Twelve young baseball players from Habersham County are headed to the state championship after capturing the district title, and now their families are asking the community to help them make the trip.
The Habersham 10U All-Stars earned their spot in the Georgia Recreation and Parks Association State Championship tournament after an impressive run through district competition in Winder-Barrow. The team will travel to Statesboro next we ek, with tournament play beginning Tuesday, June 23.
According to coach and parent Casey Lizama, the all-star team is made up of standout players selected from Habersham County Recreation Department teams. The group battled through district competition against other all-star teams from across the region before bringing home the championship trophy.
“We were undefeated for three games,” Lizama said. “We lost to Hall County on championship day, but it was double elimination. We came back with a vengeance in the second game and won the championship 13-2.”
The state tournament will feature championship-caliber teams from across Georgia competing in a double-elimination format. Habersham’s first game is scheduled for 7 p.m. on June 23, with a second game scheduled for June 24.
While the players have earned their opportunity on the field, the trip presents a financial challenge for many of the families involved.
“This isn’t travel ball. It wasn’t expected for this to happen,” Lizama said. “We’re very thankful and very happy that these young men battled their hearts out to get here, but it’s costly because we’re having to go down there, get hotels, eat and all this other stuff to be able to compete and represent Habersham at the state level.”
The tournament falls during the middle of the week, requiring parents and coaches to take time away from work while covering lodging, meals, transportation and other expenses associated with the trip. Some parents will be unable to attend because of work obligations, leaving other families to help care for players during the tournament.
So far, community members have contributed approximately $1,000 toward the effort, but organizers say additional support is needed to help offset expenses for the players and their families.
Every dollar donated will be distributed among the families of the 12 players to help cover tournament-related costs.
Community members wishing to contribute can donate through Venmo at:
@Habersham10U
The account is being managed through the Easton Foundation, which has agreed to assist the team by collecting and distributing donations. Checks may also be made payable to the Easton Foundation for the benefit of the Habersham 10U All-Stars.
Beyond financial assistance, Lizama said the team would also appreciate encouragement from the community as they prepare to represent Habersham County on the state stage.
“I want these kids to know how much this community can really come together and rally around them,” he said. “It’s not just that they’re playing ball. It’s the lasting memories that they’ll have. That’s something these kids will remember for life.”
Team organizers are also exploring the possibility of a community send-off before departing for Statesboro and hope to provide additional details in the coming days.
For now, the focus remains on helping 12 young athletes chase a state championship while proudly representing Habersham County.
Anyone interested in supporting the team is encouraged to donate, share their story and wish the players good luck as they prepare for the biggest tournament of their season.
