Saving their best for last, the SCHS Gamecock grapplers of Caleb White will send five team members to the Class AA State Sectionals in Jefferson Friday and Saturday after their performances at the Area Traditional Tournament this past weekend. 
Led by area champion Terrell Roberts in the 145 Class, the Roosters had a quality showing when it counted most.
“I want to thank my coaches,” Roberts said. “This will be my third time going to state and I am hopeful I will be able to win a state championship this year.”
Traveling to Lyons and the Toombs County Middle School Gymnasium, SCHS picked up the Roberts’ title; a second place by Trevez Jones (125); and a trio of fourths by Corey Waters (130), Dandra Williams (189) and Justin Jackson (285).
Roberts’ title marks the 16th time a Gamecock has won an area title and Roberts is the 12th wrestler to do so. Four -- Caleb Powell, Zane Powell, James Crews and Justin Crews -- each won a title twice. This also will mark Roberts’ third consecutive trip beyond the area level. 
In 2007-08, the senior was second in the 140, while taking third in the same class a year ago.
For most of the season, Roberts has seemingly been overweight as he originally tried to make the 140 class for the third consecutive season. After settling on the 145 weight, he currently spots a record of 10-3.
Aided by a pair of byes, one to start because of his seeding and another later in the brackets, only a pair of wins were necessary for Roberts to claim the area championship. Pins over Vidalia and Dublin were enough for the medal.
At 125 pounds, the sophomore Jones brought home his second consecutive trip to the sectionals. After a fourth place at 119 last year, Jones used a bye and a pin over Toombs County to advance to the final where he was pinned by Dublin. His current record is 9-10.
To claim a fourth, Waters was very busy. A pin over Vidalia was followed by being pinned by Toombs. To get into the finals of the loser’s bracket came a win over Dodge County before a final loss to East Laurens. Waters, who finished fifth at 125 a year ago, has a record of 10-6.
The junior Williams opened with a loss to Southeast Bulloch before returning to pin Vidalia. In the consolation final, Williams again was pinned by SEB. Williams heads to Jefferson with a 5-12 record.
Joining Roberts as a senior advancing in his last chance, Jackson opened with a pin over Swainsboro before being pinned by Dublin. Then came a 15-7 win over Dodge before a loss to Toombs in the consolation final. Jackson is 7-9.
Other Gamecocks participating were Joseph Gray (0-2 at 135 and 8-8 for the year), Lemel Smith (0-2 at 140 and 4-13 for the year), John Boykin (0-3 at 152 and 10-14 for the season), Justin Alderman (1-2 at 171 and 4-7 for the season) and Joe Brown (0-2 at 215 and 3-13 on the season).
Senior wrestlers xxxxx were honored with fellow 12th grade winter sports student-athletes from SCHS basketball between the regular-season girls and boys hoops finales Saturday night.