December 2019 Elite Athletes of the Month
Elite Stone Supply, in conjunction with WBHF and Bartow Sports Zone, presents the ELITE ATHLETES OF THE MONTH. Each month, local high schools are provided opportunity to name an Elite Athlete of the Month from their varsity programs and present the information on their honoree through Bartow Sports Zone and on 100.3FM and AM1450, WBHF in Cartersville.
Recipients for December 2019: Sam Phillips - Cartersville HS
Harper Powell - Adairsville HS
Jordan Thompson - Woodland HS
Londaisha Smith - Cass HS
Rayshawn Womack - Excel Christian Academy
The December Elite Athlete of the Month representing Cartersville High School is Sam Phillips. A junior wide receiver and defensive cornerback for the Hurricanes’ football team, Phillips finished the 2019 season with 52 receptions for 670 yards and eight touchdowns. The son of Derrick and Melissa Phillips, Sam carries an academic GPA of 3.6. “Sam is an outstanding student-athlete and a great leader in our football program,” said Canes’ head football coach Conor Foster. “He was our second leading receiver and led our team to a quarterfinal appearance.”
The Adairsville High School Elite Athlete of the Month for December 2019 is Harper Powell. A junior on the Tigers’ swim team, Powell was the first to qualify for the GHSA State Championship Meet in an individual event this season. She swims the breaststroke leg on the girls medley relay team and is the anchor on the Lady Tigers’ 200 and 400 yard freestyle relay teams. “Harper is deliberate and unrelenting in her approach to the sport,” said Adairsville swim coach Shawn Williams. “She is not satisfied with her success and often requests feedback in hopes of improving her performance.” With plans to major in engineering in college, Powell is a 4.0 GPA student in Honors and A.P. classes. She is also dual enrolled with Georgia Highlands College. She is the daughter of Angela and Shawn Powell.
The Cass High School December Elite Athlete of the Month is Londaisha Smith. A current junior, Smith has been a varsity player for the Cass girls basketbll team since her freshman year. The daughter of Chrystal Darden and London Smith, Londaisha is one of the team’s captains. Through the Colonels’ first ten games, Smith is averaging almost 17 points, six steals, nine rebounds, and three assists per game. “Londaisha has a passion and joy for the game,” noted Cass girls head coach Burt Jackson. “She is a positive role model for the younger players through constant encouragement. It is an honor and blessing to have her on the team.”
Jordan Thompson is the December Elite Athlete of the Month for Woodland High School.
The daughter of Amanda Bridgers, Thompson is a junior guard on the Lady Cats basketball team.
“Jordan is our most complete player,” said Woodland head coach Kyle Morgan. “She is our primary ball handler and our best shooter. She is a selfless player who is willing to do whatever is necessary to give her team a chance to win — whether that be taking a charge, getting on the floor, or passing the ball to open teammates.”
A two-year starter at point guard for the Lady Cats, Thompson is a Scholar Athlete Award winner carrying a 3.24 GPA.
“Jordan is well liked and respected by both her peers and teachers at WHS,” Morgan continued. “I look forward to watching her continue to grow and mature — both as a young lady and a basketball player over the next two years. Her best basketball is still ahead of her.”
Thompson plans to attend college and is seeking an opportunity to continue her playing career at the next level.
Rayshawn Womack represents Excel Christian Academy as a December Elite Athlete of the Month. A senior swingman for the Eagles’ basketball team, Womack is averaging 24 points, seven rebounds, four assists, and two blocked shots per game. “Rayshawn is one of the most dynamic leaders we’ve had in our program,” stated ECA head coach Shannon Boatfield. “He’s charismatic and intelligent with a servant’s heart.” Womack, the son of Lita Loveless, would like to earn a basketball scholarship and major in business management. He has a 2.9 GPA and has improved his academic numbers dramatically since arriving at Excel his sophomore year. “Rayshawn has more leadership ability in his pinky than most people do in their entire body,” Boatfield continued. “As he continues to harness his potential, he has seen his performance on and off the court be enhanced. He’s a character kid that is going to make some program at the collegiate level very proud.”
Editors Note: Photos and bios are supplied to Bartow Sports Zone and WBHF by the respective schools and their athletic departments. Elite Stone Supply Co., LLC is the monthly sponsor. Athletes receive a plaque along with recognition during a radio feature on WBHF.
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