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NOTEBOOK: Former South Effingham standouts gain all-conference nods
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By Donald Heath

Special for the Effingham Herald

SAVANNAH — Former South Effingham star Connor Vasher, now an offensive lineman at Savannah State University, captured first-team All-Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference football honors in a recent voting of league coaches and sports information directors.

Vasher, a 6-foot-3, 285-pound senior, anchored a line that helped the Tigers rush for 217.2 yards a game — second in the SIAC.

Makenly Newbill, another former SEHS star, earned second-team league honors as a defensive lineman.

Newbill registered nine tackles for losses, four sacks and five quarterback hurries. He was the league’s Defensive Player of the Week on Oct. 18 after collecting three tackles for losses and a sack against Clark Atlanta.



COLLEGE SOCCER


Ex-Rebel Martinez claims soccer honor


Former Effingham County girls soccer star Sydney Martinez, now at the University of South Florida, was named to the United Soccer Coaches’ All-South Region third team Nov. 30.

The goalie registered eight shutouts and posted an 0.74 goals-against average while leading South Florida to a 12-4-3 final record. The Bulls entered the NCAA Division I tournament ranked 22nd in the country before losing to North Carolina State.

She earned second-team All-American Athletic Conference in a voting of league coaches.



WRESTLING


ECHS, SEHS continue to notch wins


Effingham County and South Effingham saw action last week in different locations. On Dec. 1, ECHS beat Emanuel County Institute 78-6 and Screven County 48-36 in a three-team match in Sylvania.

South went 3-0 in a four-team match at New Hampstead, defeating Savannah High 84-0, New Hampstead 72-6 and Islands 77-6.

On Friday and Saturday, the Rebels placed sixth in the Gold Division of the Yellow Jacket Duals at Jeff Davis High School.

ECHS was 4-1 in its pool, defeating Valdosta B 48-30, East Laurens 42-34, Trinity Christian 57-24 and Bacon County 72-6 before falling to Ware County 48-24.

The next day, the Rebels beat Toombs 51-18 in the first round before losing to Vidalia 45-36 and Screven.



FLAG FOOTBALL


ECHS falls to St. Anne-Pacelli in state tournament


Effingham County’s flag football season came to an end with a 27-0 loss to St. Anne-Pacelli on Nov. 30 in the first round of the GHSA Division 1 state tournament.

The Rebels, playing the sport for only their second year, finished with a 4-7 record.