Albany seniors receive memorial awards
By Donnie A. Lucas
A recap of Albany High’s athletic success during the 2020-2021 school year was given at the annual All-Sports Banquet on Tuesday, including the announcement of several special memorial awards.
Coaches for each sport also recognized their teams, along with handing out various sport-specific awards.
Thirteen senior athletes were presented special awards in memory or honor of local citizens who exemplified special qualities.
The banquet was sponsored by the Athletic Booster Club.
Both the Lions and Lady Lions are ending another stellar school year, with teams and individuals advancing in almost every sport.
One of the highlights of this season’s awards was the presentation of the Eddie Hodges Memorial Coach of the Year to longtime head football coach Denney Faith. The honor is sponsored by the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, with FCA East representative Paul Johnston announcing the honor.
Faith has coached in Albany since 1982, serving as head football coach since 1987.
Memorial Awards
The overall outstanding male and female athletes were recognized with honors given in memory of former students or fans in acknowledgment of special qualities, traits or abilities.
All recipients were seniors.
The oldest of the memorial awards is the Jay Wood Memorial, given to the top overall male and female athletes.
Barrett Beal was tapped for the award as the outstanding boy, while Alli Hill was named the outstanding girl.
The Carl Gene Edgar “Lion Pride” Awards were given to Cade Neve and Carli Edgar. The honor is reserved for seniors who participate in varsity sports who have a love of competition and give full effort in each sport in which they participate.
Selected this year for the Kirk Holson “Rope Holder” Award were Ryder Wilkins and Elia Hebel. The honor is given to students that “you would want holding the other end of a rope if you were hanging off a cliff.”
The Rob Shack “Fighting Heart” was presented this year to Wesley Estridge and Hannah Trail. The award is given to students who “keep on fighting and trying no matter what happens.”
The Ben Carlile “Hustler” Awards went to William Webb, Everett McWhorter, and Blanton Belcher. As the name suggests, the award is given to students who demonstrate the most hustle in their sport during the season.
Finally, the newest of the honors is the Junior Garcia “Leave No Doubt” Awards, which are given to the athletes who give all they have for their team or sport. This year, the recipients were Jackson Chapman and Torie Fuentes.
MVP and outstanding player awards for each sport were also announced by the coaching staff, as well as introductions of the teams.
FOOTBALL
Outstanding Offense Line – Ryder Wilkins. Outstanding Defensive Line – Parker Henry. Outstanding Defensive Backs – Brooks Neece and Coy Lefevre. Offensive MVP – Jaheim Newton. Defensive MVP – Wesley Estridge. Outstanding Skilled Player – Cole Chapman. Football MVP – Barrett Beal.
VOLLEYBALL
Offensive MVP – Sarah Beth Cotter. Defensive MVP – Torie Fuentes. Volleyball MVP – Alli Hill. Outstanding Setter – Clara Holson. Fighting Heart – Addie Beth Denton. Most Improved – Tristen Brown. We Over Me Award – Hannah Trail. Hustler Award – Blanton Belcher.
BOYS BASKETBALL
Offensive Players of the Year – Coy Lefevre and Cole Chapman. Defensive Player of the Year – Luke Ivy. Newcomer of the Year – London Fuentes. Lion Pride – Everett McWhorter. Sixth Man – Adam Hill. Basketball MVP – Barrett Beal.
GIRLS BASKETBALL
Offensive MVP – Alli Hill. Defensive MVP – Elia Hebel. Most Improved – Briley Tabor. Newcomer of the Year – Avery Kleiner. Black and Blue – Cydney Nelson. Most Improved – Tristen Brown. Leadership – Torie Fuentes. Basketball MVP – Brylee Moore.
GOLF
Girls MVP – Avery Kleiner. Boys MVP – Lute Wheeler.
TENNIS
Outstanding Boys Doubles – Luke Ivy and Cooper Fairchild. Outstanding Girls Doubles – Susie Cormack and Ella Webb. Outstanding Mixed Doubles – Mikey Hernandez and Jaci Chapman. Newcomer of the Year – Brayden Watson. Outstanding Girls Singles – Sarah Cotter. Outstanding Boys Singles – Braden Watson. Tennis MVP – Sarah Cotter.
BOYS TRACK
Outstanding Runner – Everett McWhorter. Outstanding Jumper – Luke Ivy. Newcomer of the Year – Adam Hill. Most Improved – Jayden Lucas. Track MVP – Cole Chapman.
GIRLS TRACK
Newcomer of the Year – Ella Webb. Outstanding Runner – Brylee Moore. Outstanding jumper – Sarah Cotter. Outstanding Thrower – Kiana Roberson. Lady Lion Pride – Sidney Russell. Most Improved Field Event – Briley Tabor. Most Improved – Melissa Olivarez. Solid Competitor – Ashlyn Holson. MVP Hurdler/Runner – Alli Hill. Persevered/Dedication – Chey’Anne Weaver. Hustler/Go Getter – Gineveve Soders.
BASEBALL
Firearm Awards – Cole Chapman and Caden Price. Big Stick Awards – Cooper Fairchild and Coy Lefevre. Golden Glove Awards – Parker Henry and Luke Ivy. Brian Wilson “Go Big or Go Home” – William Webb. Baseball MVPs – Cade Neve and Jackson Chapman.
SOFTBALL
Defensive MVP – Kam Browning. Offensive MVP – Torie Fuentes. The “Be Albany” Award – Blanton Belcher. Softball MVP – Ana Balliew.
CROSS COUNTRY
Girls MVP – Briley Tabor
CHEERLEADERS
Hannah Trail, Avery Kleiner, Savannah Hobbs, Lizzie Chavez. Ella Webb. Brooke Kayga, Kam Browning and Gracie Price.
