Cartersville football Team of the Year finalist at Atlanta Sports Awards
Although the Cartersville High School football lost out to the Atlanta Falcons as the Team of the Year at the Atlanta Sports Awards ceremony last Thursday night, coach Joey King’s Purple Hurricanes were one of only three finalists for the award along with the girls’ basketball team from McEachern High School.
The Canes' back-to-back, undefeated state championships in Georgia's Class 4A was edged out by the Super Bowl playoff run by Atlanta's NFL franchise.
The Atlanta Sports Council honored the area’s best athletes and teams Thursday at the 12th annual Atlanta Sports Awards held at The Rialto Center for the Arts on the campus of Georgia State University.
The gala-style event was emceed by 11Alive’s Jeff Hullinger. The evening included a private reception and silent auction followed by the awards show and post-event party.
The ceremony also featured appearances from several Atlanta favorites, including former Atlanta Falcon and college football star Warrick Dunn, professional golfer and Georgia Tech graduate, Roberto Castro, as well as celebrity presenter Ed Roland, front man of multi-platinum recording artist, and Atlanta-based, Collective Soul.
Team of the Year was not the only recognition for the Super Bowl qualifying Falcons. The defending NFC Champions also picked up awards for Coach of the Year (Dan Quinn), Professional Athlete of the Year (Matt Ryan), Sports Moment of the Year (Falcons’ NFC Championship Game win over Green Bay), and owner Arthur Blank — who also owns Atlanta United of MLS — was honored as the recipient of the 2017 Lifetime Achievement Award.
Georgia Bulldogs’ running back Nick Chubb was named Collegiate Athlete of the Year, Gabby Curry (Buford High School volleyball) received High School Athlete of the Year and the late Craig Sager was honored posthumously with the Community Spirit Award.
“We are proud to celebrate tonight’s winners who represent the best Atlanta sports has to offer on the high school, collegiate and professional levels,” said Dan Corso, president of the Atlanta Sports Council, in a release. “We were thrilled to honor Atlanta’s champions and championship moments.”
2017 Atlanta Sports Awards Finalists
Coach of the Year presented by The Home Depot- Awarded to an Atlanta high school, collegiate or professional coach whose dedication and commitment to coaching excellence is fostered in the lives of his/her athletes both on and off the field.
Phyllis Arthur, McEachern High School Girls’ Basketball
Mike Budenholzer, Atlanta Hawks
Dan Quinn, Atlanta Falcons
Collegiate Athlete of the Year presented by AT&T- Awarded to the Atlanta collegiate athlete who demonstrates superior physical ability in his/her sport.
Nick Chubb, University of Georgia Football
Keturah Orji, University of Georgia Track & Field
Olivia Smoliga, University of Georgia Swimming & Diving
High School Athlete of the Year presented by Mizuno- Awarded to the Atlanta prep athlete who demonstrates superior physical ability in his/her sport.
Wendall Carter, Jr., Pace Academy Boys’ Basketball
Gabby Curry, Buford High School Girls’ Volleyball
Xavier McKinney, Roswell High School Football
Professional Athlete of the Year presented by SunTrust Sports & Entertainment- Awarded to the Atlanta professional athlete who demonstrates superior physical ability in his/her sport.
Julio Jones, Atlanta Falcons
Paul Millsap, Atlanta Hawks
Matt Ryan, Atlanta Falcons
Team of the Year presented by PrimeSport- Awarded to an Atlanta high school, collegiate or professional team whose dedication and work ethic resulted in a consistently high level of achievement or a championship.
Atlanta Falcons
Cartersville High School Football
McEachern High School Girls’ Basketball
Moment of the Year presented by Mercedes-Benz USA- Awarded to 2017’s most memorable moment in sports.
Atlanta Falcons NFC Championship
Atlanta Braves last game at Turner Field
Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl Semifinal
PGA Tour Championship at East Lake Golf Club
