Baseball, Rawls led ’Jackets in 2011-12

By RANDY CAVIN
Press Sports
The 2011-12 school year began with golf and ended with baseball for Greenfield and, in between, there were successful seasons in boys’ and girls’ basketball.
Haley Rawls began the school year in earnest. She was the top golfer for Greenfield and highlighted her great career by making it to the state tournament in her senior year.
“Haley had an excellent year and career at Greenfield High School,” athletic director Willie Trevathan said. “We are very proud of her accomplishments and the way she represented Greenfield High School.”
Trevathan said there are several words he can use to describe Rawls as an athlete.
“Dedicated, disciplined and great attitude. Haley has a high level of character, which carries over into her athletic endeavors,” he said.
Rawls is not the only good athlete that came through the hallways at GHS. The list goes on and on with members of all sports, and Trevathan says that begins at home with the parents.
“These kids have good parents who have molded them into good people,” he said. “The athleticism is natural, but their integrity leads to their success and that is a result of good parenting.”
The boys’ basketball team became known throughout the county and all of northwest Tennessee for tenacious play on the court. The team found a way to win, whether it was by a suffocating defense or by dominating the boards on offense. The Yellowjackets ended up with a 16-13 record and made it to the Region 7A semifinals.
“Again, this team is comprised of good people first and athletes second,” Trevathan said. “Good people who do things the right way and with a good attitude will experience success. Coach Angelos did a great job and these boys are just winners in everything they do.”
Not to be outdone by the boys, the Lady Yellowjackets proved that they can play basketball, too — and win. Although they did not make it as far in the postseason as the boys did, they still had a great season, finishing with a 17-10 record even when junior point guard Emily Allen when down with a torn ACL midway through the season.
“It was a very frustrating year with the injuries and everything that happened, but the kids showed a lot of class through the adversity,” said Trevathan, who is also the head coach of the girls’ team. “I expected much more than what we accomplished, but sometimes things don’t turn out the way you would hope.”
The success the basketball players had on the court appeared to carry over to the baseball diamond. The ’Jackets were one of the most feared and respected teams in northwest Tennessee in the 2012 season, winning their fourth consecutive District 14A tournament and finishing with a 27-3 overall record and 11-1 in the district.
“These boys would be successful in anything they do because they believe in themselves, and they have a high level of class and integrity,” Trevathan said. “They are winners and that is not a word you can use to describe a lot of athletes. Everybody wants to be a winner, but few want to do all of what it takes. These boys have a lot of heart and guts and that goes way beyond coaching.”
“They just have it and I think it showed throughout the year in basketball and baseball. They’ve also been winning ballgames since they were little kids playing T ball.”
No matter how the season ended for the Yellowjackets, Trevathan could not be more thrilled to have been part of the team and to watch how they approached each practice and game with determination and dedication.
“I was very proud of them and what they accomplished,” he said. “We were all disappointed in the way that it ended, but I definitely do not think it is fair to judge a team by the end result. The reasons I am proud of them goes way beyond wins and losses. They are respectful, disciplined, and they can handle constructive criticism. They always showed up to work hard and had a good attitude. Anytime you get a team like that, coaching is fun regardless of the wins and losses.”
Heath Crouse is one player who really stands out when it comes to the baseball team. He showed what hard work and the right attitude can do by being selected to play in the West Tennessee High School All-Star Game at Pringles Park in Jackson.
“Heath had an outstanding season and career,” Trevathan said. “He is just such a good kid. As good as he is on the field, he is an even better person. I also think he would tell you that a great deal of his individual success comes from being on a good team and surrounded by other good players.”
The high level of play was not just on the baseball field.
It was also on the tennis courts, where the Lady Yellowjackets finished with an 11-0 regular season record and head into 2013 on a win streak of 49 consecutive regular season matches. They have also won five consecutive district titles.
Bill and Teresa McCall built the tennis team from the ground up, and now they have a winning tradition in Greenfield. Trevathan says with the success the Lady ’Jackets are having, it is no problem getting kids wanting to play.
Greenfield showed its youth last season in both softball and football. Neither team had the season they had hoped for, but Trevathan thinks that may change in the coming seasons.
Greenfield has now begun a middle school softball program to get the girls more experience before they venture off into the high school ranks. The football team, under the guidance of new head coach Don Pitts, has a new attitude and with the return of some skilled players such as Jeremy Lannom, Jeffrey Johnson, Miles Cavitt, Joseph Pope and Austin Pence, the ’Jackets may prove to be a team that could sneak up on others.
But, the success that Greenfield has could not be achieved without the support of the town, according to Trevathan.
“I think the best part about Greenfield athletics is the support we get from the community,” he said. “The town really rallies around its school and that is a nice feeling. Without the community and all of the good people, especially the parents and families of the athletes, this would not be possible from a small school. I would like to thank everyone who supports our athletic programs. Greenfield is a special place.”

Published in The Weakley County Press 6.21.12

Print