Meet Memphis’ top high school athletes from 2016-17
Memphis' top high school athletes were honored during The Commercial Appeal Sports Awards on June 9 at the Orpheum Theatre.
Players of the year and some special awards were presented, and former NFL quarterback Archie Manning was the featured guest speaker.
Here are The Commercial Appeal's players of the year.
DIVISION I MALE ATHLETE OF THE YEAR
RASHAD HAYNES, Central, senior
Why chosen: Haynes is an All-Metro football standout who will play at Mercer next season. But his greatest high school success came in track, where he played a starring role on three straight Class AAA champions. This spring, he won the decathlon and produced points in four other events.
Other finalists: DeAndre Bobo, Mitchell; Robert Wilcke, Hernando
DIVISION I FEMALE ATHLETE OF THE YEAR
KIARA RHODES, Whitehaven, senior
Why chosen: For a time this year, Rhodes was the fastest 100-meter hurdler in the nation. She won that event at Spring Fling, along with the 300 hurdles and the pentathlon while producing a total of 44 points to lead the Tigers to their third consecutive Class AAA championship.
Other finalists: Derinisha Taylor, Mitchell; Myah Taylor, Olive Branch
DIVISION II MALE ATHLETE OF THE YEAR
CHASE HAYDEN, St. George’s, senior
Why chosen: Hayden finished his Gryphons basketball career with more than 2,000 points and earned multiple all-state honors at running back. He has signed with Arkansas to play football and ends his career with one Mr. Football and two Mr. Basketball awards.
Other finalists: Calvin Austin, Harding; James Babb, Lausanne
DIVISION II FEMALE ATHLETE OF THE YEAR
MOLLY MARTIN, ECS, senior
Why chosen: Martin, one of the area’s leading scorers in basketball and a softball standout, also qualified for the pentathlon at Spring Fling and brought home a gold medal in the discus.
Other finalists: Antoinette Lewis, Harding; Sarah Thompson, St. George’s
COACH OF THE YEAR
MARCUS WIMBERLY, East football
Why chosen: Wimberly returned his alma mater back to statewide prominence in 2016 as he guided East to a 12-2 record and the Class 4A state championship. It was the school’s first football title since 1999.
TEAM OF THE YEAR
EAST BOYS BASKETBALL
Why chosen: East steamrolled the competition this year, finishing 33-3 and ending the season ranked second in the USA TODAY national polls. The Mustangs wrapped up their year with a victory over Southwind that gave them their second straight Class AAA championship.
Other finalists: Briarcrest volleyball; Whitehaven football
DEFENSIVE FOOTBALL PLAYER OF THE YEAR
AUBREY MILLER, Whitehaven, senior
Why chosen: The Class 6A Mr. Football Lineman of the Year led Whitehaven to a 15-0 record and a state championship. Miller, a Missouri signee, amassed 147 tackles, 21 for lost yards, with seven sacks and four interceptions (two of which were returned for scores).
Finalists: Trevis Hopper, Central; Dorian Hopkins, MUS
Semifinalists: Quinton Bohanna, Cordova; Timmarious Jefferson, East; Joseph Newberry, Ridgeway; Tijaun Mason, Trezevant; LaDarrius Rule, Lake Cormorant
OFFENSIVE FOOTBALL PLAYER OF THE YEAR
ERIC GRAY, Lausanne, sophomore
Why chosen: The Division II-A Mr. Football Back of the Year rushed for 2,215 yards and scored 42 touchdowns to help lead Lausanne to an undefeated record and the school’s first DII-A championship.
Finalists: Cordarrian Richardson, Trezevant; Kylan Watkins, Whitehaven
Semifinalists: Calvin Austin, Harding; Chase Hayden, St. George’s; Brandon Smith, Lake Cormorant; Timothy Taylor, East; Robert Wilcke, Hernando
BOYS CROSS COUNTRY RUNNER OF THE YEAR
FOSTER HUDSMITH, White Station, senior
Why chosen: A two-time finalist, Hudsmith won the Region 8-AAA championship. He then clocked a time of 16:35.93 to finish 17th at the Class AAA state meet, tops among local male runners.
Finalists: Luke McNair, Bartlett; Christopher Rayder, Houston
Semifinalists: Kyle Edwards, CBHS; Ryan Redman, Arlington; Chris Walls, Arlington; Avery Wood, Bartlett; Ray Wynne, St. Benedict
GIRLS CROSS COUNTRY RUNNER OF THE YEAR
ERICA FISHER, Arlington, sophomore
Why chosen: Fisher was the top-placing local runner at the state meet last fall. She ran 17:58.29 to finish third in the Class AAA race after placing second at the region meet and fifth at the county championships.
Finalists: Ella Baran, Houston; Skylar Boogerd, Arlington
Semifinalists: Michelle Myers, Houston; Anna Tankersley, Houston; Nora Tillmanns, Hutchison; Gracelynn Walls, Arlington; Chloe Willis, White Station
GIRLS SOCCER PLAYER OF THE YEAR
KATRINA OSTROM, Houston, senior
Why chosen: A USA TODAY All-American, Ostrom anchored a Houston backline that conceded just five goals in 2016 and four the previous year. The Mustangs won two Class AAA titles and were runners-up once during her four years on the varsity.
Finalists: Kaitlin Echols, Briarcrest; Molly Martin, ECS
Semifinalists: Paola Ellis, Houston; Jenna Kemp, Houston; Peyton Moore, Briarcrest; Ashton Shields, Arlington; Graham Sippel, ECS
BOYS GOLFER OF THE YEAR
WINSTON MARGARITIS, St. George’s, junior
Why chosen: Margaritis shot 4-under 140 at the Division II-A state tournament to win the title by four strokes while leading the Gryphons to their third team championship in four years. He has made four straight all-metro teams with one year of high school golf remaining.
Finalists: Jack Crosby, MUS; Goodman Rudolph, MUS
Semifinalists: Wyatt Berry, MUS; Walker Crosby, MUS; Grant Hill, Harding; Davis Irving, St. George’s; Spencer Jenkins, CBHS
GIRLS GOLFER OF THE YEAR
RACHEL HECK, St. Agnes, freshman
Why chosen: Heck’s Division II-AA region championship led the Stars to their 12th consecutive team title in that event. She then dominated at the state tournament, shooting 10-under par to win by 15 strokes over her sister Abby.
Finalists: Abby Heck, St. Agnes; Aubree Jones, Brighton
Semifinalists: Jayna Choi, Houston; Victoria England, St. George’s; Susan Morris, Hutchison; Maribeth Peevy, St. Benedict; Megan Tang, St. Mary’s
VOLLEYBALL PLAYER OF THE YEAR
CALLIE ANDERTON, Briarcrest, senior
Why chosen: Anderton is a two-time winner after leading the Saints to a 46-3 record and the Division II-AA championship. She had 1,197 assists and 97 aces in 2016 and graduates as the state’s all-time assists leader (4,865).
Finalists: Kendal Strand, Briarcrest; Alyiah Wells, Briarcrest
Semifinalists: KaLea Davis, Houston; Lauren Deaton, Harding; Taylor Ferrante, Harding; Carmen Freeman, St. Mary’s; Carsyn Starr, Briarcrest
BOYS BASKETBALL PLAYER OF THE YEAR
ALEX LOMAX, East, junior
Why chosen: Lomax won the award for the second straight season after leading East to a second straight Class AAA championship, a 33-3 record and a No. 2 spot in the final USA TODAY national rankings. He averaged 16.1 points, 7.5 assists and 6.1 rebounds. The point guard was also the Class AAA Mr. Basketball.
Finalists: Tyler Harris, Cordova; Parrish Hewitt, Douglass
Semifinalists: Josh Conrad, W.E.B. DuBois; Mark Freeman, Southwind; Chase Hayden, St. George’s; Chandler Lawson, East; T.J. Moss, East
GIRLS BASKETBALL PLAYER OF THE YEAR
MYAH TAYLOR, Olive Branch, senior
Why chosen: Taylor led Olive Branch to a 33-1 record and the MPSAA Class 6A state championship this season while averaging 21.6 points, 7.5 assists and 7 steals per game. She was named third-team All-American by USA TODAY and is the Commercial Appeal’s winner for the third straight year.
Finalists: Ashtyn Baker, Northpoint; Jayla Hemingway, Houston
Semifinalists: Gabby Crawford, Munford; Myah LeFlore, St. Benedict; Johne’ Stewart, Central; Tesia Thompson, Hamilton; Jireh Washington, Central
WRESTLER OF THE YEAR
TREVOR BROWN, CBHS, senior
Why chosen: Brown was Shelby County’s lone state champion. He captured the Division II title at 138 pounds while finishing the year with a 39-4 record.
Finalists: Tommy Brackett, CBHS; Drew Nicholson, CBHS
Semifinalists: Eric Hodge, CBHS; Dawson Johnson, Bartlett; Aaron Moore, Arlington; Andrew Sweatt, CBHS; Grayson Walthall, CBHS
BOYS BOWLER OF THE YEAR
JIMMY MORROW, MUS, Junior
Why chosen: Morrow compiled a 201.87 average during the regular season before going on to finish second at the Division II tournament. He was the top local boys finisher at state this year.
Finalists: Conner Nichols, St. Benedict; Terry Salvant, Middle College
Semifinalists: Nick Agnew, St. Benedict; Will Drummond, CBHS; Nic Ferrante, St. Benedict; Ross Jenner, Collierville; Chris Smith, Harding
GIRLS BOWLER OF THE YEAR
NIA BOWLEY, Harding, senior
Why chosen: Bowley won the Division II state title. She was the only Shelby County girl to win a championship this year and posted a 155.67 average during the regular season.
Finalists: Grace Becker, St. Agnes; Jada Horn, Germantown
Semifinalists: Caroline Conrad, St. Agnes; Julianne Cordera, St. Benedict; Lauren Davis, St. Mary’s; Veronica Fillion, St. Benedict; Emma Heiter, St. Agnes
BOYS SWIMMER OF THE YEAR
JOSH WALSH, Collierville, senior
Why chosen: Walsh ended his high school career with a state title in the 100 freestyle, the only Shelby County boy to bring home a title. He also finished second in the 200 after sweeping both races at the county meet.
Finalists: Christian Berry, MUS; Jack McCaghren, MUS
Semifinalists: Liam Kaltenborn, MUS; Parker Kaye, MUS; Rick Reinhard, MUS; Alex Robinson, MUS; Jonathan Simcoe, Collierville
GIRLS SWIMMER OF THE YEAR
SARAH THOMPSON, St. George’s, senior
Why chosen: Thompson was the only Shelby County girl to bring home a gold medal in 2017, repeating as state champ in the 50 freestyle in a school-record time of 23.01. In addition, she placed second in the 100 backstroke.
Finalists: Audrey McKinnon, White Station; Kiara Norris, St. Mary’s
Semifinalists: Meredith Geyer, Germantown; Alyssa Hale, Harding; Lauren Mabie, St. Mary’s; Abbie Kilpatrick, DeSoto Central; Erin Milligan, Collierville
BOYS LACROSSE PLAYER OF THE YEAR
CADE KLAWINSKI, MUS, senior
Why chosen: An All-American selection, Cade scored 47 goals and added 37 assists during the regular season as he led the Owls to the TSLA state championship.
Finalists: Buchanan Dunavant, MUS; Daniel Shumake, MUS
Semifinalists: Josiah Crutchfield, MUS; Zack Genereaux, ECS; Reid Lanigan, CBHS; William Varnado, CBHS; Bobby Wade, MUS
GIRLS LACROSSE PLAYER OF THE YEAR
GRIFFIN GEARHARDT, Hutchison, Senior
Why chosen: Gearhardt wins the award for the second time in her career after leading the Sting to their seventh consecutive state title. She tallied 104 goals and 77 assists while earning all-state and All-South region mention.
Finalists: Elizabeth Farnsworth, Hutchison; Jordan Groover, Hutchison
Semifinalists: Grayson Lusk-Hussong, St. Mary’s; Janessa Mai, Hutchison; Abbigayle Roberts, St. George’s; Evelyn Roberts, St. Mary’s; Avery Whitehead, St. George’s
BOYS SOCCER PLAYER OF THE YEAR
COLLIN SCOTT, Houston, senior
Why chosen: Nationally ranked Houston wouldn’t have advanced to the Class AAA title game without Scott’s tenacity and leadership. He scored 13 goals while assisting on nine others.
Finalists: Gabriel Castro, Lausanne; Sebastian Musicante, Houston
Semifinalists: Cole Cannon, CBHS; Nic DiMauro, Bartlett; Kevin Hale, Collierville; Eric Izaguirre, Germantown; Lathan Spadafora, St. George’s
BASEBALL PLAYER OF THE YEAR
TREY HARRINGTON, Briarcrest, senior
Why chosen: The Division II-AA Mr. Baseball finalist hit .437 with six home runs and 27 RBIs while compiling eight saves with a 0.53 ERA.
Finalists: Weston Bizzle, CBHS; Tate Kolwyck, Arlington
Semifinalists: Bryce Brock, Lewisburg; Maurice Hampton, MUS; Tyler Sherman, Collierville; Terrell Tatum, Houston; Ethan Whitley, Covington
SOFTBALL PLAYER OF THE YEAR
RACHEL WHITLEY, Tipton-Rosemark, Junior
Why chosen: Whitley hit .518 with 22 doubles, 11 home runs and 58 RBIs while compiling a 17-5 record as a pitcher.
Finalists: Taylor Manley, Arlington; Marisa Moss, Brighton
Semifinalists: Colleen Blaszkowski, Collierville; Brianna Chambers, Briarcrest; Anna Kate Gregg, Lewisburg; Kailey Hilderbrand, Hernando; Saige Koczka, Southaven
BOYS TENNIS PLAYER OF THE YEAR
FREDERICK DANIELSON, MUS, senior
Why chosen: Danielson was a two-time Player of the Year after leading the Owls to another West Region title and berth in the Division II-AA state tournament. He won the region title as an individual before finishing state runner-up.
Finalists: Walker Stearns, St. George’s; Weston Touliatos, MUS
Semifinalists: Shaun Burgess, St. George’s; John Kimball, St. George’s; Sai Mummareddy, Germantown; Jack Powell, MUS; Seth Richey, MUS
GIRLS TENNIS PLAYER OF THE YEAR
SNEHA SINHA, Collierville, junior
Why chosen: Sinha swept the district and region championships before finishing Class AAA state runner-up for the second straight year.
Finalists: Grace Anne Dunavant, Hutchison; Catherine Owen, Hutchison
Semifinalists: Caroline Culpepper, St. Mary’s; Hannah Grace Howell, St. George’s; Grace Murray, St. Mary’s; Lily Saab, St. Mary’s; Peyton Sessions, Briarcrest
BOYS TRACK AND FIELD ATHLETE OF THE YEAR
CALVIN AUSTIN, Harding, senior
Why chosen: Austin wrapped up his career by winning the 100, 200 and 400 meters at the Division II state meet while anchoring the Lions’ winning 4x200-meter relay team. It’s the second straight year he swept all three races.
Finalists: Rashad Haynes, Central; Daniel Tell, Briarcrest
Semifinalists: Deantoine Boyce, Lausanne; Xavien Hughes, Germantown; Luke McNair, Bartlett; Walter Miller, Millington; Joshua Owten, Central
GIRLS TRACK AND FIELD ATHLETE OF THE YEAR
KIARA RHODES, Whitehaven, senior
Why chosen: Rhodes won the pentathlon and both hurdles races while placing second in the high jump and third in the long jump. All told, she accounted for 44 points to lead the Tigers to their third straight Class AAA title.
Finalists: Kirstin Jones, Whitehaven; Savanna Owens, Briarcrest
Semifinalists: Ella Baran, Houston; Reonna Collier, Cordova; Lauryn James, Cordova; Erica Fisher, Arlington; Meghan Underwood, Briarcrest