/PRNewswire/ -- Wendy's® is looking for the next class of remarkable students who excel in academics, athletics and community involvement. Celebrating its 17th year, the 2010 Wendy's High School Heisman(TM) award application process is underway. Now through Oct. 3, 2010, eligible students (graduating class of 2011) can apply and submit their applications at www.WendysHeisman.com.
"I'm proud to be part of a program that honors young men and women who embody the spirit of the Heisman tradition of hard work, dedication and an outstanding record both on and off the field," said Archie Griffin, two-time collegiate Heisman Memorial Trophy winner (1974 - '75). "The Wendy's High School Heisman award recognizes those individuals who have put forth tremendous effort in the classroom, in sports and in the community to deliver excellence in all they do."
The Wendy's High School Heisman (WHSH) award is a joint program between Wendy's and the Heisman Memorial Trust, host of the Collegiate Heisman Memorial Trophy. Just as the Heisman is known for being the top award in college football, WHSH is known for being the most prominent award at the high school level. To date, more than 250,000 high school students have represented their schools.
The elite recognition of the WHSH award also gives students the leverage they need to shine on their college applications and stand apart from their peers in the competitive process. "Being recognized as the Wendy's High School Heisman Winner has opened so many doors for me and has reinforced my confidence in taking on whatever challenges and opportunities may arise," said Kyle Pollock, 2009 WHSH winner.
All eligible seniors may submit an application online through Oct. 3, 2010. The first 41,100 applicants will receive a Wendy's gift card randomly valued from $5 to $50. From the completed applications, one male and one female winner will be chosen to receive the Wendy's High School Heisman award. For more information, students can visit www.WendysHeisman.com, call (800) 205-6367 or contact their local high school principal, guidance counselor or athletic director. Students can also visit the WHSH fan page on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/wendyshighschoolheisman.
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Thursday, September 16, 2010
It's 'Game On' for the 17th Annual Wendy's High School Heisman Award
Friday, June 4, 2010
Gatorade(R) National Baseball Player of the Year: Kaleb Cowart
/PRNewswire/ -- In its 25th year of honoring the nation's best high school athletes, The Gatorade Company, in collaboration with ESPN RISE, today announced Kaleb Cowart of Cook High School (Adel, Ga.) as its 2009-10 Gatorade National Baseball Player of the Year. Cowart was surprised with the news while he was taking a baseball team photo at Cook High School by 13-year Major League Baseball veteran Delino DeShields, also a Gatorade State Baseball Player of the Year as a high school senior.
"It felt great to surprise Kaleb with the Gatorade National Baseball Player of the Year award and welcome him into one of the most prestigious legacy programs in high school sports," said DeShields, who stole 463 bases in his distinguished career, capping the 1997 season as the National League leader in triples. "Gatorade has been on the sidelines fueling athletic performance for years, so to be recognized by a brand that understands the game and truly helps athletes perform is a huge honor for these kids."
By claiming the 219th National Player of the Year trophy to be awarded in the program's 25-year history, Cowart joins two-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year Dwight Howard (2003-04, Southwest Atlanta Christian, Atlanta) and 2010 NCAA Final Four MVP Maya Moore (2006-07, Collins Hill, Suwanee), both of whom were ultimately named Gatorade High School Athletes of the Year, as the only high school athletes from the state of Georgia to earn Gatorade National Player of the Year recognition in any sport.
The award, which recognizes not only outstanding athletic excellence, but also high standards of academic achievement and exemplary character demonstrated on and off the field, distinguishes Cowart as the nation's best high school baseball player. A national advisory panel comprised of sport-specific experts and sports journalists helped select Cowart from more than 473,000 high school baseball players nationwide. Cowart is now a finalist for the prestigious Gatorade Male High School Athlete of the Year award, to be presented at a special afternoon ceremony prior to The ESPY Awards in July.
The 6-foot-3 1/2, 195-pound senior right-handed pitcher and switch-hitting third baseman led the Hornets (31-5) to the Class 2A best-of-three state championship series this season, where they handed eventual champion Calhoun High (35-1) its only loss of the year before falling, two games to one. Cowart finished 10-1 on the mound along with a save, posting a 1.05 ERA and collecting 116 strikeouts in 73 innings. At the plate, he batted .654 with 11 home runs, 59 RBIs and 55 runs scored, concluding his senior campaign with a 1.206 slugging percentage, a.721 on-base percentage and 36 stolen bases in 36 attempts. His 2010 batting average ranks second all-time in state history among single-season totals.
A 2009 Aflac All-American, Cowart is a three-time First Team All-State selection and is rated the nation's No. 6 prospect in the Class of 2010 by Perfect Game USA and No. 13 by Baseball America.
Cowart graduated with a 94.5 GPA in the classroom. He has volunteered in association with the Cook High Anchor Club, participating in service projects to assist needy local families and children as well as blood-donation drives and a literacy-outreach initiative for elementary-age students. He has also donated his time on behalf of his Fellowship Baptist Church. A past member of the Cook High Student Leadership Team, which facilitates freshman assimilation on campus, Cowart has also served as an Adel-Cook Recreation Department youth sports volunteer.
"I think Cowart has the chance to become the next Chipper Jones," said Cook High Head Coach Bob Owsley. "He has all the skill and tools it takes to succeed at a very high level. He's without a doubt the best player I have ever coached."
Cowart has signed a National Letter of Intent to play baseball on scholarship at Florida State University this fall, but is projected as an early round selection in next week's Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft.
"Without question, Kaleb is deserving of recognition as the nation's best high school baseball player based on his statistics on the field and the impact his accomplishments have had on Cook High School's success," said Gatorade Senior Vice President of Sports Marketing Jennifer Storms. "But he is also a shining example to peers and aspiring young players of what a leader and a student-athlete should be. He represents everything we hope for in a Gatorade Player of the Year recipient."
The Gatorade Player of the Year program annually recognizes one winner in the District of Columbia and each of the 50 states that sanction high school football, girls volleyball, boys and girls cross country, boys and girls basketball, boys and girls soccer, baseball, softball, and boys and girls track & field, and awards one National Player of the Year in each sport. The selection process is administered by ESPN RISE and the Gatorade high school sports leadership team, which work with top sport-specific experts and a media advisory board of accomplished, veteran prep sports journalists to determine the state winners in each sport.
To celebrate the award's 25th anniversary, Gatorade wants you to vote for the All-Time Greatest Baseball Player of the Year at www.gatorade.com/POY25. For more information on the Gatorade Player of the Year program, including nomination information, a complete list of former winners, and future announcement dates, visit the Gatorade Player of the Year Web site at http://playeroftheyear.gatorade.com/, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/GatoradePOY or follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/Gatorade.
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Sunday, August 2, 2009
Strong Arms, Big Bats Comprise Talented Group of Aflac's National Baseball Player of the Year Nominees
/PRNewswire/ -- Five of the nation's most dominant prep players -- three power pitchers, one catcher and one two-way talent -- have been nominated for the sixth annual Aflac National High School Player of the Year Award, given to the country's top high school baseball player.
The Player of the Year recipient will be presented with the Jackie Robinson Award, a trophy named in honor of the late Hall of Famer. Robinson's granddaughter, Sonya Pankey, will present the award at the Aflac All-American Awards Dinner held at the Hilton Bayfront on Aug. 15 in San Diego, Calif. Also on hand for the ceremony will be Hall of Famer Ozzie Smith, who returns as honorary chairman for the 2009 Aflac All-American Baseball Classic.
The Jackie Robinson award, named after the first player to break the Major League Baseball color barrier, recognizes the nation's top player who demonstrates outstanding character, exhibits leadership and embodies the values of being a student athlete.
"The Jackie Robinson Award nominees are the very best our nation's high schools have to offer, and we honor them for their contributions both on the field and in their communities," said Jeff Charney, Aflac senior vice president and chief marketing officer. "We salute them for their achievements and commend them for representing Jackie Robinson's amazing legacy."
The 2009 Aflac National High School Player of the Year nominees are:
-- Andrew Cole, RHP, Oviedo High School - Winter Springs, Fla.
-- Bryce Harper, C, Las Vegas High School - Las Vegas, Nev.
-- Justin O'Conner, RHP/INF, Cowan Junior/Senior High School - Muncie,
Ind.
-- DeAndre Smelter, RHP, Tattnall Square Academy - Macon, Ga.
-- Jameson Taillon, RHP, The Woodlands High School - The Woodlands, Texas
The inaugural Jackie Robinson Award, presented in 2004, went to Aflac All-American alumnus Justin Upton, a shortstop from Great Bridge High School (Chesapeake, Va.). The Arizona Diamondbacks made Upton the No. 1 overall pick of the 2005 Major League Baseball June draft, and he was selected to the MLB All-Star roster in 2009.
Other previous winners include Cody Johnson, a first baseman/outfielder from Mosley High School (Panama City, Fla.) in 2005, Michael Burgess, an outfielder/pitcher from Hillsborough High School (Tampa, Fla.) in 2006 and Tim Melville, a pitcher/outfielder from Wentzville High School (Wentzville, Mo.) in 2007. Last year, Mychal Givens, a pitcher/infielder from Plant High School (Tampa, Fla.) won the award. Player of the Year nominees are determined by official Aflac All-American Baseball Classic selection partner Perfect Game and media partner Baseball America.
The seventh annual Aflac All-American High School Baseball Classic will be played Sunday, Aug. 16, at PETCO Park in San Diego, the second consecutive year the game has been played in a major league stadium. The event is the nation's elite high school baseball showcase, featuring the top 40 baseball players in an East vs. West matchup. The game will be televised live nationally on FOX Sports Net at 8 p.m. Eastern time.
The Aflac Baseball Classic is more than just a game. It is part of Aflac's ongoing commitment to the fight against childhood cancer, with proceeds benefiting Rady Children's Hospital in San Diego. Since 2003, the Classic has generated $685,000 for charity.
To learn more about the Aflac National High School Player of the Year nominees and the Aflac All-American High School Baseball Classic, visit www.aflacallamerican.com.
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Wednesday, February 18, 2009
McDonald's(R) All American Games 2009 Team Rosters Revealed
/PRNewswire/ -- McDonald's and the All American Basketball Games selection committee unveiled the 24 members of the 32nd Boys Game and 24 members of the eighth annual Girls Game on the ESPNU Selection Show today. The Games will be played on April 1 at the BankUnited Center in Miami, Fla.
Proceeds from the 2009 McDonald's All American High School Basketball Games will go to Ronald McDonald House Charities(R) (RMHC(R)) of South Florida. Millions of dollars have been raised since the first Game was played in 1978.
"The McDonald's All American Games represent the most prestigious showcase of high school basketball in the nation," said Alonzo Mourning, captain of the McDonald's All American Advisory Council. "The young athletes selected to the McDonald's All American Teams will not only go on to become the next biggest basketball stars, but will also aid in raising money for an important cause and learn the importance of succeeding off the court, by giving back."
The 2009 McDonald's All American Boys Team features the top high school basketball talent, including Xavier Henry (Putnum City High School - Oklahoma City, Okla.), ranked the number one high school basketball player in the nation by several sources. Also taking the floor will be Derrick Favors (South Atlanta High School - Atlanta, Ga.), John Henson (Sickles High School - Tampa, Fla.), DeMarcus Cousins (LeFlore High School - Mobile, Ala.) and Renardo Sidney (Fairfax High School - Los Angeles, Calif.). The Boys Game will tip-off at 8:00 p.m. ET April 1, and will broadcast live on ESPN.
The 2009 McDonald's All American Girls Team also boasts a talent-rich roster including Brittney Griner (Nimitz High School - Houston, Texas), who holds the National High School record for blocks in a game and is widely known for her incredible dunking skills. Also suiting-up for the girls will be Kelsey Bone (John Foster Dulles High School - Sugar Land, Texas), Skylar Diggins (South Bend Washington High School - South Bend, Ind.), Markel Walker (Pittsburgh Schenley High School - Pittsburgh, Pa.) and Cokie Reed (Waco Midway High School - Waco, Texas). The Girls Game begins at 5:30 p.m. ET April 1, and will broadcast live on ESPNU.
Every athlete who participates in the McDonald's All American Games will visit the host city's local RMHC Chapter to experience first-hand how the Games impact the local community. For a complete list of players and more information on the McDonald's All American Games and RMHC, please visit: www.mcdonaldsallamerican.com or www.mcdepk.com/2008allamericangame/. You can also visit our new blog at insidethegames.net to obtain news and analysis of the Games and other basketball topics of interest on a regular basis.
This year, 48 players were selected from 2,500 nominees by a committee of basketball experts. They were chosen not only for their on-court skills, but for their performances off the court as well. Coach Morgan Wootten, who had more than 1,200 wins as head basketball coach at DeMatha High, is chairman of the selection committee. Legendary UCLA coach John Wooden, who has been involved in the McDonald's All American Games since its inception, serves as chairman of the Games and as an advisor to the selection committee.
Since 1977, more than 850 players have competed in the McDonald's All American Games, forming an elite list that reads like a "Who's Who" in basketball history. McDonald's All American athletes include NBA greats Alonzo Mourning (retired), Magic Johnson (retired), Kevin Garnett (Boston Celtics), LeBron James (Cleveland Cavaliers) and Carmelo Anthony (Denver Nuggets), as well as WNBA star Seimone Augustus (Minnesota Lynx) and Candace Parker (Los Angeles Sparks) and women's NCAA stars Tina Charles (Connecticut) and Maya Moore (Connecticut).
Tickets to the Games and POWERade(R) Jam Fest are available through Ticketmaster online by clicking here (Games) and here (Jam Fest), and by phone, (866) 909-GAME. POWERade Jam Fest will be held at the BankUnited Center on the University of Miami Coral Gables campus on March 30, 2009. The qualifying competition will begin at 7 p.m. ET and the finals will air live for the first time ever at 8 p.m. ET on ESPN2.
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Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Synthetic Turf Council Launches the 'Search for the Real Field of Dreams(TM)'
/PRNewswire/ -- From 'Rudy' to 'Remember the Titans,' everyone knows a heartwarming sports story. Unfortunately, some of the best stories are never heard. That's why the Synthetic Turf Council is launching the Search for the Real Field of Dreams, a national contest looking for the high school with the most compelling story about its synthetic turf field. Synthetic turf empowered the Barrow Whalers to become the first Arctic high school football team in northern Alaska and helped Lakeland High School in Shrub Oak, New York win the New York State Field Hockey Championship in 2006. With more than 1,000 synthetic turf fields installed in the United States annually, the success stories are endless.
"We've seen the way synthetic turf fields have helped teams go from worst to first and brought together entire communities," said STC president Rick Doyle. "It's important for the inspirational stories behind these fields to be shared. The pride high school students have in their sports teams is unique, and the Search gives them an opportunity to inspire others nationwide."
The Search for the Real Field of Dreams is open to any public or private high school in the United States that has a synthetic turf field. A winning school will be selected in April by an outside panel of judges and will win $2,500 for its athletic program, along with a sign recognizing its field as a contribution to the overall success of its athletic program. In addition, the second place school will receive $500 and eight national finalists will receive $250 for their schools. Interested students, coaches, faculty and parents can nominate their school by filling out the application at www.syntheticturfcouncil.org. Entries are due by March 31, 2009.
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Tuesday, December 9, 2008
First-Round Pairings Set for T-Mobile Invitational National High School Basketball Tournament
(BUSINESS WIRE)--The first-round pairings of boys and girls teams for the 2008 T-Mobile Invitational national high school basketball tournament have been announced by T-Mobile USA, Inc., and the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS).
The tournament will be broadcast live by CBS College Sports Network and will be played Dec. 29-30 at Worthen Arena on the campus of Ball State University. Play-by-play announcer Jason Knapp teams with analyst Steve Wolf to call the boys games and analyst Tammy Blackburn to call the girls games. In addition, CBS Sports will air a one-hour “T-Mobile Invitational 2008 Tournament Highlight Show” on Jan. 18, 2009 (1 p.m. EST).
MaxPreps.com, the official online partner of the T-Mobile Invitational, will offer replays of the full broadcast of all tournament games, available on demand 48 hours after the conclusion of each contest. Maxpreps.com will also provide video features on all the competing teams, as well as comprehensive highlight packages following each game.
The T-Mobile Invitational is the only basketball tournament sponsored by the NFHS, and the field is composed only of schools from NFHS-member associations. The NFHS’ 51 member associations oversee and administer athletic and fine arts activities within those states. Only high schools that are members of those state associations are allowed to compete for their respective state titles.
Leading off the Dec. 29 first-round girls games is a matchup between Gentry High School (Indianola, Miss.) and Bob Jones High School (Madison, Ala.). Gentry has won back-to-back Mississippi High School Activities Association Class 4A state titles, while Bob Jones High School claimed the 2008 Alabama Class 6A title with no seniors in its starting line-up. The second girls game pits two-time defending New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association Group 1 champion University High School (Newark, N.J.) against Washington High School (South Bend, Ind.), which has earned an Indiana High School Athletic Association Class 4A state title and two runner-up finishes the past three years.
The first boys game features Duncanville (Duncanville, Texas) High School, which began the season ranked No. 1 in multiple national preseason rankings, against South Atlanta High School (Atlanta). The second boys game features Garfield High School (Seattle) against Lawrence North High School (Indianapolis).
The winning teams will advance to the girls and boys championships on Dec. 30, with the consolation games to be played earlier that day.
The boys field features some of the top individual players in the country. South Atlanta’s Derrick Favors is the top-ranked big man in the country, according to nearly every expert’s list. The 6-foot-9 power forward averaged 23.7 points, 17.1 rebounds and 9.1 blocks as a junior. This year’s tourney also features the top-rated sophomore in the nation in Garfield’s 6-5 point guard Tony Wroten Jr. In addition to these two standouts, the 2008 T-Mobile Invitational field features at least eight other players who have committed to attend Division I universities including Louisville, Texas, Oklahoma State and Purdue.
The girls bracket also features some of the top players in the country. Leading the way is Washington High School’s Skylar Diggins, the top-rated point guard in the nation and a 2007–08 Parade Magazine first-team All-American performer. University High School’s Laurin Mincy brings equally impressive credentials to this year’s event. She was the first girl in New Jersey history to earn first-team all-state honors as a freshman and was named New Jersey Player of the Year as a sophomore.
“Once again, we have an outstanding field for the T-Mobile Invitational,” said Robert F. Kanaby, NFHS executive director. “We’re very pleased that the country will be able to see not only some of the nation’s best basketball players, but some of the top all-around student-athletes as well.”
“It just seems to get better every year,” said Mike Belcher, vice president of brand communications,
T-Mobile USA. “We’re excited about the quality of the teams, the quality of the individuals involved and being able to showcase it all for the fans watching in person in Muncie and those watching live around the country on CBS College Sports Network.”
In addition to the two days of games, all coaches and players of the participating schools will join together for a T-Mobile Huddle UpSM community service project on Dec. 28 designed to improve various elements of the Boys & Girls Club of Muncie (located at 1710 S. Madison St. in Muncie). T-Mobile Huddle Up is T-Mobile USA’s community outreach program connecting kids, primarily from single-parent families, in high-need urban communities to positive people, places and programs. T-Mobile Huddle Up focuses on addressing the critical need for safe, high-quality after-school programs for kids nationwide.
Here is the complete schedule of games (game times are approximate and subject to change). Game times are Eastern Standard Time:
Monday, Dec. 29
Girls:
Noon Gentry (Indianola, Miss.) vs. Bob Jones (Madison, Ala.)
3:30 p.m. University (Newark, N.J.) vs. Washington (South Bend, Ind.)
Boys:
1:45 p.m. South Atlanta (Atlanta) vs. Duncanville (Duncanville, Texas)
5:15 p.m. Garfield (Seattle) vs. Lawrence North (Indianapolis)
Tuesday, Dec. 30
Girls:
Noon Consolation game
3:30 p.m. Championship game
Boys:
1:45 p.m. Consolation game
5:15 p.m. Championship game
For ticket information, go to www.t-mobileinvitational.com.
The partnership between T-Mobile USA and the NFHS, the national leadership organization for high school sports and fine arts activities, strives to encourage student participation in interscholastic activities and emphasizes the importance of these programs in preparing students for life. In addition to the basketball tournament, the multiyear agreement between the NFHS and T-Mobile includes T-Mobile’s sponsorship of the NFHS annual student leadership conference, plus other initiatives and events. T-Mobile is the Official Telecommunications Partner of the NFHS.
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Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Two of Nation’s Top High School Basketball Players Headline 2008 T-Mobile Invitational
(BUSINESS WIRE)--Two of the nation’s top high school basketball players - Derrick Favors of Atlanta (Georgia) South Atlanta High School and Skylar Diggins of South Bend (Indiana) Washington High School - headline the four boys teams and four girls teams set to compete in the 2008 T-Mobile Invitational national high school basketball tournament.
The National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) and T-Mobile USA, Inc. today announced the eight-team field for this year’s event, which will be held December 29-30 at Ball State University’s Worthen Arena in Muncie, Indiana. The NFHS-member Indiana High School Athletic Association (IHSAA) will serve as the tournament’s host state association. As such, two Indiana high schools were invited to participate in the tournament.
Favors, a 6-foot-9, 220-pound senior forward-center, and Diggins, a 5-9 senior guard, are considered to be among the nation’s top high school boys and girls basketball players, respectively.
South Atlanta High School, which has become a power in Georgia behind the physically imposing and athletic Favors, is expected to contend for the 2009 Georgia High School Association Class AAA state title. The multi-talented Diggins has led South Bend Washington to an IHSAA Class 4A state title and to two runner-up finishes in her first three varsity seasons.
Other boys teams participating are Duncanville (Texas) High School, Seattle (Washington) Garfield High School and Indianapolis (Indiana) Lawrence North High School.
Competing with South Bend Washington for the girls title will be Madison (Alabama) Bob Jones High School, Newark (New Jersey) University High School and Indianola (Mississippi) Gentry High School.
The T-Mobile Invitational is the only basketball tournament sponsored by the NFHS, and the field is composed only of schools from NFHS-member associations.
“We are looking forward to this year’s tournament,” said Robert F. Kanaby, NFHS executive director. “Not only does this event showcase some of the best teams and individuals in the country, but it also showcases the important role that activity programs play in high school education.”
“T-Mobile is proud to sponsor such a quality event,” said Mike Belcher, vice president of brand communications, T-Mobile USA. “The caliber of play is outstanding. And the caliber of individuals taking part is just as great.”
In addition to the two days of games, all coaches and players of the participating schools will join T-Mobile employees for a T-Mobile Huddle Up℠ community service project on December 28 designed to improve the after-school facilities at a local community-based organization or public school (site to be determined). T-Mobile Huddle Up is T-Mobile USA’s community outreach program connecting kids to positive people, places and programs. T-Mobile Huddle Up focuses on addressing the critical need for safe, high-quality, after-school programs for kids nationwide.
The inaugural T-Mobile Invitational was held in 2006 in Seattle with the nation’s No. 1-ranked girls team, Suwanee (Georgia) Collins Hill High School, and the boys team from Los Angeles (California) Fairfax High School taking home the championship trophies. The scene shifted to Albuquerque and the University of New Mexico’s “The Pit” for the 2007 T-Mobile Invitational. Set against that scenic Land of Enchantment backdrop, Jersey City (New Jersey) St. Anthony High School, ranked No. 1 in the nation, claimed the boys title, while Long Beach (California) Poly High School was the girls winner.
The partnership between T-Mobile and the NFHS, the national leadership organization for high school athletic and fine arts activities, strives to encourage student participation in interscholastic activities and emphasizes the importance of these programs in preparing students for life. In addition to the basketball tournament, the partnership between the NFHS and T-Mobile includes T-Mobile’s sponsorship of the NFHS annual national student leadership conference, plus other initiatives and events. T-Mobile is the Official Telecommunications Partner of the NFHS.
Here’s a closer look at the 2008 T-Mobile Invitational field:
Boys
Atlanta (Georgia) South Atlanta High School
Behind the prodigious play of Favors, South Atlanta compiled a 27-3 record in 2007-08 and was ranked No. 7 in Class AAA. The talented and multi-skilled forward-center averaged 23.7 points, 17.1 rebounds, 9.1 blocks, 3.6 steals and 2.7 assists as a junior last season and had 19 triple-doubles in 30 games. For his efforts, he was named Gatorade Georgia Boys Basketball Player of the Year, Class AAA first-team all-state and second-team Parade All-American. Among the eight players South Atlanta returns in 2008-09 is 5-11 senior point guard Nick Watkins, who is ranked as one of the top guards in the state. The Hornets scored 80 points per game and held opposing teams to 50 points per game in 2007-08, and were ranked 15th in the nation at one point of the season by USA Today.
Duncanville (Texas) High School
The second-largest high school in the nation in terms of physical size, Duncanville (Texas) High School has put up some equally huge numbers on the boys basketball court. Duncanville went 35-2 in 2007-08, including a spotless 14-0 in district play. It lost to eventual state champion North Crowley in the regional final and finished the season ranked No. 5 in Class 5A. The top returning scorers for 2008-09 are 6-7 Shawn Williams (17 ppg) and 6-5 Roger Franklin (14.5 ppg), who both were named to the all-state team last season. The Panthers’ frontline is expected to be bolstered this winter by the addition of 6-10 junior transfer Perry Jones. Coach Phil McNeely, who has compiled a career record of 674-173 and led Duncanville to state titles in 1991, 1999 and 2007, was 2007 EA SPORTS National Coach of the Year and 2008 District 8-5A Basketball Coach of the Year.
Seattle (Washington) Garfield High School
Coming off a strong 17-9 season with a very young team featuring one of the nation’s top underclassmen, Seattle (Washington) Garfield looks to build on that success in 2008-09. The Bulldogs’ top four scorers and top four rebounders all return, led by highly touted 6-5 sophomore point guard Tony Wroten Jr. As a mere freshman, the precocious and well-rounded Wroten averaged 20.8 points, 8.7 rebounds, 3.8 assists and 2.2 steals per game, all team-highs. Six-one senior guard De’andre Taylor, who collected 15.4 points, three assists and two steals per contest, led the squad in three-point field goals in 2007-08. Jaron Cox, a 5-9 senior guard, averaged 6.3 points and provides additional depth to the already talented backcourt, while 6-3 junior Wilson Platt toiled inside with averages of 5.6 points and 6.6 rebounds. The Bulldogs will be led by first-year coach Ed Haskins.
Indianapolis (Indiana) Lawrence North High School
Perennial Hoosier State power Indianapolis (Indiana) Lawrence North High School will field a very tall and talented team in 2008-09. The Wildcats will give opposing teams nightmares as they return a formidable trio of 6-9 players, including senior Stephan Van Treese, who is a four-year varsity player and is verbally committed to Louisville; senior Jeff Robinson, who has verbally committed to Purdue; and junior Dominique Ferguson, who is regarded as one of the nation’s top juniors. Coach Jack Keefer, who has been Lawrence North’s only boys basketball coach since it opened its doors in 1976-77, led the Wildcats to state titles in 1989, 2004, 2005 and 2006. Among the outstanding big men Keefer coached were Eric Montross and Greg Oden, both seven-footers who played in the National Basketball Association.
Girls
Madison (Alabama) Bob Jones High School
Madison (Alabama) Bob Jones defeated Clay-Chalkville, 48-42, to claim the 2008 Alabama High School Athletic Association girls Class 6A state title, the first state basketball championship in school history. In that state title game, Bob Jones (35-2) played seven players, all juniors who will return in 2008-09. Among them is Kylie Cook, who was named tournament MVP. Her twin sister, 5-10 guard-forward Kellie Cook, was named to the Alabama Sports Writers Association 2008 All-State Basketball Team Super Five (all enrollment classes combined), as well as to the Class 6A first-team. Their classmate, 5-6 guard Jala Harris, was named Class 6A second-team all-state. Coach Tim Miller, who has compiled a 238-40 career record, also led Montgomery (Alabama) Jeff Davis High School to the 2006 state title and was named 2007-08 Class 6A coach of the year. Sports Illustrated recently named Bob Jones High School’s athletic program as the best in the state of Alabama.
Newark (New Jersey) University High School
Newark (New Jersey) University, which finished the 2007-08 season 27-4, has won back-to-back New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association Group 1 state titles. Led by coach Felicia Oliver, University lost only one player from last year’s squad to graduation and returns 14 players for 2008-09. Leading the way is 6-0 junior Laurin Mincy, who was named first-team all-state as both a freshman (the first girl in New Jersey history to do so) and a sophomore and was named New Jersey Player of the Year as a sophomore. That season, the versatile Mincy averaged 19.9 points, 6.5 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 3.5 steals and 2.9 blocks per game, and already has scored 1,318 points in her 66-game career. In addition, senior Nadirah McKenith was named both second-team all-state and first-team All-Group 1 last year.
Indianola (Mississippi) Gentry High School
Under the direction of coach Charles Williams, Indianola Gentry won MHSAA Class 4A state titles and MHSAA Grand Slam tournaments in both 2007 and 2008. Gentry defeated Yazoo County, 52-44, for the 2008 MHSAA Class 4A state title, and a week later, topped Class 5A state champion Jackson Murrah, 80-75, in double-overtime for the MHSAA Grand Slam championship. Multi-skilled 5-6 junior guard Brizannai Washington, who averaged 14.7 points, five assists, three rebounds and three steals as a sophomore in 2007-08, was named Grand Slam player of the game. Finishing the season an unblemished 40-0, Gentry was ranked No. 7 in the ESPN High Elite 25 high school girls basketball rankings and No. 20 in the USA Today Super 25. Gentry is currently riding an 80-game winning streak, which ties the Mississippi high school state record.
South Bend (Indiana) Washington High School
Led by multi-talented 5-9 senior guard Skylar Diggins, South Bend Washington is expected to be one of the state’s top teams again this year. During her first three seasons, Diggins paced the Panthers to an amazing 76-6 record, an Indiana High School Athletic Association Class 4A state title and two runner-up finishes. As a junior, the versatile Diggins averaged 29.5 points, 7.7 rebounds, 4.4 assists, 3.2 steals and 1.5 blocked shots. Diggins, who possesses long-range three-point shooting ability, was a Parade Magazine first-team All-American performer in 2007-08, and is expected to contend for national player of the year honors this year. Senior forward Takoia Larry, who scored 24 points in last year’s state championship game, averaged 10.9 points last season when she was named high honorable-mention all-state.
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Friday, July 11, 2008
Aflac Unveils Final Roster for 2008 Aflac All-American High School Baseball Game
PRNewswire -- Aflac today announced the full 38-player roster for the sixth Aflac All-American High School Baseball Game, which features the best high school baseball players in the country. The game will be played on Aug. 9 at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, the first time in the game's six-year history that it will be played at a major league baseball stadium, and will be broadcast live on FOX Sports Net at noon Pacific Time.
The annual Aflac All-American High School Baseball Game showcases the nation's top high school players in an East versus West matchup played following their junior year. Aflac All-Americans are chosen by the experts at the official selection partner, Perfect Game USA, and in consultation with the staff at baseball's most influential magazine, Baseball America.
As part of Aflac's ongoing commitment to the fight against childhood cancer, all game proceeds from the 2008 Aflac All-American High School Baseball Game will benefit ThinkCure, the official charity of the Dodgers, which supports critical cancer research at City of Hope and Children's Hospital of Los Angeles. Since 2005, the game has generated nearly $525,000 for charity.
"Now going into our sixth year, we're proud to be taking the nation's premiere high school baseball event to the next level by hosting the event at historic Dodger Stadium," said Al Johnson, Aflac's vice president of Marketing Services. "The Aflac All-American game is a terrific way for us to showcase the country's top young talent, while raising money and awareness for the ThinkCure initiative, which helps in the fight against pediatric cancer."
Hall of Fame shortstop Ozzie Smith will return for the second year as the game's honorary chairman, and in addition to promoting the showcase, will be on-site in Los Angeles for game week activities. Past honorary chairmen have included Hall of Famers Reggie Jackson (2006), Cal Ripken (2004-05) and Stan Musial (2003).
"I wish this game existed when I was in high school, as it's such a tremendous opportunity for these young men to show their skills in front of a nationwide audience and MLB scouts," said Smith. "Aflac does a tremendous job promoting this game and working hard to support pediatric cancer research, and I'm proud to be a part of it once again."
The Aflac All-American Game boasts alumni who have had a huge impact in the past five Major League Baseball first-year player drafts. Overall, 52 alumni have been selected in the first round, including three No. 1 overall selections: Matt Bush (2004, San Diego) and Justin Upton (2005, Arizona), and this year's top pick, Tim Beckham (2008, Tampa). The 2008 draft saw 10 Aflac All-Americans drafted in the first round.
The players will be led by a stellar coaching staff as well. All-USA Coach of the Year Todd Fitz-Gerald, head coach at perennial American Heritage in Plantation, Fla., will manage the East team. He will be assisted by the assistant coach of last year's East squad, Kevin Maris, of Oak Hall School in Gainesville, Fla. (and son of former Yankees slugger Roger Maris), and legendary San Diego coach Manny Hermosillo of Montgomery High School, who also served as manager for last year's West squad.
Managing the West team will be Andy Hall, head coach of Wilson High School in Long Beach, Calif. Rounding out the West coaching staff are Omar Washington, and former major leaguer Cecil Espy, both of whom have coached in the game since its inception.
The Aflac All-American High School Baseball Game is considered the country's marquee prep All-American event. All participants must have just completed their junior year of high school, be in good academic standing and display redeeming qualities off the field that embody the ideals of the sport of baseball, including discipline, determination and hard work.
For more information about the Aflac All-American High School Baseball Game, visit www.aflacallamerican.com .
East Team
Pos. Name Hgt. Wgt. High School (Hometown)
C/3B Luke Bailey 6-0 195 Troup High School (LaGrange, GA)
RHP Ethan Carter 6-5 205 Menchville High School
(Newport News, VA)
INF/OF Scooter Gennett 5-10 170 Sarasota High School
(Sarasota, FL)
INF/RHP Mychal Givens 6-2 185 Plant High School (Tampa, FL)
OF Brian Goodwin 6-0 170 Rocky Mount High School
(Rocky Mount, FL)
RHP/INF Michael Heller 6-2 180 Sarasota Mooney High School
(Bradenton, FL)
RHP Christopher 6-7 235 Westfield High School
Jenkins (Westfield, NJ)
LHP Ian Krol 6-1 170 Neuqua Valley High School
(Naperville, IL)
OF Braxton Lane 5-11 170 Sandy Creek High School
(Tyrone, GA)
C/RHP Austin Maddox 6-3 220 Eagle's View Academy
(Jacksonville, FL)
RHP/OF Keyvius Sampson 6-1 185 Forest High School (Ocala, FL)
INF/RHP Richie Shaffer 6-3 190 Providence High School
(Charlotte, NC)
OF/RHP Drew Steckenrider 6-4 200 Greater Atlanta Christian HS
(Lawrenceville, GS)
OF Donovan Tate 6-3 200 Cartersville High School
(Cartersville, GA)
INF/OF Jason Thompson 6-0 185 Germantown High School
(Germantown, TN)
RHP/INF Daniel Tuttle 6-2 185 Randleman High School
(Randleman, NC)
OF/INF LeVon Washington 5-10 170 Gainesville High School
(Gainesville, FL)
RHP Zack Wheeler 6-4 180 East Paulding High School
(Dallas, GA)
C/INF/OF Michael Zunino 6-2 185 Mariner High School
(Cape Coral, FL)
Manager: Todd Fitz-Gerald
Assistant Coaches: Kevin Maris, Manny Hermosillo
West Team
Pos. Name Hgt. Wgt. High School (Hometown)
INF/RHP Matt Davidson 6-3 205 Yucaipa High School (Yucaipa, CA)
RHP Matthew Graham 6-3 195 Oak Ridge High School (Spring, TX)
RHP Scott Griggs 6-2 185 San Ramon Valley High School
(Alamo, CA)
OF/LHP Slade Heathcott 6-1 196 Texas High School (Texarkana, TX)
OF Kyrell Hudson 6-2 185 Evergreen High School
(Vancouver, WA)
LHP Tyler Matzek 6-3 185 Capistrano Valley High School
(Mission Viejo, CA)
INF/RHP Jiovanni Mier 6-2 170 Bonita High School (Pomona, CA)
OF/RHP Jacob Morris 6-3 195 Coppell High School (Coppell, TX)
INF David Nick 6-2 175 Cypress High School (Cypress, CA)
RHP/INF Brooks Pounders 6-5 220 Temecula Valley High School
(Temecula, CA)
LHP Matthew Purke 6-3 170 Klein High School (Spring, TX)
1B/OF Jonathan Singleton 6-2 218 Millikan High School
(Lakewood, CA)
C/INF Max Sassi 5-10 187 Yuba City High School
(Yuba City, CA)
C Andrew Susac 6-1 190 Jesuit High School (Roseville, CA)
RHP Chad Thompson 6-8 215 El Toro High School
(Trabuco Canyon, CA)
RHP Jacob Turner 6-4 205 Westminster Christian Academy
(St. Charles, MO)
C/INF/OF Jonathan Walsh 6-3 211 Coppell High School (Coppell, TX)
OF Everett Williams 5-10 165 McCallum High School (Austin, TX)
LHP Beau Wright 6-2 205 Los Alamitos High School
(Los Alamitos, CA)
Manager: Andy Hall
Assistant Coaches: Cecil Espy, Omar Washington
Sunday, July 6, 2008
Aflac Honors Nation's Best High School Baseball Players
SSG Note: Kudos to Tyrone resident Braxton Lane of Sandy Creek High School!!
PRNewswire -- Aflac announced today (July 1, 1008) during an on-field presentation held at Turner Field that OF/RHP Drew Steckenrider (Greater Atlanta Christian HS) of Lawrenceville, Ga.; OF Donovan Tate (Cartersville HS) of Cartersville, Ga.; C/3B Luke Bailey (Troup HS) of LaGrange, Ga.; RHP Zack Wheeler (East Paulding HS) of Dallas, Ga.; OF Braxton Lane (Sandy Creek HS) of Tyrone, Ga.; INF/RHP Richie Schaffer (Providence HS) of Charlotte; RHP/INF Daniel Tuttle (Randleman HS) of Randleman, N.C.; OF Brian Goodwin (Rocky Mount HS) of Rocky Mount, N.C.; RHP/OF Keyvius Sampson (Forest HS) of Ocala, Fla.; INF/OF Jacson Thompson (Germantown HS) of Germantown, Tenn.; and LHP Ian Krol (Neuqua Valley HS) of Naperville, Ill. have been selected to the 2008 Aflac All-American High School Baseball Game roster. The eleven stars were honored by Hall of Famer Ozzie Smith and Atlanta Braves third baseman Chipper Jones, who presented them with their official team jerseys.
The premier high school All-American game in the country, the Aflac All-American Game will take place Saturday, Aug. 9 in Dodger Stadium and will be broadcast live on FOX Sports Net at noon Pacific Time.
"We are thrilled to have such a great group of future stars added to the Aflac All-American roster," said Al Johnson, Vice President for Marketing Services for Aflac. "I am certain the kids are as excited as we are to take this game to the next level by hosting it at historic Dodger Stadium."
The annual Aflac All-American High School Baseball Game showcases 38 of the nation's top high school players in an East versus West matchup following their junior year. Aflac All-Americans are chosen by the experts at our official selection partner, Perfect Game USA, and in consultation with the staff at baseball's most influential magazine, Baseball America.
As part of Aflac's ongoing commitment to the fight against childhood cancer, all game proceeds from the 2008 Aflac All-American High School Baseball Game will benefit ThinkCure, the official charity of the Dodgers, which supports critical cancer research at City of Hope and Childrens Hospital of Los Angeles. Since 2005, the game has generated nearly $525,000 for charity.
Hall of Fame shortstop Ozzie Smith will return as this year's honorary chairman, and in addition to promoting the game, will be on-site in Los Angeles for game week activities. This is the second consecutive year that Smith has served as honorary chairman. Past honorary chairmen have included Hall of Famers Reggie Jackson (2006), Cal Ripken (2004-05) and Stan Musial (2003).
The Aflac All-American High School Baseball Game is considered the country's marquee prep All-American event. All participants must have just completed their junior year of high school, be in good academic standing and display redeeming qualities off the field that embody the ideals of the sport of baseball, including discipline, determination and hard work.
