Here are the 2023 fall sports finalists for HSOT Honors: Vote for the winners now

With the conclusion of the 2023 high school fall sports season, it is time to reveal the finalists for the HighSchoolOT Honors fall sports awards.

This year, the number of categories has been expanded for most sports, and there will be coaches of the year selected for individual sports.

Voting will also take place immediately, instead of waiting until the end of the school year. Voting is open from noon on Dec. 13 until 11:59 p.m. on Dec. 31. You can vote once per day in each category at HighSchoolOT.com/Honors.

• VOTE NOW FOR HSOT HONORS FALL SPORTS AWARDS

Throughout the fall sports season, we've taken nominations from the public. At the end of the fall sports season, our team sat down to review the nominations and narrow down each category to five finalists. Those finalist are now on the ballot for the public to vote.

Winners of the fall sports awards will be announced during a virtual awards show on Jan. 15.

Nominations for winter sports will open on Jan. 1 at noon.

Below are the finalists for the fall sports categories for 2023.

2023-24 HighSchoolOT Honors ballot

Cross Country Awards

Boys Cross Country Runner of the Year — VOTE NOW

• Blake Nicholson (Christ the King) — Christ the King junior Blake Nicholson won the NCHSAA 1A state championship with a time of 15:36.84. He is the first boys cross country state champion in school history. He was the only 1A runner to finish in under 16 minutes. Nicholson was a first-team selection on the HSOT All-State Team.
• Dawson Reeves (Christ School) — Christ School's Dawson Reeves finished second in the NCISAA 4A state championship race with a time of 15:36.65. He was a first-team selection on the HSOT All-State Team.
• Gabriel Schmid (Orange) — Gabriel Schmid won the NCHSAA 3A state championship with a time of 15:14.75. It was his second straight state title and he finished more than 30 seconds ahead of second place. He was a first-team selection on the HSOT All-State Team.
• Tyler Surface (North Raleigh Christian) — Tyler Surface won the NCISAA 4A state championship with a time of 15:21.86. He was named to the HSOT All-State Team as a first-team selection.
• Noah Valyo (Athens Drive) — Athens Drive's Noah Valyo won the NCHSAA 4A state championship with a time 15:05.45. It was the first boys cross country state championship for Athens Drive, and Valyo broke the course record at Ivey Redmon by more than seven seconds. He was a first-team selection on the HSOT All-State Team.

Girls Cross Country Runner of the Year — VOTE NOW

• Caroline Barton (Carolina Day) — Carolina Day junior Caroline Barton won the NCISAA 2A state championship with a time of 18:16.99. Barton was a second-team selection on the HSOT All-State Team.
• Mary Bonner Dalton (Myers Park) — Mary Bonner Dalton won the NCHSAA 4A state championship, shattering the state championship record with a time of 16:56, nearly 30 seconds faster than the previous record. It is also a course record at Ivey Redmon. Bonner Dalton is the first girls cross country state champion from Myers Park. She was also a first-team selection on the HSOT All-State Team.
• Morgan Boonshaft (Providence Day) — Providence Day senior Morgan Boonshaft on the NCISAA 4A state championship with a time of 17:34.55. Her margin of victory was was just under 38 seconds. She was a first-team selection on the HSOT All-State Team.
• Morgan Miller (First Flight) — Providence Day senior Morgan Boonshaft on the NCISAA 4A state championship with a time of 17:34.55. Her margin of victory was was just under 38 seconds. She was a first-team selection on the HSOT All-State Team.
• Catherine Parker (N.C. Science & Math-Durham) — Catherine Parker won the NCHSAA 2A state championship with a time of 18:32.64, leading N.C. Science & Math to the team title as well. Parker was 36 seconds ahead of second place and was named to the HSOT All-State Team as a third-team selection.

Cross Country Coach of the Year — VOTE NOW

• Andy Buller (Croatan) — Croatan's boys cross country team won the NCHSAA 3A state championship.
• Jerry Castro (North Lincoln) — The North Lincoln girls cross country team won its fourth consecutive state title, taking the NCHSAA 3A state championship.
• Kailyn Lockie (Marvin Ridge) — The Marvin Ridge boys cross country team won the NCHSAA 4A state championship, beating Broughton by 49 points.
• Nick Mangum (Cardinal Gibbons) — Cardinal Gibbons' girls cross country team won the NCHSAA 4A state championship, ending Cuthbertson's streak of five straight.
• Zach Marchinko (Jesse Carson) — Jesse Carson finished third in the NCHSAA 3A state championship race and earned an 8th place finish in the final HSOT rankings.

Football Awards

Football Defensive Player of the Year — VOTE NOW

• Sa'Mad Bell (Dudley) — As a senior, Sa'Mad Bell recorded 93 total tackles, including 35 tackles for loss and 19 sacks. He added 25 quarterback hurries, 2 fumble recoveries, and 1 forced fumble.
• Reagan Printy (Hoggard) — As a senior, Printy recorded 194 total tackles, including ​100 solo tackles and 94 assisted tackles. He added 27.5 tackles for loss, 9.5 sacks, and 14 quarterback hurries. He had five defended passes with one interception, three forced fumbles, and two fumble recoveries. Hoggard was the NCHSAA 4A state runner up.
• Christian Richardson (Wilson Prep) — As a senior, Christian Richardson recored a state-best 14 interceptions, resulting in 388 interception return yards and two touchdowns. He also recorded 104 total tackles, 18 passes defended, and two fumble recoveries. On offense, he recorded 1,359 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns on 92 carries.
• Jaden Smith (West Charlotte) — Jaden Smith recorded 91 tackles for West Charlotte, including 62 solo tackles, 25 tackles for loss, and 10 sacks. He had 14 quarterback hurries, 2 fumble recoveries, 3 punt blocks, 2 field goal blocks, 13 pass breakups, 1 interception, and 2 defensive touchdowns. He is committed to Michigan.
• Malcolm Ziglar (Fuquay-Varina) — Malcolm Ziglar is a five-star defensive back committed to UNC. As a senior, he recorded 2 interceptions with 8 pass breakups, 3 forced fumbles, and 1 fumble recover for a touchdown. He had 19 total touchdowns on the season.

Football Offensive Player of the Year — VOTE NOW

• Jadyn Davis (Providence Day) — As a senior, competed 204-of-288 passes for 3,370 yards and 43 touchdowns with 9 interceptions. Also rushed for 3 touchdowns. Committed to Michigan.
• Keenan Jackson (Weddington) — Caught 102 passes for 1,704 yards and 19 touchdowns, also recorded 1 rushing touchdown. Helped Weddington win the NCHSAA 4A state championship where he was named the championship game MVP. UNC commit.
• Tyler Mason (Mount Airy) — Rushed for 2,213 yards and 39 touchdowns. Helped Mount Airy repeat as the NCHSAA 1A state champion where he was named the championship game MVP. Virginia Tech commit.
• Johnathan Montague (Clayton) — As a quarterback, threw for 1,601 yards and 13 touchdowns with 3 interceptions, while rushing for 2,578 yards and 41 touchdowns in 13 games.
• Jonathan Paylor (Cummings) — Rushed for 2,378 yards and 30 touchdowns on 169 carries. Caught 25 passes for 381 yards and 3 touchdowns. Recorded 12 total returns for 369 yards and 3 touchdowns. NC State commit.

Football Special Teams Player of the Year — VOTE NOW

• Javarius Green (Crest) — ​Returned 14 kickoffs for 515 yards and 3 touchdowns, as well as 22 punts for 123 yards and 1 touchdown. Recorded 638 total return yards. UNC commit.
• Nolan Hauser (Hough) — ​Finished his high school career as the national record holder for most career field goals with 66. As a senior, made 12-of-15 field goal attempts with a long of 53 yards, and connected on 47-of-48 extra-point attempts. An 69 kickoffs this season, he recorded 59 touchbacks. Clemson commit.
• Gavin Laton (Pinecrest) — Recorded 26 punts for Pinecrest with 25 landing inside the 20-yard line. He had a 37.8 yard per punt average, with a long of 57 yards.
• Zachariah Melton (Monroe) —​ Returned 29 total kicks for 1,165 yards with seven total kick return touchdowns -- four on punt returns and three on kick returns.
• Francisco Rodriguez (Cape Fear) — As a sophomore, made 14-of-16 field goal attempts with a long of 47 yards, and was 33-of-34 on extra-point attempts. On 28 kickoffs, recorded 6 touchbacks.

Football Coach of the Year — VOTE NOW

• Andy Capone (Weddington) — ​Weddington won the school's first 4A football state championship this season -- and the fourth overall title in program history. The Warriors finished with an overall record of 14-2 and were the No. 1 team in the final HSOT Top 25 rankings.
• Joe Glass (Hickory) — ​After Hickory went winless three seasons ago, the Red Tornadoes posted a perfect 16-0 record this fall, winning the NCHSAA 3A football state championship.
• D.J. McFadden (Independence) — ​Independence posted an 11-win season for the second straight year after failing to reach double-digit win totals since 2014. The Patriots advanced to the NCHSAA 4A western regional championship game where they lost to eventual state champion Weddington.
• Albert Reid (Bunker Hill) — Bunker Hill won its first football conference title since 1989 this fall. The Bears were 7-0 in the Catawba Valley 2A Conference and posted a 13-1 overall record. Bunker Hill ​lost to eventual state champion Reidsville in the fourth round of the NCHSAA 2A state playoffs.
• LaMonte Williamson (West Columbus) — West Columbus made the best run in school history, advancing to the NCHSAA 1A eastern regional championship game before losing to perennial power Tarboro. The Vikings were 12-2 overall and won the Waccamaw 1A/2A Conference with a 6-0 record.

Golf Awards

Girls Golfer of the Year — VOTE NOW

• Victoria Davis (Cary Christian) — ​Victoria Davis won the NCISAA Division II state championship with a two-day score of 3-under 147. She's just an 8th grader at Cary Christian School.
• Leah Edwards (Northwest Guilford) — Leah Edwards became the first girls golf state champion in school history at Northwest Guilford, winning a playoff hole over defending NCHSAA 4A state champion Elizabeth Rudisill.
• Jillian Fatkin (South Brunswick) —South Brunswick's Jillian Fatkin won the NCHSAA 3A state championship with a two-day score of 9-over 153. Fatkin is the first girls golf state champion from South Brunswick.
• Jenna Kim (Durham Academy) — ​Jenna Kim won her second straight NCISAA Division I state championship as a freshman this fall, successfully defending her title from her 8th grade year. Kim shot a two-day score of -4, scoring a 140. She was 14 strokes ahead of second place and led Durham Academy to the team title as well.
• Malerie Lague (Christ the King) — ​Malerie Lague won the NCHSAA 1A/2A girls golf state championship, posting a two-day score of +3 (147). Lague was the runner-up in 2022, but becomes the first girls golf state champion in school history for Christ the King.

Girls Golf Coach of the Year — VOTE NOW

• Ron Bare (Northwest Guilford) — ​The Northwest Guilford girls golf team was the state runner-up at the NCHSAA 4A state championships, finishing 10 strokes behind Pinecrest. However, Northwest Guilford won the individual championship as Leah Edwards won a playoff hole against the reigning state champion.
• Tim Mahon (Jordan) —​ Jordan's girls golf team finished fourth in the NCHSAA 4A state championship, posting a combined two-day score of 466 -- 17 strokes behind first place Pinecrest. Jordan's Emerson Dever finished third in the individual tournament, one stroke behind the top two finishers.
• Cotton Nicholson (South Central) — ​South Central's girls golf team won its first state championship, winning the NCHSAA 3A tournament at Foxfire Golf Club. South Central finished 32 strokes ahead of second place in the state championship.
• Kevin Wicker (Durham Academy) — ​Durham Academy won the NCISAA Division I state championship for the second straight season, finishing 61 strokes ahead of second place North Raleigh Christian. The Cavaliers also won the individual championship as freshman Jenna Kim repeated.
• Jamie Williams (Pinecrest) — ​The Pinecrest girls golf team repeated as NCHSAA 4A state champions this fall, winning by 10 strokes at Pinehurst No. 6. The Patriots have won three of the last five state titles, and are now tied for most team titles in NCHSAA history with six.

Soccer Awards

Boys Soccer Offensive Player of the Year — VOTE NOW

• Desmond Bullard (Gray Stone Day) — En route to winning the NCHSAA 1A state championship, Desmond Bullard scored 34 goals and recorded 24 assists in 25 games this season for Gray Stone Day. He finished with 91 points. Bullard was also a perfect 6-for-6 on PK attempts. He was an all-state team selection by the N.C. Soccer Coaches Association.
• John Franck (New Hanover) — In 24 games this season, John Franck recorded 62 points for New Hanover, including 26 goals and 10 assists. He averaged 2.6 points per game for the Wildcats. Franck was an all-state selection by the N.C. Soccer Coaches Association.
• Fernando Hernandez (Southwestern Randolph) — Fernando Hernandez led Southwestern Randolph with 124 points in 23 games as a sophomore this fall. Hernandez scored 49 goals and recorded 26 assists, averaging 5.4 points per game. He was selected to the N.C. Soccer Coaches Association All-State Team.
• Dylan Swinehart (Charlotte Country Day) — As a senior in 2023, Dylan Swinehart recorded 23 goals and 10 assists, totaling 56 points in 22 games. He averaged 2.5 points per game. He was named to the N.C. Soccer Coaches Association All-State Team.
• Drew Waller (West Cabarrus) — ​As a senior, Drew Waller posted 102 points in 25 games for West Cabarrus. He scored 43 goals on 127 shots and recorded 16 assists, earning all-state honors from the N.C. Soccer Coaches Association.

Boys Soccer Defensive Player of the Year — VOTE NOW

• Paddy Eagan (Cardinal Gibbons) — As a senior, Paddy Eagan was 13-7-3 in goal, saving 126 of 155 shots on goal. He had a save percentage of 80%, allowing just 1.2 goals per game. In 23 games, he recorded 9 shutouts. Eagan was named to the N.C. Soccer Coaches Association All-State Team.
• Cole Freeman (Ardrey Kell) — ​As a junior this fall, Cole Freeman recorded a 14-2-4 record in goal, pitching 13 shutouts in 22 games played. He allows just 10 goals on 63 shots on goal, giving up less than one goal per game on average. Freeman earned all-state honors from the N.C. Soccer Coaches Association.
• Daniel Martin (Cox Mill) — Daniel Martin is a senior defender at Cox Mill. He earned N.C. Soccer Coaches Association All-State Team recognition this fall. Offensively, he added one goal.
• Paul Northcutt (South Mecklenburg) — ​As a senior in goal this fall, Northcutt recorded a record of 11-3-1, helping South Mecklenburg to the 4A state championship. He allowed just 13 goals and made 93 saves. The average goals scored against Northcutt was just 0.674.
• Kai Reece (First Flight) — Kai Reece is a team captain on the First Flight boys soccer team, who helped the Nighthawks to a 22-0-1 record and a NCHSAA state championship. First Flight allows just 6 goals all season. Reece was named to the N.C. Soccer Coaches Association All-State Team.​

Boys Soccer Coach of the Year — VOTE NOW

• Foster Kyei (Southern Durham) — ​Southern Durham's boys soccer team won the schools first conference championship in the sport. The Spartans finished with a 20-3-2 overall record and a 13-0-1 mark in the conference. The run included a win over Carrboro, which snapped the Jaguars' 56-game conference win streak.
• Austin Latta (Franklin Academy) — ​Franklin Academy won the NCHSAA 2A state championship with 5-0 win over Community School of Davidson. The Patriots finished the season with a 20-4-3 overall record and outscored its opponents in the playoffs by a 38-2 margin. Franklin Academy finished ranked No. 9 in the HSOT Top 25.
• David Miller (Jacksonville) — ​In his final season as the boys soccer coach at Jacksonville, David Miller recorded a 19-5-2 overall record and a 10-1-1 mark in the Big East 3A/4A Conference. Miller is retiring at the end of the season.
• Juan Ramirez (First Flight) — ​First Flight shutout Hickory to win the NCHSAA 3A state championship and finish the season unbeaten, allowing just 6 goals all season. The Nighthawks finished No. 1 in the HighSchoolOT Top 25 rankings.
• Eric White (South Mecklenburg) — ​South Mecklenburg's boys soccer team took the No. 24 seed out of the 4A West and won the NCHSAA state championship with a 1-1 (6-5) victory over Apex Friendship. The Sabres became the lowest-seeded team in any sport to win a NCHSAA state title. South Meck finished the season with a 17-6-3 record and ranked No. 3 in the HSOT Top 25.

Tennis Awards

Girls Tennis Player of the Year — VOTE NOW

• McKinley Battle (Rocky Mount) — ​After being eliminated in the first round of the NCHSAA 3A playoffs last year, McKinley Battle defeated Forestview's Rennie Liu 3-6, 6-0, 6-1 to win the state championship as a junior. McKinley is the first state champion in girls tennis from Rocky Mount. She was 27-0 this season.
• Allison Harris (Broughton) — ​Broughton's Allison Harris defeated Jordan's Samantha Slowik 2-6, 6-1, 6-2 in the NCHSAA 4A singles state championship match, becoming Broughton's 16th individual champion. Harris finished the season with a 26-1 record.
• Eliza Perry (Hendersonville) — Hendersonville senior Eliza Perry was a member of the NCHSAA 2A doubles state championship team, posting a 17-0 record this fall. It was the second straight doubles title for Perry and Ramsey Ross. ​
• Teagan Reilly (Myers Park) — ​Teagan Reilly finished the season with a 28-1 record, with her lone loss coming in the NCHSAA 4A singles semifinals. Reilly lost to eventual state champion Allison Harris of Broughton 6-3 6-4.
• Brianna Viets (Triangle Math & Science) — ​Brianna Viets was a member of the Triangle Math & Science NCHSAA 1A double state championship squad, posting an 8-0 record as a senior. Viets teamed up with Sasha Korjova​ to beat Mount Airy's Carrie Marion and Ella Brant 6-1, 6-1 in the final. They are the first Tigers players to win an individual girls tennis title.​

Girls Tennis Coach of the Year — VOTE NOW

• Heather Bell (Franklin) — ​Franklin finished as the 3A West runner-up this season and ranked No. 24 in the HSOT Top 25 rankings. Franklin was 18-1 overall this fall.
• Susan Brady (Terry Sanford) — ​Terry Sanford finished the season with an 18-1 record and was the NCHSAA 3A runner-up, falling to undefeated Lake Norman Charter in the championship. Terry Sanford finished ranked No. 8 in the HSOT Top 25.
• Jennifer Coleman (New Hanover) — ​New Hanover was the NCHSAA 4A state runner-up this season, finishing with a 25-1 record. The lone loss came in the state championship to undefeated Myers Park. The Wildcats finished the season ranked No. 3 in the HSOT Top 25 rankings.
• Ed Flynn (Myers Park) — ​Myers Park won the NCHSAA 4A state championship over New Hanover in a battle of two undefeated teams. The Mustangs finished the season ranked No. 1 in the HSOT Top 25 rankings.
• Luke Graham (Mount Airy) — ​Mount Airy completed an undefeated season and successfully defending its NCHSAA 1A state championship this season. With a 25-0 record, the Granite Bears finished No. 5 in the HSOT Top 25 rankings.

Volleyball Awards

Volleyball Offensive Player of the Year — VOTE NOW

• Macy Bolyard (Northern Guilford) — ​As a senior, Macy Bolyard recorded 322 kills with a kill percentage of 55.4%. She also had 86 aces and 444 assists.
• Kiki Horne (Millbrook) — ​The reigning Gatorade North Carolina Player of the Year and UCLA commit, Kiki Horne recorded 392 kills, 48 aces, 29 blocks, and 263 digs for Millbrook this season. Her kill percentage was 48.8%.
• Sally Perez (Middle Creek) — ​A member of Team USA and a UCLA commit, Sally Perez recorded 479 kills this season with a kill percentage of 48.6%. She also posted 47 aces, 42 assists, 24 blocks, and 149 digs for the state champion Mustangs.
• Laynie Smith (Chapel Hill) — ​As a senior this fall, Laynie Smith recorded 353 kills with a kill percentage of 64.6%. She added 41 aces, 33 blocks, 75 digs, and 8 assists for the Tigers.
• Asia Thigpen (Green Level) — ​Asia Thigpen recorded 364 kills with a kill percentage of 48.1% this past season. She added 26 aces, 10 assists, 160 digs, and 9 blocks. Thigpen is committed to Kentucky to play college volleyball.

Volleyball Defensive Player of the Year — VOTE NOW

• Meleah Foster (Brevard) — ​A middle hitter for Brevard, she was named the MVP of the NCHSAA state championship.
• Mallory Jenkins (Fike) —​Standing at 6-foot-4, Mallory Jenkins has signed with Tennessee Tech to play college volleyball.
• Gabby Nichols (Reagan) — ​As a junior at Reagan, Gabby Nichols recorded 95 total blocks and 47 digs. She added 247 kills with a kill percentage of 61.4%, 14 aces, and 6 assists. Nichols is committed to Penn State.
• Coley Shiflet (Southwestern Randolph) — ​As a senior, Coley Shiflet​ recorded 595 digs this season for Southwestern Randolph. She added 96 assists and 42 aces.
• Mikayla Taborn (Franklinton) — ​Franklinton's Mikayla Taborn was credited with 229 total blocks as a senior, as well as 46 digs. She also tallied 207 kills, 8 aces, and 4 assists for the Rams.

Volleyball Coach of the Year — VOTE NOW

• Hope Heverly (Orange) — ​Orange's volleyball team advanced to the NCHSAA 3A state championship match where it lost in five sets to Kings Mountain. The Panthers finished the season with a 27-5 record, won the Central 3A Conference title with a record of 13-1, and ranked No. 11 in the HSOT Top 25 rankings.
• Molly Hill (Polk County) — ​Polk County won the NCHSAA 1A volleyball state championship in a sweep of Falls Lake Academy. Polk County finished the season with a 28-3 record and ranked No. 17 in the HSOT Top 25 rankings.
• Dalton Lewis (Ashe County) — ​Ashe County's volleyball team advanced to the fourth round of the NCHSAA 3A state playoffs where it lost to North Iredell in five sets. Ashe County finished the season with a 21-4 record, a Northwestern 3A/4A Conference title, and ranked No. 16 in the HSOT Top 25 rankings.
• Heather Pasour (Kings Mountain) — Kings Mountain won the NCHSAA 3A volleyball state championship in a five-set match against Orange, finishing with a 34-1 overall record. The Mountaineers won the Big South 3A Conference title with a 14-0 conference mark, and were ranked No. 4 in the final HSOT Top 25 rankings.
• Jodi Scoggins (Middle Creek) — ​Middle Creek won the NCHSAA 4A volleyball state championship in a sweep against Cox Mill, despite not having star Sally Perez who was traveling with USA Volleyball. The Mustangs posted a 26-1 overall record and won the Southwest Wake 4A Conference title with a 13-1 mark. Middle Creek finished the season ranked No. 1 in the HSOT Top 25 rankings.