WCHS hoops holds annual awards banquet
The Warren County High School basketball program recognized its most outstanding performers from the 2004-05 season Monday night, at the teams’ annual awards banquet.
Players from both the freshman and varsity Pioneer and Lady Pioneer squads were honored, and several were presented with individual awards for their play this season.
Five players were recognized for having earned All-District honors. Donta Weir and Justin Bouldin were awarded all-district nods for their performance with the Pioneer freshman team, while Brittany Frazier earned the same award for her play with the Lady Pioneers.
Varsity point guard Brooks Majors, as well as Lady Pioneers Whitney Pelham and Leah Cunningham also brought home all-district honors.
Lady Pioneer coach Ann Eades, whose team completed its second straight winning season, said her girls’ strong work ethic was key to their success, even while enduring an injury-riddled season.
“I’ve been in coaching for 28 years,” Eades said, “and I can honestly say this is the hardest-working group I have ever been associated with.”
Seniors Pelham, Cunningham, Vanessa Cornelius, Brittany Brewer and manager April Barnes received special recognition, and Cunningham was named the Lady Pioneers’ Most Valuable Player. Pelham, who finished her WCHS career with 1,021 points, earned the team’s Best Offensive Player award, while Cornelius took Best Defensive Player honors.
Brewer was given the Lady Pioneers Sixth Player award, while Nikki Griffith was the Hustle Award winner and McKenna Rhea was named Most Improved Player.
For the varsity Pioneers, outgoing coach Chris Turner recognized senior players Andy Harrell, Josh Nunley, Heath Crisp, Bobby Simpson and Todd Gilley, as well as senior manager Tyler Klasek, and expressed his own feelings of sadness at leaving the Pioneer program.
“I love these guys with all my heart,” Turner said. “I wish I could stay, but I can’t. But I know success is on the way, and I want to thank these players for giving me so many special memories.
“I’ve never been around a group of better people, and I’ve never coached a better group of kids. I’ll never forget them, as long as I live.”
Majors came away with the team’s Most Valuable Player award, while Andy Harrell earned the Coaches’ Award. Best Offensive and Best Defensive Player honors went to Brandon Adcock and Todd Gilley, respectively, while Adam Wood was named Most Improved and Jonathan Morris earned the Hustle Award.
Lady Pioneer freshman coach Carl Curtis presented Mary Kate Fisher with his team’s Best Defensive Player honor, while Frazier added Best Offensive Player to her all-district season and all-tournament awards.
The Pioneer freshman boys, who won their district tournament title and finished with a 10-5 record, selected Chase Officer as their Sixth Man award winner, while Defensive Player of the Year honors went to Kyle Mullican. Weir was named the team’s Offensive Player of the Year, while Bouldin took home Most Valuable Player.