Lions leave lasting impression in 2005
It was the last moment of Augusta Christian's 2004-2005 athletic season, but it was also the highlight of the year.
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The Augusta Christian Lions celebrate after winning the South Carolina Independent Schools Association state title in Martinez, Ga. It was the team's first year playing in the league.
Photo by Jim Blaylock
Junior third baseman Wayne House hit a two-run single off the right field fence to give the Lions a win, 4-3, over Wilson Hall and the Class AAA state championship.
The state baseball crown ended the Lions' inaugural season in the South Carolina Independent Schools Association.
The SCISA campaign began with the football season.
ACS made its 10th straight playoff appearance, losing in the first round to Orangeburg Prep. William Lyon and Jay Harmon made the All-State team and the Lions were ranked for much of the season.
Swimmer Katie York finished second in the 100 backstroke and the 200 individual medley at the state swim meet, while Jon Kilpatrick and Adam Webb received All-Area cross-country honors.
The Lions had a strong basketball season with both girls and boys teams making the state playoffs.
The boys made it to the state quarterfinals before losing to Heathwood Hall and the girls lost in the first round to top-ranked Hilton Head Prep.
Augusta Christian senior and All-State pitcher Kristin Wallace led the Lions to their first regional championship in 2005.
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Jordan Little and Sarah Beth McKinney were named All County, and The Augusta Chronicle selected Little as the Girls Independent Schools Player of the Year.
Little later won a state championship in the shot put at the state track and field meet and was a member of the Lions softball team.
Casey Brush (discus) and Howard Walls (110-meter hurdles) also won state championships, with Walls breaking the state record in the hurdles.
The Lions dominated the field events at the state meet, finishing first through fourth in the discus and first, second, fourth and sixth in the shot put. McKinney, Little, Ashley Troxel, Brush and Lynlee Satcher (most of the core players from the basketball team) all had strong showings in the field events.
The boys tennis team finished second in the state tournament, and Chris Motes won the state individual crown. Troy Freeman and Joseph Tingen won the state doubles title.
The Lions softball team was one of the biggest surprises of the year.
Augusta Christian (15-6) enjoyed its best season in school history, winning its first region title. The Lions went 2-2 in the state playoffs but return a majority of the team with the exception of All-State pitcher Kristin Wallace.
Augusta Christian basketball players Sara Beth McKinney (left) and Jordan Little broke the school's assist and rebound records.
Photo by Jim Blaylock
"We had a real strong year for Augusta Christian," said baseball coach Craig Johnson following his state title win. "But we will look to do even better next season."