THOMASVILLE — Crisp County had a good “Deal” of pitching this season.

In fact, the Cougars had two batches of real “Deal” pitching to rely on. As a result, Crisp County emerged with a Region 1-AAA title.

Behind the left arms of senior Colby Deal and sophomore Brandon Deal — the two first-team all-region pitchers as named by the region coaches — Crisp County shut down the bats across the region. Well, except for Westover shortstop Andrew Anderson. Few succeeded in slowing the Patriots’ junior, who ran away with the region’s Player of the Year honor.

“He was a real tough out,” Crisp County coach Michael Hardy said. Hardy was named Coach of the Year. “It was hard to know where to pitch him. Anything you threw up there, not only did he hit it, but he hit it hard.”

Cairo counterpart Tommy York added: “He made a lot of plays for them and he was a real leader for their squad. You knew you hated to see him come up with people on base.”

Anderson finished with a .567 average and 30 RBIs with 10 doubles and six triples. Anderson was joined on the first team by fellow Westover infielder Justin Heap, who hit .407.

But, thanks to the Deal duo, Crisp County overcame a hot start by the Syrupmakers to grab the region crown. That title march began in Cairo. Facing a Syrupmaker squad that was unbeaten in region play April 17, Brandon Deal pulled the Cougars even with Cairo in the region standings. From there, the Cougars didn’t look back.

“Two of Brandon’s wins came against Cairo,” Hardy said. “Brandon, that one game down in Cairo, he really gave us a shot in the arm. We had used our other two pitchers the weekend before in Worth County and we discussed it and said, ‘Let’s throw Brandon in there and get what we can out of him.’ Shoot, I think he threw a five-hit shutout.

“Not only did that give us a lot of confidence in him, but gave him a lot of confidence, too.”

York agreed that Brandon Deal was indeed the real “Deal.”

“He pitched really well,” York said. “He got the job done and all you have to say is, you didn’t have to go to his older brother.”

Brandon Deal hurled a perfect region record at 3-0 to pitch Crisp County to the title. To edge his brother for the honor of Crisp County and region ace, he needed every win, for Colby Deal earned a 3-1 region record.

“Colby’s overall record wasn’t indicative of the type of pitcher he is,” Hardy said. “He threw a lot of games against Lee County, Lowndes and all of them.”

The Deals were joined on the first team by Crisp County middle infielder Mark Overstreet. Overstreet had a .443 average.

Also earning first-team honors were Worth County’s Todd Sauls (infield), Buster Jackson (outfield) and Matt Hathcock (catcher); Monroe infielder Desmond Muff; Dougherty’s Adam Clemons in the outfield and Cairo’s Daniel Broome (outfield) and Alex Russell (utility player).

Other Syrupmakers honored were pitcher Hugh Russell Lee, infielder Trey Harrell, infielder Devin Carpenter, outfielder Jeremy Crosby and catcher Dyllon Powe.