Wednesday, January 1, 2003
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Wednesday, January 1, 2003 |
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A look back at high school sports in 2002 By MICHAEL
BOYLAN Fayette County is blessed with some top-notch athletes and coaches that help make our high school athletic teams strong. In 2002, Fayette County had two state championship teams, several region champions and several athletes participate on state champion squads for landmark Christian School. The year began with the Starr's Mill swim team capturing the county championship. They and the other high schools had representatives at the state swim meet. Starr's Mill's wrestling team placed second in the area and produced four area champs. Landmark Christian's wrestling team won their area championship. In basketball, Sandy Creek's boys won the Region 4-AAAA title and fell in the state quarterfinals. Fayette County's basketball team just missed the region championship and fell in the first round of the state tournament. In the spring, thoughts turned to soccer and baseball. The McIntosh Lady Chiefs defeated Starr's Mill for the Region 4-AAAAA championship, while the Starr's Mill boys beat McIntosh for the region title. Starr's Mill's girls were crowned co-champions of Class AAAAA after tying Pope, 2-2. One of the Lady Panthers star players, Alison Graham, was a Parade All American, Gatorade Georgia High School Player of the Year, and a member of the U-19 National team. She attends Clemson University and is a member of their soccer team and had her jersey retired at Starr's Mill this fall. In baseball, Fayette County won the region 4-AAAAA title and went to the state tournament, while Sandy Creek qualified for the Class AAAA state tournament. McIntosh's boys and girls tennis teams won the region 4-AAAAA titles and made the final four of the Class AAAAA state playoffs. Landmark Christian's boys and girls track teams won the Class A state tournament. In the fall, the biggest story was the Fayette County Lady Tigers fast-pitch softball team capturing the Class AAAAA state title. The Lady Tigers were also region 4-AAAAA champs and dominated teams with outstanding pitching, timely hitting and superb defense. Coach Jill Joiner was named Coach of the Year by the Georgia Athletic Coaches Association, while Bonnie Bynum was named Pitcher of the Year and Alison Horne was named Player of the Year. The Lady Tigers also had several players named to the all star team as well as the first team and honorable mentions. In cross country, McIntosh's boys and girls won the region 4-AAAAA championship, while Landmark Christian's boys won the Class A state championship and the girls placed second in Class A. Landmark Christian, Sandy Creek and McIntosh's volleyball teams all made the state tournament. Sandy Creek and McIntosh made the Elite Eight, while Landmark Christian finished in second place. McIntosh captured the area 4-AAAAA crown. In football, Starr's Mill, Sandy Creek and Landmark Christian made the state playoffs. Sandy Creek lost in the first round, while Starr's Mill and Landmark Christian lost in the second round. 2003 will be an exciting year with many of these schools certain to be contenders once again for region and state championships.
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