A day of celebration was the best way to describe the South Georgia Technical College Alumni/Sophomore Day Celebration held recently when the Jets and the Lady Jets matched-up against East Georgia State College and Georgia Highlands in a double-header.
There was a total of 14 sophomores recognized during the “Sophomore Day” presentations between the men’s and women’s games. The Americus-Sumter County Chamber of Commerce and IMERYS cooked and provided free hamburgers and hotdogs for the faculty, staff, students, alumni, retirees, and others who attended the festivities. A special student basketball game kicked off all of the activities. SGTC also gave away free t-shirts to everyone in attendance as part of the Alumni/Sophomore Celebration. This year marked the 75th anniversary of the college.
The SGTC Booster Club also recognized SGTC Athletic Director and Lady Jets Head coach James Frey on earning his 300th career win as a head coach. All 300 wins have come during his tenure with South Georgia Technical College.
South Georgia Technical College President Dr. John Watford thanked all the sophomore players and their families for committing their athletic careers to the Jets and Lady Jets programs. He also recognized several special groups for supporting the Jets and Lady Jets and thanked all of the alumni who came back to be a part of the special day.
There were nine Lady Jets and five Jets honored during the Sophomore Day Celebration. Luana Leite, Loes Rozing, Da’Nae Williams, Alexia Dizeko, Susana Yepes, Mame Thiaw, Laurie Calixte, Fanta Gassama and Camryn James were the Lady Jets spotlighted as graduating sophomores and Jordan Brown, Aaron Pitts, Kallin Fonseca, Bryce Turner, and Nathan Wilson were the Jets singled out.
“This is a great group of young people,” said President Watford. “They have given us their all on the court as well as in the classroom. We are honored to recognize them as well as the other outstanding alumni, retirees, and faculty and staff who are with us today. We wish these young people much success as they continue their academic and athletic careers at the next level. As we celebrate the 75th anniversary of our college, this is truly a merging of the proud past and promising future of South Georgia Tech!”
Laurie Calixte, a sophomore from Quebec, Canada, was the first Lady Jet recognized. She was escorted by Lady Jets head coach James Frey. Laurie averages six points and three rebounds per game and has the Lady Jets leading free throw percentage at 86 percent. Laurie is a part of this sophomore class that has amassed a two-year overall record of 56-8 with work left to be done. She currently has a 3.49 GPA and will graduate in May with an associate’s degree in Sports and fitness Management.
Luana Leita is from Sao Palo, Brazil and was escorted by former Jet, Justice Hayes and his parents Darnell and Meliza Hayes. Luana is averaging 11 points, 4 rebounds, 3 steals and 3 assists a game this year. Luana finished the year 2nd in the GCAA in three-point percentage shooting. She was twice voted the GCAA Player of the Week. Luana will graduate in May with an associate’s degree in Sports and Fitness Management and has a 3.5 GPA. She will continue her education and playing career at an undecided university.
The third Lady Jet recognized was Loes Rozing, from Hailoo, Netherlands. She wasescorted by Lady Jet’s Assistant Coach Olivia Melvin. Loes is averaging 5 points per game, 5 rebounds per game and 5 assists per game and 2 steals per game. Loes is 2nd in the GCAA in assists per game. Loes has been a key two-year contributor to the Lady jets program and success. She currently has a 4.0 GPA and will graduate in May with a degree in Sports and Fitness Management. Loes will continue her academic and athletic careers at New Mexico State University where she committed in January.
DaNae Williams, a first-year transfer sophomore from Pearland, TX, was escorted by her mother Mrs. Denise Richards. DaNae transferred from Bossier Parrish Community College in Louisiana where she started 11 games as a freshman point guard. She has evolved into a key contributor for the Lady Jets as the season has progressed. DaNae has a 3.1 GPA and will graduate in May with her associate’s degree in Sports and Fitness Management and continue her academic and athletic careers at a four-year institution of her choosing.
Alexia Dizeko,from Sion, Switzerland, was escorted by Jet Booster Club President Martha Arrington. Alexia averages 17 points, seven rebounds, two assists and two steals per game. Alexia is currently 5th in scoring, 5th in rebounding and 2nd in FG percentage in the GCAA. She is a four-time GCAA Player of the Week. Alexia has a 3.6 GPA and will graduate this May with an associate’s degree in Sports and Fitness Management then continue her academic and athletic career at a four-year institution of her choosing.
Susana Yepes from Medellin, Colombia, was also recognized. She was escorted by her parents Mr. Juan David Yepes and Mrs. Adriana Posada and her sister Sofia Yepes. Susana was also supported by members of the Williams Road Church who have been an incredible support system for Susana both on and off the court during her time here at South Georgia Tech. Susana currently averages four points and four rebounds per game as a key contributor to the Lady Jets. Susana currently has a 3.39 GPA and will graduate this May with an associate’s degree in Sports and Fitness Management and will continue her academic and athletic careers at a University of her choosing.
Mame Thiaw, from Dakar, Senegal, sustained a season ending knee injury two weeks ago. She was escorted by Lady Jet Assistant Coach Maka Jackson. She has a 3.3 GPA and will graduate this May with an associate’s degree in Sports and Fitness Management and will continue her academic and athletic careers at a yet to be determined university.
Fanta Gassama, from Mataro, Spain and was escorted by former Lady Jet Esther Adenike. Fanta currently averages 13 points, 13 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals and 1 block per game. Fanta leads the GCAA in rebounding, and blocks per game. She was a two-time GCAA Player of the Week this season. Fanta has a 3.1 GPA and will graduate in May with an associate’s degree in Sports and Fitness Management and will continue her academic and athletic careers at the University of Cincinnati where she signed a National Letter of Intent in November.
Camryn James, from Macon, GA, was the final Lady Jet recognized. She was escorted by her parents Curtis and Bernadette James. She is ranked 8th in the GCAA in rebounds per game. Camryn was voted as the the GCAA Player of the Week once this season and has been a huge part of the Lady Jets success the past two seasons. Camryn has a 3.8 GPA and will graduate in May with an associate’s degree in Sports and Fitness management and continue her academic and playing careers at a university of her choosing.
The five Jets recognized included Jordan Brown, Aaron Pitts, Kallin Fonseca, Bryce Turner, and Nathan Wilson. Jordan Brown is a sophomore from Albany, Georgia and was escorted by his mom, Stacy Brown and his dad, EJ Brown. He transferred to South Georgia Tech from Georgia Highlands. In his best season as a Jet, he had 11 points, two rebounds, three assists and two steals. He is currently working toward a degree in Sports and Fitness Management and will major in Accounting at his next college.
Aaron Pitts, Jr, from Columbus, GA, is another transfer sophomore. He transferred from Chattahoochee Valley Community College. He was escorted by Jhacorey Harris and Kimberly Clanzy. In his best game as a Jet, he had 38 points, five rebounds, six assists, four steals and two blocks. He is undecided where he will continue his athletic and academic career but is working towards a degree in Sports and Fitness Management.
Kallin Fonecca, from Breaux Bridge, Louisiana, was escorted by his dad, Chris Fonecca and his grandparents, Myron and Marilyn Fonsecca. He has been a part of the Jets family for three seasons. In his best game as a Jet, he had 14 points, three rebounds, four assists, two steals and a block. Kallin has already received his A.A. in Sports and Fitness management and was on the All-Conference Academic team last year as well as being on the Conference Tournament Championship team that made it to the National Tournament last season.
The final two Jets recognized, Bryce Turner and Nathan Wilson were also members of the Conference Tournament team that advanced to the National Tournament last season. Bryce Turner from Jacksonville, FL, was escorted by his mom Veronique Turner and girlfriend Mya. He has been a part of the Jets for two seasons and in his best game, he had 20 points, 11 rebounds, one assist and one block. He is still undetermined on where he will continue his academic and athletic career. He is working on his Sports and Fitness associate degree.
Nathan Wilson from Auckland, New Zealand, was escorted by Ivy Ballauer and her children Layla, Lindi, and Hutch. He has also been a part of the Jet family for two seasons. His best game for the Jets included 16 points, eight rebounds, two asissts, one steal and one block. He is working toward his Sports and Fitness Management degree and hopes to major in Dentistry at his next college.
The Lady Jets clinched the Georgia College Athletic Association (GCAA) regular season title with the win over East Georgia Saturday. They will now host the GCAA – NJCAA Region 17 end of the season tournament and will play the winner of the Albany Tech – Central Georgia Tech game in the semi-finals on Friday, March 3rd at 6 p.m. As the number two team, East Georgia State will play the winner of the Georgia Highlands – Andrew game on Friday, March 3rd at 8 p.m. The winners of those games will meet in the finals at 2 p.m. Saturday, March 4th in the Hangar and earn the right to advance to the NJCAA Southeast Conference game and the NJCAA National Tournament.
The Jets have one regular season game remaining. They will travel to Cuthbert to play Andrew College at 7 p.m. Wednesday. They are currently one game back from advancing to the GCAA end of the season tournament. Gordon College is currently a game ahead of the Jets and will face Georgia Highlands and Andrew this week.