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<< 2010 - 2011 School Year
April 2010
The fact that the Trojans were able to defeat the competition by such a large margin is nothing short of incredible. After losing two All-American seniors to graduation last year, many doubted the girls swim team could make a run at a third state title. This uncertainty did not last long, however. At the county meet the Lassiter girls dominated the rest of the competition, beating Walton by nearly 60 points. With that success, the team felt they could do even better.
“After we won county, we knew we could win the state title by an even bigger amount of points,” said Sammie Bosma, one of Lassiter’s individual county champions. Two weeks and a few weather delays later, the Trojans finally proved they were the best in the state by winning with a total of 329 points.
While the Trojans had no individual state champions, the relay team of Courtney Ciesielski, Sammie Bosma, Sarah Williford and Ansley Crenshaw teamed up to win the 400-yard freestyle relay by three seconds. They were also led by runner-up finishes from Sammie Bosma (100-yard freestyle), Courtney Ciesielski (100-yard backstroke) and Shannon O’Malley (100-yard breastroke). Placing swimmers in the top eight spots 14 times and in the top 16 spots three times, the Trojans showed just what kind of team they were this year.
It’s possible that the only group who believed Lassiter could win state for the third consecutive year were the girls on the team. “A lot of people thought that we couldn’t do it again, but I think our depth really surprised people. We all did our best, and that led to our success,” said team member Shannon O’Malley. The Lady Trojans ignored those who didn’t believe in them and erased all doubts that they were not the best in the pool, proving that coming together as a team can lead to great things.
March 2010
Brandon Stephens
Four-year varsity player Brandon Stephens has provided his fair share of sparks for the Lassiter Trojans baseball team. From launching his first pitch seen on the varsity team for a homerun to being named to the All-American Aflac game, perseverance and dedication has paved the way for his success.
Since the age of six, Brandon has always showed a love for baseball. He obtained that love through his older brother, Jake, who is now playing collegiate baseball. “I began playing baseball because of him. I would watch Jake play, and I soon figured out that it was what I really wanted to do,” noted Brandon. Currently, when Brandon is not on the Lassiter diamond, he is a member of the East Cobb Astros, one of the most elite teams in the nation. Either way, Brandon shows off the skills that make him a prime player who is known across the country.
A catcher, Brandon has a devastatingly fast throw to second and can pick any runner that strays too far off a base. Not only is he an amazing catcher, but he posses the makeup and characteristics of a fantastic pitcher as well. Topping out at 92 on the radar gun, Brandon also possesses a knee-buckling curveball that leaves hitters in a fog.
Brandon had every option in the world open to him. Practically any college would have loved to have him on their roster, but he chose David Perno’s Georgia Bulldogs as his place to go. His reason for this was simple. “I always loved the Georgia Bulldogs. I am a huge Bulldogs baseball and football fan. In the end, I could never see myself going anyplace else,” he explains. Later this year he will be enrolling at UGA and competing for the starting position as the Bulldogs’ catcher, and he hopes to help contribute to one of the best baseball programs in the nation.
When he isn’t playing baseball, Brandon is just like any other teenage guy. He enjoys hanging out with friends and playing video games. He also likes to work out, play basketball and hang out with his family. This wide balance of sports, family and friends allows him to always keep himself focused and concentrated on baseball and his studies. Brandon’s likeable personality allows him to work well with teammates and make others root for him no matter what the circumstances are. His perseverance and dedication have made him extremely successful up to this point and will allow him to continue his success as he climbs the baseball ladder.
by Kevin Ankerholz
Lassiter senior Hilary Lynch exemplifies the meaning of what it is to be a student-athlete. As a member of the varsity softball and track teams, Hilary knows the value of hard work, determination and perseverance. In early February, Hilary was recognized for her achievements by being named a recipient of the Bobbie Bailey Award for Athletic Excellence. Named after Dr. M. Bobbie Bailey, a longtime benefactor of Kennesaw State University women’s athletics, the prestigious award is given to one high-achieving female athlete from each of 34 schools in Cobb, Cherokee, Paulding, Bartow and Douglas counties.At the age of six, Hilary fell in love with softball. After years of playing recreational and competitive travel softball, Hilary entered high school ready to make a run at the varsity team. From the start of tryouts, Hilary’s great talent was evident, and she was selected for the varsity team as a freshman. From her freshman to senior year, Hilary started at third base for the varsity Lady Trojans, providing solid defense and batting an average of .392. When asked about her favorite softball experience, Hilary remarked, “Winning the state championship my sophomore year was amazing! I will never forget that moment. It was an indescribable feeling.”
Aside from softball, Hilary has run track since her freshman year. Competing in the 400, 800 and 1600 events, Hilary has performed well enough to earn three varsity letters, and she aspires to earn her fourth letter this spring. When questioned about the student-athlete experience, Hilary said, “I value all of the great sports experiences I’ve had in high school. I especially treasure the friendships I have made through sports and school.”
Outside of athletics, Hilary’s dedication has translated into academic excellence. Hilary has challenged herself throughout high school by taking numerous honors and AP courses. She currently holds a 4.595 grade point average, and she will graduate near the top of the class of 2010. Hilary is a member of both the National Honor Society and Mu Alpha Theta (math honor society), and she participates in community service opportunities through her church. When Hilary manages to find some free time between all of her activities, she simply enjoys hanging out with friends.
Next year, Hilary plans to attend Georgia Tech, possibly majoring in biology, physics or biomechanical engineering. Whatever path she chooses, she will surely find success. “I just try to be the best that I can be everyday,” Hilary explained. “If you do that, you will never have any regrets.”
January 2010
by Jack Herman, LHS sophomore
Lassiter High School’s 2009 football season was historic. Not only did the Trojans win region, but they also had an undefeated regular season. Much of this success can be contributed to one man’s right arm. This man is Hutson Mason. Not only did Hutson throw for an eye-opening 4,582 yards (a Georgia high school record), but he also threw 54 touchdowns to only five interceptions. These video game numbers propelled Hutson into the elite status of being one of, if not the best quarterback in the state of Georgia.As if his touchdown-to-interception ratio was not impressive enough, Hutson wowed us all as he threw for a bionic-like 74 percent. His gunslinger mentality led him into doing something that no one could have ever imagined: he set the single game passing record for Georgia high school football - twice. He first broke the record with a staggering 545 yards passing performance against the stingy Milton defense in a 56-32 route. As if the yardage was not enough, he went on to complete 80 percent of his passes along with six touchdowns passes and no picks. The second time he broke the record came in an even bigger stage. In front of the home crowd, Hutson threw for an astounding 552 yards in a 70-49 pounding of the South Gwinnett Comets in the second round of the playoffs.
With all of the success and accolades Hutson has received, he is still the same modest guy he has always been. He began to play football around the age of eight, slowly growing into his lanky, 6’3” frame. A smart decision maker with surgical-like precision, Hutson gained the attention of colleges across the nation. Schools like Virginia, Clemson, Mississippi State and Georgia have come knocking on Hutson’s door, all wanting him to lead their respective schools. His decision still lingers, but he has said that his final three choices are now Clemson, Mississippi State and the hometown Georgia Bulldogs.
When not playing football, Hutson does things any other kid does. He is a starter on the varsity basketball team and has many other interests, including fishing. Hutson loves to fish and whenever he has an off weekend, he’s at the lake fishing from dawn to the end of the day. Other than football, basketball and fishing, Hutson enjoys normal teenage activities. He loves to watch movies, play video games and just hang out with friends.
Hutson is a very motivated and a passionate person and player. He has demanding goals that he works hard to achieve. When asked about future goals, Huston said, “I really want to get my degree and start for a Division I football program.” These intense goals truly capture the desire and fire in Hutson and show that the sky is truly the limit for him.
Whether you seem him throwing touchdowns, making three-point shots or hanging out with friends, it is evident that Hutson is a warrior. Not only has he been battle tested, but he has won, and that leads many coaches and scouts to believe that he will be a successful quarterback wherever he chooses to go to school.
October 2009
Lassiter Trojans: 4-0 and Here to Stay
by Jack Herman
Lassiter High School started their football season at full force. We soared out of the gates and cruised to an impressive 4-0 start by defeating three of our biggest rivals including Sprayberry, Pope, and Kell. Led by our fearless senior quarterback, Huston Mason, Lassiter appears to be for real and is not feeling the lull of an impressive 2008 campaign, which took us to the second round of the playoffs.
It began on August 28. Lassiter marched into Sprayberry and stole a 14-7 win from the hands of the feisty Yellow Jacket squad. The game started slowly and, in essence, never picked up. Both teams played with high intensity and nervous energy; the teams ended up with a combined 17 penalties and seven fumbles. It was a defensive affair. The offenses sputtered repeatedly and any observer could see the game was going to go to whichever offense could capitalize on a few drives. S
prayberry took the honors of scoring first as they threw a touchdown pass in the second quarter − the receiver dove and made a highlight reel catch. Nonetheless, that was all Sprayberry had to say because the Lassiter Trojans stepped up and made it their agenda to win the game by any means possible. The defense began to swarm to the ball instead of being forced to make one-on-one tackles and the offense began to move the ball. Freshman running back Tyren Jones punched in both scores for Lassiter and proved to be a game changer to the fullest degree. His first score, to tie the game, came when Hutson Mason dumped off a pass to him and he had the vision to escape into the end zone from 17 yards out. His final score came at the most crucial of times: with 28 seconds left, Tyren darted into the end zone once again for his final score, proving to be a valuable player. Lassiter’s second touchdown was set up by a passionate and hardnosed run of 46 yards by senior Trey Graham. Overall it was a solid win that would provide a base for the next three impressive wins. Hutson Mason ended up passing for 179 yards, going 16 for 30 with one interception.
Week two provided even more fireworks as the 1-0 Pope Greyhounds marched into Frank Fillman Stadium firmly believing they could take down our mighty Trojans who were also 1-0. Pope High School was fresh off a convincing win against Kennesaw Mountain and hungry for a victory against the Trojans. The game was a back-and-forth affair as the two teams traded touchdowns, one after another. Hutson Mason was Matt Ryan-like, going an eye-popping 25 of 30 for 297 yards and four touchdowns with only one interception to hinder his phenomenal performance. During regulation, Lassiter missed two crucial extra points which allowed Pope to stay within striking distance. As quarterback Holland Frost marched up and down the field, he impressed everyone with his ability to run and pass while being only a sophomore. Neither defense could stop the other’s offense.
With time winding down, Pope got the ball at their one-yard line − a devastating task for even the mightiest of offenses. That did not faze the Greyhounds as they organized a remarkable comeback that took us into overtime tied 25-25. As unbelievable as the game was up to that point, overtime was just as exceptional. Lassiter got the ball first and, after a few plays, it was as if Lassiter felt no pressure at all as Mason hooked up with senior wide receiver Jimmy Mayer for an unbelievable touchdown. With only one chance left, Holland Frost looked like Tom Brady, throwing a perfect fade route to pull the Greyhounds within one. It appeared it was going to be tied when Pope’s kicker, Alex Kviklys, pulled the extra point wide left of the left upright allowing the Trojans to sneak away with an unforeseen victory. The win made the Trojans 2-0 and in full momentum heading into their biggest rivalry game − Kell!
The stars were aligned as the Trojans stormed the field. It was September 11 and there was an extra buzz in the stadium that made everyone realize who we were playing. We were playing Kell High School, whom we had not beaten for three straight years. From the first whistle it was no contest as the Trojans scored on their first possession − looking like they had done it in their sleep hundreds of times before − as Hutson Mason lobbed a 21-yard pass to Jimmy Mayer to pull the momentum fully to Lassiter’s side. Mason had a great game and he looked to be in top form from the beginning whistle to the last as he threw for 263 yards on 19 of 29 passing with 3 touchdowns. The Trojans trounced the Longhorns of Kell 28-17 in a game more lopsided than the score indicates, making the Trojans an impressive 3-0.
The Trojans were hitting on all cylinders as they took on Campbell High School. The score was a landslide 42-10 and Hutson Mason had a career day, going a shining 30 of 41 for 449 yards. All aspects of the game were rolling as Mason connected with nine different receivers. The defense was on lockdown the entire time while adding some key turnovers, including senior linebacker Rip Rowan’s impressive interception. Campbell’s only score was on an impressive kick return for a touchdown. Lassiter improved to 4-0 and is ready to for any challenge ahead as they continue to prove how good they truly are.
As the season progresses, key contributors like Hutson Mason (12), Jimmy Mayer (12), Tyren Jones (9), Griffin Roelle (12), and company will have to continue to perform like they are now. But as any football fan can see, this team is for real. Don’t sleep on this team, we are here for real, again.
