TIM MORSE: Goodbye 2016, hello 2017

ALBANY — Another year has come and gone. I know you don’t need a sports writer to tell you that.

In the sports world, 2016 was an interesting one. In the professional ranks, we watched Peyton Manning and the Denver Broncos finally deliver John Elway a Super Bowl title in early February last year. Elway, Denver’s executive vice president of football operations and general manager, won two Super Bowls as the quarterback of the Broncos in 1997 and ‘98.

LeBron James helped Cleveland win an NBA title last June, and the Chicago Cubs ended a 108-year drought when they defeated the Cleveland Indians to win the World Series.

In college, Alabama continued to dominate college football, Georgia struggled under first-year coach Kirby Smart, and Georgia Tech ended the season with a pair of impressive victories over Virginia Tech and Georgia.

Locally, we watched many high school teams win state championships and several more finish as runner-ups.

As we turn our attention to 2017, none of us know what will happen, but as long as we continue to live and enjoy games, it’s fun to speculate.

The jury is still out on high school basketball in this area.

In just a few days, we will see the first Pelham girls-Terrell County matchup, which could be a preview of the Class A public state championship game. Both of these teams are good, have talented seniors and a solid corps of underclassmen.

The Monroe and Westover boys have enough athleticism to make a deep run, but putting it together at the right time will be the challenge. And don’t forget about the Albany Indians. Coach Archie Chatmon will keep them in the chase.

In GISA, the Terrell Academy and Westwood boys teams could go a long way, especially with their guard play. And if the Deerfield-Windsor boys can get their guards to play consistently, the inside presence of 6-foot-7 post player Daniel Ramsey could help the Knights contend again.

The Westwood Lady Wildcats should once again make a deep run.

And don’t forget about Sherwood Christian, arguably one of the best in the GICAA with Stantravious Smith, Sammy Smith and perimeter specialist Joshua Kendrick.

Most Albany-area fans don’t seem to care much about high school baseball. That is heartbreaking, because there really is some great talent here.

Deerfield-Windsor will challenge for its third state baseball championship as Auburn signee and Perfect Game All-American Steven Williams returns.

And Lee County could have one of its better baseball teams since the Buster Posey era, as Mississippi State signee Josh Hatcher as well as Kennesaw State signees Tyler Simon and Malik Spratling return to lead the way. I truly believe if the Trojans can find a solid arm to step up, this Lee County squad could be special.

Williams and Hatcher could be high draft picks in the June Amateur Baseball Draft.

In Sylvester, I can’t talk enough about the consistency of Will Smith’s baseball program. Annually, this guy keeps the Rams in contention. His team may be young this season, but he returns a pair of underclassman standouts in Hunter Goodwin and Tyler Goff. Keep an eye on these two.

And collegiately, it will be interesting to see Scot Hemmings leading the Albany State baseball program. Hemmings is a tireless fanatic who doesn’t stop. After taking Darton to the Junior College World Series last year in its final season, Hemmings won’t be satisfied with mediocrity.

Up the road in the ATL, we will watch both the Falcons and the Braves open new stadiums.

All I know is to stay tuned.