranking in Class 5A all season, and even peaked at #7 in national polls. Several key playmakers got it done for coach Molly McCarty, including SO Gabby Garnett (23 G, 28 A), the Offensive POY for the region. Overall Region POY and freshman Samme Suppes (30 G, 4 A), Region GK of the Year JR Ella Sellers (16 Shutouts), SO Khloe Robertson, SR Kate James (3 G, 8 A), SO Ava Rodriguez, and many others were critical to the success. 16 shutouts for this group, who gave up hardly any goals. The playoff run included wins over Tri-Cities, Chattahoochee, and Northgate leading up to the Final 4. This goes down as one of the most dominant girls soccer teams our area has seen.

Honorable Mentions: Dawson County (Final 4), Towns County (Final 4), Habersham Central (Sweet 16, Region Champs), Lumpkin County (Sweet 16), Tallulah Falls (Sweet 16, Region Champs), Rabun County (Sweet 16), White County (Rnd 1), Stephens County (Rnd 1), Commerce (Rnd 1)

BOYS SOCCER

HABERSHAM CENTRAL RAIDERS

Coach: Ric Wallace
Record: 14-4
Accomplishments: 6A State Sweet 16, Region 8-AAAAAA Champions, #8 State Ranking

The Raiders played unselfishly all season, garnering a 14-4 overall record complete with an 11-1 mark in region play to secure the first region championship since 2019. The dramatic 1-0 win over nationally-ranked and #1 state ranked North Forsyth at home was legendary. It came after a spring break in which Habersham decided to unplug and bypass personal fun time for practice and team bonding. That was instrumental to the win and the season. Seniors Owen Wallace, Juan Lara, Brody Tyree, and Xzavier Lopez all had fantastic seasons, along with JR GK Everett Rudeseal. The Raiders scored 43 goals against just 14 allowed, and had a 7-game win streak peppered in. They had huge wins throughout the season including over #2-ranked Tallulah Falls and of course the North Forsyth win. The playoff opener was a cruiser against Douglas County before running into eventual State Runner-Up Sprayberry in the second round.

Honorable Mentions: Tallulah Falls (Sweet 16, Region Champs), Union County (Sweet 16), Dawson County (Sweet 16), Rabun County (Sweet 16), Towns County (Sweet 16), Lumpkin County (Rnd 1), Jefferson (Rnd 1)

GIRLS TENNIS

WHITE COUNTY LADY WARRIORS

Coach: Chris Dotson
Record: 8-6
Accomplishments: 3A State Final 4; Region 7-AAA 3rd; #4 State Ranking

Talk about a team peaking at the right time. The Lady Warriors were just 8-6 on the season, but won when it counted the most. Navigating a tough Region 7-AAA to get a 3rd seed was the first step. Once there, White County rolled to the Final 4. It took a gritty 3-2 win over Ringgold in the first round, a 3-1 win over Monroe Area in the Sweet 16, and a 3-0 win over Thomasville in the Elite 8. Eventual State Runner-Up Oconee County won 3-0 in the Final 4. JR Aubrey Bolton (10-3 at 2-singles) was 3-0 in the state tourney, and JR Maggie Anglin (6-8 at 1-singles) as well as JRs Maddie Bunch & Mattie Browning (4-8 at 1-doubles) were key to the success. The unlikely Final 4 run netted a #4 state ranking. The Cinderella run by White County is what makes them the Team of the Year.

Honorable Mentions: Rabun County (Final 4), Tallulah Falls (Sweet 16, Region Champs), Habersham Central (Sweet 16), Jefferson (Sweet 16), Dawson County (Sweet 16), Stephens County (Sweet 16), Banks County (Sweet 16), Lumpkin County (Rnd 1), Commerce (Rnd 1)

BOYS TENNIS

LUMPKIN COUNTY INDIANS

Coach: Paul Hoch
Record: 20-5
Accomplishments: 3A State Runner-Up; Region 7-AAA Runner-Up; #2 State Ranking

The Indians were just about unbeatable in 2024. Going 20-5 and earning a Region Runner-Up finish meant having a pretty good draw in the State Tournament. The SR/JR brother 1-doubles combo of Will & Jack McKinney went 20-4 on the season, while JR singles standouts Axel Tillery (19-6 at 2-singles) and Bricen Popko (17-5 at 3-singles) did their thing. The result was a run to the Class 3A State Championship match, where Lumpkin fell to Columbus 3-0. The Indians beat Ringgold 3-0, Oconee County 3-2 in the Sweet 16, Savannah Country Day 3-2 in the Elite 8, and rivals Dawson County 4-1 in the Final 4. It was nothing short of the best season in school history and will live on in legend.

Honorable Mentions: Dawson County (Final 4), Rabun County (Sweet 16, Region Champs), Tallulah Falls (Sweet 16), Habersham Central (Sweet 16), Stephens County (Sweet 16), Banks County (Sweet 16), Commerce (Sweet 16), Jefferson (Rnd 1)

GIRLS GOLF

WHITE COUNTY LADY WARRIORS

Coach: Esta Johnson
Accomplishments: 3A State 3rd Place; Area Champions; #3 State Ranking

The Lady Warriors dynasty continues with a state 3rd-place finish as well as an Area Championship, complete with a #3 state ranking. The team is still relatively young, as JR Layne Graham (State 9th), SO Maddie Kate Hall (State 15th), and JR Cameron Kimsey (State 22nd) were among the leaders. BillliKayl Allison (State 16th) and Aubrey Free (State 20th) rounded out the team.

Honorable Mentions: Tallulah Falls (State 4th, Area Champs), Dawson County (State 4th), Jefferson (State 7th), Habersham Central (State 9th), Banks County (State 9th)

BOYS GOLF

BANKS COUNTY LEOPARDS

Coach: Todd Samples
Accomplishments: 2A State 4th Place; #4 State Ranking

The Leopards were 3rd in the Area Tournament, but upped their game for the GHSA State Championships. Banks County placed 4th, with standouts Hunter Bond (11th), Thomas Nguyen (14th), and Jake Dalton (34th) leading the way. Others who helped the program reach such heights includes Hunter Youngblood, Matthew Roberts, and Tyson Maney.

Honorable Mentions: Tallulah Falls (State 8th), Rabun County (State 9th), Jefferson (State 10th)

GIRLS TRACK & FIELD

JEFFERSON LADY DRAGONS

Coach: Brandon Vinson
Accomplishments: 5A State 6th; Region 8-AAAAA 3rd; #6 State Ranking; 2 Individual State Champions

The Jefferson Lady Dragons were 3rd out of Region 8-AAAAA, but came up huge with a 6th-place finish at state. Everything seemed to click for the individuals in the Championship meet. SR Ella Kulniszewski won the state title in pole vault, as did SO Teah Gales in shot put. Meanwhile, Ansley Rice (3rd in pole vault), Eve Knight (5th in discus), and Rileigh Harrison (5th in long jump) all earned top-5 finishes, and Lauren Hailey (14th in 1600) and Hannah Schroeder (14th in 3200) were key as well. In total, 4 athletes were Region Champs as well, as the Lady Dragons had 18 sectional qualifications.

Honorable Mentions: White County (State 6th), Dawson County (State 12th), Rabun County (State 12th)

BOYS TRACK & FIELD

JEFFERSON DRAGONS

Coach: Timothy Lees
Accomplishments: 5A State 4th; Region 8-AAAAA Champions; #4 State Ranking

The Jefferson Dragons won the Region 8-AAAAA title behind a dominant performance that included 6 individual region title events. At that meet, Jefferson had a mind-blowing 20 sectionals qualifications. Ben Davis won the region title in the 1600 and 3200, and that propelled to state. Brock Brush was the State RU in the 1600 at state, and was 4th in the 3200. Michael Roberts (3rd in triple jump & 6th in 400), Adam Henley (4th in pole vault), and Aiden Jackson (5th in discus) led the way at state to a 4th-place finish that carried a #4 state ranking.

Honorable Mentions: Commerce (State 10th), Habersham Central (State 12th), Tallulah Falls (State 12th), Union County (State 12th), Lumpkin County