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Athlete of the Week: White County's Luke Crumley
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Honor roll

Baseball
Jake Burnette, Buford: Struck out 11 batters to earn the complete-game win against Greater Atlanta Christian on Wednesday.
Stephen Mason, Gainesville: Went 4 for 5 with two home runs and five RBIs, while throwing five innings and striking out six to earn the win over Walnut Grove on Wednesday; went 1 for 1 with three runs scored and two RBIs in a win over Chestatee on Friday; hit a double and scored a run in win over North Hall on Monday.
David Sosebee, White County: Struck out 15 batters to earn the win against Lumpkin County on Wednesday.

Soccer
Adrian Guadarama, North Hall: Scored two goals in a win over Columbus in the first round of the state playoffs.
Ariel Mejia, Johnson: Scored three goals in a win over Troup County on Friday in the first round of the state playoffs.
Alexis Rebollar, Chestatee: Scored three goals in a win over LaGrange on Thursday in the first round of the state playoffs.

Track
Cody Barger, North Hall: Placed first in the 1,600-meter in the Region 8-AAA championship Monday.
Vanessa Chavez, Chestatee: Placed first in the discus in the Region 8-AAA championships Friday.
Jessie Dotson, White County: Placed first in the 1,600-meter run at the Region 8-AAA championships Friday.
Gabrielle Hoffman, North Hall: Placed first in the pole vault in the Region 8-AAA championships Friday.
Raejeanna Jarrett, Flowery Branch: Placed first in the long jump, and second in the triple jump, in the Region 8-AAAA championships last week.
Erika Rucker, Flowery Branch: Placed first in the 400 and 800-meter run in the Region 8-AAAA championships last week.
Taylor Simms, Gainesville: Placed first in the shot put in the Region 8-AAA championships Friday.

CLEVELAND — With a shot at the program’s first region title on the line last week, the White County baseball team needed someone to step up.

That someone proved to be senior pitcher Luke Crumley.

After defeating Lumpkin County 10-2 on Wednesday, the Warriors (21-4) went into Thursday night’s game with Lanier knowing they had to win to have a shot at the Region 8-AAA crown.

With that in mind, coach John Brown put the ball in the hands of Crumley, who delivered 13-strikeout, complete-game gem. The 6-foot-5, 190-pounder, who is committed to Georgia, also hit two home runs, drove in four, and scored three in the 13-2 win.

Despite a loss to Franklin County on Friday night, in which Crumley hit another home run, the win over Lanier secured the Region 8-AAA championship for the Warriors, who will be a top seed when the state tournament begins Friday.

For his efforts, Crumley is The Times Athlete of the Week.

“It felt great,” Crumley said of winning the region, “To get our first region championship was huge. Hopefully (it will) be big to get home-field advantage, good momentum, going into the playoffs.”

The state playoffs hold several bitter memories for Crumley. In 2008, while a freshman, the Warriors were eliminated by Dunwoody in the first round. White County was eliminated in the first round again last season by Cartersville.

“I’ve never been out of the first round,” Crumley said. “Our overall goal is to win it all, but to get over that hump and into the second round would be a huge boost.”

Despite what happens in the state playoffs, Crumley’s baseball future is bright. While he is committed to Georgia, the senior admitted that he has spoken to a few people at the major league level.

“I’ve had some scouts talk to me a little bit,” Crumley said. “We’ll just have to see what happens.

“I’ve given it a little bit of thought, and I’ll give it a lot more.”

Whether in the minor leagues or college, the young right-hander has many of the necessary tools to be successful at the next level. With a two and four-seam fastball that clocks in the low 90s, and a solid curveball and change-up, Crumley seems poised to take the next steps to becoming a great pitcher.

But for now, the senior can only think about Carrollton, and the first round of state.

“I’m just focused on a win right now,” Crumley said. “Everything else will wait ‘til after.”

White County faces Carrollton for its opening-round doubleheader beginning at 4 p.m. Friday in Dahlonega. Game 3, if necessary, will be at 2 p.m. Saturday.

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