Lakeside football players bring home honors from a successful season

Lakeside football was recognized for its standout year during all-region voting last week for 3-AAAA's fall sports.

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Panthers coach Jody Grooms was named Coach of the Year. Quarterback Mark Weidenaar, running back Ricky McMurtrey, wide receiver Ben Brooks, and linemen John Hardy and Josh Dickerson were first-team offensive picks.

Lakeside's defense, which engineered seven shutouts during the season, also received its expected share of recognition.

All three Panthers starting linebackers -- Kendal Parker, Chris Hartfield and Alan Marionneaux -- made the first team defense, though Hartfield was listed on the defensive line. Senior defensive back Khadi Tshishiku also earned first-team honors. Panthers senior Chris Tynan received an honorable mention nod.

Elsewhere in the county, Harlem quarterback Zach Morris, who led the Bulldogs to four wins despite the program's drop in numbers, was named to the first team offense. Bulldogs teammates Hunter Hamilton (offense), Forrest Christian (defense) and Taylor Camp (athlete) also were first-team selections for Harlem.

All of the Evans Knights first-team picks were seniors. Running backs Jamerson Turner and Jonathan Finch made first team, as did offensive linemen John Iarocci and Wes Ivie.

Defensive lineman Brandon Ketchup and linebacker Darnell Jackson were named to the first team defense.

Knights headline region softball selections

The Evans Knights were recognized last week after winning their second consecutive Region 3-AAAA softball title.

Coach Colette Cassedy was named the region's top coach. Senior Jenny Shepherd earned Pitcher of the Year honors.

Pitcher Brooke Sarver, infielder Brittnie Harrison and freshman outfielder Savanna Gladue were all first-team selections for the Knights.

Evans catcher Kayla Cates and infielder Kristin Hampson made second-team for the Knights. Center fielder Valerie Lawrence received an honorable mention.

Lakeside catcher Caroline Stanley, infielder Cara Parker and outfielder Allison Clark made first team for the Panthers.

Harlem's Kristin Mills was named a first-team pitcher. She was joined on the first team by teammate Jessica Coleman. Kia Graham and Brittany McLamb were second-team picks for the Bulldogs.

Catcher Gabbie Medina was a first-team selection for first-year Grovetown. Grovetown's Carrie McKenzie received an honorable mention.

Region volleyball champs get their due

Region-3AAAA volleyball champion Lakeside and its first-year coach received their postseason accolades last week.

Panthers coach Hannah Funsch was named Coach of the Year. Lakeside seniors Leslie Rhoades and Halie Brinkman were named to the all-region team.

Evans also had two all-region selections, seniors Amanda Estrada and Ashley Drake. Knights senior Kelsey Smith was named to the alternate team.

Grovetown's Chade Martin was an all-region pick and Harlem junior Brianna Orton received an alternate nod.

Noted

The Region 3-AAAA all-region cheerleading picks were also announced last week.

Columbia County's selections were Kelsey Moore, Brittany Reed, Brittany Wysong, Katherine York, Daly Jackson, Chelsea Casella, Alexis Colston and Racheal Bulluck of Evans; and Tatum Brown, Karah Koellner, Madison Cochran, Arden Mobley, Taylor Banks, Kara Hogan, Kirsten Hennen and Aspen Mutimer of Lakeside.