RICHMOND COUNTY — In the final part of the Richmond Observer’s series of recognizing Richmond County Schools’ top middle school student-athletes, Hamlet and Cordova middle schools will be highlighted.
Both schools saw several successful teams this school year, starting in the fall with the Hamlet girls’ cross country team winning the Southeastern Middle School Athletic Conference title under first-year head coach Michelle Denson. The Red Rams’ boys’ team took second overall.
New this year was the RCS wrestling team, which combined wrestlers from all four middle schools. The team won the SEMSAC championship in its inaugural season, and Cordova’s Dylan Locklear (197-pound) and Sebastian Fullwood (252-pound) each earned individual conference championships. Hamlet’s Irwin Campos Romero took second in his weight class.
Hamlet also had several programs reach the postseason, including baseball and softball both making it to the final four of the SEMSAC playoffs. The girls’ basketball team made it to the SEMSAC title game, but lost to rival Rockingham Middle School.
Below is a complete listing of HMS’ athletic awards for the 2018-19 winter and spring sports season:
Winter Sports, 2018-19
Boys’ Basketball — Coach Keith Parsons
Most Valuable Player: Paul McNeil (7th grade)
Most Improved Award: Zavian Cephas (7th grade)
Mr. Clutch Award: JV Drake (7th grade)
Girls’ Basketball — Coach Deondra Morrison
Most Valuable Player: Ryelan Lyerly (7th grade)
Most Improved Player: Jamia Crowder (7th grade)
Best Defensive Player: De’Veah Robinson-Graham (8th grade)
Wrestling — Coach Richard Kerekes
2018-19 SEMSAC Champions
Outstanding Wrestler Award: Irwin Campos Romero (8th grade)
Most Improved Wrestler: Jaxson Martin (8th grade)
Spring Sports, 2019
Baseball — Coach Josh Peele
Most Valuable Player: Ethan Locklear (8th grade)
Coach’s Award: Cain Hunsucker (7th grade)
Leadership Award: JV Drake (7th grade)
Boys’ Soccer — Coach Earl Nicholson
Most Valuable Player: Christian Robinson (8th grade)
Offensive Player of the Year: Carson Dixon (8th grade)
Defensive Player of the Year: Jeremiah McLean (8th grade)
Perseverance Award: Irwin Campos Romero (8th grade)
Girls’ Soccer — Coach Ashleigh Buie
Offensive MVPs: Sheccid Heaton (8th grade); Cheyenne Jacobs (8th grade)
Defensive MVP: De’Veah Robinson-Graham (8th grade)
Coach’s Award: Rylie Bohman (8th grade)
Softball — Coach Mike Way
Most Valuable Player: Quston Leviner (8th grade)
Coach’s Award: Kady Harris (8th grade)
School-wide Athletes of the Year
Female: Quston Leviner (8th grade)
Male: Ethan Locklear (8th grade)
School-wide Coach’s Awards
Female: De’Veah Robinson (8th grade)
Male: Timothy Crowder (8th grade)
Below is a complete listing of CMS’ athletic awards for the 2018-19 school year, submitted by athletic director Gerald Ratliff:
Most Valuable Player Award
Female: Chaslie Holden
Male: Frazion Steele
Coach’s Award
Female: Alyssa Curtis
Male: Messiah Shaw
