Two from Tift in All-Star game

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March 15, 2013

Two from Tift in All-Star game

Becky Taylor CNHI The Tifton Gazette Fri Mar 15, 2013, 07:16 PM EDT

TIFTON — When the Georgia Athletic Coaches Association’s All-Star games tip off next Saturday at Armstrong Atlantic State in Savannah, the Tift County Blue Devils will be well-represented. Tadric Jackson suits up as a member of the boys’ southern junior roster, while Donell Tuff is on the boys’ senior team. Head coach Dr. Eric Holland said that he could not imagine two better picks.

Holland is also proud to have as many players named. “We’re fortunate to have two selections.” Though not the coach of either roster, he said he will be in attendance. “We’ll be there to support the team.”

The GACA limits schools to two players each year. Brannen Greene was originally scheduled to be part of the southern roster, but was replaced by Tuff. Holland said that Rickey McCullough, Bainbridge’s head coach who is also in charge of the southern senior roster, was the one who made the call to invite Tuff.

Jackson was the second highest scorer on the team this season, scoring an average of 16 points per game. Tuff was third, averaging 10. First place belonged to Greene, who scored 714 for the year, 24 per night.

The southern half of the boys senior roster will contain several familiar faces. Four of Tuff’s teammates played against the Devils this year — Anthony Bagtas of Westlake, Eric Wortham of Eagle’s Landing, Jovante’ Spivey of Savannah and Jordan Neff of the North Cobb squad that bounced Tift out of the state playoffs.

Holland admits that is a bit of a strange feeling to see so many of the once-opposition now wearing the same colors, but said it was good to see them there. “It just goes to show hard work pays off,” he said.

The junior team is coached by Cecil Spear of Lamar County. In addition to Jackson, the southern squad has Valdosta’s Rashad Lewis and Domonic Josephs of Westlake.

Region 1-AAAAAA will also be represented in the girls’ game by Makeba Ponder (Colquitt County) and Tashia Brown (Lowndes) on the junior squad. Another name seen by Tift County fans — Amber Reeves — will play for the seniors. Reeves was a member of the North Cobb team who defeated the Lady Devils in the state quarterfinals.

Blue Devils participating in the GACA All-Star game has become almost a tradition. Breon Dixon was on the senior roster in 2011. Last year, Tuff was named to the boys’ junior roster while Dee Dee DeShazer was a member of the girls’. Despite her average of 13.5 points per game and Alexis Johnson’s team-leading 14 points per contest, neither were selected. Johnson would have been eligible for the junior squad.

The games at Armstrong Atlantic are March 23. The action starts at 1 p.m. with the girls’ junior game. It will be followed by the girls’ senior game at 3 p.m. Boys’ games are at 5 p.m. (juniors) and 7 p.m. (seniors). Tickets are $5 each and will be cash-only.

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