Area's softball standouts honored

Some area softball standouts received recognition this past week.

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Greenbrier shortstop Kaila Hunt, who will play at the University of Alabama, was named the top player in Class AAAAA and Region 2-AAAAA and was a first-team all-state and an all-region selection. Wolfpack senior Katie Tracy was a first-team all-state pick and was named the top pitcher in Region 2-AAAAA.

Hunt and Tracy were joined on the region first team by teammates Savanah Coon and Rachel Nimmons. Coon also was an all-state selection on the second team.

Casey Rowland and Liz Kelligan were named first-team all- region and honorable mention all-state.

Greenbrier's honorable mention all-region picks were Lindsey Sellers, D'Layne Deas, Marya Blackledge and Stephanie Rhoden.

Evans senior Jenny Shepherd, limited much of the season while recovering from a knee injury, was named first-team all-state for Class AAAA.

Coaches from Region 3-AAAA -- which includes Evans, Harlem and Lakeside -- will make their picks Tuesday.

Swimmers to hold Van Pelt Night

In January, area swimmers will honor Haley Van Pelt, the Greenbrier band member and swimmer who was seriously injured in a July car crash.

On Jan. 28, the Columbia County swim championships will also be Haley Van Pelt Night and Senior Recognition Night. All senior Columbia County swimmers will be recognized.

Swimmers will also sport temporary tattoos bearing Van Pelt's initials. Greenbrier's swim caps this season will bear Van Pelt's initials.

Van Pelt, a Greenbrier senior, was hurt in a single-car crash in July.

New region alignments set

The Georgia High School Association revealed last week the region alignments for the next two years.

Greenbrier, which suffered through two years of long travel in Class AAAAA, has moved back to Class AAAA. The Wolfpack joined county rivals Evans and Lakeside in the 2-AAAA subregion.

Harlem and Grovetown, two schools intertwined throughout the rezoning process, will be region rivals in all sports starting next season. The Bulldogs and the Warriors will enjoy short road trips in Augusta-area Region 3-AAA.

"It looks like a really competitive region from top to bottom," Grovetown coach Rodney Holder said. "We're excited to be in there with everybody local."

REGION 2-AAAA

SUBREGION A

Brunswick

Glynn Academy

Liberty County

Richmond Hill

Ware County

Wayne County

SUBREGION B

Effingham County

Evans

Greenbrier

Lakeside

South Effingham

Statesboro

REGION 3-AAA

SUBREGION A

Burke County

Butler

Cross Creek

Glenn Hills

Hephzibah

A.R. Johnson

Washington County

SUBREGION B

Davidson

Grovetown

Harlem

Josey

Richmond Academy

Thomson

Westside