Wolfpack, Knights get the respect they deserve

The final state basketball rankings were released last week, and finally Greenbrier's girls and Evans' boys got a little respect.

In the AAAA boys final poll the Knights are at No. 10 in the state. Evans had a record-setting season before losing to eventual state finalist Douglas County. Evans set a school record with 24 wins and only six losses. They also earned a spot in the region title game, and won a first-round game in the state playoffs.

The Greenbrier Lady Wolfpack also had a season to remember. The Pack set school records for wins and became the first public school girls team in Columbia County history to earn a Final Four appearance. Greenbrier finished 28-4, with three of those losses coming to teams who made the AAAA Final Four. Thanks to their playoff run, the previously unranked Wolfpack end the year at No. 5 in AAAA.

Columbia County also is well-represented in the latest state baseball rankings. In the AAAA top 10, both Evans and Greenbrier are rated among the state's top teams. Greenbrier is ranked No.1 in the state, while Evans comes in at No. 4.

The Knights are at 4-1 on the season with a 7-5 loss to Elbert County. However, in their four victories the Knights have had no trouble scoring runs, averaging 12.5 runs per game in their wins.

Greenbrier may have more talent than any team in Georgia this season. Thanks to a torrid start by Chris Johnson, the Pack have also had their offense in high gear, averaging 13 runs per game. They are currently 3-0 and have outscored their opponents 39-3. That stat is even more impressive when you consider that their three victories are against area baseball powers Harlem, Westside, and Cross Creek.

Lions standouts earn

all-star recognition

Due to the terrific seasons by the Greenbrier girls and the Evans boys, Augusta Christian Schools' Lady Lions' wonderful run may have been overlooked at times.

It shouldn't have been.

Keith Walton's squad was sensational this season. The Lady Lions finished 23-7, and like Greenbrier, they too earned a Final Four appearance. As the saying goes, to the victor goes the spoils. Four players off the ACS girls team were recently chosen to play in post-season all-star games.

Senior standouts Jordan Little and Sarah-Beth McKinney were selected to play in the Georgia/South Carolina All-Star Game which pits the top 12 seniors from the GISA vs. SCISA's top 12.

Little was a no-brainer pick.

The talented guard averaged 17.1 points, 3.5 assists and 5 steals per game. Little also established a number of school records.

She finished third on the school's all-time scoring list with 1,150 career points.

Here is a look at some of her other school records:

- Most points in a season: 514

- Most 3-pointers in a game: 5

- Most 3-pointers in a season: 40

- Most 3-pointers in a career: 91

- Most career assists: 416

Most steals in a game: 13 (wow)

- Most steals in a season: 150

- Most steals in a career: 416

Sarah Beth McKinney also had a stellar career for the Lady Lions. Her numbers were a little down this season because of ACS's more balanced lineup, but she still managed 7 points and 8 rebounds per game. She ranks ninth on the school's all-time scoring list with 736 career points, and she holds all of the school's rebounding records including: rebounds in a game (30 - wow!), season (410), and career (1,113).

In addition to Little and McKinney, two other members of the girls' squad will participate in all-star events. Lynlee Satcher and Casey Brush were chosen to play in the North/South SCISA All-Star Game. This game is open to all players who do not make the GA/SC All-Star Game, including underclassmen.

Satcher averaged 6.2 points, 6.3 assists, and 4.7 rebounds per game this season while Brush lead the team averaging 11 rebounds per contest and also poured in 9.7 points a game.