MIGHTY ALL-STARS
JCRD Mite Girls place fifth in state tournament

Members of the Jenkins County Recreation Department Mite Girls team are, from left, first row: Bailee Small, Harley Purvis, Abby Wiggins, Bailie Mathern, Lani Arthur and Lakeeba Redfield; second row: Claire Lanier, Niya Adams, Tori Becton, Nikki Williams, Amanda Harden and Jennifer Sanders; and third row: coaches Jay Mathern, Krystal Chance, Keri Williams and Sally Kirkland. (Photo contributed)

The Jenkins County Recreation Department All Star Mite Girls placed fifth in the state tournament held in Madison July 12-14. The team advanced to the state competition after capturing first place on the Sub-district level and second place in the District I play-offs.

The team of 12 girls, chosen to represent Jenkins County after the regular season of play, faced Screven, Candler and Tattnall counties in the Sub-district games and Treutlen, Dodge and Tattnall counties on the District level.

Eight teams competed in the state tournament which was a fast pitch competition with a machine. Approximately 130 teams played fast pitch throughout the state and coaches indicate that placing fifth in the competition was a tremendous accomplishment.

The teams competing, in addition to Jenkins, were: Glenville, Fitzgerald, Morgan, Brantley, Pickens, Bacon and Putnam counties.

"This is quite an honor, not only for the girls and their families, but for our community as a whole. This is the first time that a mite girls' team from our county has made it this far in the playoffs. We would like to commend and praise the girls and their parents for such positive attitudes, hard work and extreme dedication. They made many sacrifices throughout the season, which allowed them to accomplish their fifth place finish. This was a chance of a lifetime for these girls and was an experience that will never be forgotten. Each one of these girls is talented athletes, and we are so proud of them," said coaches, Jay Mathern, Krystal Chance, Keri Williams and Sally Kirkland.

"We would also like to express our gratitude to Horace Weathersby and Sandra Sherrod for their continued support of the team. They have represented the JCRD well," they added.