TIFTON — Tift County’s Lady Devils basketball teams were celebrated Wednesday night with a banquet in the high school’s commons and a ceremony in the Performing Arts Center.

Varsity girls head coach Julie Conner emceed the event.

She began by asking players to turn around and thank their parents for the sacrifices they make for them to be able to play sports.

“Not everybody gets that chance,” she said.

Conner introduced Dr. Eric Holland as the evening’s guest speaker.

Holland, who won a second state championship as head coach of the Blue Devils earlier this month, spoke about responsibilities of players, parents and coaches.

He had been set to fly to New York to watch former Devil Tadric Jackson play in Thursday’s NIT championship game for Georgia Tech (against Texas Christian), but opted to stay in Tifton after being invited to speak at the banquet.

He complimented the high school Lady Devils as “respectful, responsible young ladies.” Holland told them to set priorities in life, with God first, family second and themselves third.

Reminding them that graduation was fast approaching, he said, “You’re about to take the biggest step of your life.”

He told the players they were not too young to have a plan for life. Holland said the key was to pray, to hold power over yourself, to persevere and to be patient.

Holland said he was looking for great things from the Lady Devils, that he hoped they had the next state championship parade.

Turning to the other side of the PAC, Holland asked parents if they were holding their children responsible.

Using the word success, he used each letter from the word to give pointers on how to achieve it.

Holland then asked the seniors to stand. He said he has two sons, but he would want his daughters to be just like them.

“Your leadership is unbelievable,” said Holland.

After donning a pair of boxing gloves and telling them to be prepared to fight life every day, Holland ended with a piece he titled, “Greatness Within You.”

Following Holland’s speech, Conner began the team honors by inviting the sixth grade to the stage.

Coach Carlos Howard took the podium and told the audience, “They’re really committed. I think we have a bright future with this group.”

The next group to the stage was the seventh grade. Conference champions, Conner said “They were ones who brought home the bacon.”

Coach Teresa Walker spoke for the seventh graders. She described the squad as an unselfish one.

In introducing the eighth grade, Coach Britt Wilson said he couldn’t stand to see them go, so he was moving up to varsity assistant next season.

“They’ve become one of the most detailed and coachable (teams),” said Wilson.

Each group of players received certificates, with the high school teams receiving plaques.

Honors were combined for the ninth and junior varsity squads. Coach Bryson Daniels said the groups combined for an approximate record of 28-3.

Conner talked about her varsity team, which finished 18-10 and advanced to the first round of the state playoffs.

“I love you with all my heart,” she said.

Starting with the freshmen, Conner had compliments for every player. She described forward Anna Daniels as “a tough you can’t teach.” Of Destiny Johnson, she said, “I don’t think there’s a sweeter heart than D.J.”

When Conner reached her seniors, she said to Bre Bateman that she wished she had began working with Bateman a long time ago and that it took courage to come back out for varsity knowing she would not be playing many minutes.

Shay Pitts was a tough player, she said. Dayana Chaney had a “heart of gold” and had two offers to play college basketball. Audrey McElhaney, who finished her career as a 1,000-point scorer, also has several offers for collegiate basketball.

Though the banquet capped the season, Conner said to her players, “We’re starting work next week.”

Conner thanked many others who aided the program, from the Board of Education, to athletic secretary Jayne Gray to those who helped take up tickets.