Former athletes from Richmond Hill and Effingham are currently in the spotlight for their performances and career achievements. Jeremiah Hill, who attended Richmond Hill High School is gaining recognition for his basketball skills at the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament. On the other hand, Sydnie Marinez, a graduate of Effingham County High School, has been making history in the world of soccer by becoming a signee for Brooklyn FC in the USL Super League. Her play throughout her career and internationally is attracting attention.
Jeremiah Hill | Richmond Hill High School '13 | Basketball
Hill, a 6'2" shooting guard for the Cameron National Basketball team, had a standout performance in the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament in his last two 
games. He scored 22 points, 6 rebounds, and 6 assists, including shooting 6 of 13 from beyond the three-point line, leading his team to a thrilling 77-74 victory over Brazil on July 4, 2024.
The night before, Hill recorded a double-double with 10 points and 10 assists in a 70-66 loss against Montenegro. Cameroon defeated Brazil to secure their spot as the second-best team in Group B. Cameron will now play against Latvia in the semi-finals on Saturday, July 6, 2024, at Noon.
Hills' basketball journey started at Richmond Hill High School, where he graduated in 2013, and continued through his college years, where he played at Savannah State and Valdosta State. During his final year at VSU in 2017, he was named to the 2017 NABC Coaches Division-II All-American Team.
Professionally, Hill's career has taken him across continents.
He began his basketball career with the Jacksonville Giants in the American Basketball Association and later joined the Orlando Magics G League team. His career has taken him to countries including Kazakhstan, Spain, and Russia.
Sydnie Martinez | Effingham County High School '17 | Soccer
On June 7, 2024, Martinez made history by becoming the first player signed by 
the Brooklyn FC of the USL Super League to secure a professional contract. The USL Super League (USLS) is a Division I professional women's soccer league in the United States. The league is owned and operated by the United Soccer League.
Sydnie achieved great success throughout her career. She shined at the University of South Florida, earning many honors and breaking records. After college, she returned home to lead Tormenta FC to the 2022 USL Women's League title in their first season and won the Golden Glove as the top goalie in the league. Martinez became the first female player from the Tormenta FC Academy to sign a professional contract, joining Norwegian club IK Grand Bodø in Norway's second-tier league in 2023.
She has also played for the Puerto Rican women's national team, helping them reach the 2024 Concacaf W Gold Cup.
PHOTO CREDIT: Camaron National Team, FIBA, Tormenta FC, & Brooklyn FC
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