SPORTS BRIEFS: South Georgia Tech’s Esther Adenike named All-American

Adenike named NJCAA All-American

South Georgia Tech sophomore forward Esther Adenike was selected as a first team All-American by the NJCAA Division I Women’s Basketball Committee, South Georgia Tech announced Wednesday.

Adenike helped lead the Jets (29-6) to their second consecutive NJCAA National Tournament appearance.

“It couldn’t happen to a better person,” South Georgia Tech head coach James Frey said. “We are all so excited for Esther ‘Nike’ Adenike. She always has a smile on her face and is always upbeat and positive. She went through a ton of adversity just to get to the United States and to South Georgia Technical College. To see her make the most of this opportunity and work herself into an All-American says a lot about her ability and her character.

“She was determined to become the best player and student she could be. She has worked extremely hard at both and the hard work is paying off. She has over a 3.5 GPA and has Division I scholarship offers from all over the country. That only happens with hard work.”

The 6-foot-2 forward from Lagos, Nigeria, averaged 13.6 points per game. She finished third in NJCAA Division I in rebounding with 318.

Simmons joins Valdosta staff

Ben Simmons, who served as Worth County’s football head coach in 2017, has been hired as the defensive backs coach at Valdosta, according to a report from the Valdosta Daily Times.

Simmons went 0-10 in his only season as Worth County’s head coach.

Athletics director Frankie Carroll, a former head coach at Pelham and Madison County (Florida), will serve as Worth County’s interim head coach for the 2018 season.

Lee County clips Coffee

A three-run seventh inning lifted Lee County’s baseball team to a 4-2 victory Tuesday at Coffee.

A pinch-hit, one-out double by Layne Wiard set up Lee County’s seventh-inning rally. Logan Goff singled, a walk loaded the bases, then the Trojans tied things up on a fielding error. A bases-loaded walk put Lee County ahead, and Seth Nelson’s RBI single gave the Trojans a two-run lead.

Nelson went 2-for-4. Reid Hanson picked up the win in relief, giving up one hit and no walks while striking out three in three innings of work.

Worth County rolls

The Worth County baseball team scored 12 runs in the third inning Tuesday as the Rams beat Monroe 15-0 in a GHSA Region 1-3A game.

The Rams scored all of their runs on just two hits. Jeremiah Reddell had a double.

Hunter Goodwin was the winning pitcher, striking out six and walking one while giving up one hit.

Baconton Charter posts shutout

The Baconton Charter baseball team defeated Seminole County 3-0 on Tuesday in GHSA Region 1-1A action.

Smith Pinson struck out seven and walked one while scattering four hits in a complete-game victory.

Spencer Culp went 3-for-3 with two RBI for the Blazers. Stone Pinson went 2-for-3.

Pelham wins big

The Pelham baseball team posted a three-inning victory Tuesday, defeating Randolph-Clay 17-2.

Pelham scored 11 runs in the first inning. Cale Whigham went 2-for-2 with two runs scored.

John Russ IV was the winning pitcher, striking out six while allowing two earned runs on two hits.

Six-run seventh lifts Cairo

Cairo scored six runs in the seventh inning of an 11-3 baseball victory Tuesday at Westover.

Davis Spalinger had a double for Westover. He also was the pitcher of record for the Patriots.