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Published Monday, July 06, 2009 in Sports
All-County Baseball: 4 teams, 110 victories
The Times-Herald
The 2009 high school baseball season will probably go down as the most successful in Coweta County history.
The teams at Northgate, Newnan, East Coweta and The Heritage School combined for a record of 110-18 with East Coweta and Newnan getting as far as the third round of the state playoffs.
The Heritage School Hawks reached their second straight GISA AA final and finished as the runner-up. The most successful team of all was the Northgate Vikings who finally took the brass ring, winning the AAAA state title for the first time.
The Vikings set a single season team record for wins with 32 and won the Region 5-AAAA championship out of a hotly contested subregion with Whitewater, Sandy Creek and Starr's Mill. The latter team would be the runner-up in the state final.
In this ride to the championship round, the Vikings were able to vanquish a pair of foes in Heritage-Conyers and Maris. These two teams ended the Northgate seasons of 2006 and 2007 respectively.
The finale saw the Vikings defeat the Panthers in three games to finally win the title and bring relief to head coach Greg Hamilton. Hamilton has been with the program since day one.
Hamilton is the 2009 All-County coach-of-the-year as recognized by The Times-Herald. He finishes ahead of successful coaching runs by Kenny Morris of Newnan, Franklin Deloach of East Coweta and Lynn Huffstickler of Heritage School this season.
In his tenure as the head Viking, Hamilton has not suffered through a losing season with the 14-13 record of 2008 being the closest. His teams have won region titles on seven different occasions during that span.
Hamilton has also won over 200 games since becoming the head coach in 1999.
A number of players had solid seasons at the plate or on the mound especially in the leadoff position as Stephen Tarkenton of Newnan, Seth Newton of East Coweta and Derek Hooper of Northgate combined high averages, power numbers and even the stolen bases to become catalysts for their clubs.
Pitching was also a key to the success of the four teams. Cam Bedrosian of East Coweta, Jack Duffey of Heritage School and Catlan Kendrick each finished in double figures in wins and had earned run averages that were below 1.50 at season's end.
However, two players stood out for player-of-the-year in 2009 and they were Hooper of the Vikings and Indians shortstop Felton James.
Hooper joins Josh Copeland, Ryan Wetzl, Chad Basma and Will Smith as Northgate honorees. James joins an East Coweta contingent of Levi Futo, Brad Emaus and Jamie Spear.
In the case of Hooper, the Vikings second baseman seized the leadoff spot in the batting order and never let it go. He led the champs in a number of offensive categories including batting average (.486), at bats (109), hits (53), runs (59), doubles (17), stolen bases (23 in 25 attempts) and walks (27).
He also was second on the team in home runs with eight and demonstrated strong defensive play for the Vikings. He committed all of two errors in 114 chances this season.
While he didn't bat leadoff, James was a catalyst for the Indians in the number three spot. He led the Region 4-AAAAA champs in average at .485, with 48 hits in 99 at bats with 11 stolen bases, seven home runs, 42 runs scored and 49 RBIs.
James, who was second on the Indians in doubles with eight, also had a solid season at shortstop. He committed seven errors in 71 chance at shortstop.
In regards to the remainder of the team, Hooper and Hamilton lead a contingent of six from Northgate while East Coweta is represented by James and four others, Newnan had four and Heritage was represented by four players.
Joining Hooper and Hamilton are Catlan and Conner Kendrick, catcher Kyle LaChance and outfielder Drew Tolbert. James is joined by third baseman/pitcher Jarius Rhodes, second baseman Josh Shiver, outfielder Seth Newton and pitcher Cam Bedrosian.
The Newnan Cougars are represented by catcher/outfielder Clint Clark, pitcher first baseman Marc Frazier, third baseman Josh Wallace and second baseman Stephen Tarkenton. Heritage School is represented by catcher Grant Alvarez, pitcher/first baseman Jack Duffey, shortstop Michael McGraw and outfielder Hanson Powell.
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Stuart is the announcer for the Northgate Vikings. There is no way he gets many opportunities to cover for anyone else. So come on TH "Sports" how do you pick this team? Because unlike basketball and football where you can just pick a kid from Newnan, this one you actually have to think about; all 4 teams are good. So how does it work?
Posted by Steve at 11:49 AM
I agree with you Mark. If the writers can't even cover a sport like they should, what makes them qualified to pick an All-County team. They are NOT! At least, they should include the criteria on how they select the teams, how much input the local coaches had and how much input opposing coaches had, input from scouts, etc.
Posted by philip d. at 8:51 AM
My son has played with both Hoop and Tarktenton. Both great kids on the field and more importantly, off the field and both come from great families. Both will do great in whatever they choose to do in life. I am personally not a fan of the All County team because the writers don’t get out to see all the teams regularly enough to be objective.
Posted by mark at 8:31 AM
I have seen both of theses kids play and both are good ball players. Both will do well at the next level. Stop downing the kids, Its Stuart that has no baseball sense and has no clue of hoe to write a story or pick a all county team
Posted by J at 7:18 AM
What else happened down there? Did Hooper possibly turn it down? Did Tarktenton play so remarkable the coaches had no choice but to give it to him? You were there apparently, enlighten me please. Hooper is a great ball player and Im sure Tarktenton is as well. Let us not take credit away when credit is due
Posted by Steve at 8:57 PM
its funny you say how great of a ball player hooper is, because when he went down to southern union and there was only one scholarship between him and stephen tarktenton that tarkenton got it so who knows maybe one of the best junior college coaches in the nation missed that miami d1 level talent of hoopers.
Posted by smarter than you at 6:49 PM
You missed Rojas. He was a vital asset to the Vikings as he was their #2 pitcher. Got them their first win of the championship series and bailed them out in the clinching game 3. He would have been a good choice
Posted by Steve at 10:13 AM
Stuart, when the yahoos stop writing to complain, then you need to start worrying. Keep up the good work and we love reading your articles.
Posted by mark at 8:05 AM
I would love to play your all county team with any wiyh the rest of the players left. You would not have a chance. Stuart has no clue about baseball. pick the players and not the dads.
Posted by J at 7:13 AM
Great ball player. This guy has all the tools. I'm shocked that a Division I like Miami didn't pick him up, or MLB may have missed out on the next Dustin Pedroia. Congrats to all of the players.
Posted by Army Dad at 8:02 AM
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Congrats
7/11/2009
Link To This Comment
Congrats to all the NG players, coaches and to Hooper for POY...he deserves it. And a message to "smarter than you," are you honestly going to get on here and bash an 18 year old kid...wow. You should be ashamed. I am sure you have no idea what the situation was with Hooper and Southern Union...so get over yourself. I agree...Rojas should be here. And pretty sure ALL the sports writers vote, not just Stuart. Once again, Conratulations to the Vikings and all the County Players on a great season!
Posted by Mr. President at 1:55 AM