2025 Athletes of the year

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 SUTTON MEECE

GARRISON SCHOOL FOR THE ARTS

Nominated

by Jamie Salas, Coach &  AD

ACADEMICS: 97.8 GPA 

High Honor Roll

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT:  Lead Role in two of the School Plays. Book Buddy - helping elementary kids who struggle in reading. Volunteers at the Humane Society and The Savannah Children's Theatre

 "Sutton is the definition of elite. She excels in & out of the classroom. She is Garrison's first 5 sport athlete." - Jamie Salas, Coach & AD

CROSS COUNTRY - Top 5 finisher in every meet, including 3rd place in the city championship. Team won every meet in the city and finished 3rd in the state.

VOLLEYBALL -  Setter & Team Captain. Set school record with 64 assists. She also had 27 aces. Her team finished 2nd in the city.

BASKETBALL - Second leading scorer. Her team went undefeated and won the city championship. She was selected to the all-star team. 

TRACK - Competes in high jump & 4 x 400. 

SOCCER - Leadi her team to an undefeated season & city championship. Her team outscored their opponents 76-0 on the season.

She'll be taking her talents to Savannah Arts next year.

  SAIGE WALKER

CALVARY DAY SCHOOL

Nominated

by Phillip Lee,  AD

ACADEMICS: 93 GPA

Honor Roll

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT: Completed community service hours with her school.

"Saige played on the JV Flag Football team and was immediately a stand out. She played Qb, RB, Wr on Offense and Safety. She will be a starter on the varsity as a freshman if she continues to play."

- Nick Grassi, Flag Football Coach

"As an 8th grader, Saige Walker made an immediate impact on the junior varsity Lady Cavalier basketball team. Known for her scoring ability and relentless defense, she added energy and confidence on both ends of the floor. Her commitment to the sport, drive, and on-court leadership point clearly to a future at the next level." - Daniel Jackson, Basketball Coach

TRACK - WON THE SPAL 100M, 100M Relay, 200M & Standing Long Jump.

JV FLAG FOOTBALL - Dominant at QB, RB, WR & Safety. 

BASKETBALL - Played up in 5th, 6th & 7th - leading the team in scoring & rebounding. Her teams finished 2nd, 2nd & 1st with  a 52-5 record. In 8th grade, she started on the JV team and lead the team in scoring.

She'll be taking her talents to Hebron School  next year.

 BA'NARI MELLS

OGLETHORPE CHARTER SCHOOL

Nominated by

Sandy Sheperd, Coach

ACADEMICS: 80 GPA

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT: Volunteers with youth football and basketball mentoring young kids.

"Ba’Nari is just a winner! As the quarterback he found ways to win running and passing. If the defense needed a stop he was there for a sack, a tackle for a loss, or a pick. In basketball he made big plays with timely steals and assists. He’s going to find a way to beat you!" - Sandy Sheperd, Coach

FOOTBALL - Team leader - QB, LB & Safety on Undefeated City Championship Team. Selected Offensive Player of The Year.

BASKETBALL - Played Point Guard on Undefeated City Championship Team. Leader in assists & steals. He was atenacious defender. He was selected one of the tourney MVP's and MVP of the Middle School All Star Game.

Soccer - Contributor on the soccer team. 

He will be taking his talents to Jenkins High School.

  MALACHI GOLDEN-REEDY

OGLETHORPE CHARTER SCHOOL

Nominated by 

Sandy Sheperd, Coach

ACADEMICS: 89 GPA

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT:  Malachi plays piano in church and volunteers to help kids at basketball events and dances with his church.

"Malachi is a great kid to work with. He learns fast and has tremendous ability in football and basketball. He had big plays in football for touchdowns and was the leading scorer and rebounder on our basketball team. Malachi has a great future in both." -   Sandy Sheperd, Coach

FOOTBALL - Standout WR & Lockdown Corner for Undefeated City Championship Team. He was a human highlight reel with pick six & kickoff runbacks. He had a key interception in the title game.

BASKETBALL - Led his team to a City Championship & was selected to participate in the 8th Grade All-Star Showcase. Mal was his team's leading scorer & rebounder. He was one of three MVP's of the City Championship.

He will be taking his talents to Calvary Day School next year.

MATT GIBSON

CALVARY DAY SCHOOL

Nominated by 

Phillip Lee, AD

ACADEMICS: 98 GPA

HONOR ROLL

Student of The Month

First Semester

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT:  Volunteers at school helping teachers and running concessions.

"Matt is the kind of player every coach hopes for.  He's hardworking, always smiling and leads by example.  With his drive and character, there's no doubt he will go on to do great things, on and off the field".  

Coach Mason Griffith

FOOTBALL - Let his team with 1,544 All Purpose Yards, 22 Touchdowns, 27 Tackles & A SPAL CHAMPIONSHIP.

BASKETBALL & BASEBALL - Was a solid player on the JV Basketball  & BASEBALL Teams.

KYREE RICHARDS

SAINT JAMES SCHOOL

Nominated by 

Karen Woods, AD

ACADEMICS: B Average

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT:  Kyree volunteers at the Windsor Forest Community Center supporting local events, most noticeable assisting with a community yard sale organized by the center. Kyree played a key roll in setting up tables, organizing donated items, helping attendees, and assisting with yard upkeep.

Looking ahead, Kyree plans to continue his efforts this summer by volunteering with the youth summer camp program where he will help run day camps.

"Coaching Kyree was truly a rewarding opportunity and experience. His sheer talent, desire to be great, and deep understanding of the game made each practice and game a meaningful experience for he and his teammates. His ability to influence any game made him easy to coach and easy to play with. Not only is he a dream player for a coach, but he is also a dream teammate. To sum up my experience, I would say it was rewarding, inspiring, energizing, motivating, and challenging because, as a coach, he requires your best each and every day."

Coach Landy

FOOTBALL - He broke his collarbone but in 2 games he had 5 touch dawns. 2 passing, 2 rushing and 1 kick off return.

BASKETBALL - Was the leader in steals & a leader in scoring throughout middle school with 3 undefeated championship seasons & covid season he played with the 8th grade team as a 6th grader still getting 18 a game.

TRACK - SPAL Champion in the long jump & high jump clearing 5'2".

He'll be taking his talents to Benedictine next year.

  LYLEIGH BRADSHAW

GODLEY STATION K-8

Nominated

by Ryan King, AD

ACADEMICS: 98.8 GPA 

High Honor Roll

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT: Actively encourages others to participate in sports and has provided equipment to those in need.

 "We are confident that her dedication, leadership, and positive influence will continue to inspire others and leave a lasting impact on her school, community and beyond. "  - Ryan King, AD

CROSS COUNTRY - She ran to stay in shape and so that her school would have the numbers to field a team.

VOLLEYBALL -  Selected Most Outstanding Player leading her team to a city championship. She was selected Chatham County Most Valuable Player for this year's tournament.

BASKETBALL - Leader on & off the court.

SOCCER - Leading scorer for her team.

She will be taking her talents to St Andrews next year.

  ALYSSA GIBSON

STEM ACADEMY

Nominated

by William Buckley, Coach

ACADEMICS: 95.18 GPA

Honor Roll & Selected as a peer mediator & emerging scholar.

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT: Licensed soccer referee & peer mediation. Altar server at St. Frances Cabrini Catholic Church, Healthy Savannah & Tybee Clean Beach volunteer.

"Alyssa is a good role model & great leader who is willing to take charge & mentor other young athletes."

- Will Buckley, Coach

"Alyssa is a fully committed athlete that you wish you could clone! She works as hard as possible at training and keeps a smile on the whole time. In games, she's a fierce competitor but also consistently shows sportsmanship before, during, and after the game. I've known her for years and have never seen her look to blame anything that goes wrong on anyone else as she seems to always take on all the responsibility of being a high level soccer player herself. She's a talented soccer player with an attitude that can see her go as far as she possibly can and is a pleasure to work with."

Jeff Storey-Pitts, Savannah United Select Director

CROSS COUNTRY - Finished top 10 in all of her meets on city championship team.

VOLLEYBALL - Leader on city runner-up team.

BASKETBALL - Second in steals on a team that finished runner-up in the county.

SOCCER - Plays year-round for Savannah United. Co-Captain & Offensive Player of the Year leading her team to a city championship averaging 3 goals per game.

She'll be taking her talents to Calvary next year.

 JANIYAH JOHNSON

SAVANNAH COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL

Nominated by

Kenny Conroy, Coach & AD

ACADEMICS: 94.5 GPA

Honor Roll

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT: Serves meals at Kingdom Life Fellowship Church & in the West Savannah Community Boys & Girls Club. Spends time reading & playing games with kids at the Wesley Community Center. Summer Camp Counselor at SCDS Basketball Camp. 

"Janiyah is a coach's dream. Her hard work in both the classroom & athletics has made her a proven leader. Humble at heart, intimidating on the court or consoling a teammate, Janiyah is in a class by her herself when it comes to being a good teammate."

Kenny Conroy, Coach & AD

VOLLEYBALL - Team leader in blocks & kills on a SPAL Championship Team.

BASKETBALL - Played & started for her JV team as an 8th grader. Led her team in scoring & rebounding and was selected team MVP.

VARSITY TRACK - Won the SPAL championship in the shot put 30.7 feet, discuss at 69.4 fee and 100 meter.

  JAH'YEA MARTIN

MYERS MIDDLE SCHOOL

Nominated by 

Francis Cave, Coach

ACADEMICS: 85.6 GPA

HONOR ROLL

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT: Coaches little league teams and tries to be a good mentor to the younger kids.

"Mr. Martin has many qualities of a leader. He is outspoken & holds his teammates accountable on the field & classroom. He has sound judgement & decision making skills that translate well on & off the field. "  Francis Cave, Coach

FOOTBALL - MVP & QB leading his team to a City Championship.

BASKETBALL - Led his team to a City Championship & was selected to participate in the 8th Grade All-Star Showcase.

TRACK - Championship qualifier in several events

He will be taking his talents to Groves High next year.

STEWART DUNN

HANCOCK DAY SCHOOL

Nominated by 

Bart Bellairs, AD

ACADEMICS: 85.5 GPA

HONOR ROLL

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT:  Works with his church & 2nd Harvest Food Bank.

"Facing halftime deficits, he was always the first one to say “we got this”, even BEFORE the coaches could spoke .  He is just the ultimate warrior, an absolutely FIERCE competitor who refuses to lose, and refuses to give up." Brooks Zeigler, Coach

"Stewart is a very passionate young man and talented athlete. Stewart always gives 100% and is a leader that commands the respect of his teammates. He is a very hard-working individual that love to compete on all levels and will do anything or play any position/role that will help his team to succeed." Adam Hart, Coach

FOOTBALL - Let his team in yards & touchdowns in 5th - 8th grade & MVP every year. Team captain in 8th grade.

BASKETBALL - Was the leader in steals & a leader in scoring on a team that was runner-up in SPAL. He was selected MVP & received the Eagle Award.

TRACK - Champion in both the 100 & 400.

He'll be taking his talents to Benedictine next year.