The calendar just turned to 2023, and high school basketball is starting to heat up for the march to the postseason.
But January also alerts us that spring sports are about to heat up, even if the temperatures are unwilling to participate.
The Georgia High School Association calendar permits five spring sports to begin practice on Monday, Jan. 9: tennis, gymnastics, baseball and soccer, and track and field. Tennis and gymnastics start their regular season on Jan. 23, soccer kicks off on Jan. 30, and baseball and track and field begin on Feb. 6.
It will be a strong year for county teams on the soccer pitch. Top returning boys players include Northgate’s Corey Pennington, East Coweta Goalkeeper Deen Khot, Newnan’s senior combination of Victor Williams and Sam Willems, Trinity Christian’s Dylan DePriest and keeper Joshua Taylor and The Heritage School’s Miles “Baby” Lochore.
Last year, the Northgate boys jelled late in the season and used a 2-1 win over Harris County to gain entry to the state playoffs. From there, they won two postseason games to get to the final eight before falling to Blessed Trinity. The Heritage Hawks also earned a 2022 playoff win.
The Lady Vikings also improved throughout the year. They won the 2022 girls’ Coweta Cup and made it to the third round of the state playoffs The Trinity Christian and East Coweta girls also earned postseason victories.
The East Coweta Lady Indians will prepare for a memorable year with the lethal senior combination of Grace McGill and M.J. Pitt. Other top returning girls players include Lilyana Hernandez from Northgate, Reece Foles from Newnan, Trinity Christian’s Olivia Osse and Payton Ryan from the Heritage School.
The 2023 Coweta Cup will be held at East Coweta High School this year from Monday, March 27, through Wednesday, March 29. The East Coweta boys seek to win their third cup in a row, while the Northgate Lady Vikings seek to repeat.
Photos Newnan-Times Archive
The East Coweta Indians approach the 2023 season with one of the best in front of the net in Deen Khot.
Lilyana Hernandez (No. 14) and the Northgate Lady Vikings are ready to make another deep playoff run in 2023 and defend their Coweta Cup.
The East Coweta Lady Indians have two-elite level players in Grace McGill (No. 17) and M.J. Pitt (No.10).
The East Coweta Lady Indians have two-elite level players in Grace McGill (No. 17) and M.J. Pitt (No.10).
The Trinity Christian Lions have the luxury of an experienced goalkeeper in Joshua Taylor for the upcoming season.
