Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Athletes Honored At Banquet

A good time was had by all at the 8th Annual Gurdon All Sports Banquet Tuesday, May 11.

The Gurdon High School cafetorium was filled with athletes, fans and family to honor the Go-Devil sports teams.

Athletic Director John Pace welcomed everyone to the festivities, telling them they were there to have a good time and look back at the good things happening with the athletic teams during the past year.

Pace kicked off the night talking about the football team, saying he wanted to reward the players for what they did on the field last season.

"We've won a lot of games the past two years," he said, thanking the team for the way the players acted on the field. He said officials commented on their behavior and this was a bigger compliment than winning.

During the past two seasons, the Devils have posted 21 wins and went to the playoffs both years. Last season, the team went three weeks into post season before losing.

Pace said the Devils lost only one conference game in the last two years, and the loss didn't come on the field. This was the game Gurdon was forced to forfeit to Dierks in 1998.

Still, he said, the way the team played and acted said a lot about their character.

Then it was time for the goodies. Sophomore players were given their jackets before the banquet, with plaques presented to second year lettermen.

The third year lettermen got blankets and caps.

Pace said this year's seniors will be the last players who practiced on the old Bell field and played at Gus Brown Stadium, as the new field on Highway 67 is expected to be ready by next season.

He then presented individual awards to the players. Josh Griffin was named outstanding defensive lineman, with Rashun Hopson getting the defensive back award.

Flint King picked up the offensive lineman honors, while Eric Allen was named outstanding offensive back.

There was a tie for the most improved player, with Cody Cox and Brannon Hatley sharing the honor.

Demond Beasley was bestowed with the Ed Sherman Award, while King and Allen were given the Go-Devil Award.

Several members of the team made all district. They were: Allen, Hopson, King, Hatley, Adrian Meeks, Josh Griffin and Beasley.

Beasley and Hatley were tabbed as honorable mention for all state, while three members of the team were named to the all state team. They were King, Allen and Josh Griffin.

A new award was introduced for the huddle group of Fellowship of Christian Athletes. It went to Meeks and King.

John Ware passed out the basketball honors, saying this group was outstanding and he would go anywhere with them.

D. Beasley took the rebound award, with Keevin Beasley being named most improved. Hopson was tabbed outstanding defensive player, with Terry Cornish getting the offensive tag. Hustle honors went to Cameron House, while Meeks took the Go-Devil Award home.

Sandra Hatley got to brag on the girls basketball team, thanking the parents for allowing her to have their children for the team.

The team, she said, was co-champs of the conference, with an 8-2 league mark and 17-9 overall record, had three named all district and two all region.

"We'll come back even stronger next year," she said.

Tiffany Ware got an unexpected honor in being named to the All Tournament team for the Fouke Classic tourney earlier in the season.

Crystal Simpson was named defensive player, with Vanesha Young taking the hustle honors home. LaVonda Young was tabbed the best offensive players, with Brandi Escalante named most improved.

Ware got the rebound award, while Yvonne Penny captured the Go-Devil award.

Turning to track and weightlifting, Coach Mark Shelton said this had been an inaugural year for the track program, as he's working to build the program and get more students involved.

"We can compete with anyone," he said, "but it will take time. It will help getting the track built."

Shelton said Gurdon could beat any other school in sprints, but the problem is in the field events.

Four members of the team qualified for the state meet. They were Allen, Hatley, Oliver Webster and Josh Ursery.

He presented the S.K. Garrett award to Allen in track.

On the weightlifting side, Cole Deaton was recognized for making the largest gain in strength, while Joe Plyler and Brandon Ellis were named the hardest workers.

The Lady Devil thinclads won their first meet ever at Dierks and qualified for the state in the 800 meter relay and 1600 meter relay.

Coach Ed Reece presented his golf team plaques for their accomplishments. They went to Cody Cox, Greg Rhodes and Corey Brown. Brown earned all state honors for AA schools.

The baseball team, Pace said, had a great year, though it posted a 10-8 overall record. The losses, he said, came against quality opponents, as the Devils lost only one district game during the season.

Defensively, Ursery was given the top honors, with Colby Pace named most improved. Josh Griffin was named offensive player, with Brandon Gattis and Justin Griffin sharing the Go- Devil award.

Jeff Rhodes, Lewis Crain, Josh Griffin, Brandon Jennings, Pace and Ursery were named to the all district team.

A total of 35 students originally went out for the tennis team, Coach Susan Norris said, learning this was a game they could play for the rest of their lives.

However, several matches were rained out, keeping the team from getting in much work. In fact, the team only got to play two matches before tournament time.

Two members of the boys team went to the state tilt in singles, Meeks and Beasley, with one doubles team going as well.

Bonnie Ross was the final presenter of the night, giving out honors to the cheerleaders.

She said it was a good thing the girls were seasoned as it was her first, and last, year as coach.

The GHS squad earned superior ratings at the NCAA camp, with seven members nominated for All American status. The crew is recognized as one of the top 1,000 cheerleading groups in the nation and represented the district with class.

The Eric Griffin award went to Nikki Rutherford, with Chady Calley named most dedicated. The 110 percent award went to Kea'landa Ritchie, with Rachelle Reece named most spirited. Amy Ross was tabbed the best all around cheerleader.

Before the banquet concluded, Pace presented Yvonne Penny with the all sports award.