Peachtree Academy is having a successful spring on the court, field and track. During the last weekend, the Panthers placed two baseball and three softball players in the annual Georgia Independent Christian Athletic Association (GICAA) All star games. Hosted by Peachtree Academy, selected by the GICAA, the Georgia State Newton Campus field came alive with players and families from all over Georgia. With Georgia State serving as the Peachtree AcademyPanthers’ home fields, this was quite an honor for the school to host the event.
Panthers in GICCA Allstar Baseball and Softball
In baseball, seniors Jordan Jett and Bryce Seals, pitchers for the Panther baseball team, represented the school and the Gray team. In softball, seniors Maddie Davidson, Victoria Jeske and freshman Caitlin Jeske represented the school and also played for the Gray squad. Brice Kiser in baseball and Anna Smith in softball, were also chosen, but had to sit because of injury.
Panther Baseball
The Panther Teams are not doing so bad either. The varsity baseball Panthers are currently 10-3, after starting the season slowly at 0-2. They are 3-0 in region play and currently lead as the top team in the GICAA Div II-A. Going 10-1 over the last eleven games, they have beaten teams up and down the higher GICAA divisions and ventured into a powerhouse GISA team in Bethlehem Christian, beating them 3-2.
Jordan Jett is pacing the team with a 5-1 record on the mound, and has two homers at the plate. He is averaging nearly nine strikeouts per game and controlling the opposition. Junior shortstop Garrett Payton, along with brother Walker, are also pacing the team from the plate. They currently lead the GICAA DIV II-A in hitting, and look to help the team into a deep playoff run.
Lady Panther Softball
The Lady Panthers are currently 3-6, but that could be a bit misleading. As mentioned earlier, their number one pitcher, Anna Smith, broke her ankle the first day out and has been missed greatly. After taking down Barnes last week in a doubleheader, they have evened their region record to 3-3. They are playing hard and working to win without their number one on the mound. Senior Maddie Davidson has taken the reins and done a fantastic job. The Lady Panthers are playing hard for Coach Chris Smith and his staff.
Panther Track and Field
Our school cheer "We are Peachtree" has taken on new meaning for the 15 athletes that have come together to form Peachtree Academy's first Varsity Track & Field Team. The newest of Peachtree’s fifteen interscholastic sports.
In three regular-season meets, the boys have earned one first place finish and two fourth place finishes. The girls have earned a second place finish, a third place finish, and a fifth place finish. In its inaugural year, this team has outscored teams twice its size from schools with established programs. The Panthers have a unique combination of veteran and newbie athletes that are serving the team well in its inaugural season.
Panther Soccer
Playing the spring middle school season, the Panthers took on Cousins Middle School. The girls took the first match 9-3 behind Haley Coursey’s hat trick three goal effort. Emerson Van Ness also added an assist.
The boys played hard, taking an early lead on a beautiful crossing pass to Nick Crews. Another first half goal by Aiden Ramkisson had the fighting Panthers up 2-0 at halftime. But in the second half, the Cousins team wore down the much younger Panthers, taking a 4-2 win.
Panther Tennis
The varsity girls took on Killian Hill and came away 4-1 victors. Line 1 singles, Samantha Johnson took her match 8-0. Line 2 singles, Karly Johnson also won 8-0. Line 3 singles, Samantha Van Ness took her match 8-1. Line 1 Doubles, comprising of McKenzie Johnson and Riddhi Patel, took their match 8-6.
Also taking on Killian Hill, the boys won 3-2 with victories from Line 2 singles Lawson Van Ness 8-3, Line 1 Doubles Ben Walters and Zane Bryant winning 8-0 and Line 2 Doubles Samuel Prince and Daniel Taylor winning 8-2.
