Here are candidates for the Charlotte Observer boys high school athlete of the year.
Who is the Charlotte Observer high school boys athlete of the year?
Who is the best of the best, for the entire 2019-20 school year? For the first time, you’ll get a chance to pick.
Today, we are releasing all of the candidates for the award. The Observer covers more than 140 schools in 15 counties. Each was asked to nominate a candidate, but not all schools chose to participate.
Later this month, we will release a list of 20 finalists, 10 boys and 10 girls. Readers will then be allowed to vote on those finalists to determine a “People’s Choice” winner.
The Observer will also select its winner of the boys athlete of the year award later in May.
ARDREY KELL
CEDRIC GRAY, SR, FOOTBALL: A 6-foot-2, 215-pound linebacker/wide receiver, Gray finished his senior season with 130 tackles, eight tackles for losses, five sacks, three interceptions and two blocked kicks. On offense, he had 943 total yards, including 51 catches for 892 yards and 13 touchdowns. Gray threw for a score. He’s a three-time all-conference pick and was the 2019 SoMECK 7 conference defensive player of the year. The Shrine Bowl selected is a North Carolina recruit.
BURNS
KUJUAN PRYOR, SR, FOOTBALL, BASEBALL: Running back led Burns to a 12-3 record and a N.C. 2A state semifinal performance. He rushed for 2,433 Yards with 9.8 yards per carry and 31 total touchdowns. He was the Southwestern conference offensive player of the year. He was the starting shortstop on the baseball team. In six games this year, Burns was batting .313 with 1 double, 1 triple, and 7 stolen bases.
CABARRUS CHARTER
Q’MAR STROMAN, JR, BASKETBALL: averaged 20.2 points per game, shot 49 percent from 3, 86 percent from the free throw line and 43 percent, overall, from the field. Stroman led Cabarrus Charters to 14 wins last season an improvement over three wins the previous season.
CANNON
JADEN BRADLEY, SOPH, BASKETBALL: Charlotte Observer, MaxPreps N.C. player of the year averaged 23 points, seven rebounds and seven assists. He led Cannon to a undefeated run through the CISAA conference and the N.C. Independent Schools state championship. He is the fastest player in school history to 1,000 points and is ranked among the top 10 players in the class of 2022.
CARMEL CHRISTIAN
MATTHEW GOOCH, SR, TENNIS: 3-time NCISAA All State pick led team to four straight NCISAA state championships; He is undefeated in postseason play (24-0) with a career record of 70-5 in singles and 68-7 in doubles.
CENTRAL ACADEMY
STEVEN BAUSINGER, SR, CENTRAL ACADEMY: A four-time all-conference swimmer and a four-time regional and state qualifier. Bausinger was Rocky River conference swimmer of the year in 2019-2020 and helped lead CATA to three straight Rocky River 2A Championships. Finished third at regionals in the 200 & 500 Free, and seventh at states.
CHARLOTTE CATHOLIC
JACK MEEHAN, SR, SWIMMING: Going to University of California-Berkley on scholarship. Was 200 IM runner up, 100 yard backstroke state champion.
CHARLOTTE CHRISTIAN
BRETT ADAMS, SR, FOOTBALL AND BASEBALL: Adams, a TE and LB, filled in at QB when the starter went down with an injury in the first game of the year. Adams completed 38-of-84 passes for 591 yards and seven TDs. He also rushed for 195 yards and one TD on 31 carries. Adams tied the school’s single-game passing TD record with four against Covenant Day. For the 2019 baseball season, Adams was named to the CISAA all-conference and NCISAA all-state teams, posting the following stats: .373 BA, 6 doubles, 5 HR, 22 RBI, .506 OB%, 1,191 OPS; 7-0, 0.089 ERA, 47 IP, 78 K, and 15 BB. In Game 1 of the 2019 state championship, Adams totaled 15 Ks in a win over Wesleyan Christian. In the shortened 2020 season, Adams posted the following stats: .500 BA, 1 HR, 3 RBI, 5 BB, .650 OB%, 1.364 OPS; 2-0, 0.00 ERA, 9 IP, 16 K, 3 BB.
CHARLOTTE COUNTRY DAY
JACK STAJOS, SR, FOOTBALL, TRACK: Stajos was a first-team all-conference and second-team all-state lineman on a football team that went 9-1 in the regular season and reached the NCISAA Division 1 semifinals. In track, his top shot put performance of the indoor season (54-10) ranked fifth in the state across all classifications, as did his top mark (52-0) for the abbreviated outdoor season. His top outdoor discus mark of 168-3 ranked second in the state. He is the defending NCISAA Division I champion in the discus. He will be a member of the Track & Field team at Davidson College next year.
CHARLOTTE LATIN
RJ JOHNSON, SR, BASKETBALL, FOOTBALL: In basketball, Johnson averaged 20.4 ppg, 4.8 assists (46 percent FG, 84 percent FT) and led the Hawks to the state championship game for the NCISAA 4A division, in which he scored 36 points. He was named first Team all-conference (CISAA), first team all-state (NCISAA 4-A), and second team All-Observer and is committed to College of the Holy Cross. In football, Johnson was averaging eight yards per catch as a wide receiver and contributed 15 tackles on defense despite suffering a knee injury and sitting out much of the season.
CHERRYVILLE
LANE HARRILL, SR, BASKETBALL, CROSS-COUNTRY: 2020 Southern Piedmont conference player of the year was a two-time N.C. Basketball All-District 10 pick. Signed to Mars Hill, Harrill averaged 30.2 points and 13.2 rebounds per game this season. In cross-country, Harrill is a three-time all-conference pick and a three-time school MVP.
CHRIST THE KING
TIM CONNERY, JR, SWIMMING: Tim was the Charlotte Observer boys swimmer of the year, and set two all-classification state meet records, meaning no-one in the state had ever swam those events faster, after winning the 1A/2A titles in the 100 freestyle (44.18 seconds) and 100 breaststroke (53.65 seconds). His breaststroke time was the 11th fastest time ever recorded in high school competition. Tim was also named the most outstanding swimmer of the 1A/2A State Championship Meet.
COVENANT DAY
DAVID BILLIARD, SR, FOOTBALL, TRACK & FIELD: Billiard received All-Conference honors in the fall of 2019 and was the first football player in the program’s history to be named NCISAA All-State, First Team. This season, David amassed 12.5 sacks, 50 tackles, 20 tackles for a loss, 2 forced fumbles, and 1 fumble recovery on defense. As the Lions’ primary offensive lineman this year, he recorded more than 20 pancake blocks. Billiard is also currently ranked in the top 5 for Discus and Shot at the NCISAA 4A level.
CUTHBERTSON
AIDAN MCNALLY, JR., INDOOR TRACK & OUTDOOR TRACK: Aidan was a three-time state champion indoors winning the 300, 800-relay and 1,600 relay. He scored more than half of the points for his team, which finished No. 2 in the state. His 300 meter time was the fifth fastest in NC regardless of classification.
DAVIDSON DAY
LOGAN ZUCKER, SOPH, SWIMMING: Foothills Athletic conference champion in the 500 free and 100 fly; NCISAA State Champion in the 100 Fly; NCISAA State Runner Up in the 500 Free; All American Consideration in the 100 fly and 500 free. Ranked in top 100 nationally in 400, 800 and 1,500-meter freestyle for 16-year-old males.
EAST LINCOLN
CHASE GILLEY, SR, SOCCER: Gilley scored a N.C.-best 61 goals this season, and added 34 assists, which ranked third in North Carolina. Named South Fork 2A offensive player of the year, Gilley was named all-region, all-state and was one of 12 N.C. players on the U.S. Coaches All Mid-Atlantic Team. He received the Golden Boot from the Greater Charlotte Soccer Gala for most goals scored, and was awarded the State Performance of the Week Award once during the season by the NCHSAA. Chase was also named the Charlotte Observer player of the year. The App State recruit led his team to a 27-1 appearance and its first state finals appearance.
FOREST HILLS
GERARDO CASTILLO SERRANO, SR, FOOTBALL, SOCCER: East/West all-star pick in soccer made the all-region and all-state teams. Rocky River player of the year had a goals against average of 0.932 and had three PK saves in five attempts plus 14 shutouts. In football he averaged 58 yards on kickoffs, made 4-of-5 field goals and had a long of 46.
FORESTVIEW
HOLT CLONINGER, SR, FOOTBALL: Big South special teams player of the year had six field goals of more than 50 yards during his career. There have been 12 in Gaston County history. More than 80 percent 83% Touchbacks this season (45/54). 36/37 PATs , 7/11 FGs with long of 52. Also averaged over 36 yards per punt. All-Gazette, All-Observer. At one point last year was ranked as the #1 kicker for 2020 class per Chris Sailer Kicking. Enrolled at Campbell University.
GASTON CHRISTIAN
NATHAN HOOVER, SR, SOCCER: Soccer star was a three-year starter and 2019 team captain who led team to the NCISAA quarterfinals. Hoover was a three-time all-confernce pick and 2019 all-state pick who scored 20 career goals and 33 career assists. Signed to USC-Lancaster.
GASTON DAY
DAVID EFIRD, 6-8, SR, SOCCER: Efird was all-conference, all-state, and scored the game-winning goal in the NCISAA 2A State Championship. As a centerback, he scored seven goals, while leading a defense that only allowed 16 in a season where the Spartans went 16-3.
HOUGH
RICHARD TREANOR, JR, WRESTLING: 113 pounder won the Tiger Holiday Classic, the Holy Angels tournament and was regional and state champion in his weight class. He also won the final match of the dual team state championships, clinching the first NCHSAA tournament title for Hough and the first state wrestling team title for a CMS school since 1968.
HUNTER HUSS
DONTAVIUS NASH, JR, FOOTBALL, BASKETBALL: Nash was all-conference in football and basketball. He averaged 10.7 points, 5.7 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 2.7 steals in basketball. In football, he had 756 receiving yards on 48 catches. He had 10 receiving touchdowns and 11 total.
LAKE NORMAN
SPENCER EVANS, SR, INDOOR AND OUTDOOR TRACK, POLE VAULT: 5-time pole vault NCHSAA Champion (3 Indoor, 2 Outdoor) and five-time Pole Vault All-American; 2020 NYC Millrose Pole Vault Champion. Evans is the first N.C. athlete to clear 17 feet and he holds the school indoor long jump record (22-2).
METROLINA CHRISTIAN
NILES DEBNAM, SR, WRESTLING: 2-time state champion, winning in his junior and senior years. Debnam finished his career with an 89-23 record. He has a 3.3 GPA.
MOORESVILLE
KESHAUN BLACK, SR, FOOTBALL, TRACK: Black had 46 carries for 333 yds and three touchdowns in football, plus 55 catches for 809 yards and seven touchdowns. On special teams, he averaged more than 30 yards on kick returns and had two scores. In track, he was the 4A state champion in the long jump, and runner up in the 55 meters and qualified for nationals. He had a top five national time in the 55.
MOUNTAIN ISLAND CHARTER
DEMETRIUS WASHINGTON, SR, FOOTBALL, BASKETBALL, TRACK AND FIELD: Washington was all-conference in basketball and football. In football, he passed for 1,106 passing yards, 14 touchdowns and ran 47 times for 199 yards. He led Mountain Island to an 11-3 record and an appearance in the fourth round of the N.C 1A playoffs. In basketball, he averaged 19.1 points, 8.1 assist, 4.6 rebounds, 3.1 steals, 1.2 blocks and led Mountain Island to a 23-6 record and an appearance in the third round of the playoffs. He was also named the PAC-7 1A Basketball Player of the Year for the second straight year. In track, he jumped a personal record of 6-2 in the high jump during the PAC-7 Pre-conference meet on March 5th of this year. His mark of 6-2 in the high jump qualified him for regionals.
MYERS PARK
DRAKE MAYE, JR, FOOTBALL, BASKETBALL: Maye was named N.C. state player of the year by MaxPreps and a first team Charlotte Observer performer. A 6-5 junior quarterback, he completed 210-of-290 passes (72 percent) for 3,512 yards, 50 TDs and just two interceptions And he missed eight fourth quarters due to blowouts. In basketball, he averaged 16.1 points, 11.3 rebounds, 2.7 assists and had 15 doubles. He was all-conference in the Southwestern 4A and made the All Charlotte Observer team.
NORTH IREDELL
PATRICK MAHAFFEY, SR, CROSS-COUNTRY, WRESTLING: all-county and all-conference pick in cross-country. In wrestling, posted a 43-3 record and was named all-state after finishing second at the state tournament. Mahaffey was also named to the Southeast Regional wrestling team.
NORTH MECKLENBURG
TRISTAN MAXWELL, SR, BASKETBALL: Georgia Tech recruit was named N.C. Basketball Coaches, I-MECK conference and Charlotte Observer player of the year. He was also named Mr. Basketball in North Carolina. A top 20 scorer in N.C. public school history, Maxwell’s 2,253 career points is a school record. He led the Vikings to a 30-1 record this season and their first state championship in 15 years. He ends his career with a 104-12 overall record.
PINE LAKE PREP
COLE KREHNBRINK, SR, SOCCER, INDOOR TRACK, OUTDOOR TRACK: Cole led Pine Lake soccer to 15 shutouts as a defenseman and a 1.059 Goal against average in leading Pine Lake to the third round of the NCHSAA state playoffs. Cole finished seventh in the 500 meter dash and eighth in the 300 meter dash at the NCHSAA state Indoor track meet.
PORTER RIDGE
CONNOR HENDERSON, SR, PORTER RIDGE: Connor was honored as the SW4A Defensive Player of the Year in 2019; He recorded over 130 tackles, including 11 for loss, 3 sacks, 5 hurries, and 5 pass defended, as he led Porter Ridge to the 2nd round of the NCHSAA 4A Football playoffs. He will attend CORNELL UNIVERSITY in the fall.
PROVIDENCE DAY
KEDRICK BINGLEY-JONES, SR, FOOTBALL: Rated a 4-star recruit Rivals and 247 Sports; was selected 2019 first team NCISAA All-State and CISAA All-Conference; named first team Charlotte Observer’s All-Observer; Providence Day’s co-Defensive Lineman of the Year; finished the year with 69 tackles, 24 tackles for a loss, 13 sacks, 2 blocked punts, and 1 forced fumble; helped lead the Chargers to the NCISAA Division II State Championship; committed to the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill for football.
RICHMOND SENIOR
CALEB HOOD, JR, FOOTBALL, BASKETBALL, TRACK: Hood has been a three-year starter at quarterback, where he has thrown for 6,305 yards and 59 TDs with only 16 interceptions, while completing 59 percet of his passes. He has also rushed for 1,899 yards and 27 TDs, while averaging 6.3 yards per carry (in spite of sack yardage taken from rushes). Richmond is 31-8 with him at QB including a berth in the N.C. 4A Western Regional final last season. Hood is a 3-year basketball starter who led the team in rebounds at just 6-foot tall (5.7 per game) and was second in scoring (8.7). He helped lead the Raiders to a 20-9 record. In track, he ran an 11.1 100-meter dash in his only meet this season. He has personal records of 6-foot in the hump jump and 20 foot in the long jump.
ROCKY RIVER
CALIK “DUKE” THOMAS, JR, BASKETBALL: 6-3 guard carries a 3.4 GPA and averaged 20 points per game last season.
SOUTH MECKLENBURG
SPENCER LEWISHON, SR., SOCCER: SoMeck8 Conference Player of the year, Region Player of the Year, First Team All-State selection NC4A, East West All Star selection, Scholar Athlete Award winner 4.5 GPA, State Quarterfinalist, South Mecklenburg Men’s Soccer Senior Captain
SOUTHLAKE CHRISTIAN
LUCA LUTZEL, SR, FOOTBALL, LACROSSE: NCISAA two-time all-state pick in football finished the 2019 season with 14 pass deflections, 51 tackles, and 16 interceptions. Lutzel was picked for the Blue/Grey All American Bowl and played in the Queen City Senior Bowl. Will attend and play football at Johns Hopkins. Last year, Lutzel was named a 2019 all state lacrosse player as well for the two time Div II Eagles’ state champs.
UNION ACADEMY
DEREK YOUNG, JR., FOOTBALL, BASKETBALL, TRACK: Young won the state championship in Triple Jump during the 2018 season. For the 2019-20 basketball season, Derek averaged 16.5 points, 9.2 rebounds, 1.3 steals and 1.4 blocks. He was named the team’s offensive MVP and was selected as an PAC-7 All Tournament & All Conference team member. In football, he had 17 catches for 406 receiving yards and five TDs. On defense, he had 186 tackles and 16 sacks. Young was named Team MVP for the season and was an All County 1st team selection and PAC-7 All Conference selection.
VANCE
POWER ECHOLS, JR, FOOTBALL: Vance linebacker Power Echols repeats as player of the year. Echols was named Observer and Associated Press N.C. player of the year last season after leading Vance to the state final where his team lost 9-7 to Wake Forest. In 2019, Vance returned to the state final, where Echols was named championship MVP after leading his team to its first state title, 24-3 over Raleigh’s Leesville Road High. For the season, Echols, named an All-American for the second straight season, had 156 tackles, 14 sacks, plus 22 tackles for a loss and seven forced fumbles. He’s received more than 50 scholarship offers, but told the Observer after the state final that he had narrowed his list to Clemson, North Carolina and Penn State.
WEDDINGTON
WILL SHIPLEY, JR, LACROSSE, FOOTBALL: Charlotte Observer offensive football player of the year had 188 carries, 2,066 yards, 31 TDs, plus 34 catches, 582 yards, nine touchdowns. He was also named a MaxPreps All-American. He’s been part of three straight lacrosse championships. A-honor roll student freshman and sophomore year. Maintains a 4.375 GPA. Holds 55-meter dash record at WHS with a 6.36.
WEST LINCOLN
CANON BRIDGE, SR, FOOTBALL, WRESTLING, TRACK: Bridges broke the Lincoln County Single Season Rushing Record with 2,294 yards in 2019. He averaged 163.9 yards per game with 32 Rushing TD’s while adding 77 yards receiving. Defensively he had 166 total tackles with 131 Solo tackles, 25 tackles for a loss, and 9.5 sacks. He led West Lincoln High School to the most wins in school history with 10 and to the NCHSAA Western Regional semifinals. West Lincoln had never won a playoff game. He was an All-Observer and all-state pick. In wrestling, Bridges won the N.C. 2A regional and state titles at 152 pounds after finishing runner-up in 2019. This season, he was 32-1. In track, he runs the 200, 400 meters and on two relay teams. He only had one meet before COVID-19 stopped the season.
This story was originally published May 1, 2020 at 2:11 PM.
