WCHS basketball holds annual awards banquet

The WCHS basketball programs recognized the efforts of this season?s teams Saturday night at the high school cafeteria, and doled out several awards as part of their postseason banquet.

After a sumptuous meal provided by Prater?s BBQ, awards from the Lady Pioneer and Pioneer freshman and varsity teams were bestowed on several different players from the WCHS coaching staff.

Freshman girls coach Carl Curtis began the awards presentation by expressing his gratitude to his team, which struggled at times early in the 2005-2006 campaign but came together late in the year to take a runner-up finish at the district?s postseason tournament.

?Thank you, ladies, for an exciting year,? he said. ?You?ve left me with a lot of good memories.?

Tiffany Long, Macy Broom and Brooke Bowman were all recognized for receiving all-tournament honors at the district tourney, and Long was named the freshman girls? best offensive player, while Broom collected best defensive player honors.

For the freshman Pioneers, P.L. Prater was named the team?s most valuable player, while Casey Myers earned offensive player of the year honors, Kyrie Harris was defensive player of the year and Coty Keel took home the hustle award.

Coach Ann Eades presented awards to her varsity Lady Pioneer squad, which she praised for never losing heart despite suffering through an injury-plagued season.

?I don?t know when I?ve had a harder-working bunch,? Eades said. ?Many times we could?ve gotten discouraged, but they never did. They worked so very, very hard, and I don?t know if I?ve ever been more proud of a group of young ladies.?

Senior Lauren Patterson received the Lady Pioneers? dedication award, while classmates McKenna Rhea, Amanda Locke and Heather Frazier were given the Lady Pioneer award, the offensive player of the year award and the defensive player of the year awards, respectively. Additionally, Brittany Frazier was named the team?s hustle award winner, while Bowman ? who saw time on the freshman and varsity roster ? earned the top newcomer award.

The varsity boys? awards wrapped up the evening?s festivities, with first-year coach Ryan Smith handing out recognition to his players, who were selected for their honors by a poll of their teammates.

?Even with the struggles we had, I still enjoyed this year,? Smith said. ?I learned a lot from these guys, and even though the record wasn?t there where we wanted to be, we had a lot of fun, and made a lot of progress.?

Brooks Majors, the team?s lone representative on the all-District 7-AAA squad, was named the Pioneers most valuable player, while Adam Wood was named best offensive player and Ben Dunn earned best defensive player honors.

Shay Glenn was given the best hustle award, Isaac Slatton earned the most dedicated award and Donta Weir was recognized as the team?s most improved player.