Sports

Devil Christian Harris intercepted a Stephens County pass for a 69-yard touchdown during the first half of Friday’s scrimmage. (Photos by Scoggins)

Devil Christian Harris intercepted a Stephens County pass for a 69-yard touchdown during the first half of Friday’s scrimmage. (Photos by Scoggins)

Stephens scrimmage showcases strong start

By Mark Wells mwells@elberton.com   On a warm Aug. 5 night at The Reservation in Toccoa, Elbert County kicked off a pre-season scrimmage against Stephens County’s Indians by taking a 28-7 dominant lead at the end of the first half.
Head Athletic Trainer Sarah Fuller (left) and student assistant trainer Callie Moss (right) recently attended a free training course at the University of Georgia’s indoor athletic facility in Athens.

Head Athletic Trainer Sarah Fuller (left) and student assistant trainer Callie Moss (right) recently attended a free training course at the University of Georgia’s indoor athletic facility in Athens.

Fuller brings experience, opportunity to athletic training

By Mark Wells mwells@elberton.com When an Elbert County athlete is injured Sarah Fuller, head athletic trainer for Elbert County Athletics, rushes out equipped with a bag of medical essentials and years of experience to be first on the scene.
Peyton Jenkins makes her way to first base during the Lady Rams’ exhibition game against Washington-Wilkes Saturday, July 30.

Peyton Jenkins makes her way to first base during the Lady Rams’ exhibition game against Washington-Wilkes Saturday, July 30.

Lady Rams double down on Diamond Day

By Mark Wells mwells@elberton.com Elbert County Middle School’s softball season started with a bang as the Lady Rams won a set of exhibition games against Washington-Wilkes Middle School and Oglethorpe County Middle School during “Diamond Day” at King Field July 30.
Former St. Paul Braves teammates (L-R) Murray Morrison, Eddie Sanders, Epp Thompson and Terry Burton reunited at the Blackwell Memorial Cultural Center Saturday, July 9. (Photo by Scoggins)

Former St. Paul Braves teammates (L-R) Murray Morrison, Eddie Sanders, Epp Thompson and Terry Burton reunited at the Blackwell Memorial Cultural Center Saturday, July 9. (Photo by Scoggins)

‘I’d rather play baseball than eat’

By Mark Wells mwells@elberton.com   In the hot summer months of the early 1960s, in a field near St. Paul Christian Methodist Episcopal (CME) Church on Mobley Hill Road, the St. Paul Braves, an all-African American baseball team was formed.
Rylan Brown pitched for Elbert County’s Junior League All-Star team against Hart County July 19.  (Photo by Drew Dotson, The Hartwell Sun)

Rylan Brown pitched for Elbert County’s Junior League All-Star team against Hart County July 19. (Photo by Drew Dotson, The Hartwell Sun)

Little League All-Star teams finish third, fifth in state

By Mark Wells mwells@elberton.com   Elbert County’s Junior League All-Star team finished third in the Georgia State Little League tournament after falling to Athens Little League July 20 at the Hart County Recreation Complex.
Lady Devils softball camper Karson McKeller (right) helps hold down Lady Devils Lilly Ray (back) and Kamryn Webb (front) in the polar plunge challenge during the Lady Devils’ youth softball camp July 11 through July 13.

Lady Devils softball camper Karson McKeller (right) helps hold down Lady Devils Lilly Ray (back) and Kamryn Webb (front) in the polar plunge challenge during the Lady Devils’ youth softball camp July 11 through July 13.

Making a splash at softball camp

By Mark Wells mwells@elberton.com   Building on technique and fostering the next generation of Lady Devils, the Elbert County High School softball team held their summer camp July 11 through July 13 for kindergarten through eighth grade girls who are interested in playing softball.
Lady Devils Head Coach Josh Jones practices skills with Lady Devil Youth Campers (L-R) Skylar Henderson and Kassydi Mattox during the state champions’ camp at the end of June in the Inferno. (Photos by Wells)

Lady Devils Head Coach Josh Jones practices skills with Lady Devil Youth Campers (L-R) Skylar Henderson and Kassydi Mattox during the state champions’ camp at the end of June in the Inferno. (Photos by Wells)

Leaving a legacy: Lady Devils complete summer ball, host youth camp

By Mark Wells mwells@elberton.com   The Lady Devils basketball team, fresh off of their state championship title, went on the road for the summer to play exhibition games against quality opponents in preparation to defend their title.
Elbert County Comprehensive High School was named one of the 64 Cooperative Spirit Award winners by the Georgia High School Sports Association and Georgia’s Electric Membership Cooperatives. The award, which was started in 2006, is given to schools based on sportsmanship and spirit displayed by student athletes, school staff, parents and event spectators throughout the year. Out of the schools in Region 8AA, Elbert County was chosen to receive the honor. (File photo by Scoggins)

Elbert County Comprehensive High School was named one of the 64 Cooperative Spirit Award winners by the Georgia High School Sports Association and Georgia’s Electric Membership Cooperatives. The award, which was started in 2006, is given to schools based on sportsmanship and spirit displayed by student athletes, school staff, parents and event spectators throughout the year. Out of the schools in Region 8AA, Elbert County was chosen to receive the honor. (File photo by Scoggins)

Showcasing sportsmanship and spirit

By Mark Wells mwells@elberton.com Elbert County Comprehensive High School (ECCHS) was one of 64 schools across the state to be named a Cooperative Spirit Award winner by the Georgia High School Association (GHSA) and Georgia’s Electric Membership Cooperatives.
The Elbert County Junior League All-Star team punched their way to the state Little League tournament after winning the District 6 Little League Championship. The team consists of (first row) Rylan Brown; (second row, L-R) Lane Fleming, Carson Amabile, Brant Brown, Brayden Ingram, Dakota Toole and Jose Rodriguez; (third row, L-R) Manager Kenneth Brown, Nolan Henderson, Lawson Strong, Cole Acker, Jackson Black, Brycin Hughes, Cheyvis Mclendon, Coach Matt Amabile and Coach Kyle Bagwell.

The Elbert County Junior League All-Star team punched their way to the state Little League tournament after winning the District 6 Little League Championship. The team consists of (first row) Rylan Brown; (second row, L-R) Lane Fleming, Carson Amabile, Brant Brown, Brayden Ingram, Dakota Toole and Jose Rodriguez; (third row, L-R) Manager Kenneth Brown, Nolan Henderson, Lawson Strong, Cole Acker, Jackson Black, Brycin Hughes, Cheyvis Mclendon, Coach Matt Amabile and Coach Kyle Bagwell.

All-Star Little League baseball teams punch tickets to state tournament

By Mark Wells mwells@elberton.com A pair of Elbert County Little League (ECLL) All-Star teams are headed to Georgia State Little League tournaments after winning the District Six Little League Championships for their age groups.
The Elbert County Diamond Devils played in a serious of summer league games throughout June to give the team practice, create opportunities for players to learn different playing positions and create a team bonding experience. Pictured during one the games is Diamond Devil Cole Acker

The Elbert County Diamond Devils played in a serious of summer league games throughout June to give the team practice, create opportunities for players to learn different playing positions and create a team bonding experience. Pictured during one the games is Diamond Devil Cole Acker

Diamond Devils finish out summer league with new opportunities

By Mark Wells mwells@elberton.com   Braving the summer heat and dodging the rain, the Elbert County Diamond Devils competed in a series of summer league baseball games as an opportunity to develop both on and off the baseball diamond.