Southland Academy winter sport teams and athletes honored

Published 5:23 pm Wednesday, March 4, 2020

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From Staff Reports

 

AMERICUS – On Tuesday, March 3, the Southland Academy held its winter sports awards program to celebrate the accomplishments of the winter sports teams and to “give honor to whom honor is due”.

The Raiders finished their season with a record of 16-6. They finished as the Region 3-AAA runners up and qualified for the GISA Class AAA State Tournament for the fourth consecutive year. They were knocked out of the tournament in the first round by Bethlehem Christian 52-49, but it was still a fine season.

The Raiders’ four seniors: Landon Law, Luke Law, Adam Smith and Hunter McCain, provided the necessary leadership for the team on and off the court. “They were a vital part of our success this year. They will be missed next year,” said SA head coach Rundy Foster. Smith was selected to play in the GISA Senior All-Star Games in Augusta on Friday and Saturday, March 6-7. Nathan Duke, Max Foster and Owen Exley were all named to the All-Region Team, with Exley also being selected to the All-State Team.

Exley was also named the Region 3-AAA Player of the Year.

Southland Academy junior forward Holly McCain was named to the GISA Region 3-AAA All-Region Team and to the All-State Team.
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While Luke and Landon Law, McCain and Smith will be graduating, Coach Foster is looking forward to a good nucleus of guys coming back next year.

The Southland Lady Raider basketball team also had an outstanding season. The Lady Raiders finished the season with a 17-7 record and earned a berth in the GISA Class AAA State Tournament. They lost in the first round to John Miledge Academy 36-31, but still had a solid season.

Southland Academy freshman wrestler Tanner Humphrey (top podium) earned GISA All-State honors when he won the individual championship in the 120-lb. weight class at the GISA State Wrestling Tournament.
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Holly McCain was selected to both the All-Region and All-State Team and both Riley Mitchell and Maddie Crisp were also chosen as All-Region selections.

The Southland wrestling team had another fine season as they finished state runners-up for the fifth consecutive year. Freshman Tanner Humphrey earned All-Region and All-State honors as he won the individual championship in the 120-lb. weight class. Humphrey’s teammate, freshman Keaton Griffin, earned both All-Region and All-State honors by finishing in second place in the 132-lb. weight class.

Southland Academy freshman wrestler Keaton Griffin earned All-Region and All-State honors by finishing in second place in the 132-lb. weight class at the GISA State Wrestling Tournament.
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Junior Colman Fort earned All-State honors by finishing in third place at the state tournament in the 152-lb. weight class.

Other Raider wrestlers that earned All-State honors included seniors Tyler Joyner and Riley Parker and sophomores Kolden Kinney, John Saye and Landon Griffin.