Gwinnett Daily Post

 

Two players and a pair of coaches led a large contingent from Gwinnett schools on the Georgia Athletic Coaches Association's All-State softball teams, which were released by the organization earlier this week.

Brookwood pitcher Brandi Jones and Paul Pierce of Collins Hill were honored as the Pitcher and Coach of the Year respectively from Class AAAAA.

Jones hit .330, with a home run and 17 RBIs at the plate, while going 21-5 in the circle with a 1.10 ERA, 15 complete games, four shutouts and 152 strikeouts in 147 innings in helping the Broncos to the state tournament.

Pierce guided the Eagles (29-7) to their third straight state championship in his first season as coach.

Meanwhile in Class AA, Greater Atlanta Christian infielder Sierra Lawrence was named the Player of the Year, while Buford's Tony Wolfe was honored as the classification's Coach of the Year.

The Michigan-bound Lawrence hit .568 with 14 homers, 38 RBIs, 11 doubles, 7 triples, 67 runs scored and 49 stolen bases in helping the Spartans (29-8) to a No. 6 state ranking and the Region 6-AA title.

Wolfe led the Wolves (34-11) to their fifth straight state title by coming through the elimination bracket of this year's state tournament, including winning three games on championship Saturday.

Other Gwinnett players honored with All-State selections include:

Class AAAAA

First Team: Kanani Cabrales, Archer; Mandy Blackwell, Brookwood, Megan Litumbe, Brookwood; Kayla Floor, Collins Hill; Mckenzie Halstead, Collins Hill; Danielle Patterson, Collins Hill and Taylor Denton, Grayson.

Second Team: Jenna Graham, Archer; Emily Buck, Collins Hill; Brittany Roley, Collins Hill and Payton Wilson, Collins Hill.

Honorable Mention: Alesha Mann, Archer; Niki Cook, Grayson; Shelby Smith, Grayson and Eryn Stepp, Parkview.

Class AA

First Team: Kallie Case, Buford; Tessa Daniels, Buford; Lexi Overstreet, Buford; Kodi Ricketson, Buford and Krista Gustafson, GAC.

Second Team: Bria Bush, Buford and Natalie deLatour, GAC

Honorable Mention: Jordan Deep, Buford and Celine Talley, GAC

Class A

First Team: Landyn Duley, Wesleyan and CaraMia Tsirigos, Wesleyan

Second Team: Jessie Kowalewicz, Providence Christian; Brittany Tuttle, Providence and Dacia Jones, Wesleyan

Honorable Mention: MacKenzie Tuttle, Providence and Katie Frerking, Wesleyan.