Corey Kafka

Wirt Gammon Sr. Award

Outstanding Achievement in girls' basketball

Corey Kafka

Ringgold High School, Senior

Why he won

When ace pitcher Matthew Crownover was lost for the season after undergoing elbow surgery in early March, Kafka not only stepped into the top pitcher's role, he thrived in it. Pitching all the team's tough games against stout Region 7-AAA competition, including a four-hit shutout at Cartersville, he won five regular-season games and added four in the playoffs in leading the Tigers to the championship series against Columbus. In addition, he batted .511 with six homers, 16 doubles and 37 RBIs and notched his name

"The award puts a nice cap on this past season, and meeting Eli [Manning] is just icing on the cake. To be singled out... among 28 counties and 70-something schools - it's a big deal to win it, and to be recognized as one of the best means a lot to me."