By Kevin Eckleberry

Sports Editor

The Troup County 9-10-year-old all-stars passed their first test with flying colors.

Participating in a travel tournament two weeks ago, Troup waltzed to the championship with a 5-0 record.

Head coach Devin Arnold is hoping that’s a sign of things to come as his team prepares for the Georgia Recreation Parks and Association state tournament set for July 9-11 in Woodstock.

“For us to go to a travel tournament and win, it was good,” said Arnold, who led the Sharks to an unbeaten season in the Troup County Parks and Recreation Commission spring season. “We played some really good teams.”

Troup will play in another tournament this weekend as it continues to get ready for state.

The players have been together for more than a month, and Arnold said the tournaments help keep “their excitement up.”

He added, though, that the players bring the same enthusiasm to the field whether they’re practicing or competing for a tournament championship.

“Luckily, this group of girls, they want to be here. They don’t mind,” Arnold said. “We’ll practice until 8, 8:30 every night, and they don’t mind a bit.”

Arnold appreciates the effort the players are giving to the team, especially considering they’re giving up a lot of free time during the summer months.

“It’s a big commitment. It takes all summer,” he said.

The question is, will that commitment result in a state title.

A year ago, Troup finished second in the 9-10 division after winning that age group the previous two years.

Many of the players who were on that team are back for another go-around, and Arnold is coaching the team for the second straight year.

Arnold said you’re “never sure” what to expect when putting together an all-star team, but after watching the players practice and seeing their dedication, he’s got a good feeling about state.

“You don’t know what’s going to happen, but we’ve got a good chance of winning it all this year,” he said.