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•"if hi 'r~ r r •■ > HOUSTON HOME JOURNAL 'V \ /f^lK u" 1 f'/^wJviik ' tffc. • iMifi~**HPl •&Jr »>-4* ••. v% 1 \ j 'HiK - 'iSSSf* 1 * L % J|f*» it ' ...- if? %» ' HiW(Pk %§? ENI/Gary Harmon Warner Robins players battle near the basket during practice at the school Wednesday. Demons 'young'; for girls focus is on key returners By MATTHEW BROWN Journal Sports Writer Several spectators at Warner Robins High School girls basketball games last season probably wanted to see what was going to happen inside the post. After all, the Demonettes had 6-3 Kittery Maine and her fellow Division I signee Cherie White there to create huge mismatches in shooting and rebounding. Wits' Graham Inks letter to Vlrilnia Tech By MATTHEW BROWN Journal Sports Writer By no means is Kristen Graham selling herself short when it comes to goals in col lege softball. She wants to go to the Women’s College World Series and she wants to be an All-American pitcher. For now, Graham is ready to be a Division I student-athlete for Virginia Tech. She will be the first Warner Robins High fast-pitch player to reach the NCAA’s highest level. “It’s still all sinking in,” said Graham after she signed those official players Wednesday to join the Hokies in Blacksburg, Va., next fall. “It’s always been a dream. You never really Lady Bear Williams headed to South Carolina By MATTHEW BROWN Journal Sports Writer From Day 1 on the high school basketball courts, it could be said that Tonia Williams was destined for the major floors of the col lege game. The University of South Carolina took the most notice of Williams’ talents, and the Houston County High standout formally accepted the offer by signing her letter-of intent at the Bears Den on Thursday. Williams, at 6-1, is a post player in high school but is projected to move to point guard in college. Last year, she averaged 20 points and 14 rebounds per game, earned All-State Demonette Billings signs with Georgia Southwestern State By MATTHEW BROWN Journal Sports Writer Tiandra Billings endured one tough per sonal transition going from one high school to another. She expects going from high school to college to be a much smoother change. Billings, who started her prep basketball career at Perry High School but then trans ferred to Warner Robins High School last year, will attend Georgia Southwestern State University next year on a college basket ball scholarship. She signed those papers Wednesday during what is an early signing period for collegiate hoops. “I love the whole atmosphere,” said Billings Preview ‘OB Those days are gone because those players are get ting those D-I careers going at Liberty University and Eastern Kentucky respective ly. Warner Robins girls coach Tom Mobley knows this, but he also knows the focus will soon shift to the backcourt, think it could happen, and then you realize it did happen and you have to wait for it to sink in.” Graham’s journey to this point in her life began at the age of 9, the age when she pitched a softball for the first time. She said her -first “dream” in athletics was to play college basketball, but quickly realized how much she was becoming attached to softball. “I still played basketball during the win ter,” said Graham. “But softball was my true lovq. “I’ve played all over the country: New Jersey, Colorado, Oklahoma, South Dakota, See GRAHAM, page iB honors for Class AAAAA. In the state playoffs against Stephenson High last season at Ft. Valley State University (a 63-55 loss), she was on fire shooting the basketball to the tune of 37 points. Williams’ game, though, includes much more, including pushing the basketball down the court after a rebound and beating most of the other players to the goal. “Tonia handles the ball well enough to play the point guard and can score from anywhere on the floor,” South Carolina head women’s coach Susan Walvius said on game cocksonline.com. The coach also said on the See WILLIAMS, page iB about the Americus campus. “I like their nursing school. I’m going to major in nursing. The coach and I got along real, real well.” She also recognized that Georgia Southwestern is still in a rebuilding stage overall from NAIA to NCAA Division II and the Peach Belt Conference. But, this school has one of the biggest athletic facilities at this level, something that impressed her as well. Before heading to college, Billings will com plete her high school career as a Demonette senior. She joined a Warner Robins team last year already stocked in Division I tal ent, including one of her life-long friends See BILLINGS, page 2B j- BAS L BALL ..-. , w . _■». .-.1 . •.. , • • . • - £- .. •. where more special things may happen deep into 2008. “We lost a lot of points, a lot of rebounds,” said Mobley. “But we have a lot return ing. You start with Symone Wilkerson, who will basically be a fourth-year starter at point guard. She’s going to be expected to score a bit more. She’s led us in assists the last three years, but See FOCUS, page ioB 8 • t- By DON MONCRIEF Journal Managing Editor It was another solid year for volleyball in Houston County. With the Lady Bears leading the way - 37-13, back-to-back County Championships, 11-0 against county oppo nents (junior varsity also undefeated locally), regu lar season Area champions (at 9-0) and more - local teams continued to raise the bar. And that despite the fact three - Warner Robins, Northside and Perry - had new coaches. Individually, that made for some tough decisions in regard to picking an All- Houston County team. To say competition for the top spots was a chal lenge is an understate ment. In fact, in the end only one point - or less - separated those from the first and those from the second team. The future for this sport around here no doubt looks very, very good. All-Houston County volleyball Coach ot the Year H Tony Jones, Houston County Player of the Year H Morgan Hollars, Houston County First team PI Devon Preston, Houston County PI Catherine Goodman, Houston County * Leah Justin, Houston County it Adrienne Pate, Houston County IS Catherine Causey, Warner Robins it Deanna LeShoure, Warner Robins it Aletrius Booker, Warner Robins I! Josie Toliver, Northside , * Bryionna Floyd, Northside It Karrisa Lewis, Northside A Leighann Fall, Perry Second team A Sarah Rizer, Houston County * Athina Smick, Houston County * Dhwani Patel, Houston County * Brittany Zuniga, Houston County * Kate Hotchkiss, Warner Robins * Deanna Drain, Warner Robins Carly Weber, Northside Player of the Year Morgan Hollars School: Houston County Year: Senior Position: Setter Impact: Recorded 102 aces (second on the team), 24 kilts, 835 assists (team leader) and 10 blocks. For her career, she had 341 aces (current career record holder and sixth all-time for the state, 100 Kills, 2,614 assists (team record and sixth all time for the state) and 50 blocks. Leadership, knowledge, experi ence, work ethic, drive and deter mination were just some of the things she brought to the table, said Head Coach Tony Jones. Other: Was a team co-captain and named to the 2-AAAAA All Area First Team for 2007. She was also the 2006 Houston County Player of the Year, 2006 Middle Georgia Player of the Year, 2006 Area 2-AAAAA All-Area Team, 2006 HCHS MVP, 2005 HCHS MVP, University of Florida Team Camp Conference MVP, 2005 HHJ All-County First Team, 2004 Team Co-Best Offensive Player. Coach's Corner: “Morgan is the first player to start and play on varsity all four years here at Houston County! She has been the leader of this team throughout that time. In volleyball the setter is the ‘quarterback’ on the floor. Morgan's leadership has been a major reason for our success over the past four years. As a coach, I relied heavily on Morgan and I am going to miss her.” First team Devon Preston Grade: Junior School: Houston County Position: Outside hitter SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2007 ♦ Impact: Recorded 149 aces (team leader and fifth and ninth all-time season total aces), 136 kills, 21 blocks, 16 assists and had 22 digs. “Devon has lead the team in aces for the last two years,” Jones said. “But this year she really came on as a hitter. She tripled the amount of kills she had from her sophomore year and she has truly become a threat as hitter, server and in the back row.” Other: Ranked nine all-time in Georgia in 2007 for season total aces, fifth all-time in the state in 2006 for total aces(l62), ninth all time in Georgia in 2007 for season aces/game (1.49) and seventh all-time in the state in 2006 for season aces/game (1.51). Was also named to the 2007 Area 2-AAAAA Second Team, was a 2006 HHJ All-County First Team member, named to the 2006 All- Middle Georgia First Team and the 2005 HHJ All-County Second Team. Coach’s Corner: “Devon’s com mitment and stature on the floor and off the floor has grown so much this year! It is fun to watch the opponents as Devon hits when she is on because you see fear in their eyes because of the power and the placement of her hits. Next year will really be fun! One word describes Devon's desire to play and what she tries to do on the f100r... Dominate!" Catherine Goodman School: Houston County Year: Senior Position: Middle hitter Impact: In limited play (60 games) she recorded 45 aces, 112 kills, 16 digs, 13 assists and 33.5 blocks. In her career she had: 138 aces, 218 kills, 50 digs, 52 assists and 82.5 blocks. “Attitude, size, strength and determination to win," were sev eral of the area she excelled, Jones said. Other: Was team co-captain. Was named to the 2006 Area 2-AAAAA All-Area Team and the 2006 HHJ All-County First Team. Coach's Comer: “Even though Cat’s season was ended by an injury prematurely, she helped to lead the team to a 9-0 regular season in the Area, back-to-back County Championships and 11-0 against county opponents. The true measure of Cat’s significance was what she did after her injury. She still came to practice, trav eled to every match and became a valuable member of the coach ing staff. Cat found ways to con tinue to be a captain and leader even though she could not play! Cat, Thanks!" Leah Justin School: Houston County Year: Senior Position: Outside hitter Impact: Recorded 24 blocks, 72 aces, 34 assists, 27 digs and had 191 kills (team leader and 55 percent increase over last year). She also had an attack percent age of .488 (second all-time in Georgia for a single season). In her career, she had 40 blocks, 133 aces, 97 assists, 122 digs and 302 kills. “Leah became a rock to the team," said Jones. “She plays such a balanced game and makes an impact in any position on the floor.” Other: She was named to the 2006 HHJ All-County Second Team and was a 2005 HHJ All- County Honorable Mention. Coach's Corner: “Leah always helped anyone who needed it! She always has such a positive impact. The team and I have looked to Leah at times of great stress because of her calmness. She never seemed to get rattled. Leah I have one last thing to say ... MOOOOOSE!"’ Adrienne Pate School: Houston County Year: Senior Position: Middle hitter Impact: Had 52.5 blocks (team leader), 10 aces, 15 assists, six digs and 82 kills, and an attack percentage of .307. In her career, she had 75.5 blocks, 13 aces, 25 assists, 15 digs and 115 kills. “Adrienne’s attitude and ingenu ity (she found ways to hit and tip around blocks),” were some of her greatest assets, said Jones. Coach's Corner: “Adrienne has come a long way since she first came out her sophomore year! She is a successful product of our JV program. When Adrienne first came out she was afraid that the ball was going to hit her. By the end of her senior year, people were dodging from the balls she hit!" Catherine Causey School: Warner Robins Year: Senior Position: Outside hitter Impact: Averaged approximately three kills per game and was one of the team’s better hitters, said Head Coach Tracy Fendley. “She was an excellent server, and played great defense,” said. Fendley. Other: Was a four-year letterman and team captain in 2006 and 2007. Was selected for the for the All Area Team in 2006, received the Scholar Award in 2006, Best Hitter Award in 2005 and was an All-Area Honorable Mention this year. Coach’s Corner: “In addition to being a good athlete she is also a very good student. Catherine works very hard and has the drive it takes to be a great ath lete, and great student. Catherine was one of leaders on the team always going out of her way to do what is best for the team. She is a great player and a wonderful asset to have on the team.” Deanna LeShoure School: Warner Robins Year: Senior Position: Middle Impact: Averaged approximately two kills per game and also was one of the team’s better hitters, Fendley said. “She is an excellent blocker and has great timing,” Fendley said. Other: Was a four-year letterman and team captain this year. Was selected for the All Area Team in 2006, earned Best Hitter Award the same year and an All Area Honorable Mention this year. Coach’s Corner: “Deanna is a great front row player for us. She was very aggressive at the net this year and really stepped her game up at the Area Tournament. Deanna is a good athlete, works hard to get better, and has a great attitude." Aletrius Dooker School: Warner Robins Year: Senior Position: Middle hitter Impact: Averaged two kills and three blocks a game. “She was definitely the best blocker on the team,” and “was a big threat at the net," said Jones. “She was a powerful hitter and great blocker.” Other: Received the Most Improved Award in 2006. Coach’s Corner: “Aletrius has really improved in the last two years and has been an absolute joy to coach. She has a great attitude and work ethic." Josie Toliver School: Northside Year: Senior Position: Middle hitter Impact: Averaged eight kills and four blocks per game. “Was our best hitter,” said Northside Head Volleyball Coach Jessica White. “(She) rarely came off the floor during a game.” Bryionna Floyd School: Northside Year: Senior Position: Middle hitter Impact: Averaged six kills and seven blocks per game. Other: Was a three-year starter and team captain. Was also on second team All-Houston County in ’O6. Karrisa Lewis School: Northside Year: Senior Position: Setter Impact: Averaged 10 assists per game. “(She was) our number one setter," White said. “(We) would not have been as competitive without her on and off floor lead ership.” Other: Was a team captain. Leighann Fall School: Perry Year: Senior Position: Setter Impact: "Leighann played vol leyball only two years, ’ said Perry Head Volleyball Coach Katherine Bradley, “but quickly became a utility player - nothing flashy, just consistent and versatile.” When the team’s top setter quit. Bradley said Leighann assumed not just that position, “but did so without prompting," she said. “She had a calming effect on the floor, which was See VOLLEYBALI,,page# 1B