Episode 4
Two Schools, Three State Championships
This episode of the Cobb Sports Podcast goes on the road to Lassiter and Wheeler High Schools to meet with the winter sports team state champions from Cobb Schools.
Both the Boys and Girls Swim Team from Lassiter won the state title this year: the first for the boys and the seventh consecutive for the girls! Ashlyn Loftin, Alex O'Brien, and Coach Brittany Hughes join the conversation to discuss their amazing season and success in the pool.
The Wheeler Boys Basketball team recently won their 11th school state title, and the fifth in seven years under Coach Larry Thompson. Along with AD Barry Bowdre, the Wildcat starting five join the podcast to celebrate their championship and their team.
Key takeaways:
• The Cobb County School District stands as one of the largest educational districts in the nation, highlighting its significance in the realm of athletics.
• The Lassiter High School swim team has achieved remarkable success, with the girls securing their seventh consecutive state championship title this year.
• The importance of nutritional intake for competitive athletes was emphasized, particularly regarding the role of carbohydrates in enhancing performance during races.
• The camaraderie and leadership among the swim team members were pivotal in cultivating a culture of excellence and motivation throughout the season.
• This year marked a historic achievement for the boys' swim team, as they clinched their first state championship title in the history of the school.
• Individual dedication and teamwork among the swimmers were essential components that contributed to their overall success and championship victories.
Transcript
Cobb County School District is one of the largest districts in the country.
Speaker B:With.
Speaker A:Over 16 competing high schools and a deep pool of talent in every sport.
Speaker A:This is the Cobb Sports Podcast.
Speaker A:Let's dig in.
Speaker A:Welcome to the Cobb Sports Podcast.
Speaker A:I'm here with Brad McBrayer and we are on location at Lassiter High School.
Speaker A:In fact, we are in the back conference room of the counseling office here at the school and we're talking with a couple, three actually special guests.
Speaker A:And Brad, why are we in the counseling?
Speaker C:Well, we are not having a counseling session ourselves, but coach Brittany Hughes here at Lasseter High School is also a school counselor and an award winning office for that matter.
Speaker C:And so we're talking with Coach Hughes and then two of her state champion swimmers, Ashlyn Lofton and Alex o'.
Speaker C:Brien.
Speaker A:This is school lunch nutrition month.
Speaker A:You both are high level athletes and you.
Speaker A:And food is a big part of that.
Speaker A:So what's your favorite school lunch?
Speaker C:This is Ashlyn Lofton and she was first.
Speaker C:Tell us what state champion, individual state.
Speaker D:Championship, the 100 breaststroke two years in a row.
Speaker C:Okay, what nutrition wise goes into your regimen and how does this school lunches help?
Speaker D:Well, my favorite school lunch has to be the nachos.
Speaker D:110%, But anything that's like carb loading.
Speaker D:So the pasta, the nachos and I really enjoy rice, which they also offer here at Laster.
Speaker D:So.
Speaker C:And we also have Alex o' Brien with us, who's a senior swimmer as well.
Speaker C:And tell us first off, the events that you swam in this year.
Speaker E:Hi.
Speaker E:I swam the Hunter fly, Hunter backstroke, and then the 400 free relay, which we won.
Speaker E:And then the 200 medley relay, we got second in.
Speaker C:Okay, and now same question, nutrition wise, how does the Lassiter cafeteria really do it for you?
Speaker E:You know, it's not typical to eat protein before meats, but I love the chicken tenders and fries.
Speaker E:And then the fries give some good carbs.
Speaker E:But yeah, I really like to carb load, eat a lot of pasta before.
Speaker E:And Lassiter, they provide really good nutrition for all the students, so it's really good.
Speaker A:Why is it not recommended to eat protein?
Speaker E:It's normally recommended afterwards to just like replenish your body and muscles.
Speaker E:But before you want to just get some like quick energy.
Speaker E:So you want like pasta and stuff.
Speaker E:And then like after your races you'll carb load some more with like, like granola bars and stuff like that.
Speaker A:Okay.
Speaker A:All right, well, there's some, there's some health tips as well, Greg.
Speaker A:So Coach Hughes, this is Your seventh.
Speaker A:That's the number seven.
Speaker A:Followed by th.
Speaker A:Seventh state championship in a row.
Speaker A:How is that possible?
Speaker F:I don't know.
Speaker F:Honestly, it's amazing.
Speaker F:And it's all about.
Speaker F:So it's this girl, seventh in a row.
Speaker F:So I think that that's huge.
Speaker F:And it's crazy to think about because the girls who won the first state championship are graduating college, potentially.
Speaker F:Yeah.
Speaker F:Graduating college.
Speaker F:So it's obviously not the same group of kids, but I think that what makes it possible is kind of like the tradition and the family aspect of the team and how everyone, you know, they.
Speaker F:They have these high expectations for themselves and they, the seniors, all the way down to the freshmen, like, they do a great job of kind of like instilling that in them and keeping them motivated and kind of helping them follow the tradition.
Speaker A:Okay, so this is the boys first state championship.
Speaker A:Is that ever.
Speaker F:First ever in school history, yes.
Speaker A:Okay, so what.
Speaker A:What was unique about this year's team?
Speaker F:Honestly, I think like, the senior leadership and their commitment to the team and kind of like.
Speaker F:Like what I said for the girls, just the fact that they really believe in themselves, and the upperclassmen did such a great job of, like, reaching out to the younger swimmers and divers and really, like, making them know that they're capable.
Speaker F:And I think that the boys came close, like the last two years, and I think they felt like some people probably didn't think that they could do it or had doubt, but they, like, never let that get in their head and like, they had that confidence, and I think that that's.
Speaker F:That's really what motivated them all the way through.
Speaker A:Okay, so seven in a row and first one for the boys.
Speaker A:Expectations are going to be high, obviously, because that's going to be.
Speaker A:Now be expected to be a lassiter of tradition.
Speaker F:Correct.
Speaker A:So how do you.
Speaker A:How do you approach each new season, then, with that, knowing that you're.
Speaker A:You're the defending state champion?
Speaker F:I think obviously that's always the end goal, is to be the state champions at the end.
Speaker F:But I think, like, starting out this season, certainly, like, if we were sitting here with all the captains, I think they would all have said, like, that was their goal at the end of the season.
Speaker F:But I think they know that the season's long.
Speaker F:You know, it starts in October.
Speaker F:State isn't until February, so everything matters, especially, like, their training in the beginning of the season, in the middle of the season.
Speaker F:I think a lot of the kids at swim club that, like, winter holiday season is like a really intense training time for them.
Speaker F:So they like trust the process and know what they're supposed to do, training wise, nutrition wise, you know, to make sure that they're in the best shape when county and state rolls around.
Speaker F:So they're looking at it like long term and set little mini goals as they go.
Speaker A:Okay, so I'm gonna, I'm turn it over to Brad now.
Speaker A:But my, my question for you two is, she mentioned it.
Speaker A:Swimming is a long, it's a four month long season and it goes over Christmas and New Year's and Thanksgiving and how do you, how do you keep focused during those, those types of, those types of months?
Speaker D:For me, since I did win my hundred breasts last year, it was definitely a goal this year.
Speaker D:So I never, I never really let it out of my eyesight.
Speaker D:It was constantly like, I know I need to work through it, I know I need to not give up now.
Speaker D:And obviously you can have fun with your family and your friends during these times, but obviously staying focused on your sport is super important.
Speaker D:And as a swimmer you kind of already have this mindset of, you know, you can't stop really.
Speaker D:It's just constant training and that's just kind of how it is.
Speaker A:Are you a year round swimmer?
Speaker D:Yes, I am.
Speaker F:Yeah.
Speaker D:So it never really stops ever.
Speaker C:So yeah, she's actually going to ECU to continue swimming after this.
Speaker C:So Alex, for you, like same thing.
Speaker C:You know, it's four month school season, but it's a year round sport.
Speaker C:So on top of that you guys are also chasing the expectations that the girls have set from year to year too.
Speaker C:So how is it for you guys?
Speaker E:You know, it's like winning state, it meant everything to us.
Speaker E:We wanted it so bad for years now and like we saw the girls do it again and again.
Speaker E:And coach Hughes, she like never stopped believing in us.
Speaker E:She liked although the girls would win, she like knew we were capable of doing it too.
Speaker E:And we just, we didn't.
Speaker E:We had one new freshman this year who was on the state team, but everyone else on the team, they just improved significantly.
Speaker E:And you know, everyone just worked so hard this year and everyone ended up scoring points at state and everyone made finals.
Speaker E:So it was truly a team effort.
Speaker E:And I couldn't be more proud to be the captain of this team because it was truly special to me.
Speaker C:Yeah, just looking at the all state team, there were several boys and girls on both all state teams for swimming this year and you mentioned that leadership was a big part of that.
Speaker C:Well, you got two seniors here that are graduating, kind of give us what the next phase of leadership looks like for your program.
Speaker F:I think that's, like, probably one of the coolest things about the team is, you know, most of the people that are on our state team swim club, like, right?
Speaker F:So they're swimming year round.
Speaker F:But I think that Lassiter is special in that, like, they swim on two different clubs, Ashlyn and Alex.
Speaker F:But there's probably four to five different clubs within our team.
Speaker F:But when they come together as a high school team, they are like a high school team.
Speaker F:And I think every year, I would say, I mean, not everyone can be a captain, right?
Speaker F:But so many of them want to be a captain.
Speaker F:Like, that seems to always be the goal.
Speaker F:Like, from freshman on, they think about, like, oh, and I'm captain.
Speaker F:Oh, you know?
Speaker F:So I think that this year's junior class is already thinking, like, okay, what am I gonna do to, like, be a captain?
Speaker F:And how am I gonna continue this legacy?
Speaker F:So it kind of just.
Speaker F:I think because of the way our program has been built and the goals that we set and the leadership that moves on, everyone just kind of, like, falls into place and steps up and wants to be that.
Speaker C:So we're at the end of this school year.
Speaker C:Are you already sort of identifying who your maybe next year senior leaders are?
Speaker F:A little bit, yeah.
Speaker F:I mean, I think that we think about it at the end of the season.
Speaker F:We make the selections right before the season starts.
Speaker F:So we kind of let everyone kind of have a break, and then we have some interest, and we have the team helps, like, vote.
Speaker F:So we want someone who obviously the coaches believe in and want to do really well, but, like, the.
Speaker F:The team respects as well.
Speaker F:So it's kind of a big decision right before the season starts.
Speaker C:You graduating seniors, do you have.
Speaker C:I don't want names, but do y' all have people in mind that you think are going to be good leaders next year?
Speaker D:Oh, yeah, definitely.
Speaker D:And I also see that some of the younger kids learn from the seniors this year, which that's also what I did.
Speaker D:I had amazing leadership people who were in front of me, and I learned from them, and I just, like, it inspired me to be a good captain.
Speaker D:So being a captain on this team, like, it's not embarrassing.
Speaker D:I know that some people are like, oh, being a leader, being standing in front of an entire team doing a cheer, that's, like, you know, embarrassing to do.
Speaker D:But for last year, we take pride in it, and it's something that we love to do.
Speaker D:And I see a lot of juniors and even sophomores who are already Ready to, you know, take that leadership.
Speaker D:So it's, it's really cool.
Speaker C:So Alex, when I did an article on coach Hughes a month or so ago, one of the things I remember her telling me is how important the boys leaders were.
Speaker C:And you said you were a captain.
Speaker C:Kind of what went into that, being the captain for this team?
Speaker E:Well, so I have two older brothers, so they've been like huge inspirations to my life and role models.
Speaker E:And I kind of just wanted to be like that leader and someone else, like how they were for me.
Speaker E:So I really just try to push them, motivate them.
Speaker E:You know, in swimming, it's an individual sport, like you're swimming the races by yourself.
Speaker E:But I really try to tell them that we're here with you.
Speaker E:You know, we're behind the blocks with them.
Speaker E:Like, we really want to support them and help them achieve like their goals and get those best times.
Speaker E:So.
Speaker A:So just to bring things, make things a little lighter here.
Speaker A:Have you ever fallen off the block?
Speaker A:Have you ever lost your balance on.
Speaker D:The block at practice?
Speaker D:There was one time, never in a meet, but at practice.
Speaker D:One time we were doing starts and I accidentally did a front flip.
Speaker F:The block.
Speaker E:At Regents.
Speaker E:I think I full started, but I don't think they counted it.
Speaker E:I just kind of slipped off the block a little bit.
Speaker E:But actually one of the practices for my year round team got canceled.
Speaker E:So I went to go practice with coach Hughes and I like flipped like way too late, like during my flip turn and like the top of my or like the back of my heel got like cut so bad.
Speaker E:It was like bleeding everywhere.
Speaker E:And then I ended up reopening it too this season because it happened again.
Speaker E:So that was like a big obstacle I had to overcome this season.
Speaker E:But we pushed past it.
Speaker F:It's kind of funny, but.
Speaker E:Yeah, yeah, it was funny.
Speaker C:Yeah.
Speaker C:We went from light hearted to blood.
Speaker A:Alex, I was trying to keep this.
Speaker A:We have only blood in the pool.
Speaker F:Until he like reheard it and then he had to like take a meat off and we were like, oh no.
Speaker F:Like take care of yourself.
Speaker F:But he bounced back.
Speaker E:Yeah.
Speaker A:Alex has already told us about, about his, his older brother.
Speaker A:You have a couple of siblings, is that right?
Speaker A:Okay.
Speaker D:I have a older brother and a younger brother on this team.
Speaker D:My older brother, he's graduated and he's at University of North Carolina Chapel Hill now diving and his name's Carter.
Speaker D:And he was a super influential like diver for this team.
Speaker D:He inspired the dive team to kind a little bit.
Speaker D:And also as a captain and my Younger brother came in as a freshman this year.
Speaker D:He made the state team and got second.
Speaker D:He did amazing.
Speaker D:And he's trying to continue my brother's legacy.
Speaker D:And he's actually broken, I think, two of his records now.
Speaker D:So he's just breaking his brother's records and he's rubbing it in his face.
Speaker D:And I love having.
Speaker D:I was a freshman when my older brother was a senior, and now I'm a senior, my younger brother's a freshman, and I just.
Speaker D:I love having them on the team with me.
Speaker D:It was.
Speaker D:It's incredible having just a family together.
Speaker C:So, yeah, so we have a Lassiter dynasty, and apparently we have a Lofton dynasty.
Speaker A:I was going to say competition is a family tradition.
Speaker D:It really is.
Speaker D:We are a very competitive and very athletic family, and we take a lot of pride in that.
Speaker A:Is there anything that I haven't asked you, Coach, or either of you as the representatives of your teams that we haven't addressed yet or that you would like to add to this addition of the Cobb's Force podcast?
Speaker E:I just think I love my school, and bringing home a state championship meant everything to, you know, me and my family, because I'm the last o'.
Speaker E:Brien.
Speaker E:So being able to win for the first time ever my senior year, and then, like, when my brothers came close, and then Adam, my older brother, he won state individually in the 100 butterfly, so it felt really good to finally bring it home.
Speaker E:You know, Dr. Richie, our principal, he sets the bar high at Lassiter, but, you know, the school is nothing short of greatness.
Speaker E:We have, like, the best staff, best coaches, and we're a bunch of winners at Lassiter.
Speaker D:So people don't understand how much pride I have in this team and this school.
Speaker D:You know, I staff the learning process you have here, the sports, the athletics.
Speaker D:I just.
Speaker D:I take so much pride in it, and I honestly can't put any words to it.
Speaker D:So, yeah, it's very exciting, and I'm very, very happy to spend my four years here, so.
Speaker A:All right, last word for you, Coach.
Speaker F:Go Trojans.
Speaker D:Go Trojans.
Speaker A:All right, thank you all.
Speaker A:We are in the Wheeler cafeteria with the state champions basketball team from.
Speaker A:From Wheeler, the Wheeler Wildcats.
Speaker A:Back to back state champions.
Speaker A:I'm sitting here with the entire starting five plus plus Coach Thompson.
Speaker A:And with it being school nutrition month, we want to ask each one.
Speaker A:So tell me your name and then.
Speaker A:And then tell me what your.
Speaker A:What your favorite game, game day meal is from.
Speaker A:From the school cafeteria.
Speaker G:Amari James.
Speaker G:And I like the chicken and rice.
Speaker G:My name is Colba Landry.
Speaker G:And my favorite game time meal is chicken and rice.
Speaker A:Okay.
Speaker G:My name is lamarion Lewis and my favorite game time meal is the pizza Jaron Salisbury.
Speaker G:My favorite meal is chicken and rice.
Speaker A:Okay.
Speaker G:I'm Kevin Savage III and my favorite game is chicken and rice.
Speaker A:All right, so obviously those, those, those meals went a long way this year with, with you guys being repeat back to back.
Speaker A:How many was your, were you on the team last year?
Speaker A:All five, four of you.
Speaker A:Okay, so back to back state champions.
Speaker A:What, what is that?
Speaker A:Well, first of all, let's ask coach, what, what does that mean to you as back to back state champion for the second time?
Speaker H:Basically means you got guys that have bought into a system and that are, that have put their own individual goals to the side and come together for a common cause.
Speaker H:Looking at five guys here that have dedicated their life to the game of basketball, their short lives to the game of basketball and being good at their craft, all five guys are going to further their athletic careers outside of high school and it means something to them.
Speaker H:So to be crowned back to back state champion just means you got a collection of guys that really care about getting better and playing for a coming cause.
Speaker A:How was this year's team different than last year's?
Speaker H:Each team is different.
Speaker H:I think the team, this team here, similar to last year's team, they're really close, but I think the thing that makes them different is they did it their way.
Speaker H:When I say did it their way.
Speaker H:We weren't a traditional team.
Speaker H:We played five guards a lot and didn't have a unique interior presence.
Speaker H:So these guys had to play out of position at times.
Speaker H:They had to do things they normally wouldn't do for this team to be good.
Speaker H:So I think this team here, I like to describe them as unique because they did things that they normally wouldn't do in order for this team to be successful.
Speaker G:Like coach Thompson said, like it was kind of some similarities, but I feel like over the course of the years we built chemistry.
Speaker G:I mean, we was all tight with each other.
Speaker G:I mean last year was all tight, but I just feel like this year I feel like we just trust each other more.
Speaker G:I mean like whoever got the ball was able to make a play.
Speaker G:So I feel like just trusting each other and just having a good chemistry and just bond.
Speaker G:I feel like that just made us better.
Speaker C:So a part of this year is that all five of you guys from the starting team made all state as well.
Speaker C:I mean, that's an incredible accomplishment.
Speaker C:Tell us about just a little Bit what that means to you?
Speaker C:Lamarion about what that means, that it wasn't just one star.
Speaker C:Like, all five of you were stars of this team.
Speaker G:It means a lot because we all.
Speaker G:We all play kind of the same position, but also different.
Speaker G:So for us to all showcase that we can do this together as a team, it says a lot.
Speaker C:And then on top of that, Coach Thompson was the coach of the year for the state, and Colbin Landrieu here was player of the year for the state.
Speaker C:Coleman, talk just a little bit about that, about what it means that out of all the state of Georgia, which is some of the strongest basketball in the nation, and you had a team of stars where all five of you made all state, your player of the year for the state.
Speaker C:Talk about what that means to you.
Speaker G:Kind of feels good just knowing I got player of the year, but without my brothers, it wouldn't ever happen.
Speaker G:Because I feel like every day in practice, they push me hard.
Speaker G:Whenever I'm, like, kind of like not going full speed or like, not going as hard as I can practice, they leave me and tell me, like, keep going, stuff like that.
Speaker G:So I feel like them pushing me every day made me better as a person and on the court.
Speaker G:So I feel like it was a team thing.
Speaker A:Colbin, you still got the mic.
Speaker A:Tell me where you're headed to next.
Speaker G:I'm going to UConn.
Speaker A:Okay.
Speaker G:Amari, I'm going to Clemson.
Speaker G:Kevin, I'm undecided yet.
Speaker C:Jaron, Ole Miss.
Speaker A:Undecided.
Speaker A:Okay.
Speaker A:And, Coach, what is.
Speaker A:What is the.
Speaker A:What does the complexion of the team look like for next year?
Speaker A:I know it's early to ask, but what do you.
Speaker A:What are you looking forward to for next year?
Speaker H:Every turn, like I said, is unique in itself.
Speaker H:When you're looking at, you know, four guys that are going to play in college basketball, with exception of Kevin, because he's a junior, will look different.
Speaker H:It's a lot of talent, a lot of offense, a lot of defense, a lot of leadership that's going out the door.
Speaker H:So it's on Kevin to rally the guys that are underclassmen and to help us put the pieces together when we come back in June, start summer workout.
Speaker H:So don't know the straight complex of what this team's gonna look like right now, but I do know we got a collection of guys that's returning, guys that's got some experience, guys that's gonna have a chip on the shoulder and understand what it takes to climb the mountaintop.
Speaker H:So we're looking forward to it, we just, you know, gonna take it day by day.
Speaker H:And when the summertime, you know, get here in June, get here, reconvene again, we'll start putting the pieces together for another season.
Speaker C:All right, I think now we can release these guys, actually get some of their favorite cafeteria food and maybe we'll talk a little more with AD Barry Valdry.
Speaker A:Yep.
Speaker A:So again, congratulations on a 25, 26 state championship.
Speaker A:And now go get some lunch.
Speaker C:So now we're sitting here with AD Barry Bodri and it's been an incredible year.
Speaker C:Just talk a bit about what it means as the AD to sit through another state championship.
Speaker B:I'm very fortunate just to be in a position where I'm in a program that thrives on competition every single day.
Speaker B:I see that in these guys, not only at practice, but obviously in games.
Speaker B:You know, Kevin earlier talked about the chemistry of the team and you can see it live every day when they're practicing.
Speaker B:Everyone is on the same page.
Speaker B:There's very few times when they're not.
Speaker B:So ultimately, being on the same page helps in any sport.
Speaker B:But especially with the guys on our team here, they truly did something special winning it back to back.
Speaker B:And ultimately that's what it came down to.
Speaker B:So from my end, it's exciting to see where the program is.
Speaker B:And every time these guys win something, the expectation is that they go on to the next level and do great.
Speaker B:And as you can see, they are doing just that.
Speaker B:So for me, I'm so proud of them and honored to serve in this position where I'm able to support Coach Thompson and his vision for the program.
Speaker B:Anything that he's asking that I take care of from my standpoint that I can support, I'm doing it immediately.
Speaker B:Because, you know, you don't get the opportunity to have a greater coach as he is all the time.
Speaker B:And so for me, I am again fortunate to be where I am.
Speaker B:But kudos to the guys for just continuously putting in the work and for Coach Thompson and his staff on a day to day basis, putting in the time necessary to be champions.
Speaker C:You spoke earlier about how the expectation is to see and the hope is to see these guys go on to bigger and better things.
Speaker C:And Wheeler's been a hotbed for that, especially in basketball.
Speaker C:And one of the things, you know, done this year as you've started recognizing some of those past stars of Wheeler and retiring numbers, talk about just what, as your, as a second year ad, why that was important for you to start recognizing those guys and start retiring.
Speaker B:Some of the numbers, simply put, it was well overdue for those guys.
Speaker B:The two that we honored this year were Jaylen Brown.
Speaker B:Obviously, you know, his name does not need any further explanation of what he's been able to accomplish since he's gotten in the league.
Speaker B:Not only on the league, but the things that he does off the court in his community is great.
Speaker B:And obviously Isaiah Collier, he's probably the most decorated Wheeler player that has left this school.
Speaker B:And that is by way of every kind of award that he could receive at the high school level.
Speaker B:Obviously a first round pick just like Jalen was and is killing the game with assists with the Utah Jazz has broken John Stockton's records that he has had with the Jazz for a long time.
Speaker B:So being able to retire those two guys jersey again, it was well overdue.
Speaker B:But for me, I'm fortunate again to just be able to bring that to the school because the school itself deserves a piece of that.
Speaker B:Just knowing that that's where they were for a while.
Speaker B:So it was a blessing for sure.
Speaker C:And just as a tease, there may be more to come in that area, right?
Speaker B:There will be no tease, I would tell you right now.
Speaker B:There will certainly be more to come.
Speaker B:And you know, I'm going to pull this one back from the 90s.
Speaker B:Okay.
Speaker B:That's going to be a hint, hint 90s player.
Speaker B:Okay.
Speaker A:Also to pull back a little bit back to the Final Four, we had four Cobb teams in, in, in the Final Four, obviously.
Speaker A:Obviously Wheeler beat McEachern in the final four, Pebblebrook beat Hillgrove, and then it was.
Speaker A:And then Wheeler beat, beat Pellbrook in the finals.
Speaker A:But what does that, what does that say about the level of competition of 6A basketball in Cobb?
Speaker B:Yeah, I've seen on social media where people debate Cobb county versus other counties in the metro area across the state.
Speaker B:I think we, we made a statement as a district on the level of competition that we have right here in Cobb County.
Speaker B:No other county, I believe, can say that I've looked.
Speaker B:I don't see where it has happened before where four teams from the same county represented the Final Four.
Speaker B:But again, that just speaks to not only our school district and its entirety of the support that they give to our students and our student athletes.
Speaker B:But more importantly, you have great coaches that want to be a part of Cobb county schools and be a part of being able to take those kids in Cobb county, elevate their game and obviously take them to where they wanted to go.
Speaker B:So, you know, kudos just to our district for the continued support our student athletes, but more importantly, just to the coaches who put in day work, day in and day out on a consistent basis.
Speaker B:That would be all four programs.
Speaker B:Pepperbrook, McEachern, Hillgrove, and obviously ourselves.
Speaker B:So shout out to those coaches for the continued work, and I appreciate the work that they do.
Speaker A:All right.
Speaker A:So, AD Boudre, is there anything that I haven't asked you that you want to make sure you add on this episode of the Cobb Sports Podcast?
Speaker B:No, just continue to come out and just support our student athletes.
Speaker B:I've recently begun this year a Wheeler High School series called Wildcat Walks that's on our Instagram and I post it to my X account as well.
Speaker B:And it's just an opportunity for me to highlight our athletes at Wheeler High School on more than just what they bring to the court, more than just what they bring to the field.
Speaker B:I want to.
Speaker B:In these series, I'm wanting to highlight their GPA and highlight how they become 1% better every day.
Speaker B:That is a mantra that I've taken from the county athletic director, Don Baker and have continued to.
Speaker B:To try to express how well at high school athletes become 1% better every day.
Speaker B:Because at the end of the day, not only myself, but our coaches, our staff, our athletes, that should be ultimate goal to get become better every day.
Speaker B:And so they do that.
Speaker B:And I think the least that I could do in my position that I have right now is to highlight that.
Speaker B:And so I'm spreading the wealth across every sport that I can to make sure all of our students get the recognition that they deserve because I'm so proud of them and I'm so proud to be their ad.
Speaker A:And it's leadership like that make Cobb Sports so such an.
Speaker A:Except exceptional and elite in.
Speaker A:In so many areas.
Speaker A:Not just in basketball, but, but.
Speaker A:But in basically every sport.
Speaker A:In fact, if you talk to Don Baker, he goes, he says, pick the sport and I'll show you.
Speaker A:I'll show you the athlete that that is.
Speaker A:That is exceptional in Cobb.
Speaker A:Yep.
Speaker A:So thank you for your leadership.
Speaker A:Thank you for.
Speaker A:For doing what you do here at.
Speaker A:At Wheeler, and thank you, listener, for listening to the Cobb Sports Podcast.
Speaker A:And we will be.
