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8B ♦ WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2007 All-Houston County softball Coach(es) of the Year B Angela Crawford, Houston County B Brenda Arnett, Warner Robins B Mitch Horton, Northside B Rodney Culverhouse, Westfield Player of the Year B Kristen Graham, Warner Robins First team B Daniel Burkett, Houston County B Ashlee Burkett, Houston County B Kaitlyn Carriker, Houston County B Jensen Barrett, Warner Robins B Lauren Graham, Warner Robins B Sierra Love, Warner Robins B Sarah Purvis, Northside R Kristen Smith, Northside B Marla Patterson, Perry B Ashton Jones, Perry B Jamie Marshall, Westfield B Kelsey Gilliam, Westfield B Mason Moreland, Westfield Second team B Kourtny Thomas, Houston County B Brianna Hancock, Houston County B Sarah Ling, Houston County B Katie Farinelli, Warner Robins B Maci Brown, Warner Robins B Kim Burgess, Warner Robins B Kiley Barrett, Warner Robins B Heather Langston, Northside B Hollie Langston, Northside B Brooke Red, Northside B Erica Smith, Perry B Ashley Craddock, Perry B Jenna Clark, Perry B Audrey Clearman, Westfield Player of the Year Kristen Graham School: Warner Robins Year: Senior Position: Pitcher Impact: Helped lead the Demonettes to the Elite Eight in the GHSA Class AAAAA softball championship and runner-up in Region 1-AAAAA. She hit .419 with 44 hits - including seven doubles and three home runs. She also had 21 RBIs, scored 22 runs, walked 15 times and had an on base percentage of .504 and a slugging percentage of .574. She was also two-for-four in the stolen base department. On the mound, she was 16-9. She pitched 161 innings and had an ERA of 0.82. She also struck out 241 while walking 65. Other: Named the Region 1- AAAAA Player of the Year. First team Danielle Burkett School: Houston County Year: Senior Position: Second base Impact: Helped lead the team to the Region 1-AAAAA champion ship and into the state Sectionals. She hit .352 as the team's leadoff hitter. That included 31 singles, five double and a triple. Her on base percentage was .424 and slugging percentage was .419. He also had six stolen bases. In the field, she had a fielding percent age of .941 with 46 put outs and 49 assists. “In the region tournament,” said Houston County softball Head Coach Angela Crawford, “Danielle went nine-for-16 and was a major reason for our success in the region tournament and throughout the year. She will be very difficult to replace next year both on the offensive and defensive side of the ball.” Other: Was a team co-cap tain and two-year letterman. She was also named to the Region 1 -AAAAA softball team. Per Crawford she had also been talking with “many" schools and was looking to go to Manatee Community College in Florida. Coach’s Corner: "Danielle came to practice everyday and always worked hard. Her leadership on an off the field will be greatly missed next year." Ashlee Burkett School: Houston County Year: Junior Position: Catcher/outfield Impact: Helped lead the team to the Region 1-AAAAA champion ship and into the state Sectionals. She hit .407. That included 25 singles, two doubles, six triples and four home runs. She also had 36 RBIs, scored 26 runs and had an on base percentage of .462 and slugging percentage of .692. In addition, she stole three bases. Fielding-wise, she had a .987 field ing percentage with nine assists. “Ashlee was the offensive force on the softball team this year,” Crawford said. “She always made solid contact with ball and was a threat to opposing pitchers and defenses. “Defensively she is a true utility player. We were able to utilize her as a catcher, second baseman, first baseman and out fielder. Ashlee made rriany game/ run saving defensive plays both in the region tournament and sec- Compiled by DON MONCRIEF Journal Managing Editor tional tournament." Other: Received the team's Player of the Year award and was named to the Region 1-AAAAA softball team. Coach’s Corner: “Ashlee is a game time player that knows and understands the game of softball. She has something that you can't coach which is instinct. Defensively she made some outstanding plays that kept us in ball games through out the region and sectional tour nament." Kaitlyn Carriker School: Houston County Year: Senior Position: Third base Impact: Helped lead the team to the Region 1-AAAAA champion ship and into the state Sectionals. She hit .242. That included 21 singles and eight doubles. She also had eight RBIs and scored 20 runs while posting a .300 on base percentage and .273 slug ging percentage. She also had two stolen bases. At third she had a .908 fielding percentage with 25 put outs and 54 assists. “Kaitlyn is a solid third baseman that makes very few mistakes,” said Crawford. “She has excellent arm strength and moves well right to left. “This year in the region tourna ment Kaitlyn pitched game three of our five games in a row and shut down Tift for a very important win into the championship bracket.” Other: She was a team co-cap tain and was ranked in the top 10 in her senior class. She was also a Region 1-AAAAA softball team Honorable Mention. Coach’s Corner: “Kaitlyn will be a very difficult player to replace next year. What she brings to the team in playing ability, leadership and experience will be hard to find. Kaitjyn is a smart young lady that will be successful in whatever she does." Jensen Barrett School: Warner Robins Year: Junior Position: Shortstop Impact: Helped lead the Demonettes to the Elite Eight in the GHSA Class AAAAA softball championship and runner-up in Region 1-AAAAA. She hit .293 with 34 hits - including four dou bles and one triple. She also had 14 RBIs, scored 21 runs, walked seven times and had ah on base percentage of .339 and a slug ging percentage of .375. She was also two-for-two in the stolen base department. Other: Named to the Region 1- AAAAA softball team. Lauren Graham School: Warner Robins Year: Senior Position: Center field Impact: Helped lead the Demonettes to the Elite Eight in the GHSA Class AAAAA softball championship and runner-up in Region 1-AAAAA. She hit .301 with 32 hits - including five dou bles and one triple. She also had 19 RBIs, scored 18 runs, walked nine times and had an on base percentage of .387 and slugging percentage of .367. She was also successful three out of eight times stealing. Other: Named to the Region 1- AAAAA softball team. Sierra Love School: Warner Robins Year: Senior Position: Right field Impact: Helped lead the Demonettes to the Elite Eight in the GHSA Class AAAAA softball championship and runner-up in Region 1-AAAAA. She hit .228 with 19 hits - including one double and one triple. She also had 11 RBIs, scored 12 runs, walked 10 times and had an on base percent age of .313 and slugging percent age of .294. Sarah Purvis School: Northside Year: Sophomore Position: Pitcher/third base Impact: Helped lead the team to the most wins in school history (30 - with eight losses), as well as a perfect region record while win ning the division title. Also, was the team's second leading hitter with a .290 batting average. She had seven doubles, three home runs and 18 RBIs. As a pitcher she was 18-6 with a 0.52 earned run aver age and in 161.2 innings she had 241 strikeouts and only 26 walks. In addition, she had 11 shutouts and three two no hitters. Coach’s Corner: “Sarah was so consistent on the mound and she always gave us a chance to win every game she pitched.” Kristen Smith School: Northside Year: Senior Position: Center field Impact: Helped lead the team to the most wins in school history (30 - with eight losses), as well as a perfect region record while win ning the division title. The team's leadoff hitter, she hit .263. She also had 13 RBIs and was 9-for -11 in stolen bases. She broke the school record for most at bats in a season with 118. Other: She is a three-year let terman. Coach’s Corner: “Kristen was a great leader both on and off the field for us. The most memorable moment was when she threw out a Jones County runner a) home to help preserve a win for us.” Marla Patterson School: Perry Year: Senior Position: Third base Impact: Hit in the clean-up spot with an average of .481. She fin ished the year with 19 RBIs, with four doubles. “She has been our 'go-to' hitter for the last two years,” said Perry softball Head Coach Jeff Sans. Other: Named to the Region 4AAA All-Region first team. Coach’s Corner: “Marla has a great swing and can hit for aver age as well as power." Ashton Jones School: Perry Year: Senior Position: First base Impact: Hit .375 and had 12 RBIs and four doubles. “But beyond that,” Sans said, “she is a tremendous first base man that has the ability to dig balls from any location and any depth. She has great hands and bailed us out of a lot of situation throughout the year with great defense." Coach’s Corner: “Ashton is the hardest working player that I have seen in a long time. Not only on the field but off, being involved in several extra curricular activities. I wish I could have 15 girls like her every year." Jamie Marshall School: Westfield Year: Senior Position: Center field Impact: Hit .310 - third high est on the team - with 14 RBIs - second on the team - and had a slugging percentage of .507. She struck out only three times. “Jamie earned a starting spot her senior year," said Westfield softball Head Coach Rodney Culverhouse. “Jamie got her game in order and came ready to play this year." Other: Named to the All-Region team. Coach’s Corner: “Jamie stepped up as a senior leader this year. There wasn't a game she did not give it her all, and her uniform was an indicator of that. Jamie made the most of her senior year.” Kelsey Gilliam .School: Westfield Year: Junior Position: Pitcher/third base Impact: Helped lead the team to the Region 3-AAA championship and the GISA AAA Final Four. Hit .308 with nine doubles and a .423 slugging average. On the mound, she was 12-6 with an undefeated region record. She had 109 strike outs and a 1.04 ERA. “Kelsey was the backbone of the team," Culverhouse said. “The players on the team play best when Kelsey is on the mound. “She is an instant confidence booster for the club. Kelsey had an early season injury, and when she came back the team went on a 12-2 run with an undefeated region record.” Fielding-wise, she had a 1.000 fielding percentage. Other: Named to the All-Region and All-State teams and was selected the GISA Region 3-AAA Player of the Year. Coach’s Corner: “Kelsey is one of the most competitive player’s I have'coached. She is harder on herself than any coach could ever be. Any coach would not have a problem giving her the ball in any situation, whether it is a regular season game or the fifth game in one day, Kelsey doesn’t quit. You always get her best." Mason Moreland School: Westfield Year: Junior Position: Second base Impact: Helped lead the team to the Region 3-AAA championship and the GISA AAA Final Four. She hit .325. She was also suc cessful in 30 out of 31 stolen base attempts and had an on base per centage of .545. She only struck out four times in 99 plate appear ances. “The team went the way Mason went offensively," said Culverhouse said, adding she was the pre mier lead-off hitter. “In other words when Mason lead off by getting on, most of the time that was a run. Mason scored 20 percent of the team's runs." Other: Was named to the All- Region and All-State teams. Coach’s Corner: “Mason learned to slap really well this See SOFTBALL, page 9B SPORTS HOCO begins AD search Advertises applications being taken; Collins: He’ll apply By DON MONCRIEF Journal Managing Editor It’s official. Actually it’s always been official. Official in the mind of Houston County Principal Sheila Beckham and official in the mind of interim Athletic Director George Collins. “It wouldn’t have mat tered if we were 10-0 or what,” said Collins in regard to the word “interim” at the beginning of his title, along with the fact the Houston County Board of Education posted availability of the AD position on its website - and circulated it at least locally - Monday. “I knew from day one from the summer,” he said. “That’s the word they said when we sat down ... Lady Panthers unable to break into win column; Perry boys sweep two By MATTHEW BROWN Journal Sports Writer Even an 11-0 run to start the game couldn’t assure the Perry High girls bas ketball squad of its first win in the new season. Another set of Lady Panthers from Americus-Sumter County High dominated the second half of play Saturday and took a 59-43 non-region win at the newly renovated Panther Den. Everything that worked well for the Perry Lady Panthers for a majority of the first half -from 3-point shootingto the turnover ratio - went the way of Americus- Sumter in the second half. The home team opened the contest scoring 11 straight, but ended it with nary a point in the fourth quarter. Americus-Sumter’s point guard Abril Peeples led all scorers with 28 points. For Perry, Brianna Brown made three first-half 3-point shots and finished with 18 points. Kim Burgess scored 11 and Shay Newberry eight. Perry’s 11-0 run had steals by Burgess and Lay Lay Rountree. Burgess threw her steal for an assist to Kenisha Wilson while Brown scored on a pass from Rountree. Brown sank a 3-pointer over the Americus-Sumter zone defense and canned one other when the visiting Lady Panthers finally got on the scoreboard. In the first quarter, Perry had five total steals. Americus-Sumter made two 3-pointers late in the period, but Perry still stood on top 20-13 after eight minutes of play. The home ladies caused more turnovers in the sec ond quarter, with Rountree turning one into a score for Newberry and Newberry scoring another when taking away a rebound. Brown had five points in a row with one full-speed steal, and Burgess blocked two shots in a row. Americus-Sumter, though, turned a double-digit defi cit to six, 31-25, with two minutes to go scoring on two Perry turnovers. Coach Katherine Bradley called for a variation of the four-cor ner spread, and Burgess hit a jumper from the high post. But with three more take aways, the visitors ended the half with five in row to cut Perry’s lead at the break to two, 34-32. Brown scored off both a Rountree steal and a Burgess block to keep her team up two in the third quarter, 40- 38. But Americus-Sumter scored six points off of turn overs in the period to take the lead for good. Newberry followed in an offensive board in the paint for what would be Perry’s final points of the night. Down four going into the fourth, 47-43, Perry missed four foul shots in the period and didn’t make a 3-point er all second half. Burgess had two more blocks in the fourth, but Americus- Sumter continued to score off turnovers and win the That they would open it up and we would move forward from there.” Now, that isn’t to say Collins, whose Bears fin ished 1-9 - which is also sort of misleading as one, they were young and two, they were in plenty of ballgames - won’t remain the AD. After all, he said he would apply for the position - and “probably” try to stay with the staff as an assistant if he isn’t selected. “He stepped up and did a great job,” said Beckham, who added Collins had as much a shot as anyone in retaining the job. “I really do appreciate him stepping in and taking not only our football but all of our ath letic program forward.” battle for loose basketballs. PERRY BOYS 67, A-SC 47 Perry High 6-4 forward Trey Smith actually found a defender about an inch taller than him when the Americus-Sumter County High Panthers came to town Saturday. But that didn’t stop Smith, still coming off the bench just over a week removed from the end of football season, from scor ing a team-high 20 points in leading Brett Hardy’s Panthers to a non-region victory and a 3-1 record. Perhaps a Perry basket ball game really doesn’t begin until Smith, point guard Casey Hayward and forward Akeen Felder (all football players) check into the action. It was Smith on Saturday who made the most significant impact with seven quick points in his reserve roll. Smith’s first shot attempt went through from 3-point land. He later posted up Americus-Sumter’s 6-5 Colby Perry (also a reserve) several steps away from the block and hit a turnaround jumper off the glass. Hayward also came off the bench and blocked a shot in transition. Felder made his first attempt off the backboard. Starter Antonio Hubbard took the ball right at Perry and gave the home Panthers a 13-11 lead. The Perry Panther lead was 15-11 after one quar ter as Michael Walker had a steal that Hayward turned into two. Chase Daniel, another starting guard, followed Hardy’s instructions to 10% OFF With This Ad For NON Member Rentals yP Good For December 2007 A ©OcA/aAcUcAee 521 F. Satterfield Road, P.O. Box 74 Perry, Georgia 31069 (478)224-4443 ; Country Road Buffetl Daily Lunch Special Sundaif-Thi/rsdti (LUNCH, FRI.-SAT. * 6.99) ALL FOODS HOME COOKED DrinPNotnwluiictil Fresh Baked Ham Pork Roast Fried/Baked Chicken Fried Green Tomatoes Hamburger Stk/Gravy Salad Bar Com Breads & Rolls Variety Of Desserts | Frida;, Saturday & Sunday Sanior Discount s 5?JLFree Drink Open: Mon-Sat 11-9, Sun 11-8 2212 Watson Blvd. • (478) 922-0101 Banquet Room available J For Parties & Mooting « Seating up to 100 people . Call John at 478-335-5499 or 478-922-OIOI^PR HOUSTON HOME JOURNAL The date listed for the application deadline is Jan. 11, 2008, with the starting date listed as “negotiable.” Among the education and/or experience require ment listed is the applicant must have, as a minimum, a Bachelor’s degree in Education, with an advance degree “a plus.” Also, according to the web site announcement the appli cant must have had, among other things - there are 26 “essential duties and respon sibilities” listed - five years of professional teaching and five years high school coach ing and must have served as a head football coach and/or have experience as an offen sive/defensive coordinator for one year. move without the ball in the second quarter. His team mates found Daniel cutting to the hole, and he made the double-clutch shot. Hubbard had two offen sive rebounds he turned into three points, and with a slam by Hayward Perry High led 30-23 at the half. The second half for the home club was about defense, offensive boards and the dunk. Walker had two steals in the third quar ter, and Hubbard scored off his own steal for 37-27. Smith stood all by himself under the goal, and when the ball came his way it was an easy slam. Hayward threw a bullet pass for a Roderick Jones dunk and later made an inbound assist to Smith. Jones blocked two shots and had an assist to Hubbard in the quarter, which ended with a 52-34 Perry lead. Kameron Felder sank con secutive 3-point attempts in the fourth, and Walker added one more from out side the arc. Hubbard had 11 total points, K. Felder eight and Hayward seven. PERRY-WARNER ROBINS RESULTS The Perry boys avenged an overtime loss at Warner Robins High on opening night by winning another tightly contested affair with the Demons 45-43 Friday at Perry High. Warner Robins led 18-15 at halftime, but Perry turned the game in its favor with a 14-7 edge in the third quarter. Kameron Felder made four 3-pointers for a See WIN, page 9B 56863 mg