South Georgia Tech Jets 2016 Tip-Off event successful

Approximately 150 individuals attended the South Georgia Technical College Jets Booster Club 2016 Tip Off banquet recently in the James S. Peters Gymnasium (The Hangar) at South Georgia Technical College in Americus. All Jets Booster Club members, prospective members, guests, and interested persons were invited to attend the “Tip-Off Event” which featured a Low Country Boil Dinner and door prizes. Individuals had the opportunity to meet and greet the Jets and Lady Jets coaches, basketball players, and watch a slam dunk and three point shooting exhibition. South Georgia Technical College President Dr. John Watford greeted everyone and challenged the members of the 2016 – 2017 Jets and Lady Jets to exceed the accomplishments of the 2015 – 2016 season. The Lady Jets won the Georgia Collegiate Athletic Association (GCAA) regular season title in 2016 but missed qualifying for the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) District J playoff game by two points in the Region XVII tournament. They had a 27 – 6 overall record. The Jets were 15 – 16 on the season and advanced to the quarterfinal round of the NJCAA Region XVII tournament under first year head coach Travis Garrett. SGTC Athletic Director and Lady Jets head coach James Frey thanked everyone for coming out to support the Jets and Lady Jets. He also introduced the members of the Lady Jets and then asked second year Jets head Coach Travis Garrett to introduce the Jets. Lady Jets 5’ 2” freshman guard Kanna Suzuki, from Hamamatsu, Japan, won the Lady Jets three point shooting contest and was just one bucket shy of winning against the Jets overall three-point champion DeAntre Mack, a 6’1” guard from Jonesboro, GA. The other Jets and Lady Jets players who participated in the three-point exhibition shooting contest included: Jets Jordan Bates, a 6’6” sophomore forward from Apopka, FL; Jalen Thomas, a 6’ 1” freshman guard from Columbus, GA; Tre’Von Teague, a 6’ 2” sophomore guard from Cincinnati, Oh; and Lady Jets Marina Balaguer, a freshman guard from Mataro Spain; Madison Cameron, a sophomore from Alberta Canada; and Shaineequah Fluellyn, a sophomore guard from Pike County. Marquel Wiggins, a 6’ 6” freshman from Montezuma and Macon County High School, was the winner of the slam dunk contest. He went head-to-head against Andre Kennedy, a 6’ 7” sophomore forward from Albany, Georgia. Both teams are currently participating in exhibition scrimmages. The Lady Jets will host Columbus State University in a scrimmage on Saturday, October 22nd at 1 p.m. in the Hangar. They will also host Albany State University in a scrimmage on Wednesday, October 26th at 6 p.m. in the Hangar. The Jets will travel to Cartersville for a JUCO Jamboree on October 22nd. The season officially opens on Tuesday, November 1st when the Jets and Lady Jets open with a double-header. The Lady jets will take on Chattahoochee Valley Community College at 6 p.m. and the Jets will play New Rock Prep at 8 p.m. For more information on joining the Jets Booster Club contact Athletic Director James Frey at 229-931-2039 or Terri Battle at 229-931-2719. Membership fees can also be mailed to South Georgia Technical College, Attn: Jets Booster Club, 900 South Georgia Tech Parkway, Americus, GA 31709. The Jets Booster club has various levels of membership: Pilot: $75; Co-Pilots - $125; Flight Crew - $250; Corporate Jet - $500; and Air Force One - $1,000. A pilot member receives a season pass and t-shirt; the co-pilot level receives two season passes and $20 of Jets Bucks; Flight Crew members receive four season passes and $50 of Jets Bucks; Corporate Jet Club members receive seven season passes, two polo shirts, and $100 of Jets Bucks; and the AirForce One Club includes 10 season passes, three polo shirts, $200 in Jets Bucks and a banner in the gymnasium. Jets Bucks are gift certificates that are redeemable at the SGTC Bookstore or Souvenir Shop.

Shown above are the 2016-2017 Lady Jets and the 2016-2017 Jets at South Georgia Technical College.