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GCAA - Georgia Collegiate Athletic AssociationGolden Knights News - 2012

The following articles have been recently released by West Georgia Technical College:

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WGTC Women's Basketball Signs Jessie Michaels of Woodland High School
Posted: May 14, 2012
West Georgia Technical College - Office of Sports Information
CONTACT: Aaron Sones, 678-664-0517, aaron.sones@westgatech.edu

Jessie Michaels signs. Photo Courtesy of Daily Tribune News
Photo Courtesy of: The Daily Tribune News

(Standing L-R): Coleman Roberts - Woodland Head Coach; Dr. Billy Wehurt - coach; Coach Glenn Harris - coach; Marco Mason - WGTC Assistant Coach; Mike Tobin - Woodland AD; Steve Dannington - coach

(Sitting L-R): Stephen Michaels - brother; Tracy Wold - mother; Jessie Michaels - signee; Tim Michaels - father

CARROLLTON, Ga. – West Georgia Tech women’s basketball coach Kenny Edwards added to his 2012 recruiting haul with the signing of Woodland High School’s Jessie Michaels.

Michaels was a two-year starter at the forward position for Coach Coleman Roberts at Woodland. She scored 97 points while leading the team with 166 rebounds her senior season. She was a duel-sport athlete, competing in fast pitch softball as well as basketball.

“I am very excited about signing Jessie and having her in a Golden Knights uniform,” Edwards said. “She is versatile enough to play the three because of her length and her shot and she has the toughness needed to play on the blocks. She was a great rebounder in high school. As a coach you love to have players like Jessie that do all of the intangibles to make your team successful.”

Michaels is the daughter of Tim Michaels and Tracy Wold.


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WGTC Golden Knights Softball Signs Woodland Product Ashley Burgess
Posted: May 14, 2012
West Georgia Technical College - Office of Sports Information
CONTACT: Aaron Sones, 678-664-0517, aaron.sones@westgatech.edu

Ashley Burgess of Woodland signs with WGTC Softball.

Front L-R: Pam Burgess, Ashley Burgess, Kyle Burgess, Kinsley Burgess
Back L-R: Woodland HC Karen Miller, WGTC Assistant Coach Reshard Boykin, WGTC Head Coach Stephanie Herrera, WGTC Assistant Coach Jordan Melson, Cody Burgess

CARROLLTON, Ga. – West Georgia Tech fast pitch softball coach Stephanie Herrera signed Woodland (Ala.) High School’s Ashley Burgess to a national letter of intent.

Burgess will play second base and will pitch for the Golden Knights.

Burgess was selected to the All-Area Team her senior season. She was an All-County selection in 2011.

"Ashley is a great recruit for West Georgia Tech,” Herrera said. “She has the drive and desire to do her best. I look forward to seeing her do big things for our team.”

Burgess is the daughter of Kyle and Pam Burgess.


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WGTC Softball Adds Chelsea Benitez of Lineville, Alabama to 2012 Recruiting Haul
Posted: May 14, 2012
West Georgia Technical College - Office of Sports Information
CONTACT: Aaron Sones, 678-664-0517, aaron.sones@westgatech.edu

Chelsea Benetiz from Lineville signs with WGTC

Front L-R: Mariah Campbell, Chelsea Benitez, Cindy Benitez
Back L-R: Lineville assistant coach Steve Giddens, Thelma Hoyt, WGTC assistant coach Jordan Melson, WGTC head coach Stephanie Herrera, WGTC Assistant Coach Reshard Boykin, Lineville head coach

CARROLLTON, Ga. – West Georgia Technical College softball coach Stephanie Herrera signed Chelsea Benitez of Lineville (Ala.) High School on May 10th.

Benitez will play catcher and could potentially play one of the infield positions, according to Herrera.

“Chelsea has a great attitude. She is the kind of kid who gives it her all, 110-percent of the time. I look for her to be a big leader on the diamond,” Herrera said.

Benetiz is the daughter of Daniel and Cindy Benitez.




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Golden Knights Softball Signs Hiram's Robin Mitchell
Posted: May 14, 2012
West Georgia Technical College - Office of Sports Information
CONTACT: Aaron Sones, 678-664-0517, aaron.sones@westgatech.edu

Robin Mitchell of Bowdown signs with WGTC

Back row L to R: Hiram Coach Mark Bowles, WGTC Assistant Coach Reshard Boykin, WGTC Head Coach Stephanie Herrera, WGTC Assistant Coach Jordan Melson, Hiram AD Ken Ritch.
Front Row L to R: James Buford, Teresa Buford, Heather Mitchell, Robin Mitchell, Rob Mitchell, Joe Mitchell.

CARROLLTON, Ga. – West Georgia Tech softball coach Stephanie Herrera added a power hitter to her roster with the signing of Hiram High School product Robin Mitchell.

Mitchell earned all-region honors in 2010 and 2011 for Hiram coach Mark Bowles. She was awarded the 2011 Silver Slugger award after leading the Hornets in hitting with a .438 average. She posted a career batting average of .402 as a four-year starter.

“Today is a great day for Hiram High School as Robin Mitchell gets an opportunity to play softball on the next level at West Georgia Tech,” Bowles said. “Robin is a tremendous softball player and I know she will represent West Georgia Tech well on and off the field.”

Herrera said that Mitchell’s power at the plate and versatility on the field will be a huge asset for next year’s squad.

“She is very strong and is definitely a power hitter,” Herrera said. “I expect her to fill our cleanup spot in the lineup and I anticipate big things from her offensively. Her versatility allows her to play first base or in the outfield. I’m excited about signing Robin because of who she is as a player and also for the fact that she is from our local community.”

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West Georgia Tech's Dusty Davis Named First Team All-Region, Wins Gold Glove at Second Base
Posted: May 11, 2012
West Georgia Technical College Sports Information
CONTACT: Aaron Sones, 678-664-0517, aaron.sones@westgatech.edu

Dusty Davis named First Team All Region and Gold Glove winner at Second Base
Dusty Davis

Carrollton, GA - West Georgia Tech sophomore second baseman Dusty Davis was named to the Region 17 – Division 1 All-Region First Team after voting by league coaches. Davis was also awarded a Gold Glove for his play in the infield.

The Chapel Hill High School product led the Golden Knights in home runs (7), batting average (.328), slugging percentage (.530), runs scored (47) and doubles (13). Davis hit four of his seven home runs and earned a .987 fielding percentage in conference games.

Davis transferred to West Georgia Tech after spending his freshman season at Andrew College in Cuthbert, Ga. While there he led his team in home runs and was selected to the All-Region Second Team.

Davis was given the role of leadoff hitter early on in the season by West Georgia Tech head coach Todd Pratt.

“Dusty was very dangerous as a lead-off hitter,” Pratt said. “He can hurt a team with power and speed. After we moved him to second base, he played the best defense at that position that I have seen in a long time. As a coaching staff we are very proud to have an all-conference player in our first year in Region 17 and Dusty made that happen.”

Davis will have the distinction of being the school’s first all-region performer as a member of the National Junior College Athletic Association.

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Bowdon's Kaitlynn Famer Signs to Play Softball at West Georgia Tech
Posted: May 11, 2012
West Georgia Technical College Sports Information
CONTACT: Aaron Sones, 678-664-0517, aaron.sones@westgatech.edu

Kaitlynn Farmer from Bowdon Signs

Seated L-R: WGTC Head Coach Stephanie Herrera, Vickie Farmer, Kaitlynn Farmer, Michael Farmer
Standing L-R: WGTC Assistant Coach Reshard Boykin, BHS Head Coach Ralph Sanders, BHS Assistant Coach Stephen Mitchell, BHS Principal Travis Thomas, BHS Assistant Principal Kevin Aviles

CARROLLTON, Ga. – West Georgia Tech softball coach Stephanie Herrera added to her inaugural recruiting class with the signing of Bowdon High School's Kaitlynn Farmer. Farmer was given the honor of "Most Valuable Senior" this season which followed a year in which she was awarded "Most Improved" by her coaches.

Herrera said that Farmer will compete for a starting job in the outfield for the Golden Knights next fall.

"Kaitlynn is a great athlete, a very solid kid," Herrera said. "She is in great shape and she is really aggressive on the ball field. She is the kind of kid you love to see in uniform for your team. Offensively she is a slap hitter and has a very high on-base percentage."

She is the daughter of Michael and Vickie Farmer.

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West Georgia Tech Men's Basketball Signs Paulding County Standout Shaquille Davis
Posted: May 9, 2012
West Georgia Technical College Sports Information
CONTACT: Aaron Sones, 678-664-0517, aaron.sones@westgatech.eduShaquille Davis signs to play basketball with WGTC.

CARROLLTON, Ga. – West Georgia Tech head men’s basketball coach Niki Okolovitch added the first member of his 2012 recruiting class with the signing of Paulding County’s Shaquille Davis Wednesday morning.

Davis, a 6’4 guard, averaged 16.5 points, five rebounds and two assists per game last season for head coach Anthony Cayetano at Paulding High School. Davis set the school record for points in a season while being named Team Captain and Team MVP. He was also voted Paulding County Player of the Year in voting by county coaches.

Okolovitch said that Davis would compete for a starting spot on next season’s squad.

“Shaq is a terrific signing for us. He exemplifies all the qualities we look for in a player. He has high character, his family is very supportive, and he’s an extremely talented young man,” Okolovitch said.

“He’s very athletic with a solid skill set. His ability to get up the court with the ball and finish around the basket fits in perfectly with our style of play.”

The Golden Knights return most of the roster from last season’s team which won the Region 17 Division III Championship and earned a No. 14 national ranking.

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Golden Knights Baseball Signs Big Recruit in Banks County Pitcher Taylor Foster
Posted: May 4, 2012
West Georgia Technical College Sports Information
CONTACT: Aaron Sones, 678-664-0517, aaron.sones@westgatech.edu

CARROLLTON, Ga. – West Georgia Tech baseball coach Todd Pratt signed perhaps the biggest prospect in the program’s young history this week in left handed pitcher Taylor Foster of Banks County High School.

The 6-4, 220 pound Foster is expected to earn a spot in the starting rotation for the Golden Knights next season. Foster is a two-time All-Region performer who struck out a school-record 136 batters this season.

“We are really excited about bringing a player of Taylor’s caliber to West Georgia Tech,” Pratt said. “A lot of schools were looking at him and we are fortunate to get him. He’s big and he throws hard, somewhere in the 86-88 mph range. We expect him to be one of the leaders on our staff.”

Foster will join an impressive recruiting class which is taking shape with a few more signees yet to be announced. Pratt expects to complete the class in the next few weeks.

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West Georgia Tech Baseball Signs RHP Nathan Ragsdale
Posted: May 4, 2012
West Georgia Technical College Sports Information
CONTACT: Aaron Sones, 678-664-0517, aaron.sones@westgatech.edu

CARROLLTON, Ga. – West Georgia Tech head baseball coach Todd Pratt added a right handed pitcher to his arsenal with the signing of Nathan Ragsdale of New Creation Christian Academy which is located in McDonough.

The 6’2 fire baller will compete for a spot in the starting rotation, according to Pratt.

“We have been watching him for a long time,” Pratt said. “We feel that he is a diamond in the rough for us. He will throw in the 85-87 mph range and he has a good breaking ball. I’m excited about the possibilities for Nathan.”

Ragsdale is one of several recruits that Pratt has signed or plans to sign in the spring signing period.

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WGTC Women's Basketball Signs Newnan Guard Katia Roberts
Posted: May 2, 2012
West Georgia Technical College Sports Information
CONTACT: Aaron Sones, 678-664-0517, aaron.sones@westgatech.edu

Katia Roberts signs letter of intent

Back L-R: NHS Principal Dr. Doug Moore, WGTC assistant coach Marco Mason, NHS head coach Coach Lavarrett Pearson,  NHS Assistant Principal Steve Allen
Front L-R: Greg Smith, Dorothy Roberts, Katia Roberts, Micheal Roberts, ChanTel Roberts 

CARROLLTON, Ga. – West Georgia Tech women’s basketball coach Kenny Edwards has signed Katia Roberts of Newnan High School as part of his spring recruiting class.

Roberts averaged 8.1 points per game while dishing out 6.3 assists her senior season for Newnan head coach Lavarrett Pearson. She was a three-year letter winner at Newnan and will graduate with honors.

Edwards said that Roberts will bring versatility to his lineup and could play point guard, shooting guard and even small forward positions.

“I am excited about signing Katia. I believe she will come in and work hard on and off the court. She is very athletic with a tremendous upside. I think she is a player we can move around on offense and defense because of her athleticism,” Edwards said.

Roberts is the daughter of Dorothy Roberts.

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Shay Romick of Lithia Springs Signs to Play Women's Basketball at West Georgia Tech
Posted: May 2, 2012
West Georgia Technical College Sports Information
CONTACT: Aaron Sones, 678-664-0517, aaron.sones@westgatech.edu

Shay Romick signs letter of intent
Front Row L-R: Sarah Lackey – mom, Shay Romick, Lindsay Lackey - dad
Back row L-R: Orlando Verdell - assistant coach, Kelley Talps - assistant coach, David Mills - head coach, Alton Bigo - principal

CARROLLTON, Ga. – West Georgia Tech women’s basketball head coach Kenny Edwards added another post player to his 2012 recruiting class with the signing of Shay Romick who prepped at Lithia Springs High School.

Romick was inserted into the starting line-up at the midway point of her senior season by Lithia Springs head coach David Mills. And according to Mills, Romick added a physical presence in the paint for his squad, something that Edwards hopes she will also do for the Golden Knights.

“Shay will play the four and five spots for me on the floor, and I am excited about having the opportunity to work with her on her post game,” Edwards said. “I have no doubt that with a little more experience she will become a very successful student-athlete. She has shown me on-the-court leadership traits which are very much needed at this level, and that will be a big asset for us next season.”

Romick is the daughter of Lindsey and Sarah Lackey.

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West Georgia Tech Women's Basketball Adds Victoria Conner of Paulding County to Spring Recruiting Haul
Posted: May 2, 2012
West Georgia Technical College Sports Information
CONTACT: Aaron Sones, 678-664-0517, aaron.sones@westgatech.edu

Victoria Conner signs letter of intent

Front Row L-R: Marie Meekins – mom, Victoria Conner, Jermaine Meekins – dad, Jammi Meekins - brother
Back Row L-R: Byron Scott - assistant coach, Larrell Lewis - head coach, Dr. Angelica Collins - athletic director

CARROLLTON, Ga. – West Georgia Technical College women’s basketball coach Kenny Edwards added another key piece to his spring recruiting class with the signing of Paulding County’s Victoria Conner.

Conner averaged 12 points at 10 rebounds per game for head coach Lavell Lewis her senior season. She was also credited with three steals per contest. Conner played point guard her senior season and also saw some time in the post. She was named co-captain this past year.

“I am very excited about signing Victoria,” Edwards said. “She is very athletic and will be able to guard every position on the floor for us. She played just about every position on the floor for her high school team and I hope she can bring that same versatility to us. The more I was her, the more I love her game.”

Conner is the daughter of Jermaine Meekings.

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West Georgia Tech Women's Basketball Signs Hiram’s Tyresha Jamerson
Posted: May 2, 2012
West Georgia Technical College Sports Information
CONTACT: Aaron Sones, 678-664-0517, aaron.sones@westgatech.edu

Tyresha Jamerson Signs letter of intent
Front Row L-R: Ken Ritch - athletic director, Coach Caldwell - head coach, Tyresha Jamerson

CARROLLTON, Ga. – Hiram’s Tyresha Jamerson has signed national letter of intent papers to play women’s basketball at West Georgia Tech.

Jamerson averaged eight points and eight rebounds per game for Lady Hornets head coach Michelle Caldwell last season.

WGTC head coach Kenny Edwards said that Jamerson will add a post presence to his line-up.

“Tyresha is a six-foot post player that has a big motor with a tremendous upside. I believe she will make an immediate impact for our program. She is quick and skilled around the basket, and I’m really excited about signing her,” Edward said.

Jamerson is the daughter of Valarie Jamerson.

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Gordon Sweeps Series over West Georgia Tech with Doubleheader Sweep Saturday, 5-2 (10 inn.) and 11-3
Posted: April 30, 2012
West Georgia Technical College Sports Information
CONTACT: Aaron Sones, 678-664-0517, aaron.sones@westgatech.edu

DOUGLASVILLE, Ga. – The West Georgia Tech Golden Knights were swept by Gordon College in a conference doubleheader Saturday afternoon in Douglasville 5-2 and 11-3, putting WGTC’s postseason chances in jeopardy heading into the last conference series of the season next week at East Georgia.

The Knights fell to 18-31, 9-19 in conference while Gordon improved to 26-21, 16-12.

“We just didn’t get it done,” WGTC head coach Todd Pratt said. “We had the first game won, but we just didn’t make it happen. I thought we had a bad call that if it had gone our way would have given us a different outcome. But it just didn’t happen. Bartlett pitched another great game, as he always does.”

Gordon won Saturday’s first game 5-2 in 10 innings in a game that was scheduled for seven.

WGTC starting pitcher Brad Bartlett pitched splendidly once again but suffered yet another hard-luck loss in game one as the Knights failed to produce enough runs or timely hits to get the victory.

Bartlett worked into the tenth inning before being pulled after he ran into trouble. Bartlett allowed five runs on 12 hits in 9 1/3 innings of work. He didn’t allow a single walk while striking out four Gordon batters.

The Knights trailed 2-0 in the fifth but manufactured single runs in the fifth and sixth innings to tie the game.

West Georgia Tech’s Dusty Davis roped a double to lead off the bottom of the seventh but the Knights failed to get him home.

WGTC had runners on first and second with two outs in the ninth but left them stranded.

Gordon got to Bartlett in the 10th and eventually scored three runs to close the scoring at 5-2.

West Georgia Tech was out-hit 13 to 6. Designated hitter Stephen Fuller was the only Knight with multiple hits, as he went 2-for-4 with a double.

In game two, Gordon scored five runs in the first inning and coasted to an 11-3 victory.

The Golden Knights closed the gap to 6-3 in the third inning, but the Highlanders pulled away with five unanswered runs over the next four frames.

Starting pitcher Ryan Turner struggled and was pulled before he ever got an out. Justin Hobby, Cullen Coulter, Jeff Johnson and Cole Reynolds finished the game on the mound for West Georgia Tech.

West Georgia Tech walked 11 Highlander batters in the game and six of those eventually scored.

The Knights actually outhit Gordon 10-7.

Dusty Davis led West Georgia Tech at the plate as he went 3-for-4 with a triple. Rus Morman went 2-for-3 with 2 RBIs.

West Georgia Tech will close the regular season at East Georgia with doubleheaders scheduled for Friday and Saturday in Swainsboro. Depending on what happened around the league this weekend, the Knights will likely still have an opportunity to play their way in to the conference tournament.

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Golden Knights Fall to Gordon College 11-5
Posted: April 27, 2012
West Georgia Technical College Sports Information
CONTACT: Aaron Sones, 678-664-0517, aaron.sones@westgatech.edu

DOUGLASVILLE, Ga. – Gordon College scored six runs in the fourth inning and held on to defeat West Georgia Tech 11-5 Friday afternoon and take a 2-0 lead in the series.

West Georgia Tech fell to 18-30 overall and 9-17 in conference play while Gordon improved to 24-21, 14-12.

"We just got beat today," WGTC head coach Todd Pratt said. "There isn't more that you can say. We had a rough inning which kind of set the tone and we didn't recover."

The Golden Knights scored four runs in the first inning to take a 4-2 lead but were unable to withstand the hot bats of the Gordon hitters. The Highlanders scored two in the third inning to tie the game 4-4 before their six-run outburst in the fourth.

Gordon scored all six runs with two outs as they hit six consecutive two-out singles.

Will Hammock pitched 3 1/3 inings of solid no-hit relief. Hammock allowed no runs and no hits with three strikeouts and a walk.

"I thought Hammock had a really nice outing for us," Pratt said. "He had good stuff and that a definitely a bright moment."

Hammock relieved starting pitcher Chase Patterson who was roughed up for 10 runs on 13 hits in 3 2/3 innings.

Eric Bowers had a big day at the plate for WGTC, going 3-for-4 with a pair of doubles and an RBI. Dusty Davis (2-for-5) and Rus Morman (2-for-5, RBI) also collected multiple hits for the Knights.

West Georgia Tech was out-hit 15 to 8 on the afternoon.

The Golden Knights weill send Brad Bartlett and Ryan Turner to the mound to start gamesone and two of tomorrow's doubleheader. First pitch of game one is scheduled for a 2:05 p.m. start in Douglasville.

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West Georgia Tech Baseball Signs Hiram Trio
Posted: April 26, 2012
West Georgia Technical College Sports Information
CONTACT: Aaron Sones, 678-664-0517, aaron.sones@westgatech.edu

CARROLLTON, Ga. – West Georgia Tech baseball coach Todd Pratt added three more signees to the 2012 recruiting class, all from Hiram High School.

Utility player and speedster Hunter Smallwood and pitchers Orrin Lewis and Chris Irwin signed national letters of intent to play baseball for West Georgia Tech.

Chris Irwin
Chris Irwin

"We are very excited about getting all three of them to join our program," Pratt said. "They play for a great coach in Mark Bowles, and I know that each of them will be a valuable asset as we continue to build our program while competing in the top classification in JUCO baseball. We want to build with local talent, and we hope to continue a long-lasting relationship with Hiram High School athletics."

Smallwood will be utilized in many positions for the Knights. He will bring speed to the line-up as he holds the school record for stolen bases over a season as well as over a career. He also holds the county record for steals over a career. He currently is hitting .350 with 19 stolen bases, giving him nearly 100 stolen bases over his four-year career. Smallwood was awarded First Team All-County in 2011 as well as Honorable Mention All-Region.

Orrin Lewis Signing Intent to Play Baseball at WGTC.
Orrin Lewis

Irwin is a right-handed pitcher who holds the school record for strikeouts in a season. He has a 2.10 ERA with 64 strikeouts over 47 innings this year. Last year he recorded 83 strikeouts in 59.1 innings while amassing a 6-3 record. Irwin was named to the First Team All-Region and All-County teams as a junior and was also recognized as his team's MVP last season.

Lewis transferred to Hiram for his senior season and was quick to make an impact on the mound. He is currently 5-3 with 46 strikeouts in 38 innings with an impressive 1.18 ERA.

Smallwood signs letter of intent to play baseball at WGTC.
Hunter Smallwood

Hiram is currently 14-10 and in the hunt for a playoff berth. Hiram head coach Mark Bowles said he was proud to see all three of them earn an opportunity to play at the next level.

"I'm very proud of these young men and see them accomplish their goals of playing baseball at the next level," he said. WGTC has so much to offer these young men academically and athletically. They will be playing for a coach that can help them become the best baseball player, teammate and person that they can be."

Pratt plans to announce several more signees in the next few weeks and plans to complete his second class as head coach by summer.

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Golden Knights Drop Series Opener to Gordon 17-5
Posted: April 25, 2012
West Georgia Technical College Sports Information
CONTACT: Aaron Sones, 678-664-0517, aaron.sones@westgatech.edu

Barnesville, Ga. - West Georgia Tech suffered a 17-5 defeat to Gordon in the series opener Tuesday night in Barnesville.

West Georgia Tech fell to 18-29 and 9-16 in conference as Gordon improved to 23-21, 13-12.

The Knights led 2-1 going into the bottom of the third but allowed Gordon to score 14 unanswered runs over the next three innings.

WGTC had nine hits on the afternoon, led by Rus Morman of Troup who went 3-for-4 with 3 RBIs.

Eric Bowers went 2-for-4 for the Knights. 

"We hit the ball good in the first couple of innings and got the lead, and I thought we swung the bat pretty well for the most part,” West Georgia Tech head coach Todd Pratt said. “We left too many people stranded early. I think we could have had a big inning or two if we had gotten those runs home.”

Hayden Petitta suffered the loss on the mound for West Georgia Tech.

"Petitta had a rough day but we didn't play very good defense behind him either. We have got to clean up the mistakes in the outfield, because those will come back to hurt you and extend innings, and that is what happened today,” Pratt said.

The series resumes Friday in Douglasville with a single game starting at 3:05 p.m.

"We had a chat after the game, and our guys are ready for the weekend,” Pratt said. “This happens in baseball. Sometimes you are going to have games like this. We still have our best arms available. (Ryan) Turner will pitch this weekend (he suffered what was thought to be a season-ending injury vs. GPC), and we have (Brad) Bartlett and (Justin) Hobby. We get them at home so we'll have the home field advantage going for us."

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West Georgia Tech Softball Signs South Paulding Pitcher Kat Boyd
Posted: April 25, 2012
CONTACT: Aaron Sones, 678-664-0517, aaron.sones@westgatech.edu

Carrollton, Ga. - South Paulding’s Kathleen (Kat) Boyd became the second official signee in the inaugural signing class for West Georgia Tech softball at an official signing ceremony at the high school April 18th.

Kat Boyd signing

She is expected to compete for a starting role as a pitcher for WGTC head coach Stephanie Herrera.

Boyd is a four-time varsity letter-winner at South Paulding High School where she played for coach Janet Oglesby.

She had a 4.01 ERA while striking out 69 batters in 82.1 innings her senior season. She was also credited with two complete-game shutouts.

“Today was a great day for WGTC softball,” Herrera said. “Kat has been at the top of my list since the first time I saw her pitch. She brings a huge arsenal to the mound with the ability to throw six different pitches. I know she will be a leader for us and I expect her to do great things. I am very excited about adding another player from the local area to the program.”

Boyd is the daughter of Randy and Vicki Boyd.

 

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Villa Rica's Nicole Greene Signs to Play Softball at West Georgia Tech
Posted: April 25, 2012
CONTACT: Aaron Sones, 678-664-0517, aaron.sones@westgatech.edu

Carrollton, Ga. - West Georgia Tech head softball coach Stephanie Herrera has inked the third signee of the school’s inaugural softball recruiting class with the signing of Villa Rica’s Nicole Greene. Nicole Greene Signing

Greene has excelled on the fast pitch travel circuit and will bring versatility and a unique skill set to the club, according to Herrera.

“She can play outfield, third base and she can play catcher and she is really good at each position,” Hererra said. “One of the first things I noticed while watching her play is her aggressiveness. I expect her to bring leadership to this program and her give-it-all attitude will help lay the foundation for the Golden Knights softball program.”

Greene is the daughter of Johnny and Lori Greene.

Hererra expects to sign several more signees in the coming weeks as she continues to build the school’s newest athletic program.

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West Georgia Tech Begins Four-Game Series With Gordon College Tuesday as the Race for a Postseason Berth Heats Up
Posted: April 23, 2012
CONTACT: Aaron Sones, 678-664-0517, aaron.sones@westgatech.edu

Carrollton, Ga. - West Georgia Tech baseball head coach Todd Pratt began this season with one main goal for his club – finish in the top six in the Region 17 Division 1 conference standings and earn a spot in the conference postseason tournament. With eight conference games remaining the Golden Knights are in position to do just that, but they will have to win games against Gordon and East Georgia over the next two weeks.

West Georgia Tech is currently 18-28 overall, 9-15 in conference play. The Knights are tied with East Georgia (19-27, 9-15), South Georgia (21-27, 9-15) and Andrew (20-26, 9-15) for fifth place in the conference standings. Gordon is 22-21, 12-12, and is in fourth place.

If the current standings mostly hold to form over the final eight games, then West Georgia Tech will battle East Georgia, South Georgia and Andrew for the final two spots in the conference tourney. After WGTC faces Gordon this week, they'll close the season against East Georgia in what could be a winner-take-all series for a postseason berth.

"We hold our destiny in our own hands," Pratt said. "There are four teams battling for two spots, and we play two of them over the last two weeks. This is an opportunity for us but we have to go out there and win games. If we take care of business, we are in."

East Georgia plays South Georgia this week while Andrew must take on Georgia Perimeter.

West Georgia Tech will face one of the hottest teams in the conference this week when they meet the Gordon College Highlanders for a four-game series beginningTuesday afternoon in Barnesville. Gordon has won seven of its last nine games, including an impressive series win over then league-leader Darton last week.

"We can't be satisfied with anything less than a split this week," Pratt said. "Gordon is a really good club, you have to be good to win three-of-four against Darton."

Tuesday's first pitch is set for 5 p.m. Hayden Petitta will get the start Tuesday for West Georgia Tech. Petitta is coming off a splendid outing last Thursday against Georgia Perimeter in which he allowed only two earned runs through 6 1/3 innings.

Gordon will travel to Douglasville for the remainder of the series with games scheduled for Friday and Saturday.

REGION 17 – DIVISION 1 CONFERENCE STANDINGS
Middle Georgia 37-10, 23-5
Darton 34-13, 19-5
Georgia Perimeter 36-12, 16-8
Gordon 22-21, 12-12
West Georgia Tech 18-28, 9-15
East Georgia 19-27, 9-15
South Georgia 21-27, 9-15
Andrew 20-26, 9-15
ABAC 18-31, 6-22

Gordon at West Georgia
Tech Andrew at Georgia Perimeter
East Georgia at South Georgia
Darton at Middle Georgia
ABAC (Idle)

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WGTC Baseball Signs First Three Members of 2012 Recruiting Haul Thursday
Posted: April 23, 2012
CONTACT: Aaron Sones, 678-664-0517, aaron.sones@westgatech.edu

Carrollton, Ga. - West Georgia Tech head baseball coach Todd Pratt began the spring signing period with the signing of three high school standouts to national letters of intent Thursday.

Bennett Signing

Ryan Healan (North Oconee), Blake Butcher (Oconee County) and Tye Bennett (Walnut Grove) were welcomed to the WGTC family at separate signing ceremonies at their schools. The three marked a special milestone in West Georgia Tech athletics history, becoming the first student-athletes to be awarded athletic scholarship aid in the program's young history.

"I have always felt like this program would progress quickly," Pratt said. "With the help and support from our Administration, the foundation is being laid to build a program in which we will all be proud of. It gives me great pride to be a part of this program's history."

Blake Butcher signs with WGTC

Healan, Butcher and Bennett are the first of this year's crop of signees, which will be making their intent to go to school at West Georgia Tech official in the coming days. This year's recruiting class is expected to be completed by late spring or early summer.

Healan is a third baseman who will likely move to the second base spot on next year's squad. Butcher is a third baseman and Bennett is expected to compete for a spot in the outfield.

West Georgia Tech is completing its first season as a NJCAA Division 1 member in baseball, a year that has seen the Knights hold their own against much more established and tradition-rich programs. WGTC is currently battling for one of the top six spots in the final conference standings and a berth in the postseason tournament which will be held at Georgia Perimeter College in Covington May 11-13.

Healan Signs with WGTC Baseball

Pratt said that he expects the three newest signees to make an immediate impact on the program.

"We are bringing in freshmen that will replace a solid nucleus of sophomores. These three guys, along with the rest of the group that we bring in, will provide competition at many positions on next year's team," he said.

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Quotes from Todd Pratt on each player

Blake Butcher: "Blake is a third baseman that has led his team this year. He has a football mind-set, he was the starting middle linebacker for Oconee. I like football players, as I was a multi-sport player as well. They know how to get kicked in the mouth and get back up. He is a strong hitter and a solid defensive player. I look for him to be hitting in the middle of the line-up his freshman season."

Ryan Healan: "Ryan is a third baseman that will be moved to second base. Ryan comes from a great family and a good school. Ryan is one the leaders at North Oconee and he will called on to lead next year as well even though he will be a freshman. Ryan will bring size (6' 2") to that position. He has a sweet left-handed swing with some pop."

Tye Bennett: "A centerfielder for Walnut Grove High School, Tye is a left-handed center fielder that has some speed. He comes from a program that has produce one player at WGTC already (Matthew Pope). Coach Daigle does a fine job teaching his players and will make it easier for Tye to transition himself to college baseball. Tye will battle for one of the outfield spots next season."

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WGTC Women’s Basketball Signs South Paulding Three-Point Specialist Jasmine Williams
Posted: April 23, 2012
CONTACT: Aaron Sones, 678-664-0517, aaron.sones@westgatech.edu

Jasmine Williams' signing

CARROLLTON, Ga. – West Georgia Tech women's basketball coach Kenny Edwards has signed South Paulding standout Jasmine Williams, his first signee of the 2012 recruiting class.

Williams earned a reputation as a three-point sharp-shooter under South Paulding head coach Kelly Nye. A varsity starter for two years, Williams holds the school records for three pointers made in a season (40) and in a career (87).

Williams scored 261 points and pulled down 105 rebounds as a senior. She was also credited with 64 steals and 63 assists.

She will play the point guard and shooting guard positions at West Georgia Tech, according to Edwards.

"I am excited about signing Jasmine," he said. "She played for a great coach in Coach Nye. I believe she will come in and work hard to learn and figure out our system and what it takes to play at the junior college level. She was the floor leader for her high school team and I hope she will bring those leadership traits to the Golden Knights women's basketball program."

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Golden Knights Swept by Georgia Perimeter Saturday 2-1 and 13-2
Posted: April 21, 2012
CONTACT: Aaron Sones, 678-664-0517, aaron.sones@westgatech.edu

CARROLLTON, Ga. – The West Georgia Tech Golden Knights were swept by Georgia Perimeter, 2-1 and 13-2, in conference action Saturday afternoon at the University of West Georgia in Carrollton. GPC also swept the four-game conference series from the Knights after winning the first two games in the series 6-3 and 11-8.

West Georgia Tech fell to 18-28 on the season and 9-15 in conference play. The Golden Kniths will have to pick up a few more wins in the final two series of the year against Gordon and East Georgia to entertain hopes of reaching the Region 17 Tournament in its first season as a JUCO Division 1 Competitor.

:We were close, we just didn't quite get it done," West Georgia Tech head coach Todd Pratt said. "We really had a shot in the first game today, but miscues in the outfield and some misses at the plate hurt us. I still like this team and our chances of getting there (postseason)."

Goergia Perimeter is a good team. They are good, the have good players, and they are a great test for us. we are building, and we are laying the foundation for a solid program that will do great things."

The Jaguars are now 36-12 overall, 16-8 in conference action.

Game 1 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 R H E
WGTC 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 6 2
GPC 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 2 8 0
LP:                    

West Georgia Tech dropped a 2-1 decision to Georgia Perimeter in game one Saturday.

WGTC's Brad Bartlett and GPC's Clay Garner battled in a classic pitcher's duel.

Bartlett (4-5) suffered the loss despite allowing only two runs (one earned) on eight hits in seven innings of work.

Garner was just slightly better as he allowed only one run on six hits through 6.2 innings.

The Cougars got on the board in the first inning on three singles which led to a 1-0 lead.

WGTC evened the score in the bottom half of the first. Dusty davis led off with a double and later scored on a sacrifice fly by Rus Morman.

The score remained 1-1 until the top of the seventh when the Cougars took the lead 2-1 on a sacrifice fly.

The Knights put runners on first and second in the bottom of the seventh but were unable to score.

Corey Adkins (2-for-2) and Caleb Zalunardo (2-for-3) led West Georgia Tech in th ehitting department.

Game 2 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 R H E
WGTC 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 2 7 3
GPC 6 4 0 0 0 0 3 13 16 1
LP:                    

Georgia Perimeter jumped on the Golden Knights early in game two and cruised to a 13-2 victory.

GPC scored 13 runs on 16 hits while holding the Golden Knights to two runs on seven hits.

Perimeter scored six runs as they batted around in the first inning.

WGTC starting pitcher Ryan Turner exited the game in the second inning after being hit on the ankle by a sharp line drive.

Perimeter added four more in the second to take a commanding 10-0 lead. The Jaguars scored those ten runs on ten hits against West Georgia Tech Pitching.

The Knights got on the scoreboard in the fourth when Phillip DePriestdoubled home Corey Adkins and Caleb Zalunardo.

Perimeter added three more in the seventh to close out the scoring.

The Golden Knights return to action Tuesday in Barnesville, Ga., as they open a four-game series with Gordon College at 5 p.m. The two teams will complete the series in Douglasville Friday and Saturday.

"We have some big games coming up and we can still make the postseason if we play the way I know we can," Pratt said. "The numbers are there, we just have to go out and take care of business and get the job done."

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Knights Blow 6-1 Lead, Fall to Georgia Perimeter 11-8
Posted: April 20, 2012
CONTACT: Aaron Sones, 678-664-0517, aaron.sones@westgatech.edu

CARROLLTON, Ga. – The West Georgia Tech Golden Knights squandered a 6-1 lead en route to an 11-8 loss to Georgia Perimeter College in Region 17 Division 1 baseball action Friday afternoon. GPC has now taken the first two games of the four-game series which will conclude with a doubleheader on Saturday.

With West Georgia Tech leading 2-1 with the bases loaded in the bottom of the third, Douglas County product Sean Watson hit a fastball from GPC starting pitcher Sam Bragg over the left field wall for the school’s first-ever grand slam.

“I am really happy for Sean, he is a good kid and that was a great moment for him,” WGTC head coach Todd Pratt said. “That really fired up the dugout and gave us a lot of energy, but we just didn’t respond in the field.”

The slam gave the Knights what seemed at the time a comfortable 6-1 lead.

But the Cougars battered West Georgia Tech pitching the rest of the way as bthey scored at least a run in every inning. They scored three in the fourth to get within two at 6-4, and added another run in the fifth to chase WGTC starting pitcher Chase Patterson and make the score 6-5.

“We got after them early on but we just didn’t pitch it well and we didn’t play very good defense today,” Pratt said. “We just didn’t get it done. We fought hard but we just came up short again.”

GPC scored twice in the sixth to take the lead for good at 7-6.

Fuller slides
Stephen Fuller (Alexander) slides in the first base on a pick-off attempt in the second inning Friday (Photo courtesy WGTC SID).

Trailing 10-6 in the eighth, West Georgia Tech threatened with two runs and could have had more. A couple of walks put two on with two outs, and Wes Perry roped a 2-RBI double into left field but was thrown out attempting to stretch it into a triple for the third out.

The Cougars added an insurance run in the ninth to close out the scoring at 11-8.

The Golden Knights had a much better day at the plate than the previous one, as they scored eight runs on eight hits.

Rus Morman (Troup) led the Knights in the hitting department as he went 3-for-5 with an RBI. Watson finished 1-for-4, but his one hit produced the four runs courtesy of the grand slam. Perry finished the day 1-for-3 with 2 RBIs.

Both teams were sloppy in the field, committing four errors each.

Pratt elected to hold his number one and two starters until Saturday’s series-closing doubleheader. Brad Bartlett (4-4, 2.65 ERA) and Ryan Turner (6-6, 3.53 ERA) will start games three and four in the series respectively.

“We have our one’s and two’s going tomorrow, and we really need a big day from both of them. It’s important for us to play well and pick up a win or two,” Pratt said.

Saturday’s doubleheader is slated for a 1:05 p.m. start and will be held at Cole Field on the University of West Georgia campus in Carrollton.

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Media Advisory: WGTC - GPC Series Reverts Back to Original Weekend Schedule
Posted: April 20, 2012
CONTACT: Aaron Sones, 678-664-0517, aaron.sones@westgatech.edu

CARROLLTON, Ga. – Officials have made another change to this weekend's series between West Georgia Tech and Georgia Perimeter.

The series will revert back to its original schedule which calls for a single game Friday afternoon at 2:05 p.m., and a doubleheader Saturday starting at 1:05 p.m.

The threat of potential inclement weather over the weekend prompted officials to move Saturday's doubleheader to Friday but forecasts are now indicating that the rain and thunderstorms won't move in until Saturday evening. With this latest information, the series will go on as originally scheduled with the single game Friday and doubleheader Saturday.

WGTC and Georgia Perimeter open the series tonight in Covington at 6 p.m.

Friday and Saturday's games will be played in Carrollton on the University of West Georgia campus.
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Thursday
WGTC at GPC, 6 pm
Friday
GPC at WGTC, 2:05 pm
Saturday
GPC at WGTC, 1:05 pm (DH)

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West Georgia Tech Volleyball Holding Tryouts
Posted: April 18, 2012
CONTACT: Aaron Sones, 678-664-0517, aaron.sones@westgatech.edu

CARROLLTON, Ga. – First year West Georgia Tech volleyball head coach Patricia Swint has announced upcoming tryout dates, which are set for late April and May in Carrollton.

Swint said that the tryouts are open to graduating high school seniors, returning players from the 2011 Golden Knights volleyball team, and other female athletes interested in playing volleyball.

"As the new head women's volleyball coach, I am excited about the upcoming tryouts. We are looking for young women who are willing to work hard and who will be dedicated to helping build a strong volleyball program which will represent our college well," Swint said.

The tryouts will be held in two different sessions. The first one will take place Saturday, April 28th while the second one is schedule for Saturday, May 19th. The sessions will be held at Sharp Creek Elementary School, located at 115 Old Muse Road in Carrollton from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m.

Those interested in trying out need to wear appropriate attire consisting of shorts, a t-shirt and athletic shoes. Please bring water and any other information such as a biographic sheet, which should include information such as statistics, accomplishments and interests, which could be used to assist in the selection process.

For more information, contact Swint at Patricia.Swint@westgatech.edu.

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WOMEN'S VOLLEYBALL TRYOUTS
Saturday, April 28: 10:00 - 1:00
Saturday, May 19: 10:00 - 1:00
Location: Sharp Creek Elementary, 115 Old Muse Road, Carrollton
For more information, contact WGTC head volleyball coach Patricia Swint at 770-843-4266, patricia.swint@westgatech.edu.

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West Georgia Tech Softball Signs Chapel Hill's Amanda Moore
Posted: April 18, 2012
CONTACT: Aaron Sones, 678-664-0517, aaron.sones@westgatech.edu

CARROLLTON, Ga. – West Georgia Technical College head softball coach Stephanie Herrera has signed Chapel Hill High School catcher/outfielder Amanda Moore.

Moore becomes the first official signee in WGTC softball program history.

Amanda Moore signs with WGTC Softball

Seated far-left: WGTC assistant coach Jordan Melson
Seated far-right: WGTC head coach Stephanie Herrera
Standing second from right: WGTC assistant coach Reshard Boykin

Herrera said that she expects Moore to play an integral part in the Golden Knight's short game.

"I am very enthusiastic about Amanda because she brings a wide array of abilities to our team," she said. She is a slap hitter and has speed, something that is critical for our game. She is versatile in the field and that is valuable on this level. I love her heart."

Chapel Hill head coach Mickey Harper said that Moore will be a big asset to the Golden Knights softball program.

"Amanda was one of the hardest working kids on the team and was a quiet leader for us," Harper said. "She really solidified our team behind the plate after we lost a four-year starter two years ago. I believe Amanda will bring a great attitude, work ethic, and the ability to play a number of different positions to West Georgia Technical College."

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Media Advisory: West Georgia Tech - Georgia Perimeter Series Opener Postponed; Changes Made to Weekend Schedule
Posted: April 17, 2012
CONTACT: Aaron Sones, 678-664-0517, aaron.sones@westgatech.edu

CARROLLTON, Ga. – The threat of inclement weather in the area which is expected to move in during the afternoon and evening hours has forced the postponement of tonight's series opener between West Georgia Tech and Georgia Perimeter.

The game has been rescheduled for Thursday at 6 p.m. in Covington.

Officials have also made some changes to the schedule for Friday and Saturday, when the Golden Knights and Jaguars complete the four-game set at the University of West Georgia in Carrollton.

Friday's game has been changed from a single nine-inning game to a seven-inning doubleheader beginning at 1:05 p.m. The two squads will play game four of the series on Saturday, with a 1:05 p.m. start.

Officials indicated that the possibility of threatening weather over the weekend could force further changes to the schedule.

Please visit www.westgatech.edu, or www.Facebook.com/WGTCAthletics, for the latest schedule information.

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WGTC vs. Georgia Perimeter
Thursday, 6 pm in Covington
Friday, 1:05 pm (DH) in Carrollton, UWG
Saturday, 1:05 pm

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Golden Knights Battling for Postseason as They Take on JUCO Power Georgia Perimeter in Four-Game Series This Week
Posted: April 16, 2012
CONTACT: Aaron Sones, 678-664-0517, aaron.sones@westgatech.edu

CARROLLTON, Ga. – With three weeks remaining on the schedule the West Georgia Tech baseball team is squarely in the hunt for a coveted berth in the postseason. For a first-year JUCO program competing at the highest level in junior college baseball, that would be quite an accomplishment.

No. 16: Christian Prichard (Bremen)

No. 16: Christian Prichard (Bremen)

West Georgia Tech is in a three-way tie for fourth place in the conference standings at 9-11, with East Georgia and Gordon. If the season ended today, the Golden Knights would be one of the six teams playing in the conference tournament.

Ask WGTC head coach Todd Pratt what his team has to do to make the postseason, and he will tell you that at least five more wins in the final twelve games will give them a chance.

"I believe it will take 14 wins to reach the region tournament. We must win five of the remaining twelve games to have a serious shot to make the tournament. It will be a tough three weeks for us," he said.

"I believe the team has improved immensely from the start of the season. Players are understanding their roles and feeling more comfortable. We have a long way to go still to become one of the elite programs, but the foundation is being placed with this group of young men," Pratt said.

The Golden Knights have a tough challenge this week as they begin a four-game conference series with traditional JUCO power and reigning Region 17 champ Georgia Perimeter, with a single game Tuesday in Covington.

No. 12: Eric Bowers (Tucker)

GPC will travel to Carrollton for three games Friday and Saturday at Cole Field on the University of West Georgia campus.

West Georgia Tech comes into the series winners of four straight, all at the hands of ABAC which gave the Knights their first-ever Region 17 series sweep. WGTC is 18-24 overall, 9-11 in conference.

The Knights are 8-4 against opponents other than league-leading Darton and Middle Georgia College. Darton leads the league at 18-2, yet one of those losses came at the hands of West Georgia Tech.

Georgia Perimeter (32-12, 12-8) enters the week on a rare two-game losing streak. GPC lost the final two games of their series with East Georgia after winning the first two.

West Georgia Tech and Georgia Perimeter are familiar with one another, having already played four designated non-conference games in late January and early February. The Jaguars won all four games by scores of 11-2, 7-1, 8-0 and 6-3.

"They have a solid team all around," Pratt said. "There really is no weakness to them. They have players in the top ten in hitting and pitching. We need quality pitching from our starters. All of them have been improving and they must carry us this week."

No. 5: Rus Morman (Troup)

No. 5: Rus Morman (Troup)

GPC is by far the conference's best hitting team, with a team batting average of .334. The top two individual batting averages in the conference are owned by Georgia Perimeter players. Wes Armstrong is hitting a league-best .438 while David Van Horn is close behind at .434.

West Georgia Tech will counter with one of the conference's best pitchers on Tuesday to open the series. Troup product Brad Bartlett has worked his way into the number one starter position with a 2.65 ERA while striking out 40 batters and walking only 11 in 71.1 innings of work.

"Bartlett has been great all season," Pratt said. "He has stepped up as our ace and continues to improve. He throws strikes."

Tuesday's series opener gets underway at 6 p.m., at Georgia Perimeter College in Covington.

REGION 17, DIVISION 1 BASEBALL STANDINGS
Darton College 18-2, 33-10
Middle Georgia College 19-5, 33-10
Georgia Perimeter 12-8, 32-12
West Georgia Tech 9-11, 18-24
East Georgia

9-11, 19-23
Gordon College 9-11, 19-20
South Georgia 9-15, 19-27
Andrew College 6-14, 17-25
ABAC 6-18, 18-27
   
THIS WEEK'S CONFERENCE SCHEDULE
WGTC vs. Georgia
Perimeter Gordon vs. Darton
ABAC vs. Middle Georgia
Andrew vs. East Georgia
South Georgia (Idle)

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Golden Knights Win Game Two 6-3 to Sweep Doubleheader From ABAC
Posted: April 16, 2012
CONTACT: Aaron Sones, 678-664-0517, aaron.sones@westgatech.edu

Douglasville, Ga. - Momentum in baseball is such a fickle thing. One week you have it, the next you don't, and vice-versa.

The West Georgia Tech Golden Knights baseball team certainly has momentum following a successful weekend which was capped by Sunday's 10-6 victory over Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College Sunday afternoon in Douglasville. The win gives the Knights their first conference series sweep as a member of Region 17 – Division 1.

"This was a big series for us, and we responded and played well," WGTC head coach Todd Pratt said. "I thought our guys fought hard through and battled in some tough situations this week. Our defense was for the most part solid, and we have some guys that are stepping up at the plate. This puts us back in the hunt for the postseason."

The Golden Knights have won four-straight to improve to 18-24 overall on the season, and 9-11 in conference play. WGTC will be in the thick of the race to finish in the top six in the conference and earn a postseason berth with three series remaining against Georgia Perimeter, Gordon College, and East Georgia College.

ABAC fell to 18-27, 6-18.

Unlike Saturday which saw West Georgia Tech overcome deficits of four and three runs to win both games, the Knights jumped to the early lead on Sunday and never looked back.

WGTC scored two in the first and two more in the third to lead 4-0. They added another run in the fourth which extended the lead to 5-0.

Golden Knights starting pitcher Justin Hobby cruised in the early innings before being touched for two runs in the sixth which made the score 5-2.

Hobby exited the game after the sixth inning and earned the win to improve to 2-4 on the year. Hobby allowed just two runs (one earned) on five hits in his 6.0 innings of work. He fanned two and walked none.

"I thought Hobby did a great job today," Pratt said. "He could have gone much longer than the sixth, but I pulled him so we could get some other guys some work. Our starting pitching did an excellent job this series."

West Georgia Tech answered by batting around in the bottom half of the sixth, scoring five runs to push the lead to 10-2. ABAC scored three in the seventh and one in the ninth to close the scoring.

The Stallions outhit WGTC 10-9, but the Knights made their hits count. Five of West Georgia Tech's nine hits went for extra bases, including three triples and two doubles.

Dusty Davis continued his hot streak at the plate going 2-for-4. Davis went 8-for-15 in the series with two home runs.

Rus Morman went 2-for-4 with 3 RBIs to finish the weekend 5-for-11.

Matthew Pope also had two hits for WGTC (2-for-4) and Adam Thomas had 3 RBIs on 1-for-3 hitting.

The Golden Knights will return to conference action Tuesday when they visit perennial power Georgia Perimeter in the first game of a four-game series. GPC will return to Carrollton for three more games Friday and Saturday at Cole Field on the University of West Georgia campus.

Georgia Perimeter has won all four previous meetings between the two clubs, all designated non-conference games.

"We feel that it will take 13 or 14 wins to make the postseason, so we really need to win a couple against Georgia Perimeter," Pratt said. "It won't be easy. They are a fine club with a lot of tradition and history. But I like the way we are playing."

Game 1 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
WGTC 2 0 2 1 0 5 0 0 x 10 9 1
ABAC 0 0 0 0 0 2 3 0 1 6 10 2
WP:                        

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Golden Knights Win Game Two 6-3 to Sweep Doubleheader From ABAC
Posted: April 14, 2012
CONTACT: Aaron Sones, 678-664-0517, aaron.sones@westgatech.edu

Douglasville, Ga. - The West Georgia Tech Golden Knights defeated ABAC 6-3 in game two of Saturday's doubleheader to complete the doubleheader sweep. The Knights won game one 7-6.

WGTC has won three straight to improve to 17-24 overall, 8-11 in conference. ABAC falls to 18-26, 6-17.

The Stallions jumped out to a 3-0 lead going into the bottom of the third inning.

The Golden Knights scored four in the bottom of the frame to take the lead for good, 4-3.

WGTC added insurance runs in the fifth and the sixth.

Chase Patterson picked up the win on the mound with a complete game in which he allowed three runs on just seven hits. He struck out five and walked just one.

After running into trouble in the first three innings, Patterson settled down. He gave up just one hit over the final four innings and retired 12 of the last 13 batters.

"Chase Patterson threw strikes today," WGTC head coach Todd Pratt said. "He really settled down and kept us ahead late in the game."

Dusty Davis (2-for-3, RBI) and Corey Adkins (2-for-2, 2 RBI) had multiple hits for the Knights.

West Georgia Tech goes for the series sweep Sunday at 1:05 p.m., in Douglasville. "Tomorrow is huge," Pratt said. "We have to treat it like a playoff game. We need to take care of business and get ready for a tough Georgia Perimeter team next week."

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WGTC Rallies With Four in Seventh to Beat ABAC 7-6 in Game One Saturday
Posted: April 14, 2012
CONTACT: Aaron Sones, 678-664-0517, aaron.sones@westgatech.edu

Douglasville, Ga. - With their backs against the wall, the West Georgia Tech Golden Knights rallied to score four runs in the bottom of the seventh and last inning to defeat Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College 7-6 in game one of Saturday's doubleheader in Douglasville.

Down 6-4, WGTC (16-24, 7-11) worked the bases loaded in the bottom of the seventh. With two outs Rus Morman stepped up to the plate and roped a hard line drive to right center field which easily scored the tying runs. ABAC (18-25, 6-16) attempted to throw out Christian Prichard who was trying to reach third base from first. The long throw got away from the third baseman allowing Prichard to head home with the winning run as the home crowd roared.

The Knights trailed the entire game, falling behind 4-0 through the top of the fifth.

In the bottom of the fifth, Dusty Davis hit a three-run home run, a bomb over the left field fence with two outs, bringing West Georgia Tech to within a run at 4-3. That homer was Davis' second in the series.

ABAC answered with two runs in the sixth to stretch their lead to 6-3.

That set the table for the exciting finish.

Stephen Fuller led off the inning with a single. After a fly out, Eric Bowers walked to put runners at first and second. Davis followed with a fly ball double which hugged the line in right field and scored a run to make it a 6-4 ball game. One out later Morman delivered and the Golden Knights celebrated.

Davis went 2-for-4 with 4 RBIs two runs scored. Morman also went 2-for-4 and produced 2 RBIs. Eric Bowers was 2-for-2 and scored twice.

The Golden Knights lead the series 2-0.

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WGTC Baseball Holds Instructional Baseball Camp for Youngsters Last Month
Posted: April 12, 2012
CONTACT: Aaron Sones, 678-664-0517, aaron.sones@westgatech.edu

CARROLLTON, Ga. – West Georgia Tech baseball coach Todd Pratt held his annual baseball camp last month at Bill Arp Park in Douglasville. WGTC Baseball players with local youth at baseball camp 2012

The 4th-annual Todd Pratt Baseball Camp was held Sunday, March 18th. The West Georgia Tech baseball team helped out in the two hour-session which involved instruction in fielding, hitting and throwing.

"I want to give back to the community and what better way to do that than to work with area children," Pratt said. "Some of these kids could be future student-athletes for us here at West Georgia Tech."

The camp was open to ages 4 to 12. A lunch and t-shirts were provided to each participant.

Pratt said that he was especially proud of his WGTC players for coming out and supporting the event.

"To have these young men from West Georgia Tech help out, that makes me very proud of them and the program," he said. "The children's eyes light up when they see the college players helping them."

Pratt will conduct another camp in spring of next year. For more information, contact him at todd.pratt@westgatech.edu.

Bartlett Throws Shutout As Golden Knights Blank ABAC 3-0
Posted: April 9, 2012
CONTACT: Aaron Sones, 678-664-0517, aaron.sones@westgatech.edu

TIFTON, Ga. - Brad Bartlett pitched a nine-inning complete-game shutout, leading the West Georgia Tech Golden Knights to a 3-0 series-opening win over Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College Tuesday afternoon in Tifton, Ga.

Bartlett allowed just seven hits while striking out five and walking two.

Dusty Davis gave the Knights a 1-0 lead in the 6th inning with a towering solo shot which cleared the left field wall by several feet.

Hayden Petitta drove in Phillip DePriest with an RBI fielder's choice in the 7th to push the lead to 2-0.

WGTC added an insurance run in the ninth when Weston Perry singled in Petitta.

Davis (2-for-4), Christian Prichard (2-for-4), Petitta (2-for-4) and Perry (2-for-4) all had multiple hits for the Golden Knights. WGTC outhit ABAC eight to seven.

West Georgia Tech improved to 15-24 overall and 6-11 in conference play while ABAC fell to 18-24, 6-15.

The Knights and Stallions will resume the four-game series Saturday in Douglasville with a doubleheader starting at 2:05 p.m.

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Golden Knights Visit ABAC Tuesday for Series Opener
Posted: April 9, 2012
CONTACT: Aaron Sones, 678-664-0517, aaron.sones@westgatech.edu

Freshman Lefty Brad Bartlett in action
WGTC pitcher Brad Bartlett will get the start Tuesday (Photo courtesy WGTC SID).

CARROLLTON, Ga. – The West Georgia Tech baseball team will embark on the longest road trip of the season Tuesday when they travel to Tifton, Ga., for a conference tilt with Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College. Following Tuesday's affair, ABAC will come to Douglasville to complete the four game series at West Georgia Tech Saturday and Sunday.

WGTC (14-24, 5-11) will look to erase a seven-game conference losing streak. All of the losses have come at the hands of conference leaders Darton and Middle Georgia College. ABAC comes into the series with an 18-23 overall record, 6-14 in conference play.

The Golden Knights need a good showing this week to maintain their pace for what could be a late-season run for a berth in the Region 17 – Division 1 postseason tournament. The top six teams in the final conference standings will earn a spot in the tourney. Currently the Golden Knights are in eight place but are just one game behind East Georgia and Andrew, who are both tied for sixth place with a 6-10 conference record. ABAC is in last place with a 6-14 conference mark.

West Georgia Tech will send freshman lefty Brad Bartlett (3-4, 3.03 ERA) to the mound Tuesday. The Troup product has been dominate at times, including a spectacular outing last week in which he held Middle Georgia to a single run for eight innings in a 3-1 loss. Bartlett has struck 35 and walked just nine batters in 62.1 innings of work.

Tuesday's game is scheduled for a 3 p.m. first pitch. A doubleheader is scheduled for Saturday in Douglasville starting at 2:05 p.m. Sunday's single game will begin at 1:05 p.m.

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Golden Knights Swept by Middle Georgia College, Falling 5-0 in Game 2
Posted: April 8, 2012
CONTACT: Aaron Sones, 678-664-0517, aaron.sones@westgatech.edu

COCHRAN, Ga. - West Georgia Tech was beaten by Middle Georgia College 5-0 in game two of Saturday's doubleheader giving the homestanding Warriors the sweep of the four-game series. MGC won game one 2-0.

The Knights fell to 14-24 overall and 5-11 in conference play. WGTC has lost seven conference games in a row, all against the two best teams in the league standings in Middle Georgia and Darton. MGC is now 29-11, 15-5.

West Georgia Tech managed only three hits in game two giving them a total of five on the afternoon. Dusty Davis, Corey Adkins and Phillip DePriest all had a single hit for WGTC.

Justin Hobby picked up the loss after giving up four runs on five hits in 4.0 innings of work.

West Georgia Tech returns to action Tuesday afternoon with a conference road game at ABAC.

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Golden Knights Drop Game One Saturday to Middle Georgia 2-0
Posted: April 7, 2012
CONTACT: Aaron Sones, 678-664-0517, aaron.sones@westgatech.edu

COCHRAN, Ga. - West Georgia Tech was held to just two hits,  dropping game one of Saturday's doubleheader to Middle Georgia College 2-0.

MGC clinched the series with the win and will go for the sweep in game two Saturday afternoon.

WGTC starting pitcher Chase Patterson had his best outing of the season as he went the distance allowing two runs (one earned) on seven hits.

Rus Morman and Adam Thomas recorded both hits for the Knights, who were shut down by MGC starting pitcher Sam Agnew-Wieland.

Agnew-Wieland struck out 11 and walked three over six innings.

WGTC fell to 14-23, 5-10, and Middle Georgia improved to 28-11, 14-5.

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Middle Georgia Drops West Georgia Tech 11-3
Posted: April 7, 2012
CONTACT: Aaron Sones, 678-664-0517, aaron.sones@westgatech.edu

COCHRAN, Ga. - The West Georgia Tech Golden Knights dropped an 11-3 decision to homestanding Middle Georgia College in conference action on a chilly Friday night at Stuckey Field in Cochran, Ga.

WGTC has now lost five straight conference games and two in a row to start the four-game series with MGC. The Knights are 14-22, 5-9. Middle Georgia improved to 27-11, 13-5.

The Warriors broke a 1-1 tie with a two-run third inning to take a 3-1 lead. They added three more in the fourth and four in the fifth to break the game open.

West Georgia Tech's scoring included a single run in the third, on an RBI single by Christian Prichard, and two more runs in the ninth.

MGC starting pitcher Alex Rogers was dominant, as he held the Knights to one run on six hits while striking out 11 in 6.0 innings of work.

WGTC batters struck out a season-high 15 times. The Knights did match Middle Georgia with 11 hits apiece.

Ryan Turner picked up the loss, allowing six runs > on seven hits in four innings.

The Knights and Warriors will finish the series with a twin bill slated for Saturday, beginning at 2 p.m.

Game 1 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
WGTC 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 2 3 11 3
Middle Georgia 1 0 2 3 4 0 1 0 x 11 11 1
LP: Turner                        

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West Georgia Tech and Middle Georgia College Meet in Conference Series This Weekend
Posted: April 5, 2012
CONTACT: Aaron Sones, 678-664-0517, aaron.sones@westgatech.edu

CARROLLTON, Ga. – The West Georgia Technical College women’s basketball program will be holding four sessions of tryouts and open gym workouts starting April 21, according to head coach Kenny Edwards.

The tryouts are open to anyone who meets eligibility requirements and is either attending or would like to attend West Georgia Tech.

The sessions will be held on Saturdays from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m., at the East Carrollton Recreation Center, located at 410 Northlake Drive in Carrollton.

“We are looking for young ladies who have a passion for the game and who are dedicated in the classroom,” Edwards said. “We stress hard work and fundamentals, and we are building a culture of success on and off the court.”

High school students and college transfers are both welcome, according to Edwards.

“We’ll play a competitive JUCO schedule and we just want to encourage anyone who aspires to continue their basketball careers on the junior college level to come to our sessions and tryout for one of the spots on our roster,” he said.

The tryouts and open gym workouts will take place on April 21st, May 5th , May 19th , and June 2nd.

For more information, contact WGTC athletic coordinator Walter Dunson at (770) 537-6049.

###

WGTC Women’s Basketball Tryouts
April 21                11-2       Open Tryout
May 5                   11-2       Open Gym Workout
May 19                 11-2       Open Gym Workout
June 2                   11-2       Open Tryout

Location:             East Carrollton Recreation Center (410 Northlake Drive in Carrollton)

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West Georgia Tech and Middle Georgia College Meet in Conference Series This Weekend
Posted: April 5, 2012
CONTACT: Aaron Sones, 678-664-0517, aaron.sones@westgatech.edu

CARROLLTON, Ga. – The West Georgia Technical College baseball team will resume its four-game conference series with Middle Georgia College in Cochran, Ga., Friday and Saturday.

Middle Georgia nipped the Golden Knights 3-1 Tuesday afternoon in the series opener in a game that was tied 1-1 going into the ninth.

The Golden Knights enter the weekend 14-21 overall, 5-8 in conference play. The Warriors, one of the state's top JUCO baseball programs, are currently 26-11, 12-5.

WGTC second-year head coach Todd Pratt has nothing but respect for the Middle Georgia baseball squad.

Christian Prichard (Bremen) leads WGTC in hitting, with a .355 average (Photo courtesy WGTC SID).

Christian Prichard (Bremen) leads WGTC in hitting, with a .355 average (Photo courtesy WGTC SID).

"Middle Georgia has a very talented team," he said. "They are led by a veteran coach and a knowledgeable staff. It will be a tough weekend heading into Cochran. I am proud of our guys, with the way they played on Tuesday. The score was 1-1 going into the ninth inning against their ace. That shows our program is starting to grow."

The top six teams in the final conference standings will be invited to play in the Region 17 - Division 1 conference tournament in May. With four conference series remaining after this weekend, the Golden Knights are currently tied for fifth place with Gordon College, but East Georgia College isn't far behind.

The Golden Knights and Warriors will play a single nine-inning game Friday, beginning at 7 p.m. Saturday's twin bill will feature two seven inning games and will get underway at 2 p.m.

West Georgia Tech will start Ryan Turner (6-5, 3.12 ERA) on the hill Friday night. Chase Patterson (2-6, 5.45 ERA) and Justin Hobby (1-3, 5.40) are expected to start Saturday.

"Pitching will be the key in this series," Pratt said. "We have to play close to perfect to be able to take two from this very talented ball club."

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Golden Knights Host Middle Georgia in Four-Game Series This Week
Posted: April 2, 2012
CONTACT: Aaron Sones, 678-664-0517, aaron.sones@westgatech.edu

CARROLLTON, Ga. – Following a week of non-conference action which saw them go 2-2, the West Georgia Tech baseball team returns to conference play with a four-game series against traditional power Middle Georgia College this week.

The Golden Knights will host Middle Georgia for a single game Tuesday afternoon, in Douglasville, before traveling to Cochran, Ga., for three games Friday and Saturday.

WGTC is coming off a tough 7-6 loss to Southern Union Saturday, which dropped them to 14-20 overall. The Knights are 5-7 in the conference and are in the thick of the race to finish in the top six in the conference, which would give them a berth in the postseason tournament.

Middle Georgia split its four-game series with East Georgia College last week, bringing them to 25-10 overall, 11-5 in conference play.

West Georgia Tech head coach Todd Pratt said that this week will serve as a measuring stick for where the program is right now.

"Middle Georgia is a fine team with a long winning history," he said. "Coach Young does it right and his clubs always compete. It will be a tough series as they have some tremendous athletes and outstanding pitching. Our guys will be ready, though."

The Knights will send Troup County product Brad Bartlett to the mound in Tuesday's series opener. Bartlett is 3-3 on the season with a 3.17 ERA. He has 30 strikeouts and only eight walks in 54 innings of work.

Tuesday's game will get underway at 2:05 p.m., and will be played at the Douglas County Sports Complex in Douglasville.

The two teams will play a single game Friday night at 7 p.m., followed by a twin bill Saturday which begins at 2 p.m.

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Golden Knights Pound Macon State's Club Team 16-1, Prepare for Saturday Meeting with Southern Union
Posted: March 30, 2012
CONTACT: Aaron Sones, 678-664-0517, aaron.sones@westgatech.edu

CARROLLTON, Ga. – Rus Morman went 4-for-5 and Dusty Davis hit a three-run homerun to lead West Georgia Tech to a 16-1 shellacking of Macon State's Club Team in baseball action Thursday evening.

The Golden Knights improved their record to 14-19 overall and are 5-7 in conference play heading into Saturday's non-conference showdown with Southern Union.

Davis' homerun was his fourth of the season, which leads the team in that category. Morman's four hits included a double.

Eric Bowers also had a big night at the plate going 3-for-3 with two RBIs and two runs scored.

Philip DePriest (2-for-4), Jamie McKnight (2-for-2, 2 RBIs) and Adam Thomas (2-for-3, 2 RBIs) also had multiple hits for WGTC.

The Golden Knights outhit Macon State 20-7. The 20 hits were a season-high for West Georgia Tech.

West Georgia Tech scored a season-best 12 runs in the second inning to take control of the game.

Hayden Petitta picked up his first win of the season after pitching three solid innings, giving up no runs on just two hits.

Cole Reynolds, Cullen Coulter, Chase Williams, and Caleb Zalunardo combined to hold Macon State to just one run on five hits over the final four innings.

On deck for West Georgia Tech is a big non-conference game against Southern Union State (Ala.) Community College Saturday afternoon in Douglasville. Southern Union shut out the Knights 3-0 in an earlier meeting in Wadley. Ryan Turner (6-4, 3.17 ERA) is expected to get the start for the Golden Knights on the hill.

Saturday's game will get underway at 2:05 p.m.

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Golden Knights Split with Snead State, 6-0 and 0-5
Posted: March 27, 2012
CONTACT: Aaron Sones, 678-664-0517, aaron.sones@westgatech.edu

BOAZ, Ala. - West Georgia Tech Baseball earned a doubleheader split with Snead State (Ala.) Community College in non-conference action Tuesday afternoon in Boaz, Ala.

WGTC won the first game 6-0 but lost the nightcap 5-0. The Knights are now 13-19 overall, 5-7 in conference play.

Game 1
WGTC 6, Snead St. 0

Justin Hobby pitched a complete game shutout and Matthew Pope and Dusty Davis each hit two-run homers leading West Georgia Tech over Snead State in Game One.

Hobby scattered seven hits while going the distance to pick up the win. Only two Snead base runners reached second base.

Pope hit a towering shot over the left field wall in the second inning to stretch the lead to 3-0. The Knights added a run in the third on a sacrifice fly by Hayden Petitta.

Davis homered in the seventh, a deep shot also to left that landed on the roof of an adjacent building.

Davis and Pope each went 2-for-4 at the plate. Eric Bowers went 2-for-3.

WGTC outhit Snead State 9-7.

Game 2
Snead State 5, WGTC 0

West Georgia Tech's bats went cold in the second game as Snead State rebounded for a 5-0 victory. The Knights only managed five hits in the contest.

Josh Smith picked up the loss after going 2.1 innings and giving up four runs on three hits.

Will Hammock was effective in relief as he allowed just one run on three hits in 3.2 innings of work.

WGTC returns to action Thursday with a single game versus the Macon State Club Team in Douglasville at 6:05 pm.

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WGTC Men's Basketball Announces Spring Tryout Dates
Posted: March 26, 2012
CONTACT: Aaron Sones, 678-664-0517, aaron.sones@westgatech.edu

CARROLLTON, Ga. – West Georgia Tech men’s basketball coach Niki Okolovitch has announced upcoming tryout dates for anyone interested in donning the black and gold for the upcoming basketball season.

The tryouts and gym workouts will be held on Saturdays from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m., with the first one taking place on April 7th. They will be held at the East Carrollton Recreation Center, located at 410 Northlake Drive in Carrollton.

WGTC is coming off its most successful season in school history. The Knights won the Region 17 Division III Championship and advanced to the District 7 Playoffs, one step away from the JUCO Division III National Championship Tournament in upstate New York. West Georgia Tech was ranked No. 14 in the final national poll of the season.

Okolovitch said the tryouts are open to all who think they have the talent and work ethic to succeed on the junior college level.

“We are looking for young men who are willing to put in the work to exceed in the classroom as well as the basketball court,” he said. “Our program continues to grow tremendously every year, and we are out to find the next class of players to take us to the next level.  During these tryouts we look for the best talent, whether a player is 5’7 or 6’7. We want hard working kids who want to strive to be the best at everything they do while they are here, and the things we stress are academics, community, and then athletics.”

The tryouts are open to any current student or non-students who would like to attend West Georgia Technical College this upcoming school year. They will take place on April 7, April 21, May 5, May 19, and June 2.

For more information, contact WGTC athletic coordinator Walter Dunson at (770) 537-6049.

WGTC Men's Basketball Tryouts

Dates:

April 7

11 am - 2 pm

Open Gym Workout
 

April 21

11 am - 2 pm

Open Tryout
 

May 5

11 am - 2 pm

Open Gym Workout
 

May 19

11 am - 2 pm

Open Gym Workout
 

June 2

11 am - 2 pm

Open Tryout

Location:

East Carrollton Rec Center (410 Northlake Drive, Carrollton GA)

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Golden Knights Win Thriller over Darton, 7-6 in 12 innings
Posted: March 21, 2012
CONTACT: Aaron Sones, 678-664-0517, aaron.sones@westgatech.edu

ALBANY, Ga. – In what will go down as the most dramatic win in the program's young history, Sean Watson singled in the eventual winning run with two outs in the top of the 12th inning as West Georgia Tech defeated Darton College 7-6 Tuesday afternoon in Albany, Ga.

The Knights handed Darton its first conference defeat of the season, dropping the Region 17 leaders to 21-8, 8-1. Darton came into the game winners of nine straight and 13 of its last 14.

WGTC improved to 12-15, 5-4.

Knights 2B Dusty Davis awaits a throw in the 2nd inning of WGTC’s dramatic 7-6 win over Darton College Tuesday (Photo courtesy WGTC SID).

Knights 2B Dusty Davis awaits a throw in the 2nd inning of WGTC’s dramatic 7-6 win over Darton College Tuesday
(Photo courtesy WGTC SID).

Ryan Turner picked up the win, throwing three innings of two-hit relief. Brad Bartlett started the game and lasted 6 2/3 innings allowing four runs on eight hits.

"Bartlett continues to grow as a pitcher," WGTC skipper Todd Pratt said. "He is getting stronger every time he goes out there. Today he looked like our ace. He made one bad pitch in the seventh and our defense did not pick him up. He was outstanding once again today."

WGTC held a 2-0 lead up until the seventh inning, when the relatively mundane affair took a turn for the dramatics. Darton scored four runs in the bottom of the 7th with the aid of some timely hitting and WGTC miscues.

The Cavaliers carried that lead over to the 9th and appeared to have the game won but a wild throw by the pitcher on what would have been a game-ending double play scored a run and put a runner at third base with just one out. A sacrifice fly by Rus Morman followed to tie the score 4-4.

West Georgia Tech scored two runs in the top of the tenth to take a 6-4 lead. The Knights took advantage of two Darton errors in the frame, and Justin Batcher provided a key two-out RBI single.

WGTC returned the favor in the bottom of the 10th, allowing Darton back into the game by booting back-to-back routine ground balls with two outs, both of which would have ended the game had the plays been made. With the score tied 6-6, Darton had the winning run at 3rd base with two outs, but Turner forced a groundout to shortstop to end the threat.

WGTC rallied with two outs in the 12th. Back-to-back walks to Corey Adkins and Justin Batcher set the table for Watson's heroics, as he hit a sharp grounder through the infield to put the Knights back in front 7-6.

Watson was in the game because he was called upon to pinch run for Hayden Petitta in the wild 9th inning. In his first at-bat of the game, he hit into an inning-ending double play in the 10th. But his next time up he connected, giving the Knights the lead for good.

"It was nice to see Sean Watson get that game winning hit. He has not played as much as he would like, but he has continued to work and be solid for the team," Pratt said.

In the bottom of the 12th a single, a hit batsman and a walk loaded the bases for Darton and put the winning run at second base with two outs. A fly ball to left field ended the game and gave West Georgia Tech the memorable victory.

"Darton College can be intimidating with the campus, the field, and their record," Pratt said. "I was proud of our guys today. They battled against a very talented team. After our bad 7th inning, they continued to fight. Today's game felt like a playoff game. For us to come out on top, this was tremendous for this young program."

Josh Hill threw 2 1/3 innings of relief, sandwiched in between Bartlett and Turner. Hill allowed just one hit and no runs before giving way to Turner in the 10th.

Christian Prichard (2-for-6), Jamie McKnight (2-for-5), and Hayden Petitta (2-for-3) collected multiple hits for WGTC.

The Knights were outhit 12 to 9 and committed six errors, but made the clutch plays offensively and defensively that it took to win.

Game 1 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 R H E
WGTC 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 2 0 1 7 9 6
Darton College 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 0 0 2 0 0 6 12 3
WP: Turner                              

The four-game series resumes Saturday with a doubleheader scheduled for 1:05 p.m. at Cole Field on The University of West Georgia campus. Game 4 of the series will be played Sunday, also at 1:05 p.m. at UWG.

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Golden Knights Drop Two of Three to South Georgia College over the Weekend
Posted: March 19, 2012
CONTACT: Aaron Sones, 678-664-0517, aaron.sones@westgatech.edu

CARROLLTON, Ga. – The West Georgia Technical College Golden Knights baseball team dropped two of three games over the weekend to South Georgia College in Douglas, Ga.

The Knights won Friday night 12-7 to even the series at 1-1, but were swept in Saturday’s doubleheader 8-4 and 5-2.

WGTC is now 11-15 overall and 4-4 in conference play. South Georgia College improved to 13-17, 3-5.

The Knights are in fourth place in the Region 17 – Division 1 standings, one game behind Georgia Perimeter and Middle Georgia.

Game 1 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
WGTC 0 5 1 0 0 3 2 0 1 12 15 0
South Georgia 0 3 0 0 0 0 0 4 0 7 12 3
WP: Turner                        

WGTC had one of its best offensive games of the season in a 12-7 victory over South Georgia College Friday night. The Knights scored 12 runs on 15 hits and led from start to finish.

Corey Adkins belted four hits (4-of-5) and Matthew Pope knocked in three runs to led West Georgia Tech at the plate. Dusty Davis (2-for-6), Rus Morman (2-for-6, 2 RBIs) and Eric Bowers (2-for-4, 3 runs scored) also had multiple hits.

“The second inning was huge for us,” WGTC head coach Todd Pratt said. “We had seven hits and scored five runs and South Georgia never recovered. Our hitters did not let up as they continued to pound the ball and drive runs in. Cory Adkins and Matthew Pope had great nights. It was nice to see the bottom of our lineup contribute.”
The Knights exploded for five runs in the top of the 2nd to take command of the game. After the Tigers cut the lead to 5-3 in the bottom half of the frame, WGTC scored again in the third to lead 6-3.

West Georgia Tech scored three times in the 6th and twice in the seventh to take an 11-3 lead.

South Georgia scored four runs in the eighth to close the gap to 11-7 before the Knights added an insurance run in the 9th to close the scoring.

Ryan Turner picked up the win, allowing three runs in six innings of work. He struck out four and walked five while throwing 111 pitches.

“Ryan Turner did what he had to do tonight,” Pratt said. “He had to make adjustments due to the condition of the mound. After the second inning he calmed down and found his groove.”
Will Hammock pitched two innings of relief before giving way to Brad Bartlett, who pitched a complete game against SGC last Tuesday, to close things out in the 9th.

Game 1 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 R H E
WGTC 0 3 1 0 0 0 0 4 8 5
South Georgia 3 0 1 2 1 1 x 8 10 1
LP: Patterson                    

South Georgia College defeated West Georgia Tech 8-4 in Game 1 of Saturday’s doubleheader to take a 2-1 lead in the series.

The Golden Knights fell behind 3-0 in the 1st inning but scored three runs in the top of the 2nd to tie the game. WGTC scored a run in the third to take a 4-3 lead, but failed to score the rest of the game.

South Georgia took the lead for good with a two-run 4th to make the score 6-4. The Tigers added single runs in the fifth and the sixth.

The Golden Knights committed five errors which led to only four of the eight runs allowed being earned.

“We just played horrible defense,” Pratt said. “We had an error in the first inning which was followed by a three-run homer and that took something out of us.  We scratched back in the top of the 2nd to tie it but our defense could not tighten up.  It’s hard to win when you have five errors.”
Chase Patterson picked up the loss in 4.2 innings of work in which he allowed seven runs (three earned) on nine hits. Cole Reynolds pitched 1.1 innings of one-hit relief.

Justin Batcher led WGTC at the plate (2-for-2).

Game 2 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 R H E
WGTC 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 2 6 3
South Georgia 0 0 0 0 4 0 x 5 8 1
LP: Hobby                    

South Georgia scored all five of its runs in the fifth inning to overcome a 2-0 deficit and defeat WGTC 5-2 in the final game of the series Saturday afternoon.

WGTC scored a run in both the 1st and 4th innings to take a 2-0 lead. But the Tigers took advantage of two errors by the Knights while belting out two doubles in the fifth to take control of the game.

“The fifth inning was a killer,” Pratt said. “We had a 2-0 lead and it just fell apart. A couple of errors and two doubles led to five runs. Once they got the lead, their starter took control.” 
Justin Hobby pitched effectively up until the 5th, allowing four runs (three earned) on five hits.

“I thought Justin Hobby continued to improve. He needs to get past the fifth though. Hopefully he is building strength and can lock in that fourth spot in the rotation soon,” Pratt said.

Josh Smith pitched 1.2 innings of relief and allowed one run on three hits.

The Knights only managed six hits, all singles. Ryne Elrod led WGTC with two hits and an RBI.

Next up for West Georgia Tech is a four-game set with conference leader Darton (21-7, 8-0). WGTC travels to Albany for Game 1 of the series Tuesday afternoon at 3 p.m. The Knights will host Darton for the final three games of the series Saturday and Sunday at Cole Field on the University of West Georgia campus.
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REGION 17 – DIVISION 1 STANDINGS
Darton 8-0, 21-7
Georgia Perimeter    5-3, 23-7
Middle Georgia   5-3, 19-8
WGTC  4-4, 11-15
East Georgia 3-5, 13-17
South Georgia    3-5, 13-17
ABAC  2-6, 14-15
Andrew   1-3, 12-14
Gordon  1-3, 11-12

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Golden Knights Drop Series Opener to South Georgia College 3-2
Posted: March 14, 2012
CONTACT: Aaron Sones, 678-664-0517, aaron.sones@westgatech.edu

DOUGLASVILLE, Ga. – West Georgia Tech baseball dropped a 3-2 decision to South Georgia College in Douglasville Tuesday afternoon. The Knights dropped their second-consecutive conference game, both by one run, to fall to 10-13 overall, 3-2 in conference play.

South Georgia improved to 10-16, 1-4.

: Brad Bartlett (Troup) delivers the pitch during the 5th inning of Tuesday’s 3-2 loss to South Georgia (Photo courtesy WGTC SID).
Brad Bartlett (Troup) delivers the pitch during the 5th inning of Tuesday's 3-2 loss to South Georgia (Photo courtesy WGTC SID).

WGTC starting pitcher Brad Bartlett pitched effectively. The Troup product went the distance giving up three runs on eleven hits in the losing effort. He struck out four and walked one.

"Brad Bartlett pitched another great game for us," WGTC head coach Todd Pratt said. "That was another gutsy effort. I've been really pleased with our starting pitching so far this season."

West Georgia Tech scored in the first inning for the fourth-straight game, as they jumped out to a 1-0 lead on an RBI groundout.

South Georgia scored single runs in the fourth and sixth to take a 2-1 lead.

The Knights tied it in the bottom half of the sixth when Justin Batcher drove home Corey Adkins with a solid line drive up the middle.

But the Tigers retook the lead in the top of the seventh with a single run to complete the scoring, 3-2.

Leadoff hitter Dusty Davis went 3-for-5 to lead the Golden Knights at the plate. Hayden Pettita (2-for-4) and Adkins (2-for-4) had multiple hits for WGTC.

South Georgia outhit the Knights 11-10.

"This was a well-played game by both teams, we just didn't get the big hit today," Pratt said. "South Georgia has a great history and we played with them. One more hit, and we win this game."

West Georgia Tech and South Georgia will complete the four-game series with a three-game set this weekend in Douglas, Ga. Friday's game is scheduled for a 6 p.m. start. Saturday's doubleheader will get underway at noon.

Game 1 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
WGTC 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 2 10 1
South Georgia 0 0 0 1 0 1 1 0 0 3 11 1

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WGTC Baseball 3-1 in Conference After Taking Two of Three from Andrew College over The Weekend
Posted: March 13, 2012
CONTACT: Aaron Sones, 678-664-0517, aaron.sones@westgatech.edu

The West Georgia Tech Golden Knights baseball team moved to 3-1 in conference play after an impressive showing over the weekend at Andrew College. The Golden Knights swept a doubleheader Saturday, 4-0 and 3-1, before dropping the series finale Sunday, 7-6 in extra innings.

WGTC is now 10-12 overall on the season (3-1 in conference play).

Saturday Game 1 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 R H E
WGTC 1 1 0 0 1 0 1 4 10 1
Andrew College 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 2 2

Ryan Turner threw a complete game two-hitter to lead the Golden Knights past Andrew 4-1 in Game 1 Saturday. Turner gave up just one run while striking out three and walking two. He allowed just five base runners the entire game.

WGTC got on the board in the top of the first inning on a two-out RBI single by Jamie McKnight, which scored Dusty Davis.

The Golden Knights manufactured another run with two outs in the second. With runners on first and second, Davis doubled to score Corey Adkins from second base to extend the lead to 2-0.

Andrew scored its only run in the third on a groundball out.

The score remained 2-1 until the Knights scored in the fifth to make it 3-1. WGTC added an insurance run in the seventh on an RBI single by Phillip DePriest to bring the score to the final margin, 4-1.

Davis (2-for-4, 1 RBI) and DePriest (2-for-3, 1 RBI) both had two hits to lead West Georgia Tech. All but one starter had at least one hit for the Golden Knights. WGTC outhit Andrew 10-2.

Saturday Game 2 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 R H E
WGTC 1 0 0 0 0 1 1 3 7 0
Andrew College 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 7 4

West Georgia Tech received another strong pitching performance in Game 2 of Saturday's doubleheader as the Knights shutout Andrew 3-0. Chase Patterson picked up the win for the Golden Knights on 5.2 innings of work in which he allowed no runs on seven hits. He struck out one and walked none.

Brad Bartlett threw 1.1 innings of no-hit relief.

West Georgia Tech scored single runs in the first, sixth and seventh innings. Rus Morman (2-for-4, 2 RBIs) and Christian Prichard (2-for-3) led the Knights at the plate. Morman had RBI hits in the first and seventh inning, while Alexander-product Stephen Fuller produced an RBI in the sixth.

Sunday Game 1 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 R H E
WGTC 3 2 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 6 10 3
Andrew College 1 0 1 0 3 1 0 0 0 1 7 15 3

                       

Andrew scored the winning run in the bottom of the 10th inning on a sacrifice fly to salvage the final game of the four-game conference series, 7-6.

West Georgia Tech led 5-1 after two innings, and had a 6-2 lead in the fifth, but Andrew scored three in the bottom half of the fifth and another in the sixth to tie the score. The Knights were scoreless over the games' final five innings.

Hayden Petitta picked up the loss after working the tenth inning and allowing an unearned run.

Justin Hobby (4.1 IP), Josh Hill (1.2 IP) and Will Hammock (3.0 IP) also saw action on the mound. Hammock was the most effective of the three as he threw three innings of two-hit relief in which he allowed no runs.

Dusty Davis and Russ Morman both went 2-for-5 to lead the Knights at the plate. Davis led off the game with a solo homerun in the top of the first. He tripled and later scored in the 2nd.

Phillip DePriest, Stephen Fuller and Jamie McKnight each hit doubles for WGTC. DePriest finished the day with 2 RBIs.

West Georgia Tech returns to action Tuesday afternoon by hosting South Georgia College in Game 1 of a four-game set. The Knights will travel to Douglas, Ga., for the final three games of the series Friday-Saturday.

First pitch Tuesday is set for 3:05 p.m., at Norton Field at the Douglas County Sports Complex (6246 Cedar Mountain Road, Douglasville).

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Golden Knights Fall Short, Season Ends With 85-83 Loss to Prince George's in District 7 Tournament Semifinals
Posted: March 8, 2012
CONTACT: Aaron Sones, 678-664-0517, aaron.sones@westgatech.edu

WENTWORTH, N.C. – A valiant second half effort fell short as the No. 14 West Georgia Tech Golden Knights men's basketball team saw its season end with an 85-83 loss to the 12th-ranked Prince George's Community College (Md.) Owls in the semifinals of the NJCAA Division III District 7 Tournament Friday afternoon in Wentworth, N.C.

The Golden Knights erased a 16-point halftime deficit and pulled to within two points with a little more than a minute to go, but could not make the clutch play at the end.

"Our kids play hard, I don't know what else you can say," WGTC head coach Niki Okolovitch said. "We talk about playing for 40 minutes all the time, and how it will pay off for you eventually if you just keep playing hard. We did that tonight.

"Give credit to Prince George's. They beat us at our own game. We couldn't buy a shot in the first half, we dug a deep hole, but our guys played so hard and I'm proud of them."

Blair Austin and Demontray McCormick both had monster games for WGTC (15-14).

Demontray McCormick (33) dribbles past a Prince George's defender in the first half (Photo courtesy WGTC SID).
  Demontray McCormick (33) dribbles past a Prince George's defender in the first half.
(Photo courtesy WGTC SID)

Austin scored a game-high 25 points with 19 of those coming in the second half.

McCormick scored a double-double for the Knights. The Biloxi, Miss., native scored 20 points and pulled down a game-high 14 rebounds while suffering through leg cramps late in the second half.

Down 47-31 at halftime, West Georgia Tech clawed back into the game in the second half. The Knights trailed by two with the ball with 1:11 left in the game but a steal and layup on the other end gave Prince George's (22-9) a four-point cushion.

For much of the first half it looked like Prince George's would run the Knights out of the gym. After the Golden Knights jumped out to an early 6-0 lead, a 12-2 run by the Owls gave them the lead for good, 12-8. WGTC pulled as close to 15-13 with 13:56 remaining the half. That's when they went cold, as Prince George's quickly built a double-digit cushion and went on to lead by 16 at the break.

"We played sloppy in the first half, we missed a lot of second and third chance shots," Okolovitch said. "In the second half we made those shots, and that was the difference. It just wasn't quite enough."

Tory White (10 points, 5 rebounds) and Victor Wynn (10 points) joined Austin and McCormick in double-figure scoring for the Golden Knights.

Demario McMath scored eight points and grabbed ten rebounds in his final game as a Golden Knight. McMath and Reshawn Holland (1 point, 2 rebounds) are the only two sophomores on the team.

"Demario was like a third recruiter for us, and he helped us build this program," Okolovitch said. "People have no idea all the work he did behind the scenes, helping incoming guys feel welcome and get settled. I am really sad to see him go."

Josiah Woodrough scored 17 points to lead Prince George's.

West Georgia Tech shot just 37 percent from the field (30-of-82). They were 8-of-20 from three-point range and 15-of-23 (65 percent) from the free throw line.

Prince George's shot 47 percent from the floor and were 23-of-39 from the charity stripe.

It was a physical game, with 50 fouls being called on the two teams combined. Both teams had 11 steals. Prince George's blocked nine shots to WGTC's five.

Prince George's advances to the District 7 Tournament Championship Game and will await the winner of the night's other semifinal matchup between Sandhills C.C. (N.C.) and Anne Arundel C.C. (Md.).

The Golden Knights finished the season 15-14 and ranked in the Top 15 of the NJCAA Division III poll. The Knights were one of the nation's final 11 teams still alive in the postseason when District 7 Tournament play began.

"We came here to win, but we also came here to represent Region 17 so that our region can get the respect it deserves in the coming years," Okolovitch said. "I feel that we did that. We represented our region with class and heart and we very easily could have won the game. I'll never forget this team, because I don't know if we'll ever have a team that will play as hard as this one did."

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March Madness! Golden Knights Head to North Carolina for NJCAA District 7 Playoffs
Posted: March 8, 2012
CONTACT: Aaron Sones, 678-664-0517, aaron.sones@westgatech.edu

Carrollton, Ga. –March Madness is alive and well at West Georgia Technical College as the Golden Knights men’s basketball team travels to Reidsville, N.C. for the NJCAA Division III District 7 Playoffs this weekend. WGTC, ranked No. 14 in the latest NJCAA Division III national poll, is one of the final 11 teams still playing in the postseason nationally.

The Friday-Saturday four-team tournament will select District 7’s representative in the 8-team NJCAA Division III National Championship Tournament which will be held next week in upstate New York.

“We are extremely proud of the efforts of these young men and the coaching staff, and are excited for them as they take on this next challenge while competing on the national level,” said WGTC President Dr. Skip Sullivan. “Athletics is very important to our overall mission at West Georgia Technical College, and we support all of our student athletes because of the impact they are making on the fields and courts, but more importantly the impact they are making in the classrooms and in the community. This is an important achievement for our young athletic department, and this is big for our school, community, and for West Georgia.”

“Coach Okolovitch and his players have done an outstanding job in representing our school on and off the court,” said WGTC Athletic Coordinator Walter Dunson. “It is quite impressive that we are one of eleven schools across the country that is still playing basketball. To get this far has been a major accomplishment and a major step for our program. We are excited about the future of athletics at West Georgia Tech and anticipate more championships in the years to come.”

The Golden Knights (15-13) will meet No. 12 Prince George’s Community College of Largo, Maryland (21-9) in the event’s opening game Friday at 5 p.m., at Rockingham Community College in Reidsville, N.C.

West Georgia Tech earned a spot in the postseason by capturing the Region 17 Division III Tournament Championship this past weekend, winning both games by double digits. The Knights have won seven of their last eight.

“Obviously everybody is very excited about getting to this point,” WGTC head coach Niki Okolovitch said. “There are only 11 teams still playing for the National Championship, so that's a big accomplishment for us. This is a big boost for our recruiting going forward, and we have drawn a lot more interest from prospects in recent weeks.  Win or lose, we have taken a big step forward and hope to represent the school with class and have a good showing to help put our region on the map.”

The other semifinal will pit Anne Arundel Community College (16-15) against No. 6 Sandhills Community College (25-6) at 7 p.m. Sandhills C.C. is the designated host school for the event.

Okolovitch said that West Georgia Tech’s first opponent, Prince George’s, will present some matchup problems in terms of size.

“The game Friday is going to be tough,” he said. “This is a school that has a tradition of winning, including several 20-plus win seasons in the 2000's.  They have an impressive roster, including several players over 6’7 that get regular playing time.  The game is going to come down to their size versus our speed.  We have to hope we can wear down their size with our up-tempo game.  If there's one thing this team (WGTC) has shown, they don't get tired and we're going to keep coming for 40 minutes.  This is the level we are hoping to get our program to, so this weekend will be a big learning experience for us.”

The Golden Knights feature one of the more prolific scorers in the country in 6-5 sophomore forward Demontray McCormick, who came to West Georgia Tech by way of Biloxi, Miss. McCormick earned all-region honors while leading Region 17 in scoring, at an 18.6 points-per-game clip.

Blair Austin (Brookwood) is another key contributor for WGTC, averaging 15.1 points per game.

A key for West Georgia Tech will be stopping Prince George’s scoring leaders Josiah Woodruff (17.7 ppg) and David Golladay (16 ppg).

If the Knights win Friday, they’ll play Saturday at 2 p.m. against the Sandhills C.C. – Anne Arundel C.C. winner for a berth in the NJCAA Division III “Final 8” National Championship Tournament.

###

NJCAA Division III District 7 Playoffs (Rockingham C.C., Reidsville, N.C.

Friday, March 9

2. Prince George’s Community College, Md. (21-9) vs.

3. West Georgia Technical College, Ga. (15-13)

5 p.m.

 

1. Sandhills Community College, N.C. (25-6) vs.

4. Anne Arundel Community College, Md. (16-15)

7 p.m.

 

Saturday, March 10

Championship Game

2 p.m.

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Knights Win Conference Opener Over Andrew College, 7-5
Posted: March 7, 2012
CONTACT: Aaron Sones, 678-664-0517, aaron.sones@westgatech.edu

DOUGLASVILLE, Ga. – The West Georgia Tech baseball team scored seven runs on 11 hits, including a tie-breaking solo home run by Christian Prichard (Bremen) in the fifth inning, as the Golden Knights beat the Andrew College Fighting Tigers 7-5 on a chilly Tuesday afternoon in Douglasville.

The win came in the first conference game in school history as a member of the National Junior College Athletic Association - Division 1.

West Georgia Tech has now won three-straight games to improve to 8-11, 1-0. Andrew is also 8-11 overall on the season (0-1 in conference). WGTC and Andrew will play three more games in the series, with a single game set for Friday and a doubleheader scheduled for Saturday, both in Cuthbert.

Prichard’s solo shot in the fifth gave the Knights a 6-5 lead and wrestled the momentum back to the WGTC side after Andrew had tied it with a four-run outburst in the top of the inning thanks in part to a bases-clearing error on an errant throw by starting pitcher Brad Bartlett.

“We had solid clutch hitting today, and that home run was big,” WGTC head coach Todd Pratt said. “We had some blunders in the fifth that allowed Andrew to tie us, but we settled down and got the job done. It was great to get a win in our first conference game in Division 1, and this will give our guys a lot of confidence.”

Bartlett (Troup) was solid on the mound for the Golden Knights. Bartlett pitched a career-best 7.1 innings and allowed five runs (three earned) on nine hits to get the win. He struck out four batters and walked none.

“Brad did a great job today. He calmed down and steadied himself after allowing all of the runs in the fifth, and did exactly what we needed. For the most part we played great defensively behind him,” Pratt said.

After the game, Bartlett was quick to point out the production of the Golden Knights hitters.

“As a pitcher it helps out a lot if your teammates are swinging the bats the way we did today,” he said. “This was a good start for us to win the first conference game. It feels good to get the ball in the first game, as a competitor I always want the ball. I’m happy Coach Pratt has the confidence in me to ask me to get the job done.”

The Golden Knights jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the 2nd inning before Andrew scored a run in the 3rd to make it 2-1. Then the Knights erupted for three runs in the bottom half of the 3rd to take a 5-1 lead.

Andrew scored four in the top of the 5th to tie the game and set the table for Prichard’s solo shot to lead off the inning and give West Georgia Tech the lead for good. The Knights added another run in the inning to lead 7-5.

Ryan Turner pitched 1.2 innings of scoreless relief to pick up the save. Turner inherited a runner at first base when the fire-baller entered the game with one out in the eighth, but he made quick work of the Tiger batters to get out of the inning.

Russ Morman (2-for-4, 1 run), Stephen Fuller (2-for-3, 1 run, 2 RBI), and Corey Adkins (2-for-4, 1 RBI) all had multiple hits for West Georgia Tech.

The Golden Knights and Fighting Tigers will play Game 2 of the series Friday in Cuthbert at 2 p.m. A doubleheader follows Saturday with first-pitch set for 1 p.m.

Pratt said that Turner will get the start Friday night.

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Region Champs! West Georgia Tech Wins Region 17 Division III Tourney With 66-52 Win Over Oxford College
Posted: March 5, 2012
CONTACT: Aaron Sones, 678-664-0517, aaron.sones@westgatech.edu

OXFORD, Ga. – The West Georgia Tech Golden Knights men’s basketball team made history Sunday afternoon, becoming the first WGTC athletic program to win a region championship with a dominating 66-52 win over the home-standing Oxford College Eagles in the Region 17 Division III Tournament Championship Game.

The Knights won the title in its first season of competition in the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA).

West Georgia Tech (15-13) now advances to the NJCAA District 7 Playoffs which will be held in Wentworth, N.C. next Friday and Saturday, where the winner of the four-team single-elimination tournament will advance to the NJCAA Division III National Championship Tournament in upstate New York.

Coach Okolovitch Cuts Nets

 

 WGTC Head Coach Niki Okolovitch, the Region 17 Division III Coach of the Year, cuts down the net following WGTC's 66-52 victory over Oxford College (Photo courtesy WGTC SID).

The Knights will play Prince George’s Community College out of Largo, Maryland, at 5 p.m. Friday. The winner will advance to Saturday’s championship game.

“I could not be more proud of this group of young men and the coaching staff for the way that they played today,” said WGTC President Dr. Skip Sullivan. “This has been a long time coming for everyone who has worked behind the scenes to see this athletic department come to fruition. It was great to see them win a championship. This is great for our school, this is great for our community, and this is great for West Georgia. I’m proud of them for their accomplishments on and off the court.”

The Golden Knights never trailed and for much of the game were never threatened. WGTC led 9-2 behind the shooting of Demontray McCormick (Biloxi, Miss.), who scored the first nine points of the game for the Knights. Oxford College (21-10) closed to within 18-16 with 8:03 left in the half but a 13-2 run over the next four minutes gave West Georgia Tech a comfortable 31-18 lead. The Knights led 35-22 at halftime.

The Eagles got within eight points, at 40-32, with 13:30 remaining. But West Georgia Tech held Oxford College to just two points over the next five minutes and cruised the rest of the way building as much as a 19 point lead, 66-47, with 1:44 remaining.

The Golden Knights made a living this season by out-running and out-scoring its opponents. But today their defense won the game as they held the Eagles to just 33 percent shooting (21-of-64). Oxford College shot a paltry 4-of-16 from three-point range and just 6-of-14 from the free-throw line.

“We’ve been here three years and I’ve never seen my team play defense the way those guys played defense today,” WGTC head coach Niki Okolovitch said. “They were hungry today. When you want something bad enough, your bad tendencies go away and you step up your game. Oxford has some great players, but give credit to our kids for the tenacity and effort that they played with on both ends of the floor.

“We stuck with our number one game-plan the entire game, and didn’t have to change anything. That’s a credit to our kids.”

Three players scored in double-figures for the Golden Knights. McCormick led the way with 16 points to go along with nine rebounds. Blair Austin (Brookwood) added 15 points (7-of-14 from the field) and Demario McMath (Fayetteville, N.C.) scored 12 points (2-of-3 from three-point range).

The Golden Knights shot 39 percent from the floor (26-of-67) and 29 percent from three-point range (4-of-14). They were just 10-of-27 from the free-throw line.

After the game the Golden Knights were awarded the Region 17 Division III trophy and Okolovitch was given his Region 17 Coach of the Year Award, which was officially announced last Monday.

Each West Georgia Tech player took turns cutting down the net on one end of the floor before giving way to assistant coach Reggie Nation and then Okolovitch. WGTC President Dr. Skip Sullivan cut the final strands.

Although Oxford College was playing on its home floor, a very large and vocal gathering of Golden Knights fans turned the atmosphere into an advantage for the Black and Gold. The celebration started in the final minutes of the game and continued for several minutes after its completion.

“We had such good support in the stands today, and our guys really fed off of that,” Okolovitch said. “I was concerned about playing the Championship Game on their home court, but our crowd turned it into a fifty-fifty scenario or we might have even outnumbered their fans. That is incredible. I really appreciate our other coaches for letting the baseball and softball teams come out and support us.

“I really feel like West Georgia Tech athletics is coming together,” he continued. “There has been a lot of building going on, long before I got here. Dr. Sullivan, Walter Dunson, Eddie Gore, and the Administration have been working so hard behind the scenes from day one. They built it from the ground up.”

Now the Knights will look to go even further, with its sights set on the NJCAA National Championship Tournament in New York.

To get there, they’ll have to win another two games in two days at the NJCAA District 7 Playoffs, starting Friday against Prince George’s Community College (21-9).


The other semifinal will pit Sandhills Community College, N.C. (25-6) against Anne Arundel Community College, Md. (16-15).

The winners will play Saturday for a berth in the National Championship Tournament.

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Knights Advance; West Georgia Tech Defeats Georgia Northwestern 91-64 to Advance to Region 17 Division III Championship Game
Posted: March 3, 2012
CONTACT: Aaron Sones, 678-664-0517, aaron.sones@westgatech.edu

OXFORD, Ga. – Randazzero Chaney scored 22 points to lead the West Georgia Tech Golden Knights over the Georgia Northwestern Bobcats 91-64 in the Semifinals of the Region 17/GCAA Division III Men's Basketball Tournament Saturday afternoon.

Randazzero Chaney (24) shoots a fast-break layup in the first half. Chaney led the Knights with 22 points (Photo courtesy WGTC SID).
Randazzero Chaney (24) shoots a fast-break layup in the first half. Chaney led the Knights with 22 points (Photo courtesy WGTC SID).

The Knights will play the winner of Saturday's other semifinal game between Middle Georgia Tech and Oxford College in Sunday's Championship Game.

Although the Golden Knights (14-13) won by 27, the game was much closer until a 25-3 West Georgia Tech run in the second half gave them an 80-59 lead.

"This team always gives us fits, and they did that again today for much of the game," West Georgia Tech head coach Niki Okolovitch said. "They played a tough emotional game last night, and I think they finally wore down today. I told our guys that we just had to win by one point, and that our speed would win the game for us today and it finally did in the closing stretch of the game."

The Golden Knights were sluggish in the opening minutes of the game and didn't score until the 16:17 mark as Georgia Northwestern (8-20) jumped out to an 8-0 lead. But a 17-3 run by the Knights over the next five minutes gave WGTC a 17-11 lead with 11:05 to play in the half.

The largest lead for West Georgia Tech in the first half was seven (30-23), but Georgia Northwestern would not go away thanks to a 4-for-9 effort from three-point range. The Knights led 36-35 at halftime.

The game remained close in the first few minutes of the second half before the 25-3 run broke the game open. A barrage of dunks highlighted the run as the Golden Knights finally took advantage of their size and athleticism.

Chaney scored his 22 points on 8-of-13 shooting from the field (2-of-2 from 3-point range).

Demontray McCormick added 17 points for West Georgia Tech. Blair Austin scored 16 points and Tori White scored 10 to round out the double-figure scoring for the Knights.

The Knights shot 47 percent from the field (37-of-78) and were 4-of-11 from beyond the arc.

West Georgia Tech held Georgia Northwestern in check defensively, allowing the Bobcats to shoot just 37 percent from the field.

West Georgia Tech out-rebounded the Bobcats 48-45.

Sunday's championship game will tip at 2 p.m. at Williams Gymnasium on the Oxford College at Emory University campus (100 Hamil Street, Oxford GA). If West Georgia Tech wins, the Knights will advance to the District Tournament next weekend.

"Tomorrow is an important day for our program and for our school," Okolovitch said. "The campuses are really excited about us winning the co-championship last week, and I think they have been waiting three years for this basketball program to do something special. This program has grown a lot over the past three years, and now we have a chance to take that next step."

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Chattahoochee Valley Sweeps West Georgia Tech in Baseball, 3-0, 15-3
Posted: February 29, 2012
CONTACT: Aaron Sones, 678-664-0517, aaron.sones@westgatech.edu

DOUGLASVILLE, Ga. – West Georgia Technical College baseball dropped a pair of games to Chattahoochee Valley (Ala.) Community College, 3-0 and 15-3, on a rainy Tuesday afternoon at Norton Field. The Golden Knights have lost three games in a row to drop to 5-11 overall on the season.

Rus Morman takes a lead from 1st against CVCC
Rus Morman (5) takes a lead from first base against Chattahoochee Valley. Morman went 3-for-7 on the afternoon.
Game 1 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 R H E
CVCC 1 0 0 0 0 0 2 3 8 0
WGTC 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 9 0
LP: Bartlett
                    

West Georgia Tech dropped the first game of the twin bill 3-0 despite outhitting the Pirates 9-8.

Chattahoochee Valley jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the top of the first and the score remained 1-0 until CVCC scored two runs in the seventh.

 The Golden Knights had base runners in every inning but could not cash in. Their greatest scoring threats were in the fourth and the sixth.

The Knights had runners at second and third with one out in the fourth and had the bases loaded in the sixth but failed to score both times.

“We had our chances today in the first game.  We out hit them, we just did not get that big two out hit,” Golden Knights head coach Todd Pratt said. “We had a great opportunity in the bottom of the fourth with guys on second and third with one out. We just did not come through. We have to get those runners in from third with less than two outs.”

Leadoff hitter Dusty Davis (3-for-4) and cleanup man Rus Morman (2-for-4) had multiple hits for West Georgia Tech.

Freshman righty Brad Bartlett (Troup County) was effective on the mound for West Georgia Tech. Bartlett shutout the Pirates over 5.2 innings after running into trouble in the first. He scattered seven hits and gave up three runs over 6.2 innings of work.

“Bartlett did an outstanding job today,” Pratt said. “We just did not provide him any run support. He continues to get stronger, and he is doing the things he needs to do, to be successful in this region.”

Game 2 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 R H E
CVCC 3 2 3 2 0 5   15 13 0
WGTC 0 0 0 0 3 0   3 3 2

                   

Chattahoochee Valley dominated game two, 15-3.

The Pirates led 8-0 after three innings and were up 10-0 before the Golden Knights put three runs across in the bottom half of the fifth.

West Georgia Tech pitching gave up 13 hits and walked ten.

“Game two was a poor execution of our pitching staff,” Pratt said. “We cannot expect to win with ten walks and thirteen hits given up. It was a rough day.”

The Knights were held to three hits in the contest, but two of them were back-to-back doubles by Christian Prichard (Bremen) and Rus Morman (Troup County) which plated the three runs in the fifth.

Dusty Davis had the other hit for West Georgia Tech and finished the afternoon 4-for-6. Morman finished the day 3-for-7.

“Their pitching staff shut us down,” Pratt said. “We have to figure out a line-up that will be successful versus lefthanders. It seems the lefties have kept our bats silent the past few games we have faced them. We did hit some balls hard though, they were just right at the defense. Some of our guys climbed above or close to .300 today and that is a positive thing.”

The Golden Knights return to action Friday night with a doubleheader against the Kennesaw State club team. First pitch is set for 6:05 pm at Norton Field at the Douglas County Sports Complex. The conference season gets underway next Tuesday at home against Darton College.

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WGTC Splits with Snead State, 12-2 and 7-11
Posted: February 27, 2012
CONTACT: Aaron Sones, 678-664-0517, aaron.sones@westgatech.edu

DOUGLASVILLE, Ga. – West Georgia Tech baseball split a pair of games with Snead State (Ala.) Community College Sunday afternoon in Douglasville. WGTC won the first game 12-2 before dropping the nightcap 11-7.

The Golden Knights are now 5-9 on the year.

Game 2 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 R H E
Snead State 0 2 0 2 1 0 6 11 10 1
WGTC 2 0 0 0 0 0 5 7 9 4

The Golden Knights pounded Snead State in game one, 12-2. West Georgia Tech exploded for six runs in the first inning and had its best offensive game of the season with 16 hits. The twelve runs scored were the most by the Knights this year.

"I was very pleased with the offense today in game one," WGTC head coach Todd Pratt said. "We took advantage of the two errors in the first and continued to barrel some balls throughout the game. It seems the hitters are starting to catch up to the pitching speeds and are getting more confident. The past week in practice we talked to our guys about having a good plan at the plate and today they seemed ready to execute that plan."

All but one batter had a base hit for the Golden Knights.

Phillip DePriest (Carrollton) led the way going 3-for-4 with two runs scored and an RBI. Several Knights had two hits, including lead-off man Dusty Davis who hit a two-run homerun in the bottom of the fifth to give the Knights a 10-2 advantage. Davis finished with 3 RBIs.

"Dusty Davis continues to be more comfortable in the leadoff spot. We need him to set the tone of the game, and he did that today. His homerun was the finishing touch in this ballgame," Pratt said. Ryan Turner was effective on the mound for the Knights. Turner went the distance and allowed just two runs on seven hits in six innings of work to pick up the win. He struck out seven.

Game 2 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 R H E
Snead State 0 2 0 2 1 0 6 11 10 1
WGTC 2 0 0 0 0 0 5 7 9 4

Snead State took game two 11-7, in a game that saw the two teams combine to score 11 runs in a wild seventh inning. Snead State led 5-2 going into the seventh before scoring six runs to take a commanding 11-2 lead. But West Georgia Tech scored five in the home-half of the seventh to make things interesting.

Chris Prichard (2-for-3, 1 run, 1 RBI) and Phillip DePriest (2-for-4, 5 RBI) had big games at the plate for the Golden Knights. DePriest went 5-for-8 with six RBI in the two games combined.

"Phillip DePriest had another solid game as he came up huge with those two doubles. Overall I am happy with the way our offense is starting to put together good at-bats."

West Georgia Tech pitching struggled a bit in game two. Chase Patterson got the start and lasted three innings before giving way to four West Georgia Tech relievers over the final four frames.

Pratt singled out freshman lefty Hayden Petitta (Dallas) for his work in relief.

"Hayden Petitta continues to impress me. He may not light up the gun, but the kid knows how to pitch. He is a crafty lefty," Pratt said.

Petitta went two innings allowing an unearned run on one hit.

Four errors proved costly for the Golden Knights.

"After a tremendous defensive effort in game one, we dropped the ball in game two," Pratt noted. "As a staff, we will continue to express to these young men that defense wins games. Mentally they have to stay strong. Our record does not show the competiveness we have had so far. We just need to tighten up the defense and we will be fine rolling into conference next week."

The Golden Knights return to action Tuesday with a twin bill against Chattahoochee Valley Community College (11-9) in Douglasville. First pitch is set for 12:05 p.m. at Norton Field at the Douglas County Athletic Complex (6246 Cedar Mountain Road).

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WGTC's Okolovitch Named Region Coach of the Year; Three Receive Postseason Honors
Posted: February 27, 2012
CONTACT: Aaron Sones, 678-664-0517, aaron.sones@westgatech.edu

CARROLLTON, Ga. – West Georgia Tech head men's basketball coach Niki Okolovitch was named the 2011-12 GCAA Division III Region Coach of the Year in voting by his peers, as announced by the league office Monday. Okolovitch, who is in his second season at West Georgia Tech, also won the award last year.

Okolovitch guided the Golden Knights to a 13-13 overall record, 6-2 in region play, and the GCAA Division III Co-Championship this season. The Knights finished the regular season with at least a .500 overall record for the first time in school history and will enter this weekend's region tournament as the number one seed.

WGTC Head Coach Niki Okolovitch gives instructions during a game earlier this year. Okolovitch was named GCAA/Region 17 Division III Coach of the Year. Photo courtesy WGTC SID.
WGTC Head Coach Niki Okolovitch gives instructions during a game earlier this year. Okolovitch was named GCAA/Region 17 Division III Coach of the Year. Photo courtesy WGTC SID.

"Coach Okolovitch did an outstanding job for our men's basketball program this season," WGTC President Dr. Skip Sullivan said. "His leadership and guidance both on and off the court reflect the mission of our college, to build winners in the classroom, on the playing field, and in the community. I am also very proud of the young men who received postseason honors. As a college, we are very excited about the upcoming tournament and wish our men's basketball team the best of luck."

West Georgia Tech landed three players on the All-Region teams.

Demontray McCormick, a sophomore from Biloxi, Miss., was named to Division III All Region First Team. McCormick led the Golden Knights in scoring, averaging 18.3 points per game. He connected on 32 three-pointers over the course the season.

Blair Austin (Brookwood) was named Second Team All-Region. Austin was second on the team in scoring with 15.1 points per game.

Joining Austin on the Second Team is Demario McMath, a sophomore from Fayetteville, N.C.

"I really felt we had four guys that deserved consideration for the All-Region Team, so I'm happy to see three of them make it," Okolovitch said. "Obviously, Tray and Blair put up terrific numbers throughout the year, and were a no-brainer to make the team. Demario had pretty good stats too, but his leadership and determination got him voted on. I'm excited for them and the program that we can get this type of recognition."

"These awards aren't just for the team and players though. They also go to the people behind the scenes that make all this possible. This is a pat on the back for everybody from the administration through the athletic department and something we can all take pride in together."

Overall, five West Georgia Tech men's and women's basketball players were honored with first or second team selections. Last week, Cherish Evans was selected to the GCAA Division III Women's First Team while her teammate Ebonie Harris was named to the Second Team.

The West Georgia Tech men will begin the postseason as the number one seed in this weekend's GCAA Division III Tournament which will be held on the campus of Oxford College in Covington, Ga., March 2-4. The Golden Knights received a first round bye and will open tournament play Saturday against the winner of Friday's opening round game between Southern Crescent Tech and Georgia Northwestern Tech.

###

GCAA Division III Coach of the Year
Niki Okolovitch, West Georgia Tech

GCAA Division III First Team All-Region
Alex Ordu, Oxford College (Player of the Year)
Demontray McCormick, West Georgia Tech
Dwayne Bryant, Middle Georgia Tech
Samuel Kim, Oxford College
Alex Miller, Georgia Northwestern Tech

GCAA Division III Second Team All-Region
Stephen Simmons, Oxford College
Ricky Byrd, Southern Crescent
Jeffery Gulley, Middle Georgia Tech
Ben Patton, Georgia Northwestern Tech
Blair Austin, West Georgia Tech
Demario McMath, West Georgia Tech

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Cherish Evans and Ebonie Harris Receive Region 17 Women's Basketball Postseason Honors
Posted: February 25, 2012
CONTACT: Aaron Sones, 678-664-0517, aaron.sones@westgatech.edu

CARROLLTON, Ga. – Two West Georgia Technical College women's basketball players received Region 17 Division III postseason honors, as announced by the league office Thursday.

Cherish Evans was named to the 2011-12 All-Region First Team while her teammate Ebonie Harris was named to the All-Region Second Team.

Evans, a point guard from Fannin County High School in Blue Ridge, led the Golden Knights and was among the region leaders in scoring, with 17.1 points per game. She is regarded as perhaps the most prolific three-point shooter in school history. Evans made 40.4 percent of her attempts from beyond the arc this season.

Evans finished among the league leaders in minutes played, averaging nearly 40 minutes per contest.

Harris came to West Georgia Tech by way of Butler High School in Augusta. While playing the post position, she averaged a double-double (10.4 ppg, 11.7 rpg) and was among the league leaders in rebounding. She also averaged nearly 40 minutes per game for the Golden Knights.

"Both of these student-athletes' all-region selections were well deserved," WGTC athletic coordinator Walter Dunson said. "These two players remained focused through ups and downs throughout the year and went on to have very good seasons. We're very proud of their accomplishments."

Middle Georgia Technical College's Ashley West was voted Player of the Year.

2011-12 All-Region 17 First Team
Ashley West, Middle Georgia Tech (Player of the Year)
Cherish Evans, West Georgia Tech
Shantavia Williams, Southern Crescent Tech
Mia Morrow, Georgia Northwestern Tech
Jasmine Randall, Middle Georgia Tech

2011-12 All-Region 17 Second Team
Ebonie Harris, West Georgia Tech
Ne'Andria McDowell, Southern Crescent Tech
Jessica Williams, Georgia Northwestern Tech
Emily Cole, Georgia Northwestern Tech

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Golden Knights Split Pair with Chattanooga State, 4-3 (8 innings) and 4-5
Posted: February 22, 2012
CONTACT: Aaron Sones, 678-664-0517, aaron.sones@westgatech.edu

DOUGLASVILLE, Ga. – The West Georgia Tech Golden Knights baseball team split with visiting Chattanooga State in a doubleheader played Tuesday afternoon at Norton Field in Douglasville. The Golden Knights won the first game 4-3 in eight innings before dropping the nightcap 5-4.

The Golden Knights are now 4-8 overall on the season, while Chattanooga State ended the day with a 9-4 record.

Brad Bartlett (Troup County) delivers to the plate in game one. Bartlett went the distance in game one, allowing just five hits while striking out seven. (Photo courtesy WGTC SID)
  Brad Bartlett (Troup County) delivers to the plate in game one. Bartlett went the distance in game one, allowing just five hits while striking out seven. (Photo courtesy WGTC SID)

Brad Bartlett (Troup County) was outstanding on the mound for the Golden Knights in the first game. He went the distance and threw eight innings of five-hit baseball to pick up the win. Bartlett allowed just three runs (1 earned) and struck out seven Chattanooga State batters.

West Georgia Tech head coach Todd Pratt was impressed with the freshman pitcher after the game.

“Bartlett has done a tremendous job so far this season,” he said. “He started in the bullpen and now has emerged as one of our top starters after losing Anthony Greene to injury. He was a workhorse today. Other than the hiccup in the third, he was dominant. I kept asking if felt alright and he had that look in his eye that he wanted the ball. We needed that performance today."

Christian Prichard (Bremen) scored the winning run on a passed ball in the bottom of the eighth inning, giving the Knights the 4-3 victory. Prichard led off the inning with a triple down the right field line and scored one out later on the miscue by the Chattanooga State catcher.

Prichard went 3-for-4 at the plate and scored two runs for the Golden Knights.

The Knights jumped on Chattanooga State early by scoring two runs in the first inning to take a 2-0 lead. Dusty Davis singled in the inning and scored on a Stephen Fuller double. Fuller later scored on a groundout and the Knights led by two.

But Bartlett ran into trouble in the third as Chattanooga State rallied to take a 3-2 lead. The Tigers held that lead until the Golden Knights began their comeback in the sixth.

Trailing 3-2, Prichard led the inning with a hit, this time a line-drive single to left. After a groundout and stolen base moved Prichard to third, Ryne Elrod drove in the tying run with a ground ball down the third base line.

“It was nice to pull that one out,” Pratt said of the Knight’s fourth win of the season. “The guys have been working hard and needed the win. They deserved this one as they battled all game. We still need to tighten up our defense. We have given up a bunch of unearned runs early in the season and we cannot afford to give other teams four to five outs an inning.

“Today I liked the way Eric Bowers stepped up at third base,” Pratt continued. “That bunt play in the second inning looked as good as I have ever seen on a field. Hopefully he continues to gain confidence and lock up the hot corner before conference starts." 

West Georgia Tech had opportunities to complete the sweep in the nightcap, but dropped a tight 5-4 decision to Chattanooga State. The Golden Knights had runners on the corners in the bottom of the seventh and last inning but could not produce the timely hit.

Chattanooga State jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the top of the first inning off of starting pitcher Chase Patterson (Chapel Hill). Patterson settled down though and held the Tigers scoreless over the next four innings, allowing West Georgia Tech to climb back into the game.

The Golden Knights closed the gap to 3-2 with a two-run fifth. Elrod and Eric Bowers (Tucker) hit back-to-back base hits with one out. A wild pitch scored Elrod and an RBI groundout plated Bowers.

After the Tigers increased the lead to 4-2 in the top of the sixth, but WGTC fought back with a single run in the bottom of the inning to make it 4-3.

Chattanooga State scored again in the top of the seventh to extend their lead to 5-3.

The Golden Knights rallied with two outs and the bases empty in the bottom of the seventh. Dusty Davis (Chapel Hill) got things going with a hard single to left. Hayden Petitta (East Paulding) followed with a walk to put runners on first and second. Prichard then hit a single up the middle that scored Davis and made the score 5-4. With runners on the corners, Fuller lined out to second base to end the threat.

Patterson exited the game with two outs in the sixth. He struck out six in 5.2 innings of work while allowing four runs on eight hits.

“Patterson had a rough first inning giving up the three runs,” Pratt said. “He needs to start putting hitters away when he has them 0-2 or 1-2. Even though he is 0-3 record-wise, he has pitched well enough to win. Chase is getting tuned up for conference play and I am happy with his progress even though his numbers may not show it.”

Phillip DePriest (2-for-3, 1 RBI) and Eric Bowers (2-for-3, 1 run scored) led the Knights at the plate in game two.

“We kept grinding and had a chance at the end of the game,” Pratt said. “Once again, one mistake defensively cost us a win today. I am happy how we played and it seems the guys are getting more confident. Chattanooga State is a good ball club with a winning history. They were in the JUCO World Series in 2010. All four games, as indicated by the scores, could have gone our way. And that is nice to hang your hat on with this very young program."

Up next for West Georgia Tech is a single game at Chattahoochee Valley Community College Friday afternoon at 1 p.m. The Knights will host Snead State Sunday, with a doubleheader scheduled to begin at 1:05 p.m. Sunday’s game was originally scheduled for Saturday, but anticipated wet playing conditions prompted the move to Sunday.

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Golden Knights Defeat Middle Georgia Tech, Win GCAA Division III Co-Championship and No. 1 Seed
Posted: February 21, 2012
CONTACT: Aaron Sones, 678-664-0517, aaron.sones@westgatech.edu

CARROLLTON, Ga. – The West Georgia Technical College men’s basketball team won back-to-back road games over the weekend over Sound Doctrine (108-90) and conference rival Middle Georgia Tech (47-42).

The win over Middle Georgia Tech earned the Golden Knights the Georgia Collegiate Athletic Association Division III Co-Championship, and by virtue of a tie-break, the number one seed and first round bye in the upcoming region tournament.

WGTC finished in a tie for first place with Middle Georgia Tech and Oxford-Emory.

The Golden Knights closed the regular season by winning five of its last six games to finish 13-13 overall, 6-2 in region play. This year’s squad is the first in school history to finish the regular season with at least a .500 record.

West Georgia Tech Athletic Coordinator said he was very pleased with the way the Golden Knights finished.
“Coach (Niki) Okolovitch and Coach (Reggie) Nation have done a great job all year of keeping our players focused on winning one game at a time,” Dunson said. “It’s a huge accomplishment for WGTC and our entire athletic program for us to win our conference in the first year of GCAA/NJCAA play and to be the number one seed going into tournament play.  There’s very good competition in junior college athletics and I look forward to seeing our team compete in post-season play.  We will continue to improve as a college and athletic program and we look forward to competing for national championships in all of sports in the years to come.”
West Georgia Tech won a gritty, low-scoring contest over Middle Georgia Tech to win the co-championship, 47-42. By contrast, Middle Georgia Tech won the earlier meeting 87-81.

Randazzero Chaney (LaGrange) led the Knights with 15 points on 6-of-9 shooting. He also had five steals. Blair Austin (Brookwood) contributed 12 points and grabbed five rebounds.

“This was by far our worst offensive performance of the year,” said WGTC head coach Niki Okolovitch. “We scored 37 points below our average and shot 20 percent lower than our average, but you know what, we still found a way to win.

“I think this game was a breakthrough for us because we won with defense and not offense. This was a true team victory and the guys really came together and pushed each other to the win.”

The Georgia Collegiate Athletic Association Men’s Division III Basketball Tournament will be held on the campus of Oxford-Emory in Oxford, Ga., March 2-4.

Region Tournament play begins Friday, March 2nd, but the Golden Knights will not see action until the next day by virtue of their top seed and first round bye. WGTC will play the winner of No. 4 Southern Crescent Tech and No. 5 Georgia Northwestern Tech March 3rd at 2 p.m.

Should the Knights win that game, they will advance to the championship game which will be held the next day (March 4th) at 2 p.m.

“Obviously we're excited about how the weekend turned out for us,” Okolovitch said. “I'm really pleased with how the guys are coming together. They have really bought into the team first concept. The energy on the bench is at an all-time high and their positivity towards each other has become contagious.

“Regardless of what happens next weekend, I'm proud of how our guys faced adversity and grown as men and players this year.”

2012 GCAA MEN’S DIV III BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT (Oxford, GA)
QUARTERFINALS (March 2)
5. Georgia Northwestern Tech
4. Southern Crescent Tech                          7 pm

SEMIFINALS (March 3)
5.GNTC-4.SCTC Winner
1. West Georgia Tech                                 2 pm

3. Oxford-Emory College              
2. Middle Georgia Tech                              4 pm

CHAMPIONSHIP GAME (March 4)                  2 pm

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Golden Knights Men's Basketball Closes Season with Pair of Road Games This Weekend
Posted: February 16, 2012
CONTACT: Aaron Sones, 678-664-0517, aaron.sones@westgatech.edu

CARROLLTON, Ga. – With its sights on the postseason, the West Georgia Technical College Golden Knights men's basketball team will close out the 2011-12 season with a pair of games on the road Friday and Saturday night.

The Golden Knights will take on Sound Doctrine in LaGrange Friday before traveling to Fort Valley for a pivotal conference match-up with Middle Georgia Tech. Win that one, and the Golden Knights will finish in a tie for first place in the region going into the conference tournament March 2-3.

Middle Georgia Tech is 6-1 in the conference, a game ahead of West Georgia Tech (11-13, 5-2).

Against Middle Georgia Tech, the Golden Knights will be facing a team that has been their nemesis over the past two seasons. Middle Georgia beat West Georgia Tech 95-94 in overtime last season in the conference tournament championship game. Middle Georgia defeated the Golden Knights 87-81 in Carrollton two weeks ago to take over first place in the standings.

A win Saturday night would go a long way towards helping the Golden Knights forget the painful losses of the past, while providing a boost of confidence that comes with winning a share of the regular season title.

WGTC Head Coach Niki Okolovitch gives instructions to his team vs. Sound Doctrine earlier this year. Photo courtesy WGTC Sports Information.

WGTC Head Coach Niki Okolovitch gives instructions to his team vs. Sound Doctrine earlier this year.
Photo courtesy WGTC Sports Information

WGTC head coach Niki Okolovitch said that the teams are so evenly matched that seeding shouldn't be a factor in the tournament.

"All of the teams are so even in terms of who could beat who on any given day," he said. "This year seedings are meaningless. First place sounds good, but it all comes down to matchups and how your team is playing going in. If we get hot and the ball bounces our way, we have a good chance to win. But if we come in flat, we can lose to anybody."

Saturday's game will feature the top three scorers in the region. West Georgia Tech's Demontray McCormick (18.9 ppg) and Blair Austin (15.2 ppg) are first and third in scoring, respectively, while Middle Georgia's Javarus Mallard is second, averaging 18.2 points per game.

Before Saturday's showdown, the Knights must face a gritty Sound Doctrine squad for the second time this year. The Golden Knights earned a hard-fought 103-90 victory on February 3rd in a game that featured an onslaught of points from both sides.

Tip-time for West Georgia Tech at Sound Doctrine is 7 p.m. Friday night. Saturday's contest between the Golden Knights and Middle Georgia Tech will get underway at 4 p.m.

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Golden Knights Baseball Splits at Chattanooga State, 9-4 and 5-6
Posted: February 16, 2012
CONTACT: Aaron Sones, 678-664-0517, aaron.sones@westgatech.edu

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. – The West Georgia Technical College baseball team split a doubleheader with Chattanooga State Community College Wednesday afternoon in Chattanooga.

The Golden Knights won the first game, 9-4, before falling in the nightcap, 6-5.

"I'm pleased with the way that we went up there and competed, although I'm disappointed that we didn't get it done in the second game," said WGTC head coach Todd Pratt. "Chattanooga State was third in the nation last year, and although they lost a bunch of guys from last year's team they are still pretty good. Outside of a few errors in critical situations, I thought we played pretty well today."

In game one, the Golden Knights trailed 2-0 in the fourth before a Jamie McKnight (South Paulding) double got things going. Christian Prichard (Bremen) was hit by a pitch and Phillip DePriest (Carrollton) walked to load the bases. A wild pitch scored McKnight to make it 2-1. Two batters later Corey Adkins (Mary Persons) lined a single into centerfield to score two runs and give the Golden Knights a 3-2 lead.

#9 Ryne Elrod (South Paulding H.S.) watches a pitch go by. Photo courtesy WGTC Sports Information.
#9 Ryne Elrod (South Paulding H.S.) watches a pitch go by. Photo courtesy WGTC Sports Information.

West Georgia Tech blew the game open by scoring six runs in the next inning. With the bases loaded and no outs, McKnight singled to right to score two runs. A bunt single by Prichard scored another run to give WGTC a 6-2 lead. DePriest followed with a two-run triple and later scored on a sacrifice fly by Justin Batcher (East Paulding) to put the Knights well in front, 9-2.

Chattanooga State scored single runs in the sixth and seventh innings.

Brad Bartlett (Troup County) pitched effectively and earned the win after allowing just two runs (one earned) on six hits in five innings. Josh Hill and Jeff Johnson combined to allow just two runs on three hits in relief.

The Golden Knights were outhit 9-6, but took advantage of their opportunities to score runs. McKnight led WGTC with two hits (2-for-3), two runs scored, and an RBI. DePriest and Adkins both had 2-RBI games for West Georgia Tech.

The Golden Knights squandered a 5-4 lead in the bottom of the sixth to lose game two, 6-5.

West Georgia Tech trailed 4-2 in the top of the sixth before rallying for three runs to take a brief 5-4 lead.

Pratt then went to the pen and brought in ace pitcher Ryan Turner (Alexander) in the bottom of the sixth to close the game. After getting an out, Turner walked the bases loaded. He struck out the next batter for the second out. But a routine ground ball that would have been the third out was booted by the West Georgia Tech shortstop allowing the go-ahead and eventual winning runs to score.

WGTC starting pitcher Justin Hobby (McEachern) was solid on the mound. Hobby allowed just one hit through 3.2 innings before giving way to Will Hammock (Smith Station, Ala.) and Turner.

Prichard had another solid game at the plate going 2-for-4 with two runs scored and an RBI.

The Golden Knights, now 3-5 on the year, will begin an eight-game home stand Saturday afternoon by hosting Georgia Perimeter at Norton Field in Douglasville, weather permitting. First pitch for game one is scheduled for 1:05 p.m. Georgia Perimeter swept a doubleheader in the previous meeting between the two conference rivals in late January.

"I like the way we battling right now. We have played a very tough pre-conference schedule, but this is going to get us ready for conference play," Pratt said. "Division 1 baseball is a tough league, and our guys are going to continue to work hard. We will learn to do the little things and take advantage of our opportunities. We need good crowds over this next home stand and hope the community will come out and watch some really good JUCO baseball."

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West Georgia Tech Baseball Doubleheader at Chattanooga State Moved from Tuesday to Wednesday Due to Weather
Posted: February 13, 2012
CONTACT: Aaron Sones, 678-664-0517, aaron.sones@westgatech.edu

CARROLLTON, Ga. – The threat of inclement weather has forced the rescheduling of Tuesday’s baseball doubleheader between West Georgia Technical College and Chattanooga State to Wednesday afternoon.

First pitch will be at 1 p.m. Wednesday in Chattanooga.

The Knights are off to a 2-4 start in their grueling pre-conference schedule. After Wednesday, West Georgia Tech will begin an eight-game home stand by hosting Georgia Perimeter next Saturday.

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WGTC's Blair Austin named Region 17 Men's Basketball Player of the Week
Posted: February 10, 2012
CONTACT: Aaron Sones, 678-664-0517, aaron.sones@westgatech.edu

CARROLLTON, Ga. – West Georgia Tech’s Blair Austin, a 6-3, 175-pound freshman from Brookwood High School in Thomasville, Ga., was named Region 17 Men’s Basketball Player of the Week after voting by league coaches.

Austin averaged 25.5 points, six rebounds, and 1.5 steals per game last week while shooting 71 percent from the field.

He scored 28 points on 13-of-14 shooting in a 103-90 victory over Sound Doctrine. He added 21 points and six rebounds the next night in an 87-81 loss to Middle Georgia Tech.

Golden Knights head coach Niki Okolovitch praised the sharp-shooting forward for his efforts on the court this season.

“He really deserves the recognition,” Okolovitch said. “He's a kid who comes to the gym everyday with the right attitude. He's always positive and excited to be on the court. We knew he was a good player coming in, but I think he has surprised a lot of people in some of the numbers he's put up this year.”

Austin is second on the team and third in the region in scoring, averaging 15.2 points per game.

The Golden Knights are 11-13 overall, and 5-2 in conference play. West Georgia Tech has two games remaining in the regular season: February 17th at Sound Doctrine and February 18th at Middle Georgia Tech.

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2012 Golden Knights Baseball Preview
Posted: February 4, 2012
CONTACT: Aaron Sones, 678-664-0517, aaron.sones@westgatech.edu

Preview The 2012 version of the West Georgia Technical College Golden Knights will enter a groundbreaking season in its second year of existence. Under the direction of head coach Todd Pratt, WGTC Baseball will be the school’s first sport to enter the NJCAA at the Division 1 level. They will also be the only non–scholarships program to compete at the Division 1 level in the state.

After bringing in 50 potential student-athletes this past fall, Pratt has trimmed the roster to 32. The Golden Knights hope to build upon a very successful first season in which they finished 22-12 overall and 13-3 in conference play. The inaugural club climbed as high as No. 3 in the nation before finishing the year No. 5 within the National Club Baseball Association.

The Golden Knights will play a 56 game schedule which includes teams from Alabama, Tennessee, and Louisiana and will compete in the conference with the likes of perennial powerhouse programs such as Middle Georgia, Georgia Perimeter, and South Georgia.

STARTING PITCHING:

The starting rotation will be led by sophomore Anthony Green and redshirt freshman Ryan Turner. Green, a transfer from Tallahassee C.C. in Tallahassee, Fla., features a 90 mph fastball and a devastating split-change. Turner is a transfer from North Georgia who prepped at nearby Alexander High School. Turner will see action for the first time following Tommy John surgery last year. Chase Patterson, a University of Auburn-Montgomery transfer, will be the No. 3 starter and is expected to slot into the Friday night starts this season. Six-foot-five right-hander Justin Hobby of McEachern High School will round up the rotation.

BULLPEN:

The bullpen will be full of inexperience, but according to Pratt it is stocked with talent and depth. The bullpen will be led by right-handers Will Hammock (Smith County), Josh Hill (East Paulding), and lefty Brad Bartlett (Troup County). Depth will be a strong point, as there will be as many as 12 pitchers available in the pen during home games.

INFIELD:

The infield will be led by third baseman Dusty Davis, a transfer from Andrew College. Davis led Andrew in home runs (11) and RBI’s (38) last year. At first base, freshman Jamie McKnight will share time with returners Adam Thomas, a left-hander, and right-handed Caleb Zalunardo. The middle of the infield will be handled by freshmen Cory Adkins and Weston Perry. Sophomores Ryne Elrod and Edgar Torres look to share time in the middle of the infield as well. Sophomore Eric Bowers and Freshman Rus Morman will anchor the utility slots.

CATCHING:

Two freshmen catchers, Justin Batcher (East Paulding) and Matthew Pope (Walnut Grove), will work behind the plate. Pratt indicated that both are considered “catch-and-throw guys” and are line drive hitters. Both will platoon behind the plate.

OUTFIELD:

Pratt is only carrying four outfielders on the roster. Sophomore Phillip DePriest (Carrollton) will anchor the outfield in center. Christian Prichard (Bremen) will play right field, and sophomore Stephen Fuller (Alexander High School) and freshman Sean Watson (Douglas County) will cover left field. Fuller was last season’s leading hitter and could see some time at the DH spot when not playing in left field.

FINAL ANALYSIS:

Pratt expects the Golden Knights to take their share of lumps as they enter their first year of Division 1 baseball. With a bit of power, pitching, and speed spread around, solid fundamentals could be a big key for West Georgia Tech in 2012. Pratt indicated in the preseason that a .500 record would be an attainable goal for this year’s squad. If the Golden Knights reach that goal, they will enter the conference tournament. Exceeding expectations is something the young Golden Knights baseball program has made a habit of doing.

Golden Knights Men's Basketball Readies for Big Weekend
Posted: February 2, 2012
CONTACT: Aaron Sones, 678-664-0517, aaron.sones@westgatech.edu

The West Georgia Technical College men’s basketball team enters a pivotal weekend with back-to-back home games Friday and Saturday. Friday night’s contest is against non-conference foe Sound Doctrine which will set the table for Saturday’s conference showdown with Middle Georgia Tech.

Middle Georgia Tech is undefeated in conference play (5-0) and sits a half-game ahead of West Georgia Tech (10-12, 5-1) in the conference standings. The winner of Saturday’s game will be in first place and will have the inside track on the top seed in the region tournament, at least until they play again to close out the regular season at Middle Georgia Tech on February 18th.

West Georgia Tech will also be looking to avenge last season’s 95-94 overtime loss to Middle Georgia in the region championship game.

“Saturday’s game is huge. It is a game that has been on our radar since they beat us in overtime of last year’s championship game,” WGTC head coach Niki Okolovitch said. “It’s not going to be easy as they have a big size advantage and have beaten some quality teams this year.”

The game will feature the top three leading scorers in the region in West Georgia Tech’s Demontray McCormick (19.2 points per game), Middle Georgia’s Javarus Mallard (18.2 points per game), and West Georgia Tech’s Blair Austin (14.3 points per game).

The Golden Knights will meet Sound Doctrine Friday night less than 24 hours before facing Middle Georgia Tech. According to Okolovitch, Sound Doctrine is a strong team which features a mix of players with college experience and top college prospects. West Georgia Tech point guard Randazzero Chaney transferred to the Golden Knights from Sound Doctrine, where he played last year.

Okolovitch said he feels good about his team’s mindset as they enter the home stretch of the season.

“I think we're playing pretty good right now,” he said. “We've had the opportunity to get in the gym and fix some defensive problems and been able to tighten up our offensive sets. Demario (McMath) and Randazzero (Chaney) have really been stepping up lately, and hopefully our frontcourt can come through with a big weekend. If Coby (Moore), Blair, Reshawn (Holland), and Demontray keep playing tough post defense and own the glass, we should have a great chance of winning both games.”

Friday’s contest with Sound Doctrine will tip at 7 p.m. at the Carroll County Recreation Center on Newnan Road in Carrollton, adjacent to the Carroll Campus of WGTC. Saturday’s clash with Middle Georgia Tech will tip at 5:30 at the Haralson County High School Gymnasium in Tallapoosa.

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Mens Basketball: WGTC 79; Emory Oxford 71
Posted: January 28, 2012
CONTACT: Aaron Sones, 678-664-0517, aaron.sones@westgatech.edu

West Georgia Tech overcame an 11-point first half deficit to defeat Emory Oxford 79-71 in a crucial conference game Saturday night.

The Knights retain sole possession of second place in the conference with a 10-12, 5-1 record. Emory Oxford falls to 14-7, 3-2.

Demario McMath and Coby Moore each scored 14 to lead the Golden Knights in scoring. Demontray McCormick added 13.

West Georgia Tech allowed Emory Oxford to shoot just 33 percent from the field.

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Golden Knights Suffer First Conference Loss, 71-63 to Emory Oxford
Posted: January 23, 2012
CONTACT: Aaron Sones, 678-664-0517, aaron.sones@westgatech.edu

CARROLLTON, Ga. – The West Georgia Technical College Golden Knights men’s basketball team dropped a 71-63 decision to Emory Oxford on the road Saturday night. West Georgia Tech is now 8-12, 3-1 on the season.

The Golden Knights had to play much of the game without leading scorer and rebounder Demontray McCormick, who was ejected from the game after receiving a second technical foul with 16:04 remaining in the first half.

Emory Oxford led 37-30 at halftime and increased its lead to 20 with nine minutes to play. But the Golden Knights stormed back, and were within six points with 2:04 left. A short jumper would have pulled the Knights to within four, but it fell off the rim.

West Georgia Tech was led by Randazzero Chaney with 16 points. Coby Moore recorded a double-double, with 14 points and 11 rebounds. Blair Austin and Tori White each scored 12 points.

But the Knights could not overcome the loss of McCormick, who was averaging a conference-best 20.8 points per game.

“Winning on the road is tough to do, especially in conference games, and we didn’t help ourselves by letting our emotions get the best of us,” said WGTC head coach Niki Okolovitch. “We have a lot we can learn from this game, and sometimes losing a game can help you in the long run. We have two big conference games to get ready for.”

West Georgia Tech returns to action next Friday, with a conference road game at Southern Crescent Technical College in Griffin. The Golden Knights beat Southern Crescent a week ago 88-61.

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WGTC's Cherish Evans Receives Conference Player of the Week Honors
Posted: January 12, 2012
CONTACT: Aaron Sones, 678-664-0517, aaron.sones@westgatech.edu

CARROLLTON, Ga. – West Georgia Tech point guard Cherish Evans (Fannin County H.S. – Blue Ridge, Ga.) was named Georgia Collegiate Athletic Association Player of the Week after voting by league coaches this week.

Evans recorded a double-double (26 points, 11 rebounds, 7 assists) while leading the Golden Knights to a 62-46 victory over conference rival Georgia Northwestern last Saturday.

“Cherish is the type of player that championship teams are built around,” said WGTC athletic coordinator Walter Dunson. “She plays hard the entire game and sacrifices her body on defense and aggressively attacks the goal on offense.  She’s often times smaller than her opponents, but she doesn’t back down to anyone. Her leadership on and off the court is what I most admire and she loves the game of basketball.  Cherish is the template for what we’re looking for in student-athletes at WGTC.”

Evans leads West Georgia Tech in scoring, at 17.4 points per game. She is one of the conference leaders in three-point shooting (44 percent).

The Golden Knights are 7-11 overall on the season, and 2-0 in conference play. West Georgia Tech will try to remain unbeaten in the conference when they host Southern Crescent Tech Saturday night in LaGrange at 6 p.m.

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West Georgia Tech Men 2-0 in Conference after 86-72 Victory over Georgia Northwestern
Posted: January 10, 2012
CONTACT: Aaron Sones, 678-664-0517, aaron.sones@westgatech.edu

CARROLLTON, Ga. – The West Georgia Technical College Golden Knights men’s basketball team defeated conference rival Georgia Northwestern 86-72 Saturday night to remain unbeaten in conference play (6-10, 2-0). The win completed a season sweep of the Bobcats, as West Georgia Tech won an earlier meeting between the two schools, 84-82.

Georgia Northwestern dropped to 6-8, 0-3.

“It feels good to get a win right out the gate to start the second half,” said WGTC head coach Niki Okolovitch. “We were very rusty coming back from the holiday break, but we've only had two practices since we came back so it's something we expected.  All the region games are going to be tough, but our guys figured out a way to win when they weren't playing their best.”

Demontray McCormick led all scorers with 26 points. McCormick, the conference’s scoring leader, was especially clutch in the final two minutes of the game as Georgia Northwestern closed to within four points before the Knights pulled away.

The Golden Knights shot 54 percent from the field (36-of-66).

WGTC led for much of the first half, but a 12-6 Bobcats run to end the half closed the gap to 41-39 at halftime.

West Georgia Tech led by as many as 12 (62-50) in the second half, but could not put GNCC away until the final minute.

Randazzeroron an Chaney scored 14 for the Golden Knights. Blair Austin (13 points) and Demario McMath (12 points) also scored in double-figures for WGTC.

Ben Patton led Georgia Northwestern with 19 points.

The Golden Knights return to action with a non-region game at Macon State Thursday night at 7 p.m.

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West Georgia Tech Women Win Fourth-Straight, 62-46 over Georgia Northwestern
Posted: January 10, 2012
CONTACT: Aaron Sones, 678-664-0517, aaron.sones@westgatech.edu

CARROLLTON, Ga. – Cherish Evans scored 26 points to lead the West Georgia Technical College Golden Knights women’s basketball team to an impressive 62-46 victory over Georgia Northwestern in conference action Saturday night.

The win improves WGTC to 7-10, 2-0, and the Golden Knights have now won four consecutive games.

West Georgia Tech led 22-17 at halftime and stretched its lead to as many as 19 points in the second half behind the hot shooting of Evans and a stifling defense which held the Lady Bobcats to just 20-percent shooting (17-of-85).

Gabby Scott (18 points) and Kenisha Watkins (14 points) had solid debuts as they dressed out for the first time this season for the Golden Knights. Ebonie Harris scored 13 points for the Knights.

The Golden Knights out-rebounded Georgia Northwestern 60-49.

West Georgia Tech will go for five-straight wins Wednesday night when they travel to Oxford, Ga., to take on Roan State Community College in a non-region game. Tip-time is set for 4 p.m.

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