By Kevin Eckleberry

Sports Editor

Troup County’s boys of summer showed them how it’s done.

Troup County was represented in four different Dixie Youth or Dixie Boys Baseball state tournaments, and the local teams were a perfect four-for-four.

Four tournaments, and four state champions.

You can’t do it any better than that.

One of those teams, the Troup 9-10-year-old team, took it a step further and won the Dixie Youth Baseball World Series.

It was, according to Dixie officials, the first time that four teams from one county captured four state titles.

It was, unquestionably, a summer that will never be forgotten for those players, their coaches, or the parents who were there every step of the way.

In what was another memorable year on the sports scene in Troup County, the success of the local baseball teams was one of the biggest stories in2009.

Here’s a look at some of the events that shaped the year in sports, beginning with the amazing run Troup’s baseball teams put together.

No team was better than the 9-10 National team coached by Jay Anderson.

Troup County completed its amazing run with an 8-7 win over Alabama.

Troup County won six straight games after opening the tournament with a loss.

“It was a complete team effort,” Anderson said. “Every hit, every defensive play was carried by every single kid on the team. All 12 did something that saved runs or scored runs.”

Several of the players were on the 2008 9-10-year-old team that finished second in the World Series.

“Our goal was just to win the state title this year,” Anderson said. “After we did that, we knew we had a shot to win the whole thing.”

Also winning state titles were the Troup County 13-year-old team, the 11-12-year-old National team, and the 13-14-year-old all-star team.

In the 13-14-year-old state tournament in LaGrange, Troup rallied from three runs down to beat Columbia County 7-6 in the title game.

“It’s really special the way they just found a little bit more,” Troup head coach John Alise said.

Troup’s 13-year-old all-star team won its state title in dominating fashion, man-handling its three opponents.

“People always talk about teams peaking at the right time, and they’re peaking right now,” Troup coach Andy Buchanan said after the state tournament.

The 11-12 all-star team also won state with a series of blowout wins.

“We were confident. We didn’t think we were going to lose,” team member Logan Hood said.

A youth baseball team from West Point also had a memorable summer.

The team won the Senior League state title, and it made a nice run at a regional tournament in Florida before falling short.

The team included a handful of players from Troup High.

“It’s been unbelievable this summer,” pitcher Josh King said. “It’s been so much fun, practicing, playing and especially winning.”

On the softball diamond, Troup County’s 10-and-under and 12-and-under all-star teams each won state titles, and the 14-and-under team finished second at state.

In soccer, a pair of Troup County teams surged to state championships as well.

The swimmers for the Troup Sharks had a big year under coach Tom Fraenkel, and the Troup Titans soccer club continued to flourish.

There were no state champions on the high-school sports scene, but it was an exceptional year, nonetheless.

A pair of Callaway teams gave their fans some extraordinary moments.

In boys’ basketball, the Cavaliers made it to the second round of the Class AA state tournament before losing a 102-98 overtime thriller to Dade County.

It was a phenomenal game, it just didn’t go the way the Cavs wanted.

“With one starter back, we went 21-7 and went to the sweet 16,” coach Terry Hayes said. “I’m real proud of them.”

Dawson Street Christian School’s boys’ team also made a nice run, advancing to the GISA Class A semifinals before falling.

“I’m real proud of our guys,” Dawson Street head coach Albert Jackson said. “They were real disappointed, but we had a great season.”

Both LaGrange High teams made it to state, as did the Callaway High girls’ team.

The Lady Grangers upended Troup in the Region 2-AAA tournament to make state.

Troup had beaten LaGrange twice in the regular season.

LaGrange Academy’s teams made their annual deep state-tournament runs in GISA, and Lafayette Christian’s girls’ team earned a state bid as well.

In football, Pete Wiggins’ Cavaliers put together the best season in school history, going 10-3 while advancing to the state quarterfinals for the first time ever.

The highlight of the season was the memorable 35-31 second-round victory over Westminster.

The Cavaliers scored the winning touchdown with just seconds left on the clock.

After Quantavius Leslie made a sensational catch at the 1-yard line, quarterback Quan Bray scored on a fourth-down keeper for the decisive points.

“I told the guys, ‘Just play ball.’ That’s all we could do,” said linebacker Jeffrey Cameron. “They came out and fought hard and fought well. We just pulled the victory out.”

The LaGrange Grangers enjoyed another terrific season that included a sixth straight win over rival Troup, but their quest for a fourth state title in the decade ended with a first-round loss to Liberty County.

One of the highlights of the season came when Steve Pardue won his 150th game as LaGrange’s head coach.

“I’m proud of (reaching 150),” Pardue said. “We’ve had really good players, and really good coaches, and great support from the administration. I think it takes all of those things.”

Another Granger highlight was kicker Joseph Mansour making a 59-yard field goal against Columbus.

It was the third-longest field goal in state history.

Troup also had a winning season while making it to the playoffs for the ninth time in 10 years.

The county’s baseball teams have been ultra-successful in recent years, and that didn’t change in 2009, with all three teams making it to state.

The state-playoff journey was a brief one, though, with Callaway, LaGrange and Troup each bowing out in the first round.

LaGrange’s season was highlighted by a 9-8 win over powerful Columbus, with Rodney Tolbert hitting a walk-off, game-winning home run.

LaGrange Academy made it to the state playoffs in GISA.

LaGrange Academy’s softball team, which is annually among the state’s best in GISA, made a strong run at another championship before losing in the title game, 3-2 to Arlington.

“They fought all day long,” Academy head coach Charles Parker said.

Troup’s softball team won the regular-season title in Region 2-AAA and made it to the state tournament.

Troup wrapped up the regular-season title with a dramatic 3-2 win over rival LaGrange.

“We expected to win,” said Troup head coach George Gilbert. “At the beginning of the season, I expected a No. 3 or No. 4 spot. But we kept getting better and better. We don’t look like the same team since the first time we played.”

On the soccer field, Lafayette Christian School’s boys’ team not only made it to state, but the Cougars beat Piedmont 4-2 in the first round.

“They just did what they’ve done all season,” head coach Keith Pike said. “They hung in and played the game.”

Troup High’s girls’ team, meanwhile, made it to the state soccer tournament for the first time in school history.

“We just had to come together as a team, and as a whole we’ve done a really good job of that,” said Nikki Sams, a four-year varsity team member who has been starting for three years.

Troup’s boys’ team also made it to state, as did both LaGrange High teams.

The Grangers won their first-round match before losing a 1-0 heart-breaker to Eagles Landing in the second round.

Callaway’s boys’ team also earned a state bid in Class AA.

On the tennis court, it was more of the same for LaGrange High’s ultra-successful programs.

Both teams won Region 2-AAA championships, and the Lady Grangers advanced to the quarterfinals at state.

At the region tournament, Kenny Moore won his 500th match as the LaGrange coach.

“We’ve had really great coaches, good people over the years. It’s been a great run,” Moore said. “I hope we have many years to come.”

Also on the tennis court, the Callaway girls’ team won its first ever region title.

“They made history, and they’re excited about that,” head coach Kareem Douhne said.

On the golf course, LaGrange High’s Caitlin Watts continued her amazing run with a third straight region title, and she finished second at the Class AAA state tournament.

LaGrange’s Bo Bradford also won a region title.

At Callaway, both teams made it to state, and Kyle Mimbs finished third at the Class AA state tournament, one year after finishing second at state.

LaGrange High’s wrestling team won an area title for the sixth straight season.

The 2009 title game in the traditional Area 2-AAA meet that was held at LaGrange High.

More than 20 local wrestlers qualified for state, with Callaway’s Zach McIntyre finishing fourth.

In cross country, both the girls’ and boys’ teams from Troup made it to state, which is the first time that happened in school history.

Both LaGrange teams made it as well, as did the boys’ team from Callaway.

In swimming, LaGrange’s Kelley Finnegan, Malone Galster, Jesse Turner and Kara Conrad each made it to the state meet.

The year in sports at LaGrange College was highlighted by the softball and golf teams both making it to the NCAA Division III tournament.

In softball, the Panthers started the season 1-13, but they got hot when it counted and won the Great South Athletic Conference tournament.

“Our goal was always to win the conference championship and get the berth in the NCAA tournament,” coach Jennifer Claybrook said. “When we were 1-13 and playing excellent teams, I just let them know, keep focused on what our goal is. There was no doubt in the these ladies’ minds that we were going to be successful.”

LaGrange College’s golf team made it to the national tournament for the third straight year, and it finished 18th.

“You want to reach the national championship,” senior Anthony Yacovazzi said. “That’s the biggest event in college.”

LaGrange College’s football went 5-5 one year after going 9-2 and making it to the Division III playoffs.

The baseball program continued its winning ways under head coach Kevin Howard.

On the professional front, LaGrange High graduate Mike Cameron continued to excel, hitting more than 20 home runs for the Milwaukee Brewers.

In December, the 37-year-old Cameron signed a two-year deal to play for the Boston Red Sox.

LaGrange graduate Korey Noles and Troup graduate James Thompson, meanwhile, had terrific second seasons in professional baseball.

Noles is in the Phillies’ organization, while Thompson is a Royals’ farm hand.

Troup graduate Luke Bailey, meanwhile, is at the start of his pro career after he was drafted in the fourth round by the Tampa Bay Rays.

“Once I talked to them, that’s the team I wanted to go to,” Bailey said.

LaGrange High graduate Wesley Woodyard is in his second season with the Denver Broncos, and the linebacker is a key part of the defense, and he’s one of the team’s top special-teams players.

Walt Harris’ season with the San Francisco 49ers ended before it began.

The LaGrange graduate suffered a season-ending knee injury during pre-season

LaGrange’s Allen Doyle didn’t win any tournaments on the Champions Tour, but he continues to be competitive at the age of 60.

In basketball, Callaway graduate Bryan Jackson continues to play for the Newcastle Eagles, a professional team in England.

Athletes from Troup County were scattered across the country at a number of colleges, in a handful of different sports.

In softball, LaGrange High’s Blair Shimandle helped lead Georgia Tech to the NCAA softball tournament to complete her stellar collegiate career.

In baseball, LaGrange High’s Zach Smith helped lead Middle Georgia College to the Junior College World Series.

Troup High’s Chris Burnette had a memorable year.

The offensive lineman signed with Georgia in February, he played in the U.S. Army All-American game, and he was one of five finalists from across the country for the Franklin D.  Watkins Award.

It was another busy year on the fishing front, with tournaments going on just about every weekend.

In the biggest event of the year, the Georgia State Championship at Highland Marina Resort, Kevin Brumfield and Jason Meninger split the $35,000 first-place prize.

LET ME KNOW: Did I leave something out? If so, email me at lagrangesports@yahoo.com