I got an early Christmas present back in July when I got the chance to come back to the Augusta area sports scene.
It’s a fun one to cover. Augusta is unique to me in that I’ve never been in a city that’s more passionate about its high schools than what I see here. Sometimes I feel like that passion can get in the way a bit when you start talking about things like purposeful rightsizing and finding ways to cut some of the fat, particularly when it comes to the Richmond County Schools.
Side note: I still believe there are way too many schools — particularly high schools — in Richmond County, and a strategic trimming could create a more robust and competitive district, academically and athletically.
But I digress. When it comes to the fervor and passion behind how people see their schools, follow their schools and cheer for their schools, I say the more passion and fervor, the better.
During my first few months back, I’ve not always been as active as I’d like to be, thanks to a crazy combination of relentless car issues and trying to find creative ways not to drown in our economy. But once Christmas and New Year’s Day are in our rearview mirrors, I’m looking forward to pinning my ears back and pursuing the local sports scene in a much more aggressive way.
There are so many stories in this area that need to be told. Stories that go beyond the final score or the player with the biggest stat line.
Seeing the “what” is easy. You don’t need me or any journalist for that. I want to tell more stories that unearth the how and the why and the what-does-this-mean-to-me-and-my-family.
I want to tell stories that will elicit emotional response and start important conversations that too often get swept under the rug.
I want to tell stories that make you glad I showed up. I want to tell stories that make you feel a little irritated with me. I want to tell stories that take you behind the scoreboard and stat book to get a true bead on what makes the Augusta-area/CSRA sports scene really tick.
I want us to tell those stories with a variety of methods and across a plethora of digital storytelling platforms. As passionate as you are about this area’s sports scene, you deserve them.
Stories that make you think. Stories that make you dig your heels further into the ground on your opinion about a thing. Stories that open up your mind to other perspectives that you may not have previously desired to entertain.
This community needs more of these stories. Consider it as my Christmas present to you. In fact, let me give you my local sports scene Christmas wish list, and let’s see how much of this stuff Sports Santa brings to us in the coming year.
1. About five more state basketball championships for the area to enjoy. Honestly, I’d settle for a Westside-Thomson Class AA state title game.
2. A deep playoff run for first-year Butler boys basketball coach Chaz Clark.
3. A Power 5 signing for Midland Valley running back Traevon Dunbar. Three thousand rushing yards in a single season, and still some have snubbed him for postseason accolades.
4. A return to the Class AAA state championship for Michaela Bogans and Cross Creek in Bogans’ senior season.
5. A spring sports revival in Richmond County.
6. A long-awaited state title for Thomson boys basketball coach Michael Thomas — one of the “goodest” good guys in the business, and one of my favorite coaches to cover.
7. A “next-level” mentality for area high school football. There’s too much talent over here on the east side of I-20 to treat football like an afterthought before basketball season.
8. Some state championship hardware and major postseason accolades for Thomson girls hoops coach Sierra Williams.
9. An undefeated season and repeat state championship for Harlem baseball. An 8-4 April loss to Morgan County was the only thing stopping an undefeated season last year.
10. A college football home for Laney’s Javaris “Boobie” Harris to reward him for staying the course in a tumultuous high school career.
11. At least one more state championship for legendary Laney girls basketball coach Otis Smart.
12. A healthy senior season and trip to Mercedes Benz Stadium in 2024 for Aquinas quarterback Jim Franklin.
And last but not least, a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all our Augusta Press readers. Thank you for your readership and “subscriber-ship.” May God’s best blessings be yours in this holiday season.
Gabriel Stovall is the sports editor at The Augusta Press. He can be reached at gabriel@theaugustapress.com. Follow his sports coverage on X @GabrielCStovall & @AugPressSports.
