Banker finishes up junior college stint

Former Lakeside Panther Chris Banker had a huge sophomore season at Chattahoochee Valley Community College in Phenix City, Ala.

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Banker, a 6-foot-1, 190-pound catcher, exploded for the Pirates in 2007. In 53 games he hit .341 with four home runs and was second on the team with 50 RBI.

He also had a .986 fielding percentage behind the plate and threw out 46 percent of base runners attempting to steal. CVCC was 41-17 this season, and Banker was a major reason for the success.

Bordon's freshman campaign a hit

Former Lakeside standout Paul Bordon wrapped up a terrific freshman season at Gordon Junior College last month.

The slick-fielding shortstop turned heads this year in the Georgia junior college ranks. His glove and baseball savvy earned him a college scholarship, but his bat and base-running this season proved he is certainly not one-dimensional.

For the season Bordon was among the top 25 in the always-tough Georgia junior college ranks in hitting with a .329 batting average. He also finished second in the state in stolen bases with 20 thefts in just 22 attempts. He also did a great job of putting the ball in play, as he struck out only 14 times all season.

Bordon was a key reason Gordon finished the season 45-15 and ranked No. 19 in the nation.

Here's a little more information on some local junior college players:

- Chris Johnson (Greenbrier) Middle Georgia Junior College

Like Borden, Chris "Fud" Johnson had a fine freshman campaign. He missed some time this year, but in 29 games he hit .329 with two home runs and 21 RBI. He was last year's Columbia County Offensive Player of the Year when he hit .445 with 13 home runs and 49 RBI as he guided Greenbrier to a 35-1 mark and the Class AAAA state title. He helped lead the Warriors of Middle Georgia to a No. 12 national ranking and a 44-14 record.

- Wes Baxter (Evans) Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College

Baxter saw limited duty as a reserve catcher at ABAC this season. The team struggled and posted a 24-32 record. Baxter's size (6-0, 215 pounds) and his defensive ability make him a great candidate for plenty of playing time in 2008.