Callihan selected to pair of all-state honor rolls

  • Gilmer High sophomore Elly Callihan was selected to the Georgia Athletic Coaches Association’s Class 4A north all-state team and received an honorbale mention from the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
    Gilmer High sophomore Elly Callihan was selected to the Georgia Athletic Coaches Association’s Class 4A north all-state team and received an honorbale mention from the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

    Gilmer High School’s Elly Callihan landed on two all-state basketball teams.

    The sophomore post player was recognized by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution and the Georgia Athletic Coaches Association (GACA) at the conclusion of the 2019-2020 basketball season. 

    Callihan helped the Lady Cats return to the Class 4A state tournament where they advanced to the Sweet 16. 

    She was a force at both ends of the court and nearly averaged a double-double with 16.3 points and 9.4 rebounds per game. She also led GHS with 73 steals and 22 blocks.

    GACA all-state teams for each classification were divided between north and south. Callihan was the only sophomore selected to the Class 4A north squad. She was joined by fellow Region 6-4A players Mykenzie Weaver of Pickens and Northwest Whitfield’s Tionna Baker.

    Callihan and Baker both received an honorable mention from the Atlanta Journal-Constitution and were the only players recognized from Region 6-4A.

    GACA Class 4A north all-state team: Sr. Daija Powell of Sandy Creek (Player of the Year); (So.) Elly Callihan, Gilmer; (Sr.) Mykenzie Weaver, Pickens; (Sr.) Tionna Baker, Northwest Whitfield; (Jr.) Ashley Locke, Flowery Branch and (Jr.) Kayla McPherson, Madison County.

    Also, (Jr.) Dasha Cannon, White County; (Sr.) Amber Gilbert, Troup; (Sr.) Julia Peroni, Oconee County; (Sr.) Wylie Sheridan, St. Pius X; (Jr.) Jania Hodges, Sandy Creek; (Sr.) Tyler Brazle, Marist and (Jr.) Ranajah Verdell, Stephens County.

    The AJC’s player of the year was Madison County’s Kayla McPherson, and Americus-Sumter’s Sherri Harris was voted coach of the year.

    The AJC’s Class 4A all-state first team guards included (So.) Sydney Bowles of Woodward Academy,  (Sr.) Jelissa Reese of Americus-Sumter, (Jr.) Kayla McPherson of Madison County, as well as center (Sr.) Olivia Cochran of Carver-Columbus and forward (Sr.) Daija Powell of Sandy Creek.

    Second team guards were (Sr.) Keely Brown of Luella,  (Jr.) Jordyn Dorsey of Cross Creek, forwards  (Sr.) Corianna Evans of Spalding and (So.) Aniya Palmer of Troup and center (Jr.) Ashlee Locke of Flowery Branch.

    Honorable mentions: Elly Callihan, Gilmer; Tionna Baker, Northwest Whitfield; Tyler Brazle, Marist; Denver Bryant, Dougherty; Dasha Cannon, White County and Amber Gilbert, Troup.

    Also, Jania Hodges, Sandy Creek; Trinity Jones, Americus-Sumter; Ranajah Verdell, Stephens County and Sky Watters, McDonough.