Sports

New Elbert County High School Head Softball Coach Drew Greer and his wife Halle Cheek Greer pose with their daughter Cienna Grace Greer. (Photo special to The Star)

New Elbert County High School Head Softball Coach Drew Greer and his wife Halle Cheek Greer pose with their daughter Cienna Grace Greer. (Photo special to The Star)

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Greer aims to take softball to next level

Cary Best
Tuesday, March 24, 2020
New Elbert County High School Softball Coach Drew Greer has some lofty goals. In his first five years, the former Emmanuel College catcher and first baseman seeks to have the Lady Diamond Devils Columbus-bound and in the state tournament. Greer doesn’t stop there.
Don Hurburt (front row, third from left) poses with his 1977-78 American All Star team in Lugano, Switzerland.

Don Hurburt (front row, third from left) poses with his 1977-78 American All Star team in Lugano, Switzerland.

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Old photo brings blast from the past

Cary Best
Tuesday, March 24, 2020
On a recent trip to see the Atlanta Hawks play, Elbert County High School Head Basketball Coach Don Hurlburt got a big surprise. An old team sent him a photograph via text that Hurlburt had never seen. “I was so excited I nearly jumped out of the car,” said Coach Hurlburt.
Diamond Devil senior Carson Pullen tags senior War Eagle Jeremy Humphries in the third inning of Elbert County’s 8-7 region win at Putnam County March 13 in Eatonton. (Photo by Cary Best)

Diamond Devil senior Carson Pullen tags senior War Eagle Jeremy Humphries in the third inning of Elbert County’s 8-7 region win at Putnam County March 13 in Eatonton. (Photo by Cary Best)

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Devils shine in possible season finale

Cary Best
Tuesday, March 17, 2020
As the COVID-19 pandemic threatened to end spring sports, the Diamond Devils were determined to win what might be their last outing of the year.
Blue Devil No. 1 singles player Kody Alcantar beat Purple Hurricane Conner Bradley 6-4, 6-1 during Elbert County’s region-opener win over Monticello at the B.F. Coggins Tennis Complex in McWilliams Park in Elberton. (Photo by Cary Best)

Blue Devil No. 1 singles player Kody Alcantar beat Purple Hurricane Conner Bradley 6-4, 6-1 during Elbert County’s region-opener win over Monticello at the B.F. Coggins Tennis Complex in McWilliams Park in Elberton. (Photo by Cary Best)

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Net Devils blow away Purple Hurricanes

News Staff
Tuesday, March 17, 2020
The Net Devils knocked the rust off in their region-opening victory over Monticello March 12 at the B. F. Coggins Tennis Complex at McWilliams Park in Elberton.
Blue Devil senior Evan Yeargin shot a 1-over-par 38 during Elbert County’s win over Franklin and Hart counties March 10 at Highland Walk Golf Course at Victoria Bryant State Park in Royston. (File photo by Cary Best)

Blue Devil senior Evan Yeargin shot a 1-over-par 38 during Elbert County’s win over Franklin and Hart counties March 10 at Highland Walk Golf Course at Victoria Bryant State Park in Royston. (File photo by Cary Best)

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Elbert beats Hart, Franklin

News Staff
Tuesday, March 17, 2020
Elbert’s boys and girls golf teams beat Hart and Franklin counties on the hills of Highland Walk Golf Course in Victoria Bryant State Park March 10 in Royston. Senior Nathan Thornton, who shot a 1-under 36 in the nine-hole Par 37 match, led Elbert in scoring.
Diamond Devils (L-R) Jordan Mills and Ian Warwick tip their hats to junior Carter Dye for hitting his second of three home runs during Elbert County’s region doubleheader sweep of Oglethorpe County March 6 in Elberton. (Photo by Cary Best)

Diamond Devils (L-R) Jordan Mills and Ian Warwick tip their hats to junior Carter Dye for hitting his second of three home runs during Elbert County’s region doubleheader sweep of Oglethorpe County March 6 in Elberton. (Photo by Cary Best)

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Dye and Devils rock Patriots

Cary Best
Tuesday, March 10, 2020
The hits keep coming for the blond boys of spring. Last week the Diamond Devils, who have taken to bleaching their hair blond this season, swept region opponent Oglethorpe County in a doubleheader March 6 on Devils Field.

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A milestone for Johnson

Cary Best
Tuesday, March 10, 2020
On March 25, 1995 Greg Johnson became the Elberton Recreation Department Director. A quarter century later, Johnson has seen thousands of children fall in love with sports.
Senior Gavin Brady (left) accepts the Kyle D. Wilhite Memorial Wrestling Award from Clint Wilhite and Connie Spivey during the Elbert County High School 2019-2020 Winter Sports Athletic Program March 9 in the middle school auditorium. (Photo by Cary Best)

Senior Gavin Brady (left) accepts the Kyle D. Wilhite Memorial Wrestling Award from Clint Wilhite and Connie Spivey during the Elbert County High School 2019-2020 Winter Sports Athletic Program March 9 in the middle school auditorium. (Photo by Cary Best)

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Standout seniors, loads of underclassmen awarded

Cary Best
Tuesday, March 10, 2020
Coaches, family and friends gathered to honor some 108 students during the Elbert County High School 2019-2020 Winter Sports Athletic Program Monday night, March 9 in the middle school auditorium.
Diamond Devils (L-R) Carter Dye, Skylar Bray, Carson Adams, coach Lance Ingram, Jordan Mills and Kyle Moon react to Adams scoring the game-winning run in Elbert County’s 8-7 win over Rabun County Feb. 28 on Devils Field. (Photo by Cary Best)

Diamond Devils (L-R) Carter Dye, Skylar Bray, Carson Adams, coach Lance Ingram, Jordan Mills and Kyle Moon react to Adams scoring the game-winning run in Elbert County’s 8-7 win over Rabun County Feb. 28 on Devils Field. (Photo by Cary Best)

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Crazy finish to winning week

Cary Best
Wednesday, March 4, 2020
Two Blue Devils scored on the final pitch  of Elbert County’s 8-7 win over Rabun County.  Rabun led Elbert the entire way until relief pitcher Brady Wilson let one get away from him during the Region 8-AA opener Feb. 28 in Elberton.
Blue Devil senior golfers Nathan Thornton (left) and Evan Yeargin led Elbert County’s team victory in the 2nd Annual Blue Devil Shootout Feb. 29 at Lake Richard B. Russell State Park’s Arrowhead Pointe Golf Course in Elberton. (Photo by Cary Best)

Blue Devil senior golfers Nathan Thornton (left) and Evan Yeargin led Elbert County’s team victory in the 2nd Annual Blue Devil Shootout Feb. 29 at Lake Richard B. Russell State Park’s Arrowhead Pointe Golf Course in Elberton. (Photo by Cary Best)

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Golf Devils take on all comers

Cary Best
Wednesday, March 4, 2020
The Golf Devils defeated region opponents Oglethorpe and Putnam counties in match play and won their 2nd Annual Blue Devil Shootout in Week 2 at Lake Richard B. Russell State Park’s Arrowhead Pointe Golf Course in Elberton.