South Paulding’s boys’ basketball team finished hosting the “Summer Spartan Shootout” this week as they competed against eight other high schools Monday through Wednesday. Their inaugural varsity team camp was a three-day event, packed with back-to-back games, involving schools within the county and several outside – Central-Carroll, Chapel Hill, East Paulding, Kennesaw Mountain, North Paulding, Rockmart, South Paulding, Villa Rica and Woodland. Head basketball coach Gil Davis said, “We’re trying to make the program as big as we possibly can — not just in South Paulding, but through the county and outside.” Each game consisted of two 20-minute halves, running clock and three-minute break at halftime. Each team had two timeouts per game and overtime was done sudden-death style. The Spartans played four games on day one, three on day two and three more on day three. With several of his players also on the football team and having workouts in the morning, Davis said he knew the camp would be a little rough for some of them. “They’ll be tired but it won’t be that bad,” he said. Prior to this event, Davis said the focus for his team this summer is to get better. After finishing his first season as the head coach with an 18-9 record, Davis said, “I’m happy about getting 18 wins, but we didn’t get our goal. This year, it’s not a success unless we make it to state.” Coming off a 5-21 record from 2011-2012, Davis said he understands the excitement surrounding the upcoming season. However, he said he doesn’t want the players, school or community to be so easily satisfied, but instead stay driven to be better. “We’re still trying to get to a high level. We made leaps and bounds but still trying to reach that level and compete every day,” Davis said. Looking to the upcoming season, Davis said the team “has a chance to be better than last year” as far as depth is concerned. He also said some freshmen could make the varsity team as they have a “really good” freshmen class coming in – “one of the best in a long time.” Davis mentioned three returning players he expects to be key for the Spartans in the coming season – rising junior CJ Baisden, and rising seniors Khalia Hackett and Jordan Roberts. He also mentioned rising sophomore Anthony Brown as he has started for the team all summer. “A lot of people are going to sleep on us, but I think this team will have a huge say-so at playoff time. We’re going to push and try to be there when it matters,” Davis said.

With the NCAA College Baseball World Series in action this week in Omaha, Neb., the sports world turns its eye to a sport that has seen an increase of participation and interest within the past decade. Collegiate programs within the state of Georgia such as Georgia Tech, Georgia, Mercer and Georgia Southern have each made the NCAA Tournament during this time frame with rosters filled with Georgia natives. Even elite programs outside of the Peachtree State have looked to the burgeoning youth and high school baseball programs to find elite talent. Clemson has become one of these schools as the Tigers currently have five players on their roster from the North Fulton area. Freshman Tyler Krieger, an infielder who started every game for Clemson in the 2013 campaign and attended Northview High School in Johns Creek, knows directly the talent within his hometown. “I faced some good pitchers and top competition while I was in high school,” said Krieger, who is currently playing in a summer college wooden bat league for the Santa Barbara Foresters during his Clemson offseason and led the Tigers in defensive assists with 192. “The Georgia players are very good compared to other parts of the country and it was good preparation for college.” “Tyler is a tremendous player who’s a hard worker and loves the game,” said Clemson assistant head coach Brad LeCroy. “He loves being coached and has a great future with us.” Other contributors to the Clemson roster include utility player Jay Baum, Alpharetta / Centennial HS, who played in 52 games, pitcher Matt Campbell, Alpharetta / Northview HS, whose seven saves led the team and Kyle Schnell, Alpharetta / Milton made a team-high 24 appearances in relief for the Tigers while posting the Tigers’ third-lowest ERA — 2.84 — out of the bullpen. Roswell native Steve Wilkerson provided stability at second base for Clemson, starting in 58 games, leading the team in doubles, 16, finished second in total bases, 98 and third in home runs, 4, slugging percentage, .432 and walks, 27. “Steve’s an experienced player who helped out our younger guys like Tyler this season,” said LeCroy. “He hits at the top of our lineup and provides great power, is a tremendous athlete and the one guy you want up to bat with the game on the line.” Clemson has made the North Fulton area a priority in recruiting and believes the environment helps cultivated the best out of the players. “This is our top area for recruitment outside of the state of South Carolina,” said LeCroy. “The facilities are great, there are good student-athletes with strong academics and Clemson is close to their homes.” The Tigers finished this season with a record of 40-22, including 18 wins in the highly-regarded Atlantic Coast Conference. Clemson has also been to the NCAA Tournament for 26 out of the last 27 seasons, including this year’s appearance in the Columbia Region. Overall, the Tigers have been to the College World Series 12 times in the history of the program. The North Fulton players also play a role in helping the Clemson coaching staff during the evaluation process. “The players know each other and have been on the same teams for years,” stated LeCroy. “It’s a good tool for us because the current players know the families, help out as hosts on campus visits and represent a familiar face when the younger guy makes it on to Clemson.” Krieger knows that the standards of the program meet the expectations of Georgia players. “My first year was positive and gained valuable experience,” said Krieger. “This summer’s aim is to keep getting better and improving physically because our goal is to make it to Omaha every year. That’s the culture of the Clemson program.”