About The Jenkins County times. (Millen, Ga.) 2023-current | View Entire Issue (Nov. 15, 2023)
jenkinscountytimes.com The Jenkins County Times Wednesday, November 15, 2023- Page 11 -5J W a ■» t; ts 3 o _ Dh -O C BRAD ASBURY WAR By Brad Asbury, Sports Editor for l i 11 : Times pastorbradasbury@gmail.com T R Under the Bleachers Since the last time I wrote in Under the Bleachers, the World Series Champion has been crowned. This season, the most unlikely team, the Texas Rangers won the crown in Major League Baseball. They would have never been on my radar for a team to have won the championship this season. In 2022 the Rangers finished 4 th in their division with a 68- 94 record. They were only 8 losses away from tying with the worst record in baseball. If a erson would have bet 10 in the preseason on the Texas Rangers winning the World Series, they would have won $17,500. What seemed unlikely became likely as the Rangers defeated the Diamondbacks! The offseason for Major League Baseball has begun. The Braves have some holes in their lineup. They need a starting pitcher’s help as well as a left fielder. We will wait and watch as all the speculation abounds. There will be predictions and all sorts of theories. We are 90 days from Spring Training as of writing this article! Let the countdown begin. With only days before the new basketball season begins across the area, it is time to start thinking about hoops action. Sandy Spiel, who writes extensively on GHSA Basketball has released his preseason oils for boys’ and girls’ asketball. The Jenkins County War Eagles boys’ basketball team is ranked 10 th in Class A-Division 2. Another great year is expected for this team, and they will battle Region 3 rival Portal who is ranked 2 nd in the preseason poll. The Lady War Eagles were not inside the top 10, but they will also be building off one of the winningest seasons in program history. Basketball previews will be coming up soon in the Jenkins County Times. The Jenkins County Middle School boys’ ana iris’ basketball teams ave begun their seasons. They started at Portal with both teams facing an early season loss. The JCMS Lady War Eagles also competed in the North Tattnall Tipoff Classic over the weekend. While they lost to Pinewood Christian Academy in the first game, they rallied in the second ame for a big win over the ost school North Tattnall Middle School. That game was highlighted by intense defense and tremendous hustle! The question today as it pertains to sports and theology is very simple, “Does one loss in a game ruin days after for you?” I dealt with this question once after watching my favorite sports team lose a basketball game. I thought about it the entire next day. Then I had a thought, “Is it really possible that I let one loss, by kids younger than me, determine my mood the next day?” The reality is, that sports do not determine if the sun comes up tomorrow. Our favorite team winning or losing should not determine if I follow them or not. Losing is frustrating, but it is part of life. We talk often, on teams that I have coached, that we will win well and lose well. Let us translate that to local sports. While our War Eagles have competed at the highest level our community has seen in recent years, remember it is not about wins and losses; or it should not be. These kids need our support when they are winning and when they are losing. They need to always know that the community is behind them, winning or losing. Let the students see your face in the stands every game if at all possible! ^Southern Bank CERTIFICATE OF DEPOSIT SPECIAL Special offer available at: 731 Charles Perry Ave., Sardis, GA 30456 855 Liberty St., Waynesboro, GA 30830 2455 Highway 88, Hephzibah, GA 30815 21 College St., Gibson, GA 30810 706-437-9977 thesouthern.bank *The annual percentage yield (APY) assumes that interest remains on deposit until maturity. APY accurate as of 8/21/2023 and is subject to change at any time and without notice. Personal accounts only. Deposits limited to $230,000. Penalty for early withdrawal. $1,000 minimum balance to open. This is a limited-time offer. FDIC Region Softball Awards Announced The Lady War Eagles finished the season with the best record in program history. Coach Renee Hearn led her War Eagles to an 18-8 record. The team lost in the Super Regional round of the playoffs; however, they had an extremely good showing against some great teams. Now that the season is over the region has announced its end of the season awards. Sha’nya Lake was named Region 3 Defensive Player of the Year. Lake played shortstop for the Lady War Eagles and was dominant in her position. In addition to being named Defensive Player of the Year, she was named to 1 st team All-Region. Lake along with Katie Lynn Bell, Jakhaila Oglesby, Laura Gayle Dailey, and Mya Abraham were all named to First-Team All-Region. Three players were named to Second-Team All-Region. Those included Hillary Garvin, Lohgan Walker, and Lynnsey Lane. Congratulations to the Lady War Eagles and all their accomplishments in the 2023 season! First Team, Second Team, and Defensive Player of the Year Photos by Renee Heam Left: Georgia Blaze finished the fall season as Gold bracket runners-up. Congratulations to Ryley James for being awarded the MVP Pitcher award for pitching a complete game 3 hit shutout. Photo by Bobby James Below: The fall travel season has ended for Georgia Blaze. They finished second place in the Gold Bracket. Jenkins County players on the team included: Harley Burke, Chandler Cates, Bryer Clayton, Ryley James, and Harper Wilcox. Photo by Bobby James.
