High School Sports

HSOT Honors: Here are the winners from Saturday's awards show

Athletes, coaches, athletic directors, and teams from across Central and Eastern North Carolina gathered June 15 at the Duke Energy Center for the Performing Arts in downtown Raleigh for the 2019 HighSchoolOT Honors awards show.
Posted 2019-06-15T05:02:47+00:00 - Updated 2019-06-16T12:39:18+00:00

Athletes, coaches, athletic directors, and teams from across central and eastern North Carolina gathered Saturday night at the Duke Energy Center for the Performing Arts in downtown Raleigh for the second annual 2019 HighSchoolOT Honors awards show, presented by Pella Windows and Doors.

A total of 41 awards were given out on Saturday night, including elite awards such as the Male & Female Athlete of the Year, Male & Female Coach of the Year, the Stuart Scott Courage Award, and more. Former Garner and N.C. State standout football player Nyheim Hines was the featured speaker and guest. Hines is starting his second year with the Indianapolis Colts.

2019 HighSchoolOT Honors Winners

Marching Band of the Year: Hillside Hornets

This year's marching band of the year comes from Durham County. The Hillside Hornets' marching band wins its first ever HighSchoolOT Honors award.

Boys Soccer Player of the Year: Patrick O'Neill, Green Hope

​Green Hope senior Patrick O'Neill led his team to the 4A state championship, serving as a team captain. He was an all-state and all-Mid Atlantic selection.

Girls Tennis Player of the Year: Katie Andreini, Green Hope

Green Hope's Katie Andreini led her team to the 4A state championship as the 1-seed. She went unbeaten in singles play as well.

Upset of the Year: Northwood's win over Hillside in boys basketball

​Northwood was one of just two teams that was able to beat Hillside all season.

Girls Cross Country Athlete of the Year: Carmen Alder, Pinecrest

Pinecrest's Carmen Alder won the 4A state championship by more than 12 seconds, earning HighSchoolOT All-East Honors.

Boys Cross Country Athlete of the Year: Anton Idhammar, Cary

Cary's Anton Idhammar won the 4A state championship last fall with a time of 15:45.12.

Student Section of the Year: Apex Friendship Pat Pit

Congratulations to the student section from Apex Friendship, winning its first ever HighSchoolOT Honors award!

Team of the Year presented by Omega Sports: Wake Forest football team

The Wake Forest football team won its third consecutive 4AA state championship last season, posting a perfect 14-0 record. It's a feat no other Wake County team has ever achieved. The Cougars also hold the longest active winning streak in the state at 45 games.

Volleyball Player of the Year: Sydney Dowler, Green Hope

As a junior, Green Hope's Sydney Dowler recorded 121 kills, 59 aces, 139 digs, and 862 assists, leading her team to its third straight state championship. She was also named the MVP of the state championship for the third consecutive season, the first time that has ever happened at the 4A level.

Girls Golfer of the Year: Katherine Schuster, First Flight

First Flight's Katherine Schuster won the 1A/2A state championship with a two-round score of 139. Her score was four strokes better than any other golfer across all classifications.

Football Offensive Player of the Year: Traevon Kenion, Wake Forest

In his only season at Wake Forest, Traevon Kenion recorded 834 receiver yards and 15 touchdowns on 43 receptions, helping the Cougars to the 4AA state championship. He will play football at the University of South Carolina next season.

Football Defensive Player of the Year: Drake Thomas, Heritage

Heritage linebacker Drake Thomas recorded a team-best 123 tackles last season, including 46 tackles for loss and three sacks. He also posted two interceptions, two fumble recoveries, and two forced fumbles. He will play college football at NC State this fall.

Cheerleading Team of the Year: Holly Springs Golden Hawks

The Holly Springs cheerleading team was the repeat grand champion at the Wake County Cheerleading Championships earlier this year. They also won the large division championship at the NCHSAA Cheerleading Invitational and at the N.C. Cheerleading Coaches Association State Championship.

Wrestler of the Year: Timothy Decatur, Rosewood

Rosewood's Timothy Decatur holds the NCHSAA record for all-time wins. Last season, he posted a 57-1 record and won the 132 pound state championship at the 1A level.

Game of the Year: Wakefield over Panther Creek in boys basketball

​In the third round of the 4A boys basketball state playoffs, Panther Creek & Wakefield played a close game throughout. Wakefield, after falling behind at halftime, claimed a third quarter lead. But UVA commit Justin McKoy scored with 5.6 seconds left in regulation to tie the game at 73-73 for Panther Creek. After a timeout, Brenon Rodgers drilled a long 3-pointer to lift Wakefield to the win.

Girls Indoor Track Athlete of the Year: Jayda Hunter, Jacksonville

Jayda Hunter of Jacksonville won the 3A state championship in the triple jump and was named to the HighSchoolOT All-East Team in the winter.

Boys Indoor Track Athlete of the Year: Eric Haddock, Southeast Raleigh

Southeast Raleigh senior Eric Haddock was named the MVP of the 4A state championship, winning state titles in the long jump and triple jump. He was also named to the HighSchoolOT All-East Team in both events.

Mascot of the Year presented by UNC-TV: Richmond Raider

The Raider of Richmond County High School was voted as the mascot of the year this year.

Athletic Director of the Year: Rod Whitesell, Holly Springs

​Holly Springs' athletic department saw its most successful year so far. Football won its first ever conference championship. Boys basketball won the conference title as well, which was the first winning season for the program. The baseball team, coached by athletic director Rod Whitesell, advanced to the 4A eastern regional championship as well.

Female Coach of the Year presented by Pella Windows & Doors: Chris Murray, North Raleigh Christian Academy

North Raleigh Christian Academy volleyball coach Chris Murray led her team to a state championship this season.

Male Coach of the Year presented by Pella Windows & Doors: Brad Spell, Clinton

Longtime Clinton soccer coach Brad Spell was named the Male Coach of the Year after leading his team to its first ever state championship this year.

Girls Basketball Player of the Year: Saniya Rivers, Laney

Laney's Saniya Rivers averaged 24.4 points per game, 12.4 rebounds, 4.5 steals, 4.1 assists, and 2.2 blocks last season. She was named the N.C. AP Player of the Year and the N.C. Basketball Coaches Association Player of the Year. Later, she won the Gatorade Player of the Year award.

Boys Basketball Player of the Year: Justin McKoy, Panther Creek

Panther Creek senior Justin McKoy was named the Boys Basketball Player of the Year for 2019. McKoy averaged a double-double, posting 24.6 points, 10.6 rebounds, 3.4 assists, 1.6 blocks and 1.3 steals each game. He will play college basketball for the defending national champions at the University of Virginia.

Boys Tennis Player of the Year: Banks Evans, Clayton

Clayton senior Banks Evans is the 2019 Boys Tennis Player of the Year. Evans went undefeated in the regular season, then won the 3A singles state championship. He went on to lead his team to the dual team tennis title the next week.

Boys Golfer of the Year: Peter Fountain, Broughton

Peter Fountain of Broughton, the 2019 Boys Golfer of the Year, won the 4A state championship with a two-day score of 137 at Pinehurst, which was 7-under par for the tournament.

Girls Soccer Player of the Year: Brenna Murray, Leesville Road

Leesville Road goal keeper Brenna Murray allowed just six goals in 24 games this season, earning her all-state honors from the N.C. Soccer Coaches Association.

Story of the Year presented by Pella Windows & Doors: Green Hope & Panther Creek play for volleyball state title

For the first time ever, two Wake County teams played each other for a team state championship. Panther Creek and Green Hope, arch rivals separated by about a mile, faced off in the 4A volleyball state championship. Green Hope went on to sweep the Catamounts in straight sets.

Boys Lacrosse Player of the Year: Riley Myer, Cardinal Gibbons

Cardinal Gibbons senior goal keeper Riley Myer led his team to the 4A state championship this season with a save percentage of 62.7%, which included 153 saves on 244 shots on goal.

Girls Lacrosse Player of the Year: Brooke Baker, Ravenscroft

Brooke Baker, a lacrosse player at Ravenscroft, was named to the U.S. Lacrosse High School All-American Team this season, helping her to earn the HighSchoolOT Honors Girls Lacrosse Player of the Year Award.

Girls Track & Field Athlete of the Year: Morgan Smalls, Panther Creek

Morgan Smalls won 4A state championships in the triple jump and high jump, while finishing second in the 400 meters and the long jump. She was named to the HighSchoolOT All-East Team in all four events.

Boys Track & Field Athlete of the Year: Randolph Ross, Garner

Garner's Randolph Ross won the 4A state championship in the 400 meter dash this spring and earned HighSchoolOT All-East honors.

​Girls Swimmer of the Year: Claire Curzan, Cardinal Gibbons

Cardinal Gibbons' Claire Curzan set the state record in the 100 butterfly and the 100 backstroke -- twice. She broke the state record in the 100 butterfly by more than a second, while posting a time of 51.88 seconds in the 100 backstroke.

Boys Swimmer of the Year: David Wahlen, Athens Drive

David Wahlen won the 4A state championship in the 100 backstroke and placed third in the 100 freestyle.

Baseball Player of the Year: Matt Willadsen, Holly Springs

NC State commit Matt Willadsen was 9-0 on the mound this season, throwing three no-hitters and six shutouts
with an ERA of 0.35. He struck out 102 of the 206 batters he faced. At the plate, he had a .372 batting average with 21 RBI and two home runs.

Softball Player of the Year: Ashley Gontram, Heritage

Ashley Gontram helped the Heritage softball team to the 4A eastern regional championship with a batting average of .515, including 27 RBI and nine home runs. Her on base percentage was .612 and she was 19-of-19 on stolen base attempts.

Lifetime Achievement Award presented by Strayer University: Gary Fowler, Clayton

Gary Fowler spent 28 years pacing the sidelines as the head football coach at Clayton High School. He also spent many years as the athletic director. A few years ago, the school named the football stadium in his honor. This fall, Clayton will celebrate the 30th anniversary of the 1989 2A state championship team, which Fowler led.

Female Extra Effort Award: Asia Todd, Clayton

Asia Todd will play college basketball at Liberty University this fall. Last year, she set the school record for points in a game twice and was named the Girls Basketball Player of the Year at 2018 HighSchoolOT Honors.

Male Extra Effort Award: Hayden Smith, Harnett Central

Hayden Smith is a three-sport athlete from Harnett Central. He is also a singer. The mayor of Lillington nominated Smith for the Extra Effort Award last fall.

Stuart Scott Courage Award presented by UNC-TV: Madelyn Wilson, Apex Friendship

​Madelyn was diagnosed with Hodgkins Lymphoma in October 2017, but last fall she was cancer free and playing volleyball for Apex Friendship. Now the cancer is back and she's fighting it again, but is determined to get back to playing volleyball soon.

Male Athlete of the Year presented by Pella Windows & Doors: Jalen Brooks, Cardinal Gibbons

Cardinal Gibbons senior Jalen Brooks played three sports his senior year -- he was a two-year captain on the football team, a two-time state champion wrestler, and decided to pick up lacrosse for the first time this spring, helping the Crusaders to the 4A state championship.

Female Athlete of the Year presented by Pella Windows & Doors: Ashlyn Smoot, Granville Central

Ashlyn Smoot, a senior at Granville Central, was the team MVP in volleyball and all-state selection in girls soccer. She also reports a 4.1 GPA and won the Tom Suiter Extra Effort Award earlier this year.

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