Pictured left to right is Tim Duffey, Kenny Parks, Patrick Denney and Sherae Bonner.
Central High School hosted the 2024 Hall of Fame ceremony honoring inductees Sherae Bonner, Patrick Denney, Tim Duffey, and Kenny Parks.
Sherae Bonner is a product of the Central Cluster attending Central Middle School and Central High School. She graduated in 2014 with honors as a two-sport athlete in basketball and track and field.
Ms. Bonner was a four-year varsity starter in basketball. During that time the team won a region championship and made it to the Sweet 16 in 2014. Correspondingly, in her high school basketball career, Sherae amassed over 1000 points and 1000 rebounds, was named Newcomer of the Year in 2010-2011, Region Player of the Year in 2014, 1st team All State in 2014, and named to the All Region Team all four years of high school. In Track and Field, Sherae also won a region championship in the triple jump, was a state qualifier in the triple jump, and helped the four by one team to a second-place finish in the state along with breaking the record of the fastest 4 x 1 girls time at Central High School.
Ms Bonner took Advanced Placement (AP) and honors classes while attending high school along with participating in homecoming court and winning the recognition as Princess in 2014.
Upon graduation she received a full basketball scholarship to Western Carolina where she played in 106 games, starting 63 of those games. In 2014, she was named General Shale’s Player of the Week and Crons Freshman of the Week. In 2016, she was selected to the All-Southern Conference Third Team and that same year she broke the school record for the most rebounds in a game with 26 total. She was the 7th player in WCU’s Women’s Basketball history to amass over 800 rebounds, ranked 6th in points with 800, and ranked second all time in blocks for WCU’s women’s basketball.
Sherae Bonner earned academic recognition making both the Dean’s and Chancellor’s list for academic excellence in college. In 2016, she was selected to a research team that highlighted the contributions of notable African Americans in North Carolina through the African American Heritage calendar which was recognized by the Governor of North Carolina. Her most notable interview was Dell Curry, father of Stephen Curry.
Ms. Bonner graduated Cum Laude in 2018 with a Bachelors of Science degree in Elementary Education. She then went to Brenau University to earn her Masters degree in Elementary Education. She began her teaching career at Central Elementary School and coached at both Central Elementary and Central High School. She now teaches 5th grade in Douglas County and is the varsity basketball assistant coach at New Manchester High School.
Mr. Patrick Denney is a 1986 graduate of Central High School. He started at Central in the first grade and was awarded the Certificate of Perfect Attendance for all 12 grades!! His grandfather always said, “The key to success is showing up!” Patrick Denney took that advice to heart.
He was an offensive lineman for the Central Lions Football Team under head coach Ronnie Burchfield. As a right tackle, he was a part of the offensive line affectionately referred to as “The Hogs” who were an integral part of the team that advanced to the final region championship game against West Rome in 1985.
Patrick’s junior and senior years, the Lions posted two perfect 10 and 0 seasons in a row. The Lions were Region 7AA south Champions both of those years. He was team captain and received the Most Valuable Lineman award his senior year. Denney played junior varsity baseball his freshmen year and was named JV Most Valuable Player. A varsity starter his sophomore, junior, and senior years, he played under head coach Rick Tolleson. His senior year, the varsity Lions baseball team were 7AA Region Champs and State Finalists.
Patrick was class president his sophomore year and named Outstanding Senior his senior year. He was involved in extracurricular school clubs including: Junior Beta Club, The Science Club, Key Club, C-Club, and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. He also participated in the weightlifting program all four years and was a member of the 325-Pound Club.
Denney went on to graduate from West Georgia College in 1990 with a Bachelors of Business Administration in Marketing. That same year, he married fellow classmate and former cheerleader and homecoming queen, Lynne Mabry. Together, they have four children and a grandbaby on the way.
In 2020, Patrick was appointed by Governor Kemp to The Georgia Department of natural Resources Board of Directors with additional appointments to the North Georgia Mountains Authority Board and the Georgia Wildlife Foundation Board. He also serves as a deacon and Sunday school teacher at Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church.
Most days, Denney can be found at SLM Recycling, Inc. in Carrollton, which he owns and operates with his father-in-law and his son, or working on his farm in Bowdon. Patrick has great memories of his years as an athlete at Central High School and really appreciates the time and energy all of his coaches invested in him and in the program.
Coach Tim Duffey is a 1982 graduate of Central High School. Born and raised in the Central community, he has spent decades of his life committed to positively impacting the Central community.
As a student, he was a member of many student organizations, including the Central High School football team. He was a dedicated athlete, lettering two years as a starting wide receiver. As a teacher, Coach Duffey has earned numerous accolades, including being named twice as Teacher of the Year. He is also the recipient of the Georgia Teacher Hero Award.
Coach Duffey’s career spans nearly three decades. He spent 15 years at the Carroll County Parks and Recreation Department, pouring his efforts into improving facilities and helping young athletes begin their journey in the world of sports. Through these efforts, he implemented programs that enhanced the progress of countless young Central Lions that would eventually go on to play their respective sports at the next level after middle and high school. During his 22 years at Central Middle School, he has devoted his time to motivating both his students and his athletes to be the best they can be, at school, in sports, but more importantly in life. In 2006, he started Central Middle School’s wrestling program, and has been the coach ever since. During that time, he has led his teams to multiple league championships. He has also served as head coach for Central Middle School’s cross-country program, leading them to numerous championships as well. Altogether, he has done an outstanding job preparing his athletes for high school.
Beyond his time in the classroom, wrestling mat, and on the cross-country course, Coach Duffey has been the Voice of the Central Lions for 26 years. Since 1998, Coach Duffey has announced every home game in Roy Richards Memorial Stadium from the James E. Duffey press box, named in honor of his father, who proudly called the games for the Central Lions before him. With tonight’s induction, Coach Duffey joins his mother and father, James and Irene Duffey, in the Central Hall of Fame.
Coach Duffey’s time and service to the Central community has cemented his legacy as a leader and role model to everyone he has taught, coached, or worked with. He continues to dedicate his time and efforts to help the Central community continue to grow and improve.
Mr. Kenny Parks is a Central High School graduate from the Class of 1987. Mr. Parks was a two-year letterman in football and a four-year letterman in track and field. During his sophomore year, Kenny qualified at state for the 4×100, 4×400 relay and the triple jump. As a junior, Kenny was the state champion in the triple jump with 46’6” recorded. He also finished second in the state in the 4×100 relay as a junior and senior. Kenny was a member of the 4×100 team that set a school record with the time of 42.2 seconds.
Kenny was the track team captain his junior and senior year and was named the most valuable runner as a senior. As a team, they were the 1986 double A state champions, multi-year 4×100 region champions, and three-time Carroll County champions. Kenny also played football for two years and was a starting wide receiver for the 1986 Region and State Champions.
After graduation Kenny opened and still operates his business, Parks Barber Shop, as a master barber. Kenny has been an active member of the Central community for many years. Kenny has been married for 27 years to Cathy Parks. They are the proud parents of three daughters, three granddaughters and one grandson.
Central High School Principal Mr. Kelly Edwards presented each of the Hall of Fame inductees with a plaque during halftime. The Central Lion family congratulates the 2024 Hall of Fame inductees, Sherae Bonner, Patrick Denney, Tim Duffey, and Kenny Parks.
