About The Millen news. (Millen, Jenkins County, Ga.) 1903-current | View Entire Issue (Dec. 25, 2024)
themillennews.com The Millen News Wednesday, December 25, 2024 - Page 7 SPORTS & MORE Joyin Roberson (#22): Anchors the Lady War Eagles’ defense with focus and intensity. OQ ID LD <D JCHS shows tenacity in tough matchups against Metter GENIE BOYNTON Sports reporter The Jenkins County Lady War Eagles and War Eagles brought their energy and hus tle to the court on Tuesday, December 17, taking on the Metter Tigers in back-to-back games. While the final scores didn’t fall in their favor, the teams showed incredible de termination, fight, and spirit throughout the night. In the girls’ game, the Lady War Eagles gave it their all but fell short with a final score of 34-48. Jenkins County’s defense hustled to slow Met- ter’s fast-paced offense, and standout contributions from the bench showed the depth and promise of this team. The Lady War Eagles played with energy and tenacity, keeping the crowd engaged and proving they’re a force to be reckoned with this season. The boys’ game turned into a defensive battle, with the War Eagles and Tigers trad ing stops and steals in a low- scoring thriller. Jenkins County fought hard but came up just short, falling 29-30. The War Eagles’ defense shined, creat ing turnovers and forcing Met ter into tough shots. The team’s relentless hustle and effort kept the game close from start to finish, showing their competi tive spirit and determination to improve with every game. While both teams walked away with losses, their focus and heart were undeniable. With plenty of season left, the Lady War Eagles and War Ea gles are ready to regroup, learn, and keep building momentum. Up Next: Jenkins County hosted Treutlen County on December 20 and Jefferson County on December 21. A full recap of those games will be featured in next week’s issue. After a short Christmas break, the War Eagles will hit the road to take on Statesboro on December 30. Don’t miss the action as these teams continue to fight this season! Tumani Chandler (#2): Drives the court, leading the War Eagles’ offense with confidence. Redd selected as GIAA-A Player of the Year Owen Redd was voted GIAA-A Player of the Year by coaches throughout the state. TRES BRAGG tbtruecitizen@gmail.com For the second year in a row, one of Edmund Burke Academy’s football players was named GIAA Player of the Year. Spartan stand out Owen Redd was voted GIAA-A Player of the Year by coach es throughout the state. The multi-sport athlete dominated on the gridiron this season scoring twenty-five touch downs and posting over two thousand all purpose yards. He also recorded over fifty tackles during the season. The selection was just the second time in Edmund Burke’s his tory to have a player receive this honor. Grant Mobley was also chosen as Player of the Year last season, which helped motivate Redd to aim for the same goal. “After seeing Grant win player of the year last year, it was a huge goal of mine to do the same,” Redd said. “I wanted to win another state championship, which I knew would only help my chances. It was a huge honor to receive the award, and I would like to thank all my teammates and coaches. It was a great way to end my last year as a Spartan,” he added. Redd, who averaged over ten yards per carry, is a player who will be difficult to replace. “Owen is a special football player,” head coach Andy Woodard commented. “He dominated the competition all season long and scored in every game. He definitely deserved the award and will go down as one of the best to wear a Spar tan jersey,” Woodard added. Redd was also chosen as an all-star player and was selected to play in the border bowl, which features the top high school senior football players in the CSRAregion of Georgia. They will battle their counter parts from South Carolina on Saturday, January 11 at Strom Thurmond High School. GRAND ol' time For the second year in a row the Edmund Burke Acad emy Lady Spartans had a player join the elite 1,000 career points club. Leila East- mead, just a junior, scored her 1,000th career point last Friday during a home game against Trinity Christian of Statesboro. Eastmead re corded a season high twen ty-seven points during the game and had six steals and four rebounds. Eastmead is averaging nearly twenty points per game this season and has helped her team to a 9-2 overall record heading into the Christmas break. Head Coach Daniel Hannah commented on Eastmead after the game. “Scoring one thousand points is a major accomplishment for any bas ketball player,” Hannah said. “Doing it as a junior is even more impressive and is something Leila has worked tirelessly towards for a long time. She puts in many hours on her own to hone her game. I’ve had the pleasure of coaching over seven other players who have reached the one thousand career points mark and they all have two things in common, incredible work ethic and passion for the game. Leila is one of the hardest workers I have ever coached and is a wonderful example of how hard work pays off. I’m overly proud of her,” Hannah added. Cook we didn’t want to make,” Cook said. He expressed appreciation for the dedication of the many teach ers through the years, stating, “When it is all said and done, it falls on the teachers to do the job. They don’t have the luxury of a do-over. They have to get it right the first time. They are on the frontline in winning the war to educate our kids. And, they do an excellent job!” Cook also noted what he calls a “full circle” return to tradi tional teaching methods he has witnessed. “One of the most notable is the return to teaching phonics. There have been many govern ment programs, some successful and some failures, telling us how to educate our students. My thoughts have always been - If it’s not broken, don’t fix it,” he said. There have also been many cultural changes through the years. “It was different when I was in school. It was a different time and the students were different. Now, we’re in an information revolution. Students are exposed to more educational opportuni ties,” he said. He also acknowledged that mistakes were made, “But it wasn’t from lack of trying. And, we learned from them.” Superintendent Hearn com mented, “Mr. Roy served through some good times and some of the most challenging times in the history of our school system. Our school board had to make some very tough decisions during the recession 2008-2009. We were furloughed several days each year during that time and it was tough on everyone. I know it was tough on the ones making the decisions.” “Then, consider everything surrounding the COVID pan demic. Completely closing school for three months and then having to close for 1-2 weeks at a time in the following year, that places a lot of pressure on a person making those decisions. Through all of that, Mr. Roy was a calming force. He served our system with the students’ best interests first. That is all you could ask for in anyone charged with leading and making deci sions. Mr. Roy will be missed, no doubt. He leaves some big shoes to fill. The leadership he has provided to our school sys tem over the last 24 years leaves a lasting legacy that will not be forgotten.” In the end. Cook says it is the “education” he received while serving as a BOE member that he will take with him as he leaves the office. “I learned a lot from other Continued from front BOE members, superinten dents, and administrators,” he acknowledged. Cook refers to a verse in a song recorded by a band, “The Eagles,” long ago that he says expresses his thoughts as he leaves the BOE. “Lise well the time, be part of something good, leave something good behind.” “My hope is that I am leav ing something good behind,” he said. A Touchstone Energy® Cooperative Proud to support our Jenkins County kids JC War Eagles EBA Spartans 478-982-4722 www.plantersemc.com
