Athletes shone brightly in 2002
Many Columbia County teams and athletes made 2002 a year to remember.
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The Augusta Christian boys' basketball team continued to excel in the Georgia Independent Schools Association, despite a coaching change.
The Harlem Bulldogs also emerged on the court. Harlem is known more for its excellent baseball program, but the school's basketball team took a step up by making it to the state playoffs in 2002.
Also, two of the top young basketball players ever to suit up in Columbia County blossomed before our eyes.
So when I look back at the past year, there are plenty of great moments to relive.
Here are my best memories of 2002.
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Key to success: Lakeside's football team had a year to forget, but the Panthers had a few bright spots, and one of those was when Kyle Key hit the gridiron.
Key wasn't supposed to be suiting up for Lakeside. He'd had heart surgery to replace a defective valve, and the prospect of him being hit by big football players didn't appeal to his doctors.
You can imagine the delight of Lakeside fans to see Key not only step on the field, but to boot the first kick of his career.
New Marshall in town: In the fall of 2001, there were rumors about a kid who had moved into the Greenbrier school zone.The word was he would be an impact player on the prep basketball scene.
Evans wide receiver Steve Rogers.
Photo by Jim Blaylock
The rumors were true. Eric Marshall has talent like no one has seen for a long time in Columbia County.
In the summer of 2002, Marshall established himself as one of the top prospects in Georgia. While playing for the CSRA All-star team, Marshall did more than hold his own - he was the star.
Marshall went on to sign a scholarship with Wofford College. His emergence was one of the real high points locally in 2002.
Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood: As a junior on the Lakeside football team in 2001, Steven Rogers posted some incredible numbers as a wide receiver. He caught more than 60 passes and easily was one of the best football players in the area.
Despite his ability, Rogers was not being heavily recruited, but that changed in the summer of 2002, when Rogers showcased his skills at the Georgia Combines in Athens.
Rogers turned some heads with his speed and athleticism during drills, but he really floored onlookers with a blazing shuttle time of 4.1 seconds.
Athletes who excelled for Columbia County high schools in 2002 include Greenbrier's Eric Marshall.
Photo by Jim Blaylock
I had been telling recruiting analyst Jamie Newburg about Rogers, and Newburg finally became a believer. Newburg says Rogers had one of the fastest shuttle times he'd seen in 2002.
From there, Rogers' stock flew through the roof. He eventually transferred to Evans, and had a solid senior season with the Knights.
In February, Rogers will sign a college football scholarship, mainly because of his exploits in 2002.
Into the Lion's Den: When well-respected coaches Mike Gold (basketball and athletic director) and Steve Price (football) left Augusta Christian, I'm sure some people thought there was trouble brewing on Baston Road.
Gold and Price had helped build the AC athletic program into one of the very best in the state, so the incoming football and basketball coaches had some big shoes to fill.
Bruce Lane and Andrew Bryan have managed just fine.
After replacing Gold as basketball coach, Bryan led the Lions to a sixth straight region title.
Lakeside kicker Kyle Key.
Photo by Jim Blaylock
Lane wasn't too shabby either. He guided Augusta Christian to a region crown in football, and garnered praise from AC's fans.
While no Columbia County high school team won a state championship in any of the big three sports (football, basketball and baseball), the Augusta Christian boys tennis team took its first-ever title, and the Augusta Prep girls did the same in Cross Country.
Also, several county prep stars claimed individual crowns in 2002, led by Evans track star Roy Cheney, who captured a pair of state titles in hurdling.
All in all, 2002 was exciting, thanks to our local athletes.
And from the looks of the young talent in Columbia County, 2003 should be a year to remember as well.