Hyams gave Eagles edge
Levi Hyams: baseball player of the year
Date published: 6/20/2008
BY STEVE FRANZELLO
By the time Levi Hyams started his senior year at Colonial Forge High School last fall, he had already lived in North Carolina, Japan, Florida, California (twice) and Virginia.
As the son of a U.S. Marine, the talented shortstop for the Eagles baseball team was used to coping with changes and adapting to new friends and teammates.
But this year was not the same. His new school presented a much different environment for Hyams, who had attended only private schools. He spent his previous three years at Santa Fe Christian School in Oceanside, Calif.
While there, he helped the school's baseball team to a 26-6 record as a junior and was named player of the year. His performance impressed the University of Georgia enough that it offered him a partial scholarship.
Hyams' arrival at Colonial Forge was a big deal, then, considering that he had just left a school of fewer than 800 students for one with an enrollment of more than 1,800.
But as he had done many times before, the hard-working son of Mike and Anne Hyams made the fit a good one--both in the classroom and on the baseball diamond.
After an early adjustment period to life in a large public school system, he made the transition and became well-liked by his teachers and his peers, compiling a solid 3.6 grade-point average.
On the field, his steady play and quiet leadership helped propel the Eagles to the state championship game. Hyams was rewarded for his contribution with a berth on the all-Group AAA second team.
In a year that produced other area players with better numbers statistically, Hyams stood out for the major role he played in Colonial Forge's finest season, and is The Free Lance-Star's Player of the Year.
"He was able to overcome a lot of pressure and put together a great season," Eagles coach Shawn Szakelyhidi said. "Levi's personality is infectious. He's got a great approach to the game, but also to practice and life."
Hyams anchored a near-flawless middle infield along with all-state second baseman Jason Kittell. The Eagles won 20 games and the Commonwealth District and Northwest Region titles.
1. Hit .408 with 28 RBIs and a team-best eight home runs.
2. Helped lead Colonial Forge to the first-ever state tournament appearance by a Stafford County high school.
3. Received a partial baseball scholarship to the University of Georgia.
|
This week, The Free Lance-Star unveils its spring All-Area teams. Here's the schedule:
Monday: Lacrosse
Tuesday: Tennis
Wednesday: Track & Field
Yesterday: Softball
Today: Baseball
Tomorrow: Girls Soccer
Sunday: Boys Soccer
|
|
Date published: 6/20/2008
|
