Coastal Preps Winter 2024-25 Midseason Awards

We’ve reached the midway point of the season in basketball, swimming and wrestling, and numerous area players and coaches are off to a fantastic start. It’s now up to you to decide the best of the best in several categories.

A link to vote for the honors is at at the bottom of the post. Voting will remain open until 11:59 p.m. on Saturday, January 18 and results will be posted the following day.

Stats are updated through January 12

***VOTE HERE***

BOYS BASKETBALL

Player of the Year

Senior guard Rodmik Allen, New Hanover: The two-time defending Coastal Preps Co-Player of the Year is averaging career highs in all four major statistical categories – 18.5 points, 5.2 rebounds, 4.8 assists and 3.3 steals. He’s shooting 47 percent from the field and 39 percent from 3-point range. 

Senior guard Blake Batts, Southeastern Homeschool: Batts leads all area players in career points with 1,848. This season, he’s averaging 20.2 points, 4.5 rebounds, 2.8 steals and 2.1 assists. Batts is shooting 42 percent from the field and 34 percent from 3-point range.

Junior guard Kane Jenrette, North Brunswick: As one of the lone Scorpions with prior varsity experience, Jenrette was expected to be the team leader. He’s responded in a big way by averaging a double-double with 16.1 points, 12.4 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 2.2 steals. Jenrette is shooting 52 percent from the field.

Junior forward Will Seward, Hoggard: Seward is a versatile 6-foot-5 wing who has a unique skill set. He’s averaging 14.9 points, 4.6 rebounds and 1.9 assists, while shooting 57 percent from the field. 

Newcomer of the Year

Freshman guard Trent Davies, Wilmington Christian Academy: Davies has proven he’s one of the best underclassmen in the area by averaging 19.0 points, 3.4 assists and 3.3 steals through 16 games. He’s shooting 51 percent from the field and 45 percent from 3-point range.

Senior forward Trey Cheatham, Trask: Cheatham decided to join the basketball team this season, and he’s been a great leader as the lone senior on a squad that features seven underclassmen. He’s averaging 9.9 points and 8.9 rebounds while shooting a remarkable 71 percent from the field.

Sophomore guard Dylan Fortun, Laney: In his first season at the varsity level, Fortun is averaging 10.5 points. Fortun has reached double figures in points in each of the past four games, including a career-high 23 against Cary.

Junior forward Stan Romer, Cape Fear Academy: The 6-foot-7 transfer from Poland is shooting 63 percent from the field. Through 20 games, he’s averaging 7.3 points and 4.7 rebounds. 

Coach of the Year

Kirk Angel, New Hanover: Angel’s Wildcats are once again one of the top teams in the state. New Hanover is 11-2 overall and 5-0 in Mideastern Conference play, while averaging 78.6 points. 

Adam Batts, Southeastern Homeschool: The Cardinals are 14-3 overall and 4-0 in the NCHEAC East despite having the smallest roster in the area with nine players. Southeastern Homeschool is already two wins away from surpassing last year’s total when it finished 16-13.

Dave Davies, Wilmington Christian Academy: In his first season on the sideline, Davies has guided the Patriots to an 8-8 overall record and a 4-0 mark in conference play. WCA went 2-18 a season ago and 7-16 during the 2022-23 campaign.

Brett Queen, Hoggard: The Vikings have gotten off to a fantastic start at 12-2 overall and 5-0 in the Mideastern Conference. Queen has his team playing an uptempo style, which is evident by their 68.4 points per game. 

GIRLS BASKETBALL

Player of the Year

Junior forward Malia Graham, East Columbus: Graham, who was a 2024 Coastal Preps Co-Player of the Year, is averaging 16.8 points, 8.8 rebounds, 3.7 steals and 3.3 assists through 10 games. The 6-foot forward is shooting 57 percent from the field.

Junior guard Milly Kelley, Cape Fear Academy: Has reached double figures in 11 of 12 games, including a pair of 30-point performances. Kelley is averaging 20.8 points, 4.7 rebounds, 5.9 steals and 2.3 assists. She is shooting 30 percent from the field. 

Junior guard Tristan Shivers, Hoggard: The reigning Coastal Preps Co-Player of the Year is off to another outstanding start for the 14-1 Vikings. Shivers is averaging 15.7 points, 4.0 rebounds, 7.3 assists and 3.9 steals. She’s shooting 48 percent from the field and 42 percent from 3-point range.

Senior guard NeNe Ward, East Bladen: Ward is averaging 19.4 points, 4.7 rebounds, 5.3 steals and 4.1 assists. She’s scored at least 15 points in 11 of 14 games, and is shooting 48 percent from the field as well as 35 percent from 3-point range.

Newcomer of the Year

Freshman center Maddie Francis, Pender: Through five games, Francis is averaging 12 points and eight rebounds. She’s reached double figures four times, including a career-high 18 points against East Bladen on January 3.

Freshman guard Ava Kita, Topsail: Leads all area freshman with a scoring average of 12.6 points. Kita also averages 4.9 rebounds, 2.6 steals and 1.7 assists, while shooting 45 percent from the field. 

Freshman center Demya Powell, West Columbus: Is averaging 6.1 points, 10.9 rebounds and 1.5 blocks through 10 games. Powell is shooting 34 percent from the field.

Freshman guard India Williams, Laney: Williams has proven she’s one of the area’s most talented freshman by averaging 12.0 points, 5.8 rebounds and 2.0 steals through 13 games. She is shooting 40 percent from the field.

Coach of the Year

Boubacar Aw, Hoggard: The Vikings have finished with at least 20 victories in nine of the past 10 seasons, with the only exception coming during the COVID-19 shorted campaign when they went 11-2. Aw has Hoggard on pace to do it again, as they stand 14-1 overall and 5-0 in the Mideastern Conference.

Cedric Boney, Cape Fear Academy: Now in his third season, Boney has the Hurricanes off to an outstanding start at 11-4 overall and 4-0 in the Coastal Plain Independent Conference. CFA is closing in on its first 15-win season since 2019-20.

Patty Evers, East Bladen: The veteran coach once again has the Eagles playing at a high level with a 12-2 overall record and a 4-0 mark in Waccamaw Conference play. East Bladen advanced to the 1A East final a season ago and is one of the favorites to play for a state title this year. 

Rashad Gattison, New Hanover: Gattison’s Wildcats finished one win shy of 20 a season ago, but this year’s team has a legitimate shot to become the first to reach that number since 2017-18. New Hanover is 10-4 overall and 5-0 in the MEC. 

SWIMMING

Boys Swimmer of the Year

Senior Nathan Arredondo, Hoggard: Arredondo is the only area swimmer with a sub-49 second 100 freestyle (48.24 and 48.36). He also has three of the four fastest times in the 50 freestyle.

Senior Clem Camacho, Ashley: The Virginia Tech commit has been remarkable in his first season with the Screaming Eagles. He’s got the fastest time in four individual events – 50 freestyle (21.29), 200 freestyle (1:50.44), 200 IM (1:56.20) and 100 butterfly (51.57). 

Junior Will House, Laney: An excellent distance swimmer, House has the area’s top time in the 500 freestyle by nine seconds (5:04.80). He has three of the four fastest times in the 200 freestyle. 

Boys Newcomer of the Year

Freshman Peyton Adkisson, South Brunswick: Has top-20 area times in the 100 backstroke and 100 butterfly. Adkisson has also helped the Cougars score valuable points in all three relays.  

Freshman Tucker Boyles, Topsail: Boyles has made an immediate impact in several events. His top time in the 100 freestyle and 100 butterfly put him in the top 20 in the area. 

Sophomore Shepherd Sewell, New Hanover: The transfer from Tennessee has been a welcomed addition for the Wildcats. He has three of the five fastest times in the 500 freestyle and is also in the top 10 in the 200 freestyle, 200 IM and 100 backstroke.

Girls Swimmer of the Year

Senior Caroline Furbay, Ashley: The Davidson signee continues to show she’s one of the most versatile swimmers in the area. She’s got the top two area times her signature event (200 IM), is second in both the 100 freestyle and 100 butterfly, and is fifth in the 50 freestyle.

Sophomore Kate Serens, New Hanover: Serens made a splash as a freshman a season ago by setting the New Hanover County record in the 500 freestyle, and she hasn’t slowed down. She has the top two area times in the 500 freestyle, is first in the 100 butterfly, third in the 200 IM, and has three of the top five times in the 100 backstroke.

Senior Kelsey Stuck, Hoggard: The Kentucky signee has the top three 50 freestyle times in the area. She also has the top time in the 100 backstroke, an event in which she currently holds the New Hanover County record.

Girls Newcomer of the Year

Freshman Asheford House, Laney: The youngster has the 20th-fastest time in the 50 freestyle. She’s just outside the list in her other signature event, the 100 backstroke.

Freshman Summer Spencer, Laney: Spencer can score points for the Buccaneers in a number of different events. She currently has top-20 area times in the 100 butterfly, 200 IM and 500 freestyle. 

Freshman Peyton Stegman, South Brunswick: It doesn’t seem there is an event Stegman can’t swim. She’s got the sixth fastest time in the 200 freestyle and 200 IM, seventh fastest time in the 100 backstroke and 100 butterfly, and eighth fastest time in the 500 freestyle. Stegman is also in the top-20 in the 50 freestyle.

WRESTLING

Boys Wrestler of the Year

Senior Asher Eason, Trask: Eason is off to a 24-1 start at 215 pounds with a total of 22 bonus-point victories (17 pins, two tech falls and three forfeits).

Junior Mac Kopelman, Laney: The 165-pounder has a 19-0 record that includes nine pins, five tech falls and one forfeit. 

Junior Jude Moulton, Hoggard: The defending state qualifier is off to a 23-0 start at 175 and 190 pounds. He’s recorded seven pins, five tech falls, three major decisions and has six forfeits. 

Boys Newcomer of the Year

Freshman Jake Amiott, Topsail: Has made an immediate impact while competing at 126 and 132 pounds. He’s 25-3 with 12 pins, seven tech falls, two major decisions and one forfeit.

Sophomore Luis Gallardo, New Hanover: After going 2-5 in limited action as a freshman, Gallardo has been nearly unbeatable this season. He’s 19-2 at 106 and 113 pounds with six pins, three tech falls, four major decisions and four forfeits.

Sophomore Carson Lane, Ashley: The first-year starter at 132 pounds  is 17-5 with 12 pins and one major decision.

Girls Wrestler of the Year

Junior Lauren Hall, Trask: The defending state champion and reigning Coastal Preps Co-Wrestler of the Year has yet to suffer a defeat this season. She’s 13-0 at 138 pounds with six pins, one tech fall, one major decision and four forfeits.

Senior Elaina Pollock, Laney: The Mount Olive commit is 19-3 on the season at 152 and 165 pounds. She has 16 pins, one tech fall and a pair of forfeits.

Senior Ay’Seante Ross, Laney: Ross has been dominant at 138 pounds with a 22-1 record at 138 pounds that includes 19 pins, one major decision and two forfeits. Her only loss was an injury default.  

Girls Newcomer of the Year

Freshman Sophie Gee, Hoggard: It hasn’t taken long for Gee to figure out the sport. The 132-pounder is 11-5 with every win coming by either pin (nine) or forfeit (two).

Sophomore Maliyah Jackson, South Brunswick: Jackson has split her time at 145 and 152 pounds. She has a 10-7 record with five pins and five forfeits.  

Freshman Catherine Lebui, West Brunswick: Lebui is 11-2 at 114 pounds with six pins and five forfeits.  

***VOTE HERE***