HALL OF FAME TEAMS
Since the 2006-07 season, we have covered some amazing teams! The following are enshrined in our Hall of Fame forever! Who will be next?
SPECIAL – ALL-DECADE PROGRAMS (2010s)
CRITERIA
- MUST be in our coverage area: Habersham Central, Stephens Co (since 2014), White Co, Jefferson (since 2018), Dawson Co, Lumpkin Co, Rabun Co (since 2013), Union Co, Banks Co, Towns Co, Commerce & Tallulah Falls (since 2016) [a few exceptions to this rule with explanations provided!]
- MUST have made it to a State Championship game or Semifinals (Final 4) game for all sports except football (Quarterfinals is enough to get in for football, though not automatically; Semifinals for other sports, though not automatic). For the sports of cross country, wrestling, cheer, etc, teams must be state champs or runner-up.
- Dynasties are marked appropriately and contain a string of Hall of Fame teams lumped together.
What makes a dynasty?
- In football – 3 or more Hall of Fame team qualifications in a row or 4-year span (Quarterfinals or deeper)
- In softball, basketball, baseball, soccer, and tennis – 3 or more HOF team qualifications (Semifinals or deeper) in a row or 5-year span, or consistently making the quarterfinals
- In cross country, wrestling, track & field, golf, and cheer – 3 or more HOF team qualifications (state championships or runner-up) in a row or 5-10-year span of being among the top 10 finishing at state
FOOTBALL HALL OF FAME TEAMS
2015-2022 RABUN COUNTY WILDCATS
Coach: Lee Shaw (2015-18); Jaybo Shaw (2019-21); Michael Davis (2022)
Record: 94-12
2022: 12-1 (QTR) // 2021: 11-2 (QTR) // 2020: 12-2 (SEMIS) // 2019: 12-1 (QTR) // 2018: 11-2 (QTR) // 2017: 14-1 (STATE RUNNER-UP) // 2016: 11-1 (QTR) // 2015: 11-2 (QTR)
Accomplishments: Where to begin? 9 straight Region Championships from 2014-2022. But the 8 seasons to date since 2015 were extra special, all resulting in Quarterfinal or deeper runs. This was highlighted by the 2017 State Championship game team and the 2020 Semifinals run. During this dynasty run, Rabun County was ranked #1 in the state on multiple occasions, had at least 11 wins in each season since ’15, and 4 undefeated regular seasons (’16, ’17, ’19, ’22). The offense during this run has been among the best in state history (2017 group was 6th highest-scoring offense ever {45.6 per game}), and 2020 group (50.3 PPG) was 3rd best in state history. The 2021 version averaged 48.6 per game, one of the tops in state history as well. These teams were led by the likes of QB Bailey Fisher (c/o 2018, Tennessee Tech & Gardner-Webb), who tallied over 12,000 yards of offense and 170 total TD in his career, as well as QB Gunner Stockton (c/o 2022, 5-star UGA commit), who owns the state record for passing TD (177) all-time, and 2nd all-time in passing yards (13,652). Overall, Stockton tallied state records of 18,024 yards of offense and 254 total TD. Do-it-all athlete Charlie Woerner (c/o 2016, UGA), ATH Austin Jones (c/o 2019, Furman), WR Braxton Hicks (c/o 2020, UGA), WR Jaden Gibson (c/o 2023, Power 5), and WR Adriel Clark (c/o 2021) among many other next-level players. Gibson finished as the state’s all-time leading receiver in yards (5,124) and receiving TD (59). That includes the 2nd-most yards in a single season at 1,950 in 2022, and his 29 TD that season are a state record as well. This dynasty really can go back further if it had deeper runs in ’14 and ’13, but this Wildcat program didn’t lose a region game from 2014-2022. Even after the change in guard from the Shaw era to Michael Davis taking over, the 2022 unit reloaded with Gibson and Keegan Stover (90 total career TD) and others to go unbeaten in the regular season, win the region title, and go back to the quarterfinals.
2019-2020 JEFFERSON DRAGONS
Coach: Gene Cathcart
Record: 24-3
2020: 14-1 (STATE RUNNER-UP) // 2019: 10-2 (QTR)
Accomplishments: In 2019, the Dragons were seconds away from stamping their ticket to the Semifinals before falling to Crisp County. Colby Clark led Jefferson to 10 straight wins following a season-opening loss. The result included an outright Region Championship (8-AAA) and a #3 state-ranking. Playmakers like Kade McNally, Malaki Starks, Jordan Perry, Rem Maxwell, and others contributed heavily along with Clark. In 2020, Starks (c/o 2022 5* recruit), Perry, Kam Robinson, Paxton Corkery, Jaheim Hardy and others gave the Dragons one of their best seasons ever, as they won the region title and went unbeaten for 14 straight until falling in the title game to Marist.
2014-2020 COMMERCE TIGERS
Coach: Michael Brown
Record: 66-21
2020: 11-2 (QTR) // 2019: 9-3 (S16) // 2018: 10-3 (QTR) // 2017: 8-3 (S16) // 2016: 9-3 (QTR) // 2015: 9-4 (SEMIS) // 2014: 10-3 (SEMIS)
Accomplishments: Back-to-back 1A State Semifinals runs (’14-’15) were the highlights, with a region title in 2014 in 8-A. The 2015 squad allowed only 184 pts all season (14.2 per game allowed). Caleb Brooks, Cole Chancey, J’varius Wood, Will Thomas, and Lane Sorrow were some of the key players, as well as Nate Ray and others. The Tigers have been ranked #1 in Class 1A Public in a couple of the seasons, and have not dropped out of the top-10 during this span. In 2019 it was an early exit, but 2020 saw the Tigers tear through nearly everyone, claiming a region championship and advancing to the Quarterfinals behind play of Sammy Brown, Trey Huff, Dreylan Martin, and Tyelon Brock.
2015 DAWSON COUNTY TIGERS
Coach: Sid Maxwell
Record: 9-3; Quarterfinals
Accomplishments: Sid Maxwell’s first season at Dawson was unforgettable, as his son Tucker Maxwell proved an elite receiver to pair with sophomore QB Coey Watson (the best player in program history) and Hunter Mitchell, Andrew Young, and many others. The Tigers won the school’s first-ever football Region Title (7-AAA), and made its first-ever Quarterfinal run. The playoff run also included the Tigers winning their first-ever (and second-ever) playoff game at home. The team set a then-record 63 points in the first round win over Ringgold.
2008-2013 GAINESVILLE RED ELEPHANTS
Coach: Bruce Miller
Record: 72-11
2013: 12-2 (SEMIS) // 2012: 12-3 (STATE CHAMPIONS) // 2011: 12-2 (SEMIS) // 2010: 10-2 (S16) // 2009: 14-1 (STATE RUNNER-UP) // 2008: 12-1 (QTR)
Accomplishments: 72 wins over a 6-year span is ridiculous. This includes a State Championship in 2012 with now-NFL starting QB Deshaun Watson (2x Heisman finalist at Clemson & National Champion) as well as an appearance in 2009 in the Georgia Dome. This Dynasty run won 5 straight region titles despite jumping from 3A to 5A in a one-year span. Ironically, the only year in their Dynasty they didn’t win the region title was the State Champion 2012 version, which lost the region title game to Flowery Branch. Other stars beside Watson included his predecessor Blake Sims (c/o 2010, Alabama), Tailer “TJ” Jones (c/o 2010, Notre Dame, NFL WR), AJ Johnson (c/o 2013, Tennessee, NFL LB), and Jeremiah Ledbetter (c/o 2011, Arkansas, NFL LB) among many others.
*EXCEPTION: This was one of the few times we stepped outside of our coverage area and followed Watson every chance we could, as well as Blake Sims before him…how could you not?!?
2012 JEFFERSON DRAGONS
Coach: T. McFerrin
Record: 14-1; 2A STATE CHAMPIONS
Accomplishments: McFerrin’s last year, with stud QB Bryant Shirreffs leading the way. This group was phenomenal, winning a Region 8-AA title and rolling through the playoffs to the Georgia Dome, winning it all as the #1-ranked team in the state!
2008-2009 FLOWERY BRANCH FALCONS
Coach: Lee Shaw
Record: 12-3 in 2008 [3A STATE RUNNER-UP]; 10-4 in 2009 [3A STATE SEMIFINALS]
Accomplishments: One of the most fun football groups to watch in the last decade, the Connor Shaw-led Falcons couldn’t seem to win the Region 7-AAA title playing in the same group as Gainesville, but when the playoffs hit, they were true road warriors. Flowery Branch used guys like Shaw, Daniel Drummond, Will Monday, Imani & Izaan Cross and plenty of other talented players to get to the Georgia Dome in ’08, where they fell to Cairo. In 2009, they played maybe the best game of all time at Gainesville in the 3A Semifinals, where the Red Elephants won to get to the Dome on a last-second TD to beat the region rivals in front of some 9,000 people flooding the stadium. What was crazy was that just weeks prior in the defacto region title game at Flowery Branch, Gainesville destroyed the Falcons…Flowery Branch made HUGE adjustments to nearly topple the Red Elephants.
*EXCEPTION: Before we established our coverage area firmly, we had begun by following this team in 2007-2009. It’s where it all started for BLITZ, and this was a fun team to watch.
2006-2007 HABERSHAM CENTRAL RAIDERS
Coach: Gene Cathcart
Record: 11-2 in 2007 [QTR]; 10-3 in 2006 [QTR]
Accomplishments: Tavarres King, who finished his career with well over 3,000 receiving yards and over 30 TD catches, led the Raiders to a two-year unforgettable run that included Region Championships in both years. QB Bo Hatchett (5,500 pass yds) was instrumental as well, and so were guys like Zach Chitwood, Daniel Franklin, and others during this run.
SOFTBALL HALL OF FAME TEAMS
2017-2020 BANKS COUNTY LADY LEOPARDS
Coach: Tony Bowen (’17-’18) & Kelby Cronic (’19-’20)
Record: 26-9; 2A STATE 3RD PLACE in 2017; 29-10; 2A STATE RUNNER-UP in 2018; 33-3, 2A STATE CHAMPIONS in 2019; 17-15, 2A STATE ELITE 8 in 2020
Accomplishments: Region 8-AA champions in ’17, ’19, and ’20, and runner-up in ’18, #1-state ranking, Top-10 National Ranking (2019), Final 4 run in ’17 after not making state the previous year, going from 8-12 in 2016 to 26-9 to the semifinals. Followed that up with a 29-win ’18 season that ended in the state title game. Stars Jaycie Bowen, Tybee Denton, Abbie Bailey, Kya Santiago, and Madison Cronic were the main culprits that year. All but Bowen returned for 2019, where the Lady Leopards under new head coach Kelby Cronic dominated wire to wire.
Tybee Denton (.423 AVG, 12 HR, 41 RBI; 29-3 W-L, 1 Save, 0.47 ERA, 412 K), Jill Martinet (.480 AVG, 9 HR, 46 RBI), and Madi Cronic (.460 AVG, 2 HR, 14 RBI) led the way. The playoff run was unlike any that’s ever been seen in state history. Complete domination to the tune of 97-1 as a score differential against competition. To cap it off, the Lady Leopards were forced to play the final 3 innings of the final game at home, when in Columbus rain halted their championship game with just a few frames to go. The agonizing wait was well worth it to do something no other team gets to do…win a state title in front of the home crowd. The following season was much more difficult, though Banks was ranked #1 early and ended up winning the region title and making another quarterfinals run with Madi Cronic leading the way.
2019-2020 COMMERCE LADY TIGERS
Coach: Melissa Mullis
Record: 46-22-1
2020: 23-13-1 (State Runner-Up) // 2019: 23-9 (State 3rd Place)
Accomplishments: The Lady Tigers slugged the ball for all of 2019 and 2020, leading the world in homeruns. Players like Rachel Morgan, Maggie Mullis, Carson Hobbs, and many others were mainstays in the lineup and pivotal to the success of the team. A state runner-up finish in 2020 and 3rd place in 2019 were huge achievements for a team that won the region title each year from 2017 to 2020 (4 straight). That came with a #2 state ranking in multiple seasons.
2018 JEFFERSON LADY DRAGONS
Coach: Kacie Bostwick
Record: 30-8
Accomplishments: The Lady Dragons averaged over six runs per contest en route to a state title game appearance. Region 8-AAA Champions, 3A State Runners-Up, #2-state ranking. Seniors Emily Perrin and Sam Vinson, along with a slew of other young players were the key cogs driving this machine.
2017 STEPHENS COUNTY LADY INDIANS
Coach: Katie Jo Gentry
Record: 25-10; 4A STATE RUNNER-UP
Accomplishments: Region 7-AAAA runner-up, #2-state ranking, and the second straight Elite 8 run in school history (back-to-back seasons). Clemson commit Emma Whitfield and freshman Jasmine Lowery led the team to the title game.
2010 WHITE COUNTY LADY WARRIORS
Coach: John Brown
Record: 30-6; 3A STATE CHAMPIONS
Accomplishments: Stephanie Satterfield smashed 16 homers (a then-state record) and the Lady Warriors went on an unforeseen tear once they got into the playoffs. The homerun power by Satterfield, Callie McDonald, Kristen Mullis and Morgan Jacobson was unreal! It all ended with a 12-11 slugfest win over Alatoona in the championship game, leaving White County as the #1-ranked team in Class 3A.
2010 UNION COUNTY LADY PANTHERS
Coach: Jessica Stewart
Record: 32-4-1; 2A STATE RUNNER-UP
Accomplishments: Playing in the same region as Buford doesn’t help. While they won the region title (going undefeated in the regular season in region play), they fell in the state championship to…you guessed it — Buford! The Lady Panthers suffered three of their four losses in 2010 to the Lady Wolves. This team was led by star pitcher Angie Hughes, who left as one of the state’s all-time top strikeout leaders.
VOLLEYBALL HALL OF FAME TEAMS
2022 TALLULAH FALLS LADY INDIANS
Coach: Matt Heyl
Record: 35-11
Accomplishments: 1A DI State Champions, Area 8-A DI Champions, #1 State Ranking
This team has been well documented in a BLITZ exclusive interview with coach Matt Heyl and stars Sarah Jennings, Addy McCoy, and Kitty Rodenas. SEE HERE. In short, the Lady Indians were playing their usual solid volleyball, boasting a nice record, a top-10 state ranking, and coming off a 6-match win streak. But the team explained that they weren’t having fun doing it. Once they decided to get back to having fun and enjoying their time together, coach Heyl told the team to go for 16 in a row. That would mean winning every game including the state championship. Well, Tallulah Falls went 15-1 (losing only to eventual 3A champs Morgan County), and shattered individual and team records along the way. TFS had never won an Area Championship or made it past the Sweet 16 hump, though getting there several times before and being Area RU a handful of years in a row. The team put up records of wins (35), win percentage (.761), sets won (84), wins over ranked opponents (8), and everything past the Sweet 16 was a new experience, including a #1 ranking to close it out. Heyl eclipsed 100 career wins early in the year, and Jennings set the all-time records in kills (1,000-plus) and digs (1,000-plus), as well as aces. She was named Area Player of the Year, and Rodenas set the single-season aces and assists records, while McCoy had a sensational season as well.
2022 WHITE COUNTY LADY WARRIORS
RECORD: 34-14
HEAD COACH: Yarixa Oakes
ACCOMPLISHMENTS: Region 7-AAA Champions, 3A State Final 4, #3 State Ranking
The Lady Warriors already had a solid program that jumpstarted in 2015. White County had only missed the playoffs twice from 2015-2022, and first-year coach Yarixa Oakes took a group that went 16-16 in 2020 and lost in the first round to their best season ever in 2022. The Lady Warriors won a program-best 34 matches while earning their first-ever region championship. A deep playoff run got White County into the Final 4 for the first time, and the girls closed with a #3 state ranking. One of the key players on the team was setter Linsey Burke, who was instrumental in guiding the team to new heights.
2020-2022 JEFFERSON LADY DRAGONS
RECORD: 80-29 [31-8, Region Champs, Final 4 in ’22 // 20-12, Region Champs, Quarterfinals in ’21 // 30-9, Region Champs, Final 4 in ’20]
HEAD COACH: Brittani Lawrence
ACCOMPLISHMENTS: 3x Region Champions, 2x Final Four (once in 4A, once in 5A), 1 Quarterfinals, #1 State Ranking
The Lady Dragons played with full hearts in 2020, and secured a second-straight 30-win season. After losing in the Sweet 16 in 2019 despite being heavy favorites and having 35 wins, the Lady Dragons were determined that 2020 go more according to plan. A #1 state ranking and playoff run (for an 11th straight season) was just the beginning, as the girls went all the way to the Semifinals. In 2021, it was a more meager 20-12 overall record, but still carried a #3 ranking, region title, and quarterfinal run, and led to a 31-8 2022 season in which the Lady Dragons were #2 in the state, again won the region crown, and got to the Final 4 after jumping up a whole classification. Several players were key to this 2022 run, including one of the best in the region, Kaytlin Johnson.
2020-2021 UNION COUNTY LADY PANTHERS
RECORD: 37-17
HEAD COACH: Anna Chapman
ACCOMPLISHMENTS: Back-to-Back Region Champions, Back-2-Back 2A State Final Four, #4 State Ranking
First-year head coach Anna Chapman took a young program and went for a ride in 2020. It was a rocky start actually that saw Union get off to an 0-4 start and 2-6 through the first 8. After that, Union won 17 of its last 20, including the region title and all the way to the Semifinals. In 2021, the team did essentially the exact same thing prior to the resignation of Chapman at the end of the season.
2019 RABUN COUNTY LADY WILDCATS
RECORD: 17-21
HEAD COACH: Reggie Rider
ACCOMPLISHMENTS: Area Champions, 2A State Final Four, #4 State Ranking
This is crazy, because this team wasn’t our pick for Team of the Year for Fall 2019 (that honor went to Habersham Central). The roles were reversed. These Lady Cats didn’t have the record a HOF team might, but they won the games that mattered most. Destiny Deetz was one of the leaders on this stout squad that has made deep playoff runs a thing of habit lately.
This “DYNASTY” includes making state in 6 out of 7 years from 2013 to 2019, including Elite 8 trips in 2016 and 2018, and the Final Four in 2019. The girls won 4 straight area titles from ’16-’19, and were ranked in the top 10 each season.
CROSS COUNTRY HALL OF FAME TEAMS
2020 DAWSON COUNTY TIGERS
Coach: Charles Beusse
Record: 3A STATE RUNNER-UP
Accomplishments: Region 7-AAA Champions for the fourth time in six seasons, #2-state ranking, and a second-place finish at the 3A State Meet. Led by Luke Hamby, Sam Hulsey, Wiley Dennis, and Ethan Smith.
2020-2021 JEFFERSON LADY DRAGONS
Coach: Timothy Lees
Accomplishments: Back-to-Back 4A State Runner-Up, Back-to-Back Region 8-AAAA Champions, #1 State Ranking
Led by Katherine Law and Caitlin Schroeder, the Lady Dragons were extremely dominant, finishing just shy of a state title, though Law won the individual honors as the 4A Champion in 2020. In 2021, Law led the team to another region title and state runner-up finish. She came in 5th, and teammate Kiley Powell was also an anchor for the Lady Dragons.
2018-2019 UNION COUNTY PANTHERS
Coach: Paige Dyer
Accomplishments: 2A State Champions (2018) & Runner-Up (2019), #1 State Ranking, Region Runner-Up (2018) & 3rd Place (2019)
The Panthers took Class 2A by storm in 2018. Despite a second-place finish in Region 8-AA, the boys saved their best for last, winning the 2A State Championship, becoming Union’s first-ever state title winning program.
From the onset of the 2019 season, it was a #1 state ranking for Union County’s boys that meant they were going to have a great year. They did just that. Despite an upset at the region meet, where they finished 3rd, the boys went to state and behind Luke Gambrell and Hunter Hartzog, came in second.
2019-20 COMMERCE BOYS / GIRLS (2019)
COACH: Mark Hale
ACCOMPLISHMENTS: GIRLS (2019): Area 3rd Place; 1A Public State Runner-Up; #2 State Ranking // BOYS (2019-20): Area Champions 2x; 1A Public State Champions 2x; #1 State Ranking
Commerce girls weren’t our Team of the Year (that went to Jefferson), but a Runner-Up finish at state fits the criteria for Hall of Fame Team induction. Paden Bell, a sensational freshman, nearly won a state title individually in 2019. The girls took 3rd at area and Runner-Up at state.
The Tigers also weren’t our Team of the Year (that went to Union), but you can’t deny this group that was led by State Champion Brandon Martin and Runner-Up Demarco Hernandez. A great season for the Area and State Champions! In 2020, the Tigers again won the title, and again it was Martin leading the way to an individual championship, while JJ Morris was right on his heels.
2017 DAWSON COUNTY TIGERS
Coach: Charles Beusse
Record: 3A STATE RUNNER-UP
Accomplishments: Region 7-AAA Champions for the third straight season, #2-state ranking, and a second-place finish at the 3A State Meet. Led by Cody Wood, Ben McGinnis & Christoper Shelp.
2016-2017 BANKS COUNTY LEOPARDS (BOYS) / 2017 GIRLS
Coach: William Foster
Record: BOYS – 2A STATE CHAMPIONS (2017) & RUNNER-UP (2016) | GIRLS – 2A STATE RUNNER-UP (2017)
Accomplishments: They deserve to go together! It was a dream finish for both programs, Leopards earning the state title and Lady Leopards a runner-up finish. Both of course won region as well. Allison Smith (6th) led the girls; Griffin Stephens (3rd) & Jimmy Cochran (4th) led the boys! The prior season (’16) the Leopards were Runner-Up, and the 2018 season saw Stephens (who eventually won an individual state title as a senior in 2019) and the Leopards finish 3rd.
2012-2017 WHITE COUNTY LADY WARRIORS
Coach: Sam Borg
Record: 4A STATE 3RD PLACE (3X), 4TH PLACE (1X), 5TH PLACE (1X) & 10TH (1X)
Accomplishments: Borg’s girls…unbelievable all these years! Starts with Jenna Gearing (five-time state champion & eight-time region champion). Carried on by girls like Kristen Mitchell, Rachel Gearing, Jaelen Alexander and many others! If not for being in Class 4A, they’d probably have won a state title or two.
2012-2016 TOWNS COUNTY LADY INDIANS
Coach: Jeannie Ledford
Record: 1A STATE CHAMPIONS [5 CONSECUTIVE]
Accomplishments: Area Champions three of the five years, but winning all five that mattered the most, ending with the #1-ranking in the state in 1A Public cross country. This group began with the Ansley Vardeman & Caitlin Sheffield-led years and finished with the Hannah Whitehead-led teams. A true dynasty!
COMPETITION CHEER HALL OF FAME TEAMS
2019-2021 JEFFERSON LADY DRAGONS
COACH: Christy Potts
ACCOMPLISHMENTS: 1 State Championship, 2x State Runner-Up, 3x Region Champions, #1 State Ranking
The Jefferson competition cheer team placed second at state in the 3A classification, and earned a region championship and #2 state ranking in the process in both 2019 and 2020. Head coach Christy Potts guided the girls to three straight region titles, and took the program to a new level with back-to-back state runner-up finishes, which bested 2018’s version, which finished 4th. Then came 2021’s team, that made their dreams come true with a state championship and yet another region title, which came with a #1 state ranking.
2018-2021 DAWSON COUNTY LADY TIGERS
Coach: Kim Fleming
Accomplishments: 3A State Champions, 3A State Runner-Up, 2x 3A State 3rd Place, 4x Region Champions, #1 State Ranking
The Lady Tigers earned the 3A State Runner-Up finish and a Region/Area Title to boot! Incredible season by the girls, and Nicole Mulkey, who was named All-State. This program won 5 region titles (’14, ’15, ’16, ’18, ’19, ’20, ’21), placing sixth or better at state each time. In 2018 it got real, as the team was runner-up, followed by back-to-back years at 3rd in 2019 and 2020. Then Kim Fleming’s team finally did what they always knew they could, and won the 2021 state championship.
2012-2021 COMMERCE LADY TIGERS
Coach: Dianne Cottrell
Accomplishments: 1A STATE CHAMPIONS [3 PEAT ’13-15]; 1A RUNNER-UP [’12, ’18, ’19, ’21]; 1A 3RD [’17], 1A 4th [’20]; 1A 5th [’16]
One of the top programs in Georgia – State titles in Class 1A from 2013-15, runner-up finishes in ’12, ’18, ’19, and ’21, and three other top-fives in ’16-17 and ’20.
BASKETBALL HALL OF FAME TEAMS
2020-23 LUMPKIN COUNTY LADY INDIANS
Coach: David Dowse
Record: 26-5 [STATE RUNNER-UP] in ’22-’23; 30-1 [STATE CHAMPS] in ’21-’22; 25-5 [STATE FINAL 4] in ’20-’21
Accomplishments: 3A State Champions; 3A State Runner-Up; 3x 3A Final Four, 3x Region 7-AAA Champions, #1 State Ranking all 3 years
One of the state’s top offenses, this tight group of talented players came together with a common goal to “Hang A Banner” for the first time in 30 years (the last time the Lady Indians had a region championship). With a #1 state ranking most of the season, the girls didn’t disappoint. They rolled to a 25-win season, winning the regular season and tournament championship, and went all the way to the Final Four, where a buzzer-beater kept them from the state title game. Isabel Davenport won her second straight BLITZ POY honors, and Averie Jones, Makenzie Caldwell, Lexi Pierce, and Mary Mullinax were ridiculously good! An encore in 2021-22 had the motto “Play 32” (32 minutes in a game, max of 32 games in a season). Though the team only played 31 games, it accomplished EVERYTHING it set out to do. It didn’t come without drama, as head coach David Dowse resigned two games into the season and the team went 1-1 without him before he returned. They never lost again, winning an insane Class 3A bracket and defeating GAC in the title game. A region title and #1 state ranking from start to finish came with it, and BLITZ Player of the Year Mary Mullinax teamed up with Lexi Pierce, Averie Jones, and Kate Jackson to form a quartet unmatched in the state. With the entire group rolling it back in 2022-23, the Lady Indians used “SAQUU” as their motto, which means ‘one’ in Cherokee. The Fab 5 of Mullinax, Pierce, Jones, Jackson, and Ciera Brooks rode all the way to the state title game once again, but fell to powerhouse and undefeated Hebron Christian. The girls were 26-5, won the regular season region title, and were ranked #1 for quite awhile. Mullinax, Pierce, and Jones all eclipsed 1,000 career points, and Jackson was 50 shy despite missing her entire sophomore season. The era ended with Dowse retiring at the conclusion of the season, and Mullinax (back-to-back BLITZ POY), Pierce, and Jackson all going off to college. Jones and Brooks returned to lead the team into a new era.
2022-23 BANKS COUNTY LADY LEOPARDS
Coach: Steve Shedd
Record: 28-4
Accomplishments: 2A State Runner-Up, Region 8-AA Champions, #1 State Ranking
The Lady Leopards made history by making just their second-ever Final 4 run and first-ever State Championship game appearance. Banks County earned a #1 state ranking and really took off after a big win over #2-ranked Rabun County early in the season. It was part of a 21-game win streak, as Steve Shedd and his Lady Leopards powered on to an undefeated region slate, winning the regular season and tournament Region 8-AA Championship, and then marched through North Murray, North Cobb Christian (Sweet 16), Central Macon (Elite 8), and Josey (Final 4) into the title game against a 32-1 Mt. Paran juggernaut. The Lady Leopards featured the Region Player of the Year in seniors Kamryn Grier (14.0 PTS, 10.0 REB, 2.0 STL, 2.0 BLK) and Madison Adams, juniors Addison Hoard (11.0 PTS, 4.0 AST, 4.0 REB, 4.0 STL) and Carley Segars (8.5 PTS, 7.5 REB), and sophomores Rylee and Reese Murphy. The future is bright with so many players coming back next season.
2021-22 RABUN COUNTY LADY WILDCATS
Coach: DeeDee Dillard
Record: 24-6
Accomplishments: 2A State Runner-Up, Region 8-AA Champions, #1 State Ranking
The Lady Wildcats ran through the regular season with ease for the most part, and showed great bounce-back ability in the few games they did drop. Rabun County was either ranked #1 or only as low as #3 in the state polls throughout, and took down eventual State Champions Elbert County twice (one for the region title) before losing to them in the title game. Rabun County was 5-1 in region play, losing just once to Elbert in the regular season. The offense averaged 61 points per game, and DeeDee Dillard recorded her second-ever state championship game appearance. A talented senior class that included Gracie Deetz, Carley Haban, Sophie Woodard, Sara Kate Roberson, and others were just phenomenal. Those players who will return next season include Lucy Hood, Ellie Southards, and Mary Lovell who will all be relied heavily upon.
2020-21 TOWNS COUNTY INDIANS
Coach: Rob Benson
Record: 25-3 [STATE CHAMPIONS!]
Accomplishments: 1A State Champions!, Region 8-A Champions, #1 State Ranking
The #1-ranked team for most of the season did not fold under the pressure. It was a team that already had Elite 8 or Final Four written all over it with Kolby Moss, Collin Crowder, Aidan Berrong, and Kyle Oakes. Add in NC transfer Jake McTaggart and Hayden McClure, and it pushed the team over the top. The Indians lost only 3 times, and had no problem in the region (11-1), taking the regular season and tournament championships, then going all the way and knocking off defending state champs Hancock Central in the title game in Macon! Moss was named BLITZ Player of the Year.
2020-22 COMMERCE LADY TIGERS
Coach: Brad Puckett
Record: 14-15 [STATE FINAL 4] in ’21-’22; 19-11 [STATE FINAL 4] in ’20-’21
Accomplishments: 2x 1A State Final Four, 2x Region 8-A Runner-Up, 2x #4 State Ranking
This Lady Tigers team got hot at the perfect time, and were led by Bryanna Sanders, Carson Hobbs and others in ’20-’21. The girls finished as Region Runner-Up and rolled through the playoffs to the Final Four for the first time since 1989. It was an incredible run for a very talented group. The following season was even more surprising, as the team went only 14-15 overall, though another Final Four run, another Region RU finish, and another #4 state ranking came anyway. Lauren Massey and Carson Hobbs were unreal, leading a fairly young team once again got to the Final Four.
2019-20 JEFFERSON DRAGONS
Coach: Kevin Morris
Record: 22-8 [STATE RUNNER-UP]
Accomplishments: State Runner-Up, Region Champions, #2 State Ranking
The Dragons got hot at the absolute perfect time, and made an historic run to their first-ever State Championship game appearance in Macon. They won 13 straight to get there. Heading into the final minutes of the title game, Jefferson even held a lead. The Dragons lost the season-opener to powerhouse Banks County, and dropped 5 of their first 9 games of the year. On December 10 after losing to Franklin County by 8, Jefferson was a modest 4-5 and 0-2 in region play. Hardly impressive. Something changed, as Jefferson went 18-2 the rest of the way. Key players of this team included Jacob Radaker (reached 1K pts), Owen Parker, Daniel Parker, Spencer Darby, Malaki Starks, and others.
2018-19 DAWSON COUNTY TIGERS
Coach: Chad Pittman
Record: 27-5 [FINAL 4]
Accomplishments: The Tigers brought in a flux of talent from elsewhere prior to the season. Nearby Dawson Christian Academy shut its doors, so highly-touted senior Luke Chism, and players like Eli Burruss and Ahmad Kamara joined him. Also, Jefferson’s best player, Jasper Gibson, came over with his dad to Dawson. The group, which included returnees Campbell Reed and Trey Pruitt among others, gelled quickly. The Tigers were ranked as high as #2 in the state, and won 11 straight through the region and state tournament until a Final Four loss. Dawson beat #1-ranked GAC, who were the defending state champions, to claim the Region 7-AAA title, and rolled into the first Final Four in team history. Luke Chism was also named Co-Region and Co-BLITZ Player of the Year.
2015-2019 RABUN COUNTY LADY WILDCATS
Coach: DeeDee Dillard
Record: 106-16
28-2 in ’18-19 [QTR]; 24-7 in ’17-18 [QTR]; 29-3 in ’16-17 [STATE RUNNER-UP]; 25-4 in ’15-16 [QTR]
Accomplishments: The Lady Cats were at multiple times ranked #1 in the state, as recent as the ’19-20 season. This dynasty includes some 261 wins SO FAR, and Region Titles in 3 of those seasons (’15-16; ’16-17; ’18-19) and quarterfinal or deeper runs each time. That includes the historic 2016-17 State Championship game team. The girls pulled of 26 straight wins in ’18-19 until losing in the Quarterfinals. The roster was loaded with talent, which consisted of all-state guard Georgia Stockton, Brooke Henricks, Savanna Scott, and Laken Stiles, all 1,000-point scorers.
This dynasty (4 straight 20-win seasons) could easily go back to 2006-07. Since that time, the Lady Cats under Dillard have won 297 games prior to the ’19-20 season, and were ranked in the top 10 in all but two of those seasons. That run has netted 8 Region Championships, 2 Sweet 16s, 6 Elite 8s, and the Championship Game as part of 12 playoff runs and 8 20-win campaigns.
2012-2019 DAWSON COUNTY LADY TIGERS
Coach: Steve Sweat
Record: 149-62
22-9 in ’18-19 [QTR]; 15-13 in ’17-18 [RND 1]; 12-18 in ’16-17 [QTR]; 24-5 in ’15-16 [S16]; 29-1 in ’14-15 [QTR]; 20-10 in ’13-14 [S16]; 27-6 in ’12-13 [STATE RUNNER-UP]
Accomplishments: Where do you start? Legendary coach Steve Sweat has turned Dawson into an elite program really starting in the ’12-13 season in which the girls went to the State Championship game behind leader Carly Gilreath, Ashley Parker, Sheyenne Seabolt, Karlie Bearden, and others. Fast forward a couple of seasons, and it was Bearden, Parker, and Seabolt that led the Lady Tigers to a 25-0 regular season and 29-game win streak, complete with a Region Title and #1-ranking prior to a loss in the Quarterfinals. The team still made the Sweet 16 the next season, and made the Quarterfinals twice more (’16-17, ’18-19) with perhaps to best player in program history in Kaylee Sticker. We’re talking 5 20-win seasons in this dynasty that still lives on…
2010-2014 TOWNS COUNTY LADY INDIANS
Coach: Jim Melton
Record: 95-24
19-10 in ’13-14 [QTR]; 26-5 in ’12-13 [FINAL 4]; 23-7 in ’11-12 [S16]; 27-2 in ’10-11 [S16]
Accomplishments: Stephanie Patton (2K point scorer) and Eryn Cochran (1K pts) were dominating opponents in this magical run. We can’t also forget Jordan Moss and 3-point sniper Gabby Arencibia. This dynasty run included 4 straight Sweet 16 or further runs, and Region Championships in each season. The region record was stellar (49-3) over that span, and consisted of 3 20-win seasons and a #1-state ranking.
WRESTLING HALL OF FAME TEAMS
2018-23 JEFFERSON DRAGONS
Coach: Doug Thurmond (’18-19); Kyle Baird (’19-Present)
Record: 3A & 4A STATE CHAMPIONS, DUALS [’18-’19; ’20-’21; ’22-’23 & RUNNER-UP ’21-’22] & TRADITIONAL [’20-’21; ’22-’23 & RUNNER-UP ’21-’22]
Accomplishments: The Dragons made it 18 consecutive state titles when they won the Duals 3A Tournament in January 2019. It was a narrow win over North Hall to give them the top spot. In Duals, Jefferson wasn’t able to win it all, but still placed third in a stacked class. The team had three champions (Ryan Hurd [BLITZ Wrestler of the Year], Mason Mingus, Gavin London) and three finish as individual runner-up. The Dragons won both Duals and Traditionals again in 2020-21 to keep the Dynasty alive! Though they were runner-up in Duals and Traditionals once again in 2021-22, with Sammy Brown, Davis Dendy, Davis Dollar, Creed Thomas, and Luke Cochran all earning individual gold. Though Doug Thurmond retired after the 2018-19 season, the program has continued to do big things under Kyle Baird. He led the Dragons to state titles (both in Duals and Traditional) in 2022-23, as Jefferson had 7 individual champions in Brown, Dollar, Thomas, Cochran, and freshmen Roman Belardo and Dallas Russell and senior Chaz McDonald.
2013-2021 COMMERCE TIGERS
Coach: Kendall Love
Record: 1A STATE CHAMPIONS, DUALS [6 YRS STRAIGHT, 1 RUNNER-UP] & TRADITIONAL [7 YEARS STRAIGHT]
Accomplishments: Perhaps the greatest dynasty of all that we cover is Commerce wrestling since the 2012-13 season and running until now. We’re looking at 13 team state championships, winning Duals 6 consecutive times from 2012-13 until the 2018-19 season. They were runner-up in that tournament in 2019-20 and 2020-21. The Tigers had won Traditional each year for 7 straight years before coming in 3rd in 2020-21. They also have had a pair of four-time individual state champions in Chance McClure and Dalton Flint.
2013-2014 BANKS COUNTY LEOPARDS
Coach: Kasey Hanley
Accomplishments: STATE CHAMPIONS (DUALS) & RUNNER UP (TRADITIONAL)
The Leopards put together an historic season, winning the State Title in Duals and finishing as Runner-Up in Traditionals. This included an area championship in both events. It stands as the apex of this program.
BASEBALL HALL OF FAME TEAMS
2022 COMMERCE TIGERS
Coach: Steve Cotrell
Record: 26-14
Accomplishments: 1A Final Four, Region 8-A Champions, #4 State Ranking
The Tigers went 26-14 overall, won a second consecutive region championship, and marched all the way to the state semifinals before falling to Metter in the Final Four. That resulted in a #4-state ranking. Coach Steve Cotrell continued to cement his legacy with this run, and he had a talented offense behind a trio of All-State players: BLITZ Player of the Year Hampton Hutto, Coleson Smith, Cayden Lord, and Ryan Cooper – all underclassmen. Others like Coy Argo, Landon Bunn, Brayton Purcell, and Jaxon Foster were all key cogs in this machine. After starting the season 1-4, although early, some doubted the prowess of this team. The Tigers won 11 of the next 12, including reeling off a 9-game win streak. After ripping through the region to a title there, Commerce defeated Armuchee in the first round of state, Irwin County in a 3-game thriller in the Sweet 16, Emmanuel County Institute in the Elite 8 (also a 3-game series), and fell to Metter in two games to close out the season.
2015 RABUN COUNTY WILDCATS
Coach: Daniel Young
Record: 21-7; 2A STATE SEMIFINALS
Accomplishments: Region 8-AA title, #3-state ranking, 2A Semifinals run with a great senior class! This team was loaded with talent: Colin Grant, Stetson Scott, Alden Wright, Trey Wilcox, Eli Gipson, Jacob Sego and others!
SOCCER HALL OF FAME TEAMS
2022-23 COMMERCE LADY TIGERS
Coach: Scott Tolbert
Record: 21-2 in 2022; 19-2 in 2023
Accomplishments: 1A State Runner-Up (2022); 1A DI State Final 4 (2023), Region 8-A Runner-Up (2022); Region 8-A DI Champions (2023), #1 State Ranking (2022-23)
2022: The Lady Tigers shook off a disappointing 2021 finish in the Sweet 16, and proved how insanely good they were. From wire-to-wire, Commerce was ranked either #1 or #2 in the state, and lost only twice all year – both times to region rivals Social Circle. That included falling to them in the state championship game, in overtime. Commerce outscored opposition 171-19…read that again! After splitting with Social Circle in the regular season, the Lady Tigers were region runner-up. The team had started out 10-0 before the first loss, and went 14-1 in region play. Scott Tolbert’s team dominated once they got into the playoffs. Trion was the first victim, an 8-1 win. Then came a 14-0 Sweet 16 win over Montgomery County. The first road test was an Elite 8 game at Claxton, and that resulted in a 10-0 win. In the state semis (Elite 8), the Lady Tigers bested region foes Towns County 5-1, and held the lead at the half of the state championship over Social Circle before the game went into OT. Ivy Tolbert blasted home 104 goals and added 42 assists, as she was named BLITZ Player of the Year. Teammate Chloe Diaz joined her as career 100-goal scorers, and Kate Hill had 35 goals and 49 assists for a team that was loaded with talent.
2023: Fresh off a State Runner-Up finish, the Lady Tigers were ranked #1 in the state nearly wire-to-wire. National Player of the Year Top-50 Watch List and Ivy League commit Ivy Tolbert (Cornell) had a sensational season once again. The junior midfielder posted 87 goals and 50 assists, and senior midfielder teammates Chloe Diaz (47 G, 41 A) and Kate Hill (32 G, 31 A), as well as sophomore center back Sara English guided Commerce to the Final 4. The team outscored opponents 172-25 throughout the season, went 10-0 at home, and 19-2 overall while taking the Region 8-A DI title with ease. A 19-match win streak was alive until the 3-2 Final 4 loss to Mt. Vernon. Prior to that came an 11-1 win over Pepperell in the first round, 3-2 win over Atlanta International in the Sweet 16, and a 10-0 blanking of Bleckley County in the Elite 8.
2021-23 TOWNS COUNTY LADY INDIANS
COACH: Clay Livingston
RECORD: 8-7 in 2021; 14-5-1 in 2022; 8-6-1 in 2023
ACCOMPLISHMENTS: #4 State Ranking in ’21; #3 in ’22, 32 in ’23; Class 1A Final Four in 2021 & 2022; State Runner-Up in 2023
2021: The Lady Indians earn the distinction after advancing all the way to the Final Four in 2021. They got hot at the perfect time, and players like Jayden Taylor were instrumental in getting this team to uncharted territory. Though the 8 wins weren’t too flashy, there’s no denying that the girls were one of the best in the state.
2022: The Lady Indians made it back-to-back to the Final Four, falling eventually to region foes Commerce in the semifinal round. It was a stellar output for the team throughout 2022, which went 14-5-1 overall, and outscored their opponents 75-38. Players like Rylie Livingston (defensive leader, seven shutouts) helped the team hold a 1.75 goals against average. Sarah Shook finished with 14 goals and eight assists, Bazya Smith had six goals and 16 assists, and Miranda Spain had eight goals and 14 assists. The Lady Indians were unbeaten the first eight matches, and were on the road for the entire playoffs. Towns took down Armuchee in the first round of state. That was followed by another road win, 5-0, over Treutlen in the Sweet 16. In the Elite 8, the girls won 1-0 over Academy for Classical Education (ACE), advancing to the semifinals. A 5-1 loss to Commerce ended the historic run.
2023: Towns County’s record doesn’t show how good this team was. Everyone knew the slow start was due to Towns County’s girls basketball team making a deep playoff run into the Elite 8. It was only a matter of time before the Lady Indians got their core players such as Sarah Shook and Laura Mauldin back into the fold. So a team that started out 1-5-1 with losses to Hart, Rabun, Banks, Aquinas, and Lake Oconee Academy, and earned a draw against Franklin suddenly turned on a dime. Towns got the whole group together and won 7 straight games until the season-ending playoff loss in the State Championship to Aquinas. Seniors center mid Shook (11 G, 11 A), defender Alana Stowers (3 G, 4 A), and forward Jayden Taylor (21 G, 6 A) led along with Mauldin between the posts. Towns County earned a first round bye before an 8-3 win in the Sweet 16 over Portal. That was followed by a 2-0 Elite 8 win over Hawkinsville and a win in PKs over Lake Oconee Academy in the Final 4. A first-ever State Championship match came next and was a tough loss to Aquinas. It was a remarkable season for a veteran team that put up 3 straight Final 4 runs.
2023 UNION COUNTY PANTHERS
Coach: Tim Hunter
Record: 12-4
Accomplishments: 2A State Final 4, Region 8-AA Runner-Up, #3 State Ranking
Union County went 12-4 overall and rode all the way to the Final 4. The Panthers did it with an incredible defense first and foremost, as the team only scored 47 goals all season. However, Union allowed just 25 scores, and had a 7-match win streak early in the season. After falling to third in the region, the Panthers went on a tear in the playoffs, earning 3 straight 1-0 wins over North Murray (first round), Walker (Sweet 16), and Putnam (Elite 8). Game-winning goals, in order, came from Benton Gregory, Zuriel Mancillas, and Evan Bohms. The loss to Tattnall County in the Final 4 saw Union take an early lead before giving up 3 straight in the second half. Standouts included SR keeper Trent Baker (3 GA, 0.51 GAA, 6 Shutouts), JR CM Bohms (9 G, 7 A), JR CM Mancillas (5 G, 9 A), SR D Isaiah Ortiz (1 G, 2 A, 6 Shutouts), and SR F Wilson Walker (17 G, 4 A).
2022 JEFFERSON LADY DRAGONS
Coach: Molly McCarty
Record: 14-4-1
Accomplishments: 4A State Runner-Up, Region 8-AAAA Runner-Up, #2 State Ranking
The Lady Dragons under coach Molly McCarty had a goal to win ‘from the start’ as their motto indicated. The team went 14-4-1 overall, and were 5-1 in region play to earn a runner-up finish in a tough region. A tough non-region slate helped prepare Jefferson for a deep playoff run, and the girls used such talent as Abbey Eison, Ella Parker, and Carter Drake on the way to a state title game appearance. The #2-ranked Lady Dragons outpaced opponents 108-15, and Eison (33 goals) and Parker (21 goals) led the offense. The defense was phenomenal, and Jefferson reeled off eight straight wins early in the season. In the postseason, the Lady Dragons went through Hapeville Charter 11-0 in the first round, Columbus 2-1 on the road in the Sweet 16, Luella 10-0 on the road in the Elite 8, and Northwest Whitfield 5-0 again on the road in the Final 4. Marist defeated Jefferson 1-0 in overtime in the title game.
2021 TOWNS COUNTY INDIANS
COACH: Rollie Thomas
RECORD: 11-3
ACCOMPLISHMENTS: Region 8-A Championship, #2 State Ranking, Class 1A Final Four
The team was incredibly talented, and it all started with Peyton Barrett and Jensen Brown, who were undisputed leaders and the best players in the region. The season ended in a loss to the eventual state champs in the semifinals at home in Hiawassee, and came with a #2 state ranking. For the Indians, it was only the second-ever playoff run, and far and away the greatest season in school history. This was a close call, as we could easily seeing going with Jefferson as well.
2019 UNION COUNTY PANTHERS
Coach: Leland Sarrell
Record: 13-5
Accomplishments: Region 4th, 2A State Runner-Up, #2 State Ranking
The Panthers didn’t have the greatest regular season, especially within region play (5-2), but did just enough to earn the final spot in Region 8-AA to get into the playoffs. Once the boys got there, senior Brian Smith (22 G, 5 A) and fellow star Kobi Robbins took over in what became a legendary cinderella run.
Union County (13-5) used dramatic finishes to get past #5-ranked Lamar County (2-1) and #8 Gordon Central (3-2), both on the road. Then came a rare 4-versus-4 matchup with Jefferson Davis, which saw Smith go for the hat trick in a 4-0 win to punch a semifinals ticket for the first time ever. The 3-0 win over #6 Vidalia (also on the road), advanced the Panthers to the title game. What makes all this so much more special is the fact that the Panthers missed state last year altogether with a 5-8-1 overall record, including going 0-6 in region play. It proved to be one of the best one-year turnarounds we’ve seen.
Union fell 2-1 in the state championship after Smith had scored an early goal in the first half to put the boys up 1-0. Thomasville struck back with a late first half goal. It remained tied at 1, even after an overtime period. That forced PKs, where Thomasville won 4-2.
2019 & 2021 JEFFERSON DRAGONS
Coach: Casey Colquitt
Record: 35-11-4; 11-6-2 (2021); 7-2-2 (2020; COVID-shortened); 17-3 (2019)
Accomplishments: Region Champions (2019), Region RU (2021), 3A State Semifinals (2x), #3 State Ranking
It was a solid two-plus year stretch for Jefferson, who advanced to the semifinals twice (2019, 2021). Casey Colquitt’s group grabbed 35 wins and earned a Region Title (2019) and Runner-Up finish (2021). The #4-ranked Dragons advanced all the way to the semifinals of the 3A bracket in ’19 before falling to top-ranked Westminster. Jefferson’s Javy Flores and Roberto Quintal (16 G, 4 A) were unbelievable, and between the pipes Flores had 13 shutouts in 2019. Jefferson, the 8-AAA Region Champions in 2019, went 17-3, rolled through the first three rounds of state without allowing a goal, and made the first Final 4 in school history. In 2021, the team made a second straight Final Four run (excluding Covid-shortened 2020), earning a region runner-up finish along the way. Players like Sean Childs and Adam Hayes (star GK), and Kupa Katompa paved the way.
2019 JEFFERSON LADY DRAGONS
Coach: Molly McCarty
Record: 14-5-1
Accomplishments: Region Runner-Up, 3A State Semifinals, #4 State Ranking
These Lady Dragons (14-5-1) were ranked #4 in the state and rode to a region runner-up finish. Following that, a sweep through the playoffs to the semifinals occured. This included wins over top-five teams Dawson County (#2) and Pike County (#3). Coach Molly McCarty’s group featured some talented players like Abbey Eison (21 G, 6 A), Margo Perry (13 Shutouts, 0.6 GAA), and many others.
2015 LUMPKIN COUNTY LADY INDIANS
Coach: Don Brock
Record: 17-1-1; 3A STATE FINAL FOUR
Accomplishments: A perfect regular season, capped by a shocking Region 7-AAA title. The Lady Indians’ lone blemish came in the State Semifinals to Blessed Trinity. Alexis Satterfield scored 32 goals on the season to lead the girls to unprecedented heights!
GOLF HALL OF FAME TEAMS
2017-23 WHITE COUNTY LADY WARRIORS
Coach: Darren Sledge (2017-2022); Esta Johnson (2023)
Accomplishments: CHAMPS in 2021; Runner-Up in 2023; 3RD in 2019; 3RD in 2018; 5th in 2017; 6th in 2022 2x Area Championships (2021, 2023)
The Lady Warriors have a pair of state championship individual golfers in sisters Caroline and Catie Craig. The latter, won the title with big sister, junior Caroline, finishing sixth overall in ’18. In ’19, Catie finished as runner-up by a single stroke. Caroline, a UGA commit, won the title as a sophomore in ’17, and is ranked the #7 golfer in the state, with Catie at #20. The team finished third, missing second place by a single stroke in both 2018 and 2019. The 2017 group is also included here, as the “dynasty” the girls have built continues to flourish, improving from fourth that year to third in 2018. With both Craig girls, Erin Dorsey (T-10 in ’18), and Grace Jones, this program is now in the Hall of Fame for 2017-19 success. Others who were 2017 graduates Karson Kimsey and her sister before her, Candler Kimsey (2014), as well as Brittan Slaton (2014) and Hannah Wall (2015) who built this program into what it became.
The Lady Warriors were probably favored from the opening swing to claim the state championship in 2021. Incredibly gifted golfers Catie Craig (state runner-up) and Erin Dorsey & Rylee Adams (both top-10) paved the way to huge success for White County, as the girls grabbed their long-awaited state championship! It came in dominant fashion, winning by 30 strokes.
In 2023, new coach Esta Johnson guided the Lady Warriors to a State Runner-Up finish and Area Championship as well, as the team featured such talents as Cameron Kimsey, BilliKayl Allison, Layne Graham, Aubrey Free, and Maddie Kate Hall.
2021 TALLULAH FALLS LADY INDIANS
COACH: Allen Campbell
ACCOMPLISHMENTS: 1A State Runner-Up!, Area Champions!, #2 State Ranking
The Lady Indians grab a share of the honors after a truly dominating season in which Maggie Jackson (state 4th) and Brinson Hall (top-10) proved to be an electric 1-2 punch. Both are going Division-I, and even took one head-to-head win over White County, as the schools faced each other a few times throughout the season. Tallulah finished as state runner-up (school record) and earned the area title as well. Hannah Lundy, the team’s third member, improved dramatically throughout the course of the season.
2021 & 2019 COMMERCE LADY TIGERS
Coach: Warren Standridge
The Lady Tigers, just like White County, finished one stroke off a runner-up finish in Class 1A public in 2019. The girls were led all season by veteran McKenzie McRee (11th-place), and sophomore star Cameron Ford, who finished 3rd as an individual and Kristin Tash (5th). Ford completed her high school career in style with a state runner-up finish as a team and 4th as an individual in 2021. She and Tash (Area Champion & 8th at state) played unbelievably well.
2015 TOWNS COUNTY LADY INDIANS
Coach: Keller
Record: 1A STATE CHAMPIONS
Accomplishments: An area title and 1A Public State Championship led by Kenzie Jenkins and Danielle Diehl.
2014 COMMERCE LADY TIGERS
Coach: Josh Shoemaker
Record: 1A STATE CHAMPIONS
Accomplishments: Area champions became 1A Public State Champions, leading to a #1-ranking in the state. Akyn Trudnak (IND state champion) and Hannah McRee led the girls to new heights!
TENNIS HALL OF FAME TEAMS
2023 LUMPKIN COUNTY INDIANS
Coach: Paul Hoch
Record: 17-5
Accomplishments: 3A State Final 4, Region 7-AAA Runner-Up, Top-10 State Ranking
Despite being denied a Region Championship in a tough Region 7-AAA, the Indians shrugged off a Runner-Up finish to get all the way to the Final 4, and take a tough 3-2 loss to Savannah City Day to close out with a fantastic season. Lumpkin went 17-5 overall and 5-1 in region play, and just rolled through the playoff bracket with wins over Franklin County (Rnd 1), Bremen (Sweet 16), and Morgan County (Elite 8). The strength of the team was in the doubles lines, where Will Bicknell and Jack Lowry teamed up to go 9-2 overall and 4-0 in the state tourney at 1-doubles. The senior duo was followed by the 2-doubles team of brothers Will (JR) and Jack McKinney (SO), who were 11-1 overall and 4-0 in the tournament. Sophomore Bricen Popko at 3-singles was solid at 13-4 overall, and went 3-1 in the state playoffs as well.
2022 COMMERCE LADY TIGERS
Coach: Charlie Smith
Record: 15-5
Accomplishments: 1A Public Final 4, Region 8-A Runner-Up, #3 State Ranking
Commerce girls tennis had a spectacular run, as #1 singles player Kamden Cotton was brilliant, along with BLITZ Player of the Year Carson Hobbs, who went 19-0 overall. The Lady Tigers were region runner-up in 8-A, and in the playoffs blasted their way to a Final Four appearance and #3 state ranking.
2022 RABUN COUNTY LADY WILDCATS
Coach: Bryan Getty
Record: 6-1 (known record)
Accomplishments: 2A State Final 4, Region 8-AA Champions, #4 State Ranking
Rabun County’s girls tennis team had a historic season, complete with a Final Four run under coach Bryan Getty. The team earned a region championship, and were ranked #4 in the state on the way to the semifinals before falling to Lovett in that Final Four match.
2022 JEFFERSON DRAGONS
Coach: Dawson Bryan
Record: 15-10
Accomplishments: 4A State Final 4, #4 State Ranking
Talk about a team that welcomed the opportunity to play on the road! The Jefferson Dragons under coach Dawson Bryan went 15-10, which is definitely respectable. However, when the stage got bigger, the team played better. Jefferson opened the state tournament with a 4-1 road win at Druid Hills, then took down West Laurens on the road in a slim 3-2 outcome. In the quarterfinals, the Dragons won 3-0 at NW Whitfield before falling at Columbus in the Final 4. Aaron Eason at #1 singles went 14-9, and Luke Forrester and Nick Yath combined to go 7-2. Roman Smith and Grant Morrow were 10-4 together, and the team played so well down the stretch.
2021 STEPHENS COUNTY LADY INDIANS
COACH: Debby Williams
RECORD: 17-4
ACCOMPLISHMENTS: Region 8-AAA Runner-Up, #3 State Ranking, 3A State Final Four
This program hit new heights with a Final Four run in which the Lady Indians fell to GAC. Overall, it was a 17-4 season, and 5-1 within region play. The deep playoff run is one that won’t quickly be forgotten, especially with the dominance of leader Madison Rogers.
TRACK & FIELD HALL OF FAME TEAMS
2021-22 JEFFERSON LADY DRAGONS
COACH: Brandon Vinson/Timothy Lees
ACCOMPLISHMENTS: 4A State Runner-Up, Region 8-AAAA Champions, #2 State Ranking in both ’21 & ’22
In 2021, the Lady Dragons capped off an incredible season with a Runner-Up finish at state behind the performances of Katherine Law, Jada Pittman, and Abbey Howard to name a few. The region championship was followed up with a state runner-up finish and #2 state ranking. In 2022, the team was loaded with talent. It truly starts and ends with the dynamic duo of seniors Jada Pittman (BLITZ Athlete of the Year) and Katherine Law (BLITZ XC Runner of the Year). The Lady Dragons secured 10 region titles (individuals + relay teams), cruising to the team championship. Pittman, who secured an individual state title at the 4A Championships, led Jefferson to a state runner-up finish to Marist. The Lady Dragons had eight events at state in which they placed in the top five.
2021 & 2019 COMMERCE TIGERS
Coach: Chas Hardy & Kendall Love
The Tigers won the area championship and didn’t disappoint at state, with 15 individual events producing 8 Top-5 finishes and a pair of state titles (Tucker Flint & Shannon Segars). Dajuan Wood also placed in the top 5 in four events. The final result was another state title for Commerce, it’s third since 2013 (’13, ’16, ’19). Then, after missing 2020 due to COVID, the Tigers were back at it in 2021. The Tigers were just head and shoulders above the rest in 1A Public. Brandon Martin is a LARGE reason for all the success, but he had plenty of help with guys like Sammy Brown, Lambdin Hardy, Mason Gaddis, JJ Morris and many others having incredible performances at state. The state championship was the 4th for the program since 2013 (’13, ’16, ’19, ’21), and the boys have won 6 region championships in that timeframe as well.
2019 JEFFERSON DRAGONS
Coach: Brady Sigler
The Dragons won the Region 8-AAA title for starters, with five individuals taking the top spot in their events. That was just the tip of the iceberg, as the boys appeared in 14 events at the 3A State Championships, taking the state title as five individuals (including Eli Morris, who won two titles) won state titles on their own.
2018 RABUN COUNTY WILDCATS
The Wildcats finished with a decent third-place finish overall at their Region 8-AA meet, but found another level when the State Championships came around. Granted, junior Guy Gober (BLITZ Track & Field Athlete of the Year) was a large part of that success with a pair of state titles (1600 & 3200), but others contributed mightily in the efforts that led to the Wildcats being the State Runner-Up in 2018. Think about that…the third best team in their region was suddenly the second-best in the state (to region foes Elbert County). Grayson Mitchem (pole vault), Jacob Barry (400), Justin Wilkes (800) and 4×400 relay, which included Gober, all notched top-five finishes in a record weekend!
2016 & 2013 COMMERCE TIGERS
Coach: Chas Hardy & Ron Minish (’16) & Pam Canup & Kendall Love (’13)
Record: 1A STATE CHAMPIONS
Accomplishments: Area Champions, #1-state ranking and most importantly, a 1A Public State Title. We lump these two together as the freshman class of 2013 started and ended their career with state title in Class 1A!
BLITZ 