10. Bass Cats advance to state fishing tournament

With Bainbridge being the bass fishing capital of Georgia, it only makes sense the high school has a team.

The Bainbridge High School Bass Cats advanced to the state bass fishing tournament after finishing second in a qualifying tournament on Lake Seminole. The team of Blake Daughtry and Jake Jones and boat captain Lee Boutwell in qualifying with a total catch of 12.69 pound and a big fish of 4.69 pounds.

“We have several who are capable of being competitive,” coach Roy Mathews said. “Blake Daughtry and Jake Jones have a lot of experience fishing and have worked really hard to qualify for the state championship as ninth graders.”

Bainbridge high has had a bass fishing team for three years.

9. Bainbridge 11-12-year-old All Stars win State Championship

The Bainbridge Leisure Services Department’s 11-and-12-year-old All Star baseball team, coached by Jimbo Godwin and Kevin Toole, won the 2015 Georgia Recreation and Parks Association State Championship. This marked the first state championship by a Bainbridge youth team in 30 year.

“This team is a special,” Godwin said. “These boys love the sport and played with all their hearts. They are a talented group of boys who formed a strong bond as a team and as friends. Their teamwork was the best.”

The Bainbridge All-Stars defeated teams from Whitfield County and Savannah before losing to the Thomasville All-Stars in the third round of the double elimination tournament.

The Bainbridge All-Stars advanced to the final after defeated the team from Savannah for a second time. They then avenged their early loss by defeating Thomasville 9-6 and 4-1 to claim the championship.

8. Lady Cats basketball team puts together stellar 21-8 season

Led by seniors Patra Patis and Alexandria Carter the 2014-15 Lady Cats basketball team finished the 21-8 overall and 13-2 in region play. The Lady Cats finished fourth in Region 1-AAAA and advanced to the state tournament where they lost in the first round to Veterans High School out of Kathleen.

The Lady Cats qualified for the state tournament after defeating Worth County 71-17 in the region play-in game.

“We went 21-8 and made it to the first round of the State Class AAAA Tournament,” Head Coach Kelvin Cochran said. We had a special group of young ladies who rebounded, shot and defended well. They were focused every night and were a pleasure to coach.”

Paris was named first team All Region 1-AAAA, first team All Area and first team All State. She averaged 16.2 points, 10.4 rebounds, 1.1 assists and two steals a game. Carter was named second team All Region 1-AAAA and honorable mention All Area. Nadia Marshall was also named second team All Region 1-AAAA and honorable mention All Area.

7. GCA volleyball team advances to State Quarterfinals

The 2015 Grace Christina Academy Lady Cougars volleyball team advanced to the state quarterfinals where they were eliminated by eventual state champion Oak Mountain Academy.

The Lady Cougars finished the season with a 15-5 record and a second place finish in region 2. Seniors Lindsey Duke and Kelsey Harrell and Juniors Sarah Castoro and Kaitlyn Holcombe were named to the 2015 GISA All-Region team for region 2.

The Lady Cougars defeated Monsignor Donovan in the first round of the state tournament 3-1. They won the first set 25-18, dropped the second set 22-25, won the third set 25-21 and won the fourth set 25-19 to advance to the quarters.

In the next round they fell 3-0 to Oak Mountain Academy. Following the quarterfinal loss head coach Erwin Harrell announced that he was stepping down as the varsity coach.

“We had a decent tournament defeating Monsignor Donovan and advancing to the quarterfinals and then losing to the eventual state champs of Oak Mountain,” Harrell said. “We had a great season at 15-5 and I am proud of the way the ladies stayed focused and competed in every match.”

6. Crine honored by city fo 45 years of sports coverage

Long time sports editor Joe Crine was honored by the city of Bainbridge for his 45 years covering Bainbridge sports. A presentation was made during the opening ceremonies for the Bainbridge Leisure Services baseball, softball and T-ball league seasons.

Mayor Edward Reynolds named March 16th Joe Crine Day in Bainbridge in recognition of Crine’s years of service and coverage. Crine was also presented with a commemorative baseball and softball with the date of the ceremony.

Crine has covered three generations of athletes to pass through Bainbridge and he said that he has enjoyed every moment of it.

“I would like to extend my heartfelt appreciation to the wonderful Griffin family and publisher Jeff Findley and all the wonderful people at Boone Newspapers for allowing me to have a job I love for 45 years. I am truly blessed,” Crine said in a statement.