CCHS players of the year

COURIER STAFF REPORT

Player of the Year honors for Cannon County High School were handed out Tuesday, May 23 at the Cannon Courier's annual Hall of Fame and Sports Award banquet.

"It is my pleasure to be here this evening and help present the award for player of the year in each of Cannon County High School's sports," said David Hunter, Courier sports writer. 'Now, let us name the Player of the Year in each sport."

First is Girls Soccer ... She was a four year starter at outside defender on the pitch. She won that position as a freshman, and kept it throughout her career with what Coach Walker described as a leg of steel. This year's winner is LeAnn Scott.

The Boys Soccer Player of the Year was the ultimate team leader this season as the Lions enjoyed one of their best seasons in program history. He converted nine goals, while playing on both sides of the pitch. This year's winner is Jake Walkup.

The Golfer of the Year had another solid season on the links. This season he placed No. 1 on the Lions. The Golfer of the Year is Bradly Vickers

Next is Volleyball... She transferred to CCHS from Maine this season. She had consistent serves and over 100 digs this season. New head coach Angela Hale called her the rock of the Lionettes. The Volleyball Player of the Year is Kristyn Pledger.


Our female cross country runner of the year needs no introduction. This season she made it four-for-four in state appearances finished 16th at the TSSAA meet in 2017. The female cross country athlete of the year is Hannah Whited.


The boys' cross country runner of the year ran all four years on the varsity. This past season, he helped lead the Lions to a 3rd place or better finish in five out of the seven regular season meets. Please welcome the boys' cross-country runner of the year Devin Gilpatrick.


The football lineman and back of the year played key roles on a Lions team, which had one of their best seasons in a long time. This lineman was the only four year player on this year's squad, while this back played cornerback and tailback. This year's winners are Maika Fonoti and Cort Litchford.


The girls' basketball player of the year averaged 15.8 points per game and 10 rebounds per game this season. She was named second team All-District, and second team all-defensive team. Coach Odom called her an outstanding example of a student-athlete. This year's winner is Maleah Scott.


The boys' basketball player of the year could do it all as one of the tallest players on the Lions this season. He was named the Lions Defensive MVP this season as he averaged 11. 6 points per game, seven rebounds and two blocks. This year's winner is Trey Fann.


Next is girls' tennis... She has been a member of the Lionettes for two years, and this season she played No. 1 singles. This year's winner is Alli Howard.


The boys' tennis player of the year also played No. 1 singles this season, and he has been on the team for two seasons. This year's winner is Landon Parton.


The softball pitcher and player of the year are twins. According to Coach Mullins onr id a very tough player, who could play anywhere on the field, while the other pitched this season and was a true team player, always putting the team first. The winners are Kallie and Joie McCrary.


The baseball pitcher and player of the year both spent all four years on the diamond for the Lions. This pitcher was named All-District this season and had one of the top hitting percentages, on base percentages, ERA's and wins on the team. The player of the year was also All-District this season as the lead-off hitter and led the team in steals this season. This year's winners are Sam Schuss and Preston Campbell.


The final player of the year is in a sport, which we are honoring for the first time this season, cheerleading. Coach Choate called her an athlete who set the example for all of us. She was the only four-year member of this year's squad. Please welcome the cheerleader of the year, Tori Russell.


Now for the specialty awards.


The Female Athlete of Year will be competing Thursday for another state title in track and field fas a member of Murfreesboro Central Magnet's 4x800 meter relay team in the TSSAA Spring Fling at MTSU. She won a state title in this event in 2015, and in cross country, she has advanced to the state track and field meet during all four years of her high school career. The female athlete of the year is Hannah Whited.


The Male Athlete of the Year is a gentle giant both on and off the floor. This senior played an important starter role on the football, basketball and baseball teams this season. He even spent a year on the soccer team. The Male Athlete of the Year is Anton Knox.


Next are the Male and Female Publisher's Cup honorees, signifying the top scholar athletes. These two are proof you can balance academics and athletes and perform at a high level.



Ironically, both of this year's winners played one of the toughest positions in all of sports, goalkeeper on the soccer pitch. They are the last line of defense, and they were the team leaders on the Lions and Lionettes this season. Both excelled in the classroom.



The female Publisher's Cup winner had a perfect, 4.0 GPA and was a manager of the boy's soccer team, played catcher on the softball team and was a member of the cheerleading squad.



The male winner had a 3.94 GPA. He played all four years on the boys soccer team and saved 150 shots this season..



This year's winners are Justin Hill and Raquel Novoa.



The Lions award goes to a senior male who played an important role on the football and baseball team this season. However, his main contribution to the CCHS athletic program was as Leo the Lion during the past few seasons. He could help get the crowd fired up, while also being a role model to the future Lions and Lionettes at CCHS sporting events.



This year's Lions award winner is Chandler Todd.



The Inspiration Award winner goes to a senior, who is CCHS No. 1 student fan, even though he has been confined to a wheelchair since he was a young boy.



In the February 21 issue, we profiled this wonderful young man, who knows more basketball than the actual CCHS basketball coaches. They said it, not me. I remember from that column, and on senior night during the basketball season he got the biggest cheers from the best fans in the state.