Hornets Baseball
by Jasmine Sisk • photography by Jenny Pitts

Baseball is one of the most exciting and stressful sports for Cook High Hornets fans. After several seasons of advancing to the playoffs, the 2010 Hornets finished as state runner-up.

The team is under the leadership of varsity head coach Cleve Edwards, junior varsity head coach Clint Chambless, and assistant coaches Scott Ray, Lee Caquelard and Zach Mauldin.

In his first year as head coach, Edwards encourages his players to practice and play their hardest every day. “Offensively, we have been led by Zach Folsom, Skylar Lindsey and Ross Pickle.  Defensively, we have only committed two errors in four games. Our pitching has to get better. We are relying on pitchers that do not have many varsity innings prior to this season.”

Last year, the Hornets graduated D.J. Johnson, Kaleb Cowart and Parker Nix. “Even though they were starters, they were three big leaders to the team,” Edwards says. “Now, we’re just waiting for our [younger] guys to step up and fill those leadership roles and take charge.”  

Edwards was a member of the 2000 Hornets state championship team and served as an assistant coach during the 2010 season. His goal for the varsity team is to contend for a region championship and make a run in the state playoffs.

“Guys pitching now do not have a lot of varsity experience on [the] mound, but that’s what [the] preseason is for,” Edwards says. “We’re working to get better.”

The junior varsity team started the season with a 12-3 loss to the Lowndes Vikings. “We had several errors that cost us runs but we hit the ball well,” Chambless says. “We will be working on polishing up our defense in practice and we’re looking forward to a great season.”

Chambless encourages a good work ethic and playing together as a team. “We come to practice every day with the mindset to improve each day. We take what happens in a game, good or bad to heart, and the next day at practice we work to get better,” he says.

Upcoming games against Lanier County, Colquitt County, Thomasville, Berrien, Valdosta and Fitzgerald will create a lot of excitement for Hornets baseball fans.

Season Of The Sting
by Jasmine Sisk

The Cook High Hornets basketball season began with an explosion of wins prior to a rollercoaster ride through progressively tougher opponents. With current overall records of 11-7 for the girls team and 14-5 for the boys, the teams are third and second, respectively, in Region 1-AA.

The Lady Hornets took victories over Hamilton County (Florida), Echols County, Atkinson  County, Berrien, Cairo, Albany, Fitzgerald and Early County.

The Hornets’ shocking win against Buford was a bombshell. “The boys’ win over Buford in the Christmas tournament was a great accomplishment for the team,” says coach Tommy Blackshear. “Buford has such an impressive athletic program, so it was a great success for us.”

Blackshear encourages character development in his players. “If they are able to build character, then they have a great chance at success,” he says, adding that both teams have played extremely hard and even though they could get better, they’re successful in what they do.

According to Blackshear, the girls who have improved the most are Elesha Foster, Breonah Rockmore and Kamree Smith while the most improved boys are Shue Mills, Quinton Fletcher and Chris Bryant. “These players have showed more confidence in the way they play from where they started,” Blackshear says. “Coaching [both] the boys and girls teams has made me more versatile. I’ve learned how to deal with all types of kids and situations.”

If the Cook High Hornets basketball teams want to make it to the state championship game, they need to be prepared and work harder to beat Thomasville. “Thomasville is a difficult team to beat,” says Blackshear. Though they can keep the court alive and the crowds on the edge of their seats, the Cook ballers will have to fight their way through their remaining opponents.

“Our number one goal is to make state and finish in the top of our region,” says Smith, senior girls captain. “We have the talent and determination. All we need is the focus.” Senior Judah Williams adds, “Practice has been tough all year and we are very determined to make it to the [state] championship this year.”

While the Hornets work hard every day to reach their goal, they are proud to be working together and playing the sport they love. On and off the court, their positive attitude is apparent. Overall, both teams have every chance to make state. Smith says, “All you need is focus, determination and talent.”

Cook High Hornets Take Down the Season
by Jasmine Sisk

“Takedown!  Reverse! Roll out of it! PIN!” are just a few of the many shouts heard at a Cook High School wrestling match.

Wrestling is a passion for Hornets grapplers. “This season has been pretty good. The guys have grown and the team has really improved,” says coach Scott Ray. “The players who have done the best this season are Avery Hendley, Darius Graves, James Hayes, Chance Alley, Eric Nava, Destry Walker and Dexter Walker.”

Even if wrestlers are talented and in good condition, they can still lose matches if they’re not focused and confident. Wrestlers have many responsibilities. They must keep their physical and mental toughness. They have to watch their diet because it could alter their weight and affect their weight classification. Wrestlers must keep themselves in shape, ready for anything that comes their way.

Ray says his primary goal is for each wrestler to leave the season having been successful on and off the mat. He encourages his wrestlers to respect God and become better people. “From coaching these wrestlers, I’ve learned how to deal with all types of situations and personalities – some quiet, loud, hardworking, and some not so hardworking,” says Ray.

One of the oldest sports, wrestling is based on strength, endurance, will power and strategy. Wrestlers must master many moves and a wide range of strategies. The wing, the cradle, the half, the rollout and the fireman carry are all types of wrestling moves. Cook High grapplers practice almost every day to perfect their moves and work their way toward traditional state competition.

“We challenge ourselves and each other to become better towards the overall goal of a state championship,” says senior Chance Alley. “We have the potential and dedication to win. We just can’t lose our confidence due to what people expect of us. We put our blood, sweat and tears into every match to prove the statistics wrong. We’re a real spiritual team. We pray every day of practice and before every match. God plays an important factor in each and every one of our lives.”

Wrestling is a challenging sport that requires effort and skill. Hornets wrestlers learn from their coaches and vice versa. Being involved takes physical and mental abilities, strength, endurance, confidence, skill and will power. Ray says, “We have every chance in the world to make traditional state if we wrestle to our fullest potential and the best of our abilities.”

Hornets Close Decade With Second Football Region Title
by Gage Barnes • photography by Teresa Emrich |Emrich Photography

The Cook High Hornets have discovered that championships are not easy. On October 29, the Hornets clinched their first region championship since 2001, when the team made a trip to the Georgia Dome to play in the semifinals. This year, the Hornets are striving toward the same goal of playing for the state championship. The Hornets clinched their latest region title by defeating the tough Thomasville Bulldogs. This game between two very talented teams was an all-out battle, keeping fans on their feet from the first whistle until the sound of the final buzzer.

Thomasville was the first to score, squeaking out two field goals in the first half. Shannon Brown answered and gave the Hornets their first score of the night, seconds before halftime. Brown broke through the Thomasville defensive line and carried the ball 80 yards for the Hornets touchdown, making the score 7-6. He ended the night with 13 carries for 137 rushing yards.

The third quarter didn’t hold much action for the Hornet offense. However, the defense held the Bulldogs at their third and last field goal of the night, letting Thomasville regain the lead, 9-7. The Hornets would not go down without a fight, though. On a two-play drive halfway through the fourth quarter, Cook quarterback Zach Folsom connected with Devontae Brown for a big gain. The following play, Folsom threw a 37-yard touchdown pass to Trey Register. The Hornets opted for a two-point conversion, making the score 15-9.

The Hornets defense continued to play a vital role late in the fourth quarter. Cook came away with a Bulldog fumble on the second to last drive of the game. Hornet Chris Hosea stepped up and helped clinch the victory with an interception just as Thomasville was a few yards from the goal line. The Hornets’ strength and determination proved too much for the Bulldogs to handle. After a season of dominating their opponents, the Hornets finally faced a competitor equal in caliber to those they’ll meet in the playoffs. The Cook High players walked off the field as warriors made stronger by the battle.

Lady Hornets Capture Region Softball Title
by Tess Dyer • photography by Jenny Pitts

With a terrific softball season behind them, the Cook High Lady Hornets can hang up their cleats and be proud of their progress. The season started off slowly but as time progressed, they worked harder and practice made perfect all the way to the playoffs. They opened their schedule 0-3 and finished 17-13, winning 11 of their final 16 games. The Lady Hornets were able to finish the regular season 6-0 in Region 1-AA, winning the 2010 region championship.

In the playoffs, teams advance by winning the best of a three-game series. The girls played wholeheartedly but lost two consecutive games to the Screven County Lady Gamecocks. Haley Rentz and Hannah West pitched the first game. West went on to pitch all of game two. The first game was close, with the Lady Hornets losing 3-1 to the Lady Gamecocks. The girls were disappointed but were determined to win their next game. Even with great pitching and hitting, the Lady Hornets lost, 5-2.

When asked how he felt about the way the season ended, Cook head coach Scott Ray replied, “I thought we could have made it to the next round.” His plans for next year are to work harder and win more games. With all of their starters returning next year, this young team is looking forward to being even more competitive in 2011.

2010 Cook High Hornets: Journey to Success
by Miriam Jones • photography by Amanda Gilbert

The Cook Hornets football team began the season by wiping the floor with the Lanier County Bulldogs, 46-6, during a preseason game under first-year head coach Ken Cofer. Their next victims were the nationally-ranked Colquitt County Packers, a team the Hornets defeated in a 15-9 victory at Mack Tharpe Stadium in August. If history were to repeat itself, looking back to the 2007 season and the opening 14-0 triumph over Colquitt, the Hornets could expect another Georgia Dome appearance this year.  Last year, the Cook High football team finished 7-6 with a heartbreaking loss to the Buford Wolves in the playoffs.

With the help of their teammates, the senior Hornets are showing up and showing out. Following the 42-14 victory over the Americus-Sumter Panthers on September 3, the Hornets beat Worth County, 28-14. With a 20-0 upset over the Crisp County Cougars on September 17, the Hornets continue to pull rabbits out of their hat. For the first time in the millennium, on October 1, the Hornets hammered the Fitzgerald Hurricanes, 42-7. The week of October 8 was Homecoming for the Cook Hornets. They went head-to-head with rival Berrien and soundly stung the Rebels, 54-6.

Playing fullback and linebacker, senior Quintine Cayo is a force on the field. Influenced by childhood friends, Cayo began playing recreational football for the Blackhawks at the age of seven. To prepare for this football season, he “eats well, works out hard, and drinks plenty of fluids.” Cayo says he stands out from other players because he's the shortest person on defense. One of his biggest challenges as a football player has been enduring the Georgia heat at practice. His classmates call him the class clown, but when it comes down to the pigskins and pads, Cayo is unstoppable. He's a great asset to the team and a skilled runner.

Quarterback Zach Folsom is successful on the field and in the classroom. Folsom is in the top 10 percent of the Class of 2012. Following in his father’s footsteps, Folsom began playing football at the age of eight and decided to make it a part of his high school career. Although he says that juggling school, sports and extra-curricular activities can be a demanding task, he wouldn’t trade football for any other sport. He is also the starting second baseman for the Cook High varsity baseball team. Assistant coach Cleve Edward confirms that Folsom’s greatest strength is his leadership ability. Drawing inspiration from former head coach Mac Thompson, Folsom uses his intelligence to help guide the team’s conquests back to the Dome. He says he’s looking forward to winning and the “Friday night lights” atmosphere.

The Hornets are confident that this is their year of opportunity.  Senior varsity wide receivers Trey Register and Andrew Thomas are excited about this season and believe the 2010 team has potential to make it deep into the playoffs. Coach Cofer declined to speculate on how far his team could go, but Cook County is buzzing with excitement about the perfect season so far.

Cook High Lady Hornets Softball Team:  Comeback Kids
by Tamelonie Thomas • photography by Jenny Pitts, CHS faculty

Everyone loves to root for the underdog and watch a Cinderella story play out. The Lady Hornets made their first state playoff appearance in school history last year after being held back year after year by their region rival, the Berrien Rebelettes.  But the story does not end with last season’s final score of 6-0.

The Lady Hornets were crowned as the 2009 Region Champion after their victory over Berrien. Losing seven seniors, the 2010 Lady Hornets had to depend on new, young talent to remain a dominant force in the region.  Another challenge the Lady Hornets faced this year was the lack of senior leadership.

The Lady Hornets varsity lineup includes Breonah Rockmore, Rosie Lovett, Haley Rentz, Lexi Pike, Katie Peach, Hannah West, Dani Edmonson, Lexi Pike, Sara Lolley, Shelbie Rowe, Kendall Rose, Kylie Sumner and Kelly Cornelius. They are coached by Scott Ray and Paula Simmons with the help of assistant coach Chris Hart and community coach Christy Duke.

Buford has been the reigning AA champion for three consecutive years. Coach Ray commends the Buford staff for keeping their team motivated and says they earned their way to being a dominating force.

Starting varsity left fielder and lead-off hitter Breonah Rockmore says, “I think that our team being so young is a positive thing because age doesn’t matter. What matters is going out there, doing our best and making the best out of every moment that we play.”

Trapmasters
by Kara Vonier • photography by Lee Vonier

Breathe in, stay on target, breathe out and squeeze the trigger. That’s the key for good shooting, which students in Cook County know all about! Cook has a 4-H program that includes a Shooting and Firearms Education (SAFE) team.  

The Trapmasters team consists of local students, ranging from seventh grade to high school seniors. Members begin practicing in February at the shooting range near the Cook County Sheriff’s office. Last year, Cook County had the maximum number of team members allowed. Coaches for the sport include Clifford Lovett, Billy Joe Lovett, Sam Raulerson, Tommy Hester and Ken Rountree.

Team members use 20-gauge or 12-gauge shotguns to shoot clay targets thrown from a standard electric wobble trap. They must use ammunition approved by the organization and it can travel no more than 1,275 feet per second. If the load is too hot, a shooter can be disqualified for an unfair speed or distance advantage.

Members compete against teams in the surrounding counties. There is a qualifying round, in which the senior age group must hit 20-of-25 targets and juniors must hit 17-of-25 to be able to participate in state competition.   

Every year on Mother’s Day weekend, shooters travel to 4-H camp at Rock Eagle. They spend Friday night unwinding and having fun.  An early breakfast on Saturday starts a long day. All teams shoot in one statewide competition.  The hillside resonates with round after round of bird shot and spent powder.  Clouds of powdered clay targets cover the valley between the camp and the shooting venue. At the end of the day, announcements are made for team highs, male and female top dogs, and overall champs. To make it to the top, contestants must shoot 25-of-25 targets to advance to doubles – two clays thrown at the same time.  The object is to shoot the lower of the two first, then the higher target.

Cook County has had very successful teams at state since 2008, their charter year.  Karalynne Vonier has been a participant since her freshman year and says it is a great stress relief.  A few of the better marksmen include Tyler Raulerson, Nate Bassett, Preston Millicent, Spencer Ensley and the Lovetts –Josh, Andrew, Ashton and Rosie.  Top girls are Vonier , Ashley Johnson, Abby Rountree and Courtney Abrams.

There are many different team honors, and Vonier holds the record for the most guns used in one season (10) and longest distance shot of 75 to 100 yards.  Some members of the Cook County team shoot at the Hartsfield ATA/Junior Olympics Institution, coached by Mike Simpson.  His daughter, Emma, shoots on the USA women’s shotgun team.

Cook High School Cross Country
by Justin Felts • photography by Hunter Betts, CHS journalism

In a sport of strength and endurance, the Cook County cross country team is starting a promising season and hoping for a region victory. Along with moving to a new campus, Cook High School also picked up new head cross country coach Jesse Lynch.

This year the team consists of only eight boys. Senior runners are Drew Thomas and Matt Rutland.  Juniors Justin Felts and Lane Riley are in their third year of Hornets cross country.  Three sophomores run for the team: Saul Gonzales, Tony Jackson and John Wayne. One freshman runner participates, the young but talented Brandon Wilkes. For the last several months, the team has practiced long and hard to improve in region standings. Hopefully, all the practice will pay off for the Hornets.

Last year the team came in fourth in a hard region race at Kolomokee Mounds State Park in Early County. Perseverance put the team through to the grueling state run at the Carrollton meet. This was the first time the team has ever been to state, but surely won’t be their last. The north Georgia hills took a toll on the Cook runners after months of running the southern flatlands and they finished 30th overall. It was a good finish for such a young team. The oldest runner last year was a sophomore. In the next few years, they hope to better themselves in both the region and state 5K runs.

The Hornets have been practicing all summer to improve their race times. Cook High redesigned its cross country course, adding a series of steep hills in the last mile. Even the best runners struggle an uphill run when they are worn down. This will be a challenging obstacle for other region competitors who are not used to hills and will help the Hornets prepare for the state meet.

Cook High is off to a good start with a win over the 3-A Crisp County Cougars. Thomas, Gonzales and Jackson set personal records in the meet. In addition, Thomas also broke the Cook High cross country record with sophomores Gonzales and Jackson on his heels. All three of Cook’s top runners ran low 18s. Runners Wayne and Riley finished fifth and sixth, securing the Cook victory against the Cougars. Felts came in seventh and Rutland finished in 12th place to complete the Hornets top seven runners of the day.

The Hornets have many more miles to cover during the 2010 season. With more meets scheduled through October, the team has room for improvement before they find themselves in the region run.

Cook Season Begins With Upset
by Tyler Heard • photography by Teresa Emrich, Emrich Photography

"Upset" means to overturn; to disturb mentally or emotionally, put out of order, throw into disorder; or to disturb physically. “Upset” is also a word that the Cook High Hornets have become very familiar with in their years of playing football. After a number four region finish in their 2009 season, the Hornets fought against higher-ranked opponents in the playoffs to make it to the quarterfinals. Cook defeated Northeast Macon and Appling County on their journey. The Hornets have proven that being the underdog works well for them.

This tradition continued as the Hornets defeated the nationally-ranked Colquitt County Packers in this year's season opener. Cook High was expected to lose against the AAAAA school. In a 15-9 victory, the Hornets allowed one touchdown and one field goal during the entire game. In fact, Colquitt only led the game for approximately two and a half minutes. Cook racked up 228 yards of total offense. The Hornets also beat Colquitt County four years ago in the 2006 season opener. This year’s victory gave the program substantial optimism for the 2010 season. Coaches, players and students are hoping to exceed another number four region ranking this year and make it to the state championship. The true measure of Cook’s success this year will be determined when the Hornets start their tough Region 1-AA games in October. Cook is currently ranked number nine in the Class AA state poll.

This win is the second since the tragic death of Coach Mac Thompson in February 2010. The first game of the season was a scrimmage versus the Lanier County Bulldogs on August 13. The Hornets stung the Bulldogs in a 46-6 victory. The players were "emotional and ready to play," according to new head coach Ken Cofer. The players on the team are always ready to play, and they always anticipate a win. They know they can beat anyone.

Cook High School has a strong team this year. Senior Shannon Brown is outstanding as running back. In the season opener, Brown scored Cook’s first touchdown and accounted for 36 running yards. Junior quarterback Zach Folsom completed 14 of 21 passes against the Packers and did not throw an interception. Clifford Miles scored Cook’s second touchdown and was responsible for 38 rushing yards. Trey Register ran a two-point conversion and contributed 31 yards of rushing offense to the Hornets.

Winning is not new to Hornet football. For the past 10 years, Cook has qualified for the playoffs. The Hornets have not lost to rival Berrien County since the late 1990s. Cook High went all the way to the semifinals in 2007 and played in the Georgia Dome.

The Cook High School football program is hoping to exceed the success of past teams this year. They got off to a great start in the 2010 season and their momentum could build from game to game, perhaps with a few more upsets along the way.

Beginning of Lady Hornet Softball Season
by Hunter Betts and Gage Barnes • photography by Jenny Pitts, CHS faculty

Haley Rentz stepped to the pitching rubber. She fumbled with the ball in her glove. The sweat on her hand made the ball slick. She got the sign: fastball, high and inside. It was tough, and the team couldn’t afford mistakes in the last inning of a tied game. The batter stepped to the plate. Haley took a deep breath and went through the motions. POP! The ball smacked into the catcher’s mitt. “Strike three!” the umpire yelled. The team headed in to the dugout determined to take the game in a Texas tiebreaker.

With a runner on second, the Lady Hornets were at bat. They put up two additional runs in the inning. The Lady Blue Devils had a turn at the batter’s box to score, but Cook thought otherwise. The Hornets knuckled down and accomplished their goal. They didn’t allow a single Tift County player to cross the plate and ended the game with a 7-5 score. The Lady Hornets held true to their championship spirit and the determination they came to possess from making it so close to the state championship in the 2009 season.

This year’s ladies are three games into region play and have capped all the games with a “W.” The team cruised through these games, easily beating Thomasville (17-5), Fitzgerald (10-0), and Early County (8-0).  None of the three games had to go the distance as all ended in six innings or less.  As they move deeper into the season, the Lady Hornets want to keep their undefeated record intact.

The Lady Hornets have no returning seniors this year but the team has leadership. Six talented and experienced juniors will be stepping up to lead this young team throughout the season: Haley Rentz, pitcher; Dani Edmondson, second base; Rose Lovett, catcher; Katie Peach, first base; Breonah Rockmore, center field; and Hannah West, right field. As the season progresses, the team will face more difficult challengers like AAAAA Colquitt and rival Berrien County. These are games that will showcase their leadership abilities and response to tough opponents.  However, these girls are accustomed to challenge.

Their toughest test was the fight for region dominance. To accomplish this feat they needed to beat the Berrien Rebelettes in a best 2-of-3 series. The first two games were split between the two teams with Cook County winning the first, 9-6, and Berrien County winning the second, 7-2. The dogfight continued in the third game but the Lady Hornets were crowned the winner. The team opened up offensively and beat their rival by a margin of six runs.

Cook High and the Lady Hornets have a positive outlook for the upcoming year. This amazing team deserves the support of its school and community as the team makes a powerful push toward a promising season, hopefully ending at the state championship.

CHS Cheerleading
by Kari Funderburk and Tess Dyer • photography by Jenny Pitts, CHS faculty

Cheerleading is all about having a good time while encouraging your classmates to do their best. Pumping up the crowd and getting everybody excited for the game is what cheering is all about.

Becoming a cheerleader is a long, hard process.  The tryout session lasts three days. On the first day, everybody learns a dance. On the second day, they learn a cheer and a chant and review the dance.  The final day is for showing three judges their talent.  Some say this part is scary or even terrifying, but practicing helps ease the nerves one might have and rehearsing how one will go into tryouts helps greatly.  It’s very important to be loud, smile, and make tight, sharp movements.

Preparing for football games or pep rallies can be stressful.  It’s a cheerleader’s job to prepare signs for football games and pep rallies. They make run-through signs for players to charge through before a game.  It takes a long time to make these signs because they have to look nice and be big.  For the team, getting together to paint signs is a blast!

Preparing for a pep rally takes a long time.  The pep rally gets everyone pumped up and ready to beat the other team.  It gets the whole entire school cheering, laughing, dancing, showing off and acting crazy.  Most students get into the spirit by wearing school colors or painting themselves black and gold.  Every one of the cheerleaders works hard to make pep rallies and football games fun for the fans and the Hornet football players.

Some people think that cheerleaders have organizations that pay for all of the things they need. However, cheerleaders have to buy their own uniforms and anything else they might want.  To offset costs, the squad has fundraisers.  The Spirit Club (also known as the cheer parents) sells t-shirts, pom-poms, car tags, temporary Hornet tattoos and other cool things at the games.  They also sell candles and have dances, bake sales and car washes.  Cheerleaders work hard to buy their uniforms and equipment.

Football and basketball teams have cheerleaders for many reasons.  The cheer squad gets the team pumped for a big game.  They also get the crowd moving.  Cheerleaders are motivators. They motivate their team and the community.

Cheerleaders love Friday night football games, cheering on the boys and cheering for the crowd.  They also enjoy working together to create friendships that last a lifetime.   Cheering promotes trust and bonding and builds strength, not only physical strength but emotional strength.