November 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.
Asa James is the November 2020 Elite Athlete of the Month representing Woodland High School.
The son of Latoya and Taras James, Asa is a junior running back on the Wildcats’ football team. He also plans to wrestle and run track this year.
James accumulated over 1,000 yards of total offense in seven games this football season.
“Asa is a leader in the school building,” noted Woodland head football coach Tony Plott. “Other students are naturally drawn to Asa. He is a vital part of our program and plays at a very high level each time he walks on the field. He also wants everyone to know that he loves his parents very much.”
James, who carries a 3.1 GPA, plans to continue his education after high school with the goal of playing college football.
The November 2020 Elite Athlete of the Month from Adairsville High School is Avery Mealer.
A senior and four-year member of the Tigers’ competition cheer team, Mealer has helped her team to a pair of region championships.
“Avery is consistent. She works hard and leads by example. She is a constant source of encouragement for her teammates.” commented Kaylie Noe, Adairsville head cheerleading coach. The daughter of Robert and Lori Mealer, Avery is high achieving academically. She is in all honors and AP classes while also dual enrolled at Georgia Highlands College.
Cass High School’s November 2020 Elite Athlete of the Month is Londaisha Smith.
An integral part of the Cass girls basketball team for four years, Smith has been a varsity player each season and currently serves as a team captain. She is one of the team leaders in scoring, steals, and rebounds.
“Londaisha has a passion and joy for the game,” said Cass head coach Burt Jackson, “but more importantly she serves as a positive role model for the younger players through constant encouragement. It is an honor and blessing to have her on the team.”
She is the daughter of Chrystal Darden and London Smith.
McKenzie Spinks is the November 2020 Elite Athlete of the Month for Cartersville High School. A junior who runs cross country and track, Spinks is an A/B Honor Roll student and the daughter of Travis and Sherry Spinks. “McKenzie was running very strong in the middle/late part of the season,” noted Cartersville cross country coach David Matherne. “Due to contact-tracing, unfortunately, she had to be quarantined for two weeks since she was in a classroom sitting near someone who tested positive. That could’ve derailed her training but it did not.”
Matherne continued, “McKenzie—our #2 runner at the time—was forced to sit out the Region Championship, as was our #3 runner on the team for the same reason, contact-tracing. While the Lady Canes sorely missed them both, the girls rallied and still qualified for state. McKenzie continued to train in isolation, and when she returned she did so just in time for state. Because as fate would have it, she was our #1 runner at the state meet. Her leadership in encouraging the girls while she was not physically present to train with them, coupled with her fantastic effort on the notoriously difficult Carrollton state meet course, made her an obvious choice for Athlete of the Month. We are all so proud of how hard McKenzie works. That example does not go unnoticed by all of the coaches and athletes. McKenzie runs some really fast times, but it is that heart of hers, the heart of a champion, that makes her so impressive to me.”
Spinks plans to continue her education while running collegiately.
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.
