Panthers make All-State Team

Postseason honors keep rolling in for the Lakeside boys golf team.

//

The Panthers won the Class AAAA state championship for the second year in a row two weeks ago. Last week, several of the Lakeside boys were recognized for their individual efforts.

Senior Trevor Balliet and sophomore Brian Carter, two of Lakeside's top boys golfers, were named to the Class AAAA All-State Team last week.

The All-State Team is the first for high school golf in Georgia.

"This is the first time we've ever done anything like this," Lakeside coach Jay Gilstrap said. "All the coaches who are on the coaches' association got together and started it this year."

Adding to Lakeside's honors, John Faulkner was awarded All-State Honorable Mention.

Faulkner's recognition came as a surprise for Gilstrap, who said the junior wasn't even listed as a nominee on the All-State ballot.

"We already had our two guys from Lakeside on there. He ended up as a write-in candidate, and I guess he got enough votes," Gilstrap said. "I think he's got some name recognition after winning the Johnny Paulk Invitational earlier this year."

The three Lakeside golfers weren't the only Columbia County golfers to earn state-wide recognition.

Greenbrier's Parker Gordon and Chris Hall were also awarded All-State Honorable Mentions for their performances this season.

The Wolfpack boys narrowly missed out on a state tournament appearance after losing a one-hole playoff to Lakeside at the Region 3-AAAA Tournament.

Richmond Academy sophomore Clark Palmer was also named to the Class AAAA All-State Team along with Statesboro senior Chase Standridge.

Gilstrap said plans are in the works for the coaches' association to announce future All-State winners at a state-wide banquet in conjunction with the state tournament.

Lakeside has won the state title the past two seasons and will lose only one senior from this year's team.