The 2017 Walker County Athletes of the Year
When it comes to high school sports, most freshmen never get to suit up for the varsity team and the lucky ones that do rarely leave the bench in games, except in emergency situations or in mop-up duty in the closing seconds.
They aren’t exactly major contributors and they seldom get to start in real games as they learn their roles and hone their skills that will serve them over the course of the next three years.
But every once in a while, that special freshman comes along, one that a coach just can’t keep out of the lineup.
And during the 20162017 school year, Gordon Lee’s Gracie O’Neal was that freshman.
From volleyball to cross county to basketball to track, O’Neal not only played on the varsity team, she stood out and excelled on the varsity team with skills, talent and determination that belied her young age.
As the school year continued, O’Neal’s athleticism continued to shine. And as the school year ended, O’Neal saved her best for last. And today, she becomes the first freshman to ever be named the Walker County Female Athlete of the Year.
“It feels great,” she said. “I never imagined that (my freshman year) would be like this. When I thought about my freshman year, I never thought it would go this well. It’s kind of taken a while to sink in, but it’s kind of sinking in now.
“The main thing was just trying to do my best, no matter what I did. It didn’t matter how everyone else was, I just had to do my best every day, work hard every day and know that if I’m giving everything I can every day, that’s all I
to most - collected Walker County Defensive Player of the Year honors, Region Defensive Player of the Year honors, Region Co-Player of the Year honors, a spot on the Class AAAA All-State team by RecruitGeorgia. com, a second straight Class AAAA AllState first team nod by the AJC, a second consecutive Class AAAA All-State first team selection by the Georgia Sports Writers Association and he was the GSWA’s Class AAAA Defensive Player of the Year, joining current New Orleans Saint Vonn Bell, as the only Ridgeland players to ever win the award.
Shortly after football season finally ended, Montgomery joined the Panthers’ basketball team and showed his athleticism all season long by scoring 8.7 points a night to go with 5.3 rebounds, 3.7
assists and 3.1 steals. Those numbers helped Ridgeland earn their first appearance state tournament berth since 2008.
He concluded his year on the Panthers’ track team. With Montgomery competing the high jump and being a part of the 4x100 relay team, Ridgeland’s boys claimed the 6-AAAA team runner-up trophy and Montgomery went on to qualify for the state meet in both events.
“We had a good season in basketball and made it to the playoffs,” he said. “I started out late in the track season, but we were able to get second (place) in the region and I was able to (qualify) for state in the 4x100 and the high jump, so I thought it was a good season there.
“But I think the game that stood out for me was the (football playoff) game against St. Pius. They came in after beating us (in the playoffs) the year
before, but we handled our business and came out of there with the win.”
Despite standing out in all three sports, it’s on the gridiron where Montgomery’s college future lies.
Montgomery recently made a verbal commitment to play at Division I newcomer Kennesaw State. He had offers from the likes of Air Force, Army, Navy, Wofford, Central Michigan, Austin Peay, Jacksonville and Chattanooga among others.
But before he dons the Black-and-Gold for the Owls, he still has another season of high school to go, one he says he can’t wait to begin.
“We’re going to be better than we were last year,” he added. “We have a whole lot of seniors and I think we’re just going to be more mentally tough and mature. I think we can go a long way this year. I just have to have the mentality to be great at everything I do.”