Photos by Dutch Walters

During the halftime period of the East Paulding Raiders and North Paulding Wolfpack, fans were treated to a special ceremony honoring former East student and baseball player, Zack Wheeler, who graduated from East Paulding in 2009. East Paulding baseball coach, Tony Boyd, listed numerous awards Zack obtained during high school and after. While many of his fellow students were making plans to attend college, Zack, who received a scholarship to Kennesaw State University, was chosen by the San Francisco Giants as the 6th overall pick during the 2009 MLB draft. In 2011, he was traded to the New York Mets and made his major league debut against the Braves in Atlanta on June 18, 2013. During his four years at East Paulding High School, he played 3 years of Varsity basketball and during his 4 years on the baseball team they won 95 games and Zack struck out over 350 batters. Just a few of his accomplishments during high school were: being selected as the MVP for 2007, 2008 and 2009; All-County and All-Region 2008 and 2009, All-State 2008 and 2009, played on Region Champ team in 2007 and 2008, Rawlings Pre-Season All American-2009, Georgia Gatorade HS Player of the Year-2009, Georgia Louisville Slugger HS Player of the Year-2009, Paulding County Baseball Player of the Year-2009 and Atlanta Braves 400 Club Player of the Year-2009 . Last year was his first full season in the majors and he completed the season with an 11-11 record and 3.54 ERA. Now that Zack’s jersey number, 45, has been retired, it will never be worn again by a Raider baseball player.