Five Regions Directors Cup regulars were joined in the winner’s circle by first-time champions Alpharetta and Elbert County in the Georgia High School Association’s all-sports competition for the 2017-2018 school year.
Class AAAAAA Alpharetta won a state title in girls soccer and had 10 other teams place in the top eight to finish with 1,087 points, narrowly edging out Allatoona (1,069). They were followed by Johns Creek (1,058), Harrison (1,055) and defending champion Pope (1,040) in what was the closest race in any classification.
Elbert County of Class AA won its first all-sports championship on the strength of a state title in boys track and field and eight other top-eight finishes. The Blue Devils had 933 points, 42 more than second-place Vidalia. Defending champion Bleckley County was fourth with 832.
The Directors Cup competition awards points to each school based on its performances in the playoffs and state meets for the GHSA’s 25 sports. Each school’s eight highest-scoring sports for each gender are counted in the standings.
“We, and I mean ‘we,’ are really excited about winning the Directors Cup in AA,” said Sid Fritts, Elbert County’s athletics director and football coach. “It was the ultimate team accomplishment, from our youth leagues, middle school, booster club and community to a supportive faculty, administration (site and central office), coaches and athletes. It is a special time and place in the history of ECCHS athletics. Our athletes are to be commended for their commitment and tireless effort. … However, if there was one single person who was most responsible for our success, it would be Cristal Akin, our athletic coordinator. She does everything.”
Class AAA Westminster finished with a state-best 1,477 points and won its 18th Directors Cup in the 19-year history of the competition. The Wildcats won eight state titles (boys cross country, golf, soccer and swimming, and girls cross country, soccer, swimming and tennis), the most of any school in the state.
Marist won four state championships and held off Region 7-AAAA rival Blessed Trinity to win its 19th consecutive Directors Cup. Class AAAAAAA Lambert won its fourth consecutive all-sports trophy in the highest classification. Starr’s Mill won the Class AAAAA competition for the third time in four years, and Wesleyan successfully defended its championship in Class A and won its eighth Directors Cup. Gordon Lee, which finished in second place behind Wesleyan, was the top public-school program in Class A.
Regions Directors Cup
Final Standings
(Top 10 in each classification)
Class AAAAAAA
1. Lambert – 1,278
2. Milton – 1,147
3. South Forsyth – 1,119
4. Walton – 1,112
5. North Gwinnett – 1,089
6. Brookwood – 1,055
7. Mill Creek – 1,019
8. Hillgrove – 965
9. East Coweta – 924
10. Lassiter – 893
Class AAAAAA
1. Alpharetta – 1,087
2. Allatoona – 1,069
3. Johns Creek – 1,058
4. Harrison – 1,055
5. Pope – 1,040
6. Creekview – 995
7. Cambridge – 981
8. Richmond Hill – 897
9. Glynn Academy – 886
10. Alexander – 853
Class AAAAA
1. Starr’s Mill – 1,355
2. Buford – 1,274
3. Carrollton – 1,183
4. McIntosh – 1,165
5. Flowery Branch – 957
6. Veterans – 784
7. Whitewater – 771
8. Union Grove – 770
9. Chamblee – 744
10. Riverwood – 742
Class AAAA
1. Marist – 1,349
2. Blessed Trinity – 1,297
3. St. Pius – 1,237
4. Woodward Academy – 1,189
5. North Oconee – 1,136
6. Columbus – 988
7. Jefferson – 962
8. West Laurens – 787
9. Cartersville – 768
10. Northside-Columbus – 689
Class AAA
1. Westminster – 1,477
2. Lovett – 1,193
3. Calhoun – 1,149
4. Greater Atlanta Christian – 1,073
5. Pace Academy – 1,003
6. Pierce County – 942
7. North Hall – 923
8. Morgan County – 817
9. Bremen – 740
10. Pike County – 721
Class AA
1. Elbert County – 933
2. Vidalia – 891
3. Rockmart – 876
4. Bleckley County – 832
5. Dodge County – 787
6. Jeff Davis – 749
7. Banks County – 725
8. Rabun County – 717
9.. Armuchee – 705
10. Fitzgerald – 699
Class A
1. Wesleyan – 1,240
2. Gordon Lee – 1,051
3. Commerce – 985
4. Holy Innocents’ – 983
5. Athens Academy – 910
6. Brookstone – 888
7. Telfair County – 811
8. First Presbyterian – 809
9. Darlington – 756
10. Mount Paran Christian – 747
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