Local all-star teams enjoyed a stellar run through district tournament play but weren’t content to stop there.
The Jackson County and Jefferson parks and recreation departments combined to win three state titles in recent all-star action as local squads continue their red-hot postseason play.
Jefferson’s 14-year-old all-stars won a state title in baseball, while Jackson County teams boasted two state softball titles, with the 8-and-under and 14-and-under teams both winning state championships over the weekend.
World Series tournaments are next for some of the local all-stars. Paired with eight district championships, local all-star squads have won 11 titles this all-star season.
Here’s a run down of the action:
•The Jefferson 14-year-old baseball all-stars won a 10-inning thriller over Rome, 8-3, Tuesday night to win the Dizzy Dean state tournament title. The same group won the state title as 13-year-olds last year.
The Jefferson team, also known as the Dragons, hosted the state tournament and went unbeaten on its home turf en route to the title, downing Shaw Park, Powder Springs, Rome, Rock Springs and then Rome again in the finals.
•The 8-and-under all-stars went undefeated in their march to the championship in Gordon County, beating Bartow County, Gordon County, Fannin County and then Fannin County again, 12-11, for the title.
•Jackson County’s 14-and-under softball all-stars also went unbeaten in claiming their championship in Gordon County, beating Carroll County and then Fannin County twice. The team took the second matchup against Fannin County 13-5 to win the state title, avenging a loss to that team during the district finals.
•Jackson County boasted a second-place finish in the 10-and-under ranks, losing to Rossville 9-4 in the finals in Gordon County. Winners of the District 6 tournament, Jackson County’s 10-and-under squad beat Commerce to open state tournament play, but lost to Rossville in the second round. Jackson County staved off elimination with another victory over Commerce in the losers’ bracket, propelling the team to the finals where it lost to Rossville.
•Jackson County finished third in the state in the 12-and-under division, with first-round victories over “Maximum Heat” and Fannin County before losing to Chickamauga and Carroll County in their tournament in Gordon County.
Jackson County’s three remaining all-star baseball teams all exited in either the first or second round of the losers’ brackets of their tournaments over the weekend.
