Tuesday night at the Salem Civic Center, it was better late than never, as the 45th Annual Kiwanis Roanoke Metro Basketball Awards were presented. The original ceremony, scheduled for Sunday, March 24th, was postponed due to heavy snow that afternoon. But it didn’t take away from the excitement Tuesday night.
The highlight of the evening was the naming of the 13 girls and boys high school ‘unsung heroes.’
The winner from each team, named by coaches and fellow-teammates, is the player identified as the one who makes the biggest contribution to the success of each team with hard work and behind-the-scenes effort. The player chosen is not someone who gets the headlines, but provides leadership quality and gives their all for the program.
The Unsung Hero is considered one of the most prestigious awards in local high school basketball.
In addition, the girls All-Star team consisting of Ryjae Anderson (Wm. Fleming). Emily Rawlings (Northside), Tay Taylor (Salem), Emily Wampler (Lord Botetourt) and Kanisha Wiley (Glenvar) was named. Taylor was named player of the year.
The boys All-Star team was made up of Marcus Banks (Patrick Henry), Warren Craft (Wm. Fleming), Justin Goode (Lord Botetourt), Dylan Hodson (Hidden Valley) and Troy Mann (Salem). Banks was player of the year.
Veteran official Andre Levisy was named referee of the year as chosen by the Western Virginia Basketball Association.
Salem’s DeWayne Harrell was named girls Coach of the Year and Salem’s Kevin Garst boys Coach of the Year after each led their respective teams to Group AA state championships last month.
Team sportsmanship awards went to the Glenvar girls and Roanoke Catholic boys.
2013 Unsung Hero Winners:
Cave Spring: Girls-Annalee Schuck / Boys-Jordan Bryant
Northside: Girls-April Beckner / Boys-Parker Linden
William Fleming: Girls-Cheyenne Graves / Boys-Kurt Jennings
Patrick Henry: Girls-Deseree Kasey / Boys-Taylor Collins
Hidden Valley: Girls-Lindsay Stuart / Boys-Ben Munsey
Lord Botetourt: Girls-Kennedi VanRavestein / Boys-Clay Gardner
Roanoke Valley Christian: Girls-Bonnie Powers / Boys-Will Whitney
North Cross: Girls-Sarah Maurer /Boys-Tay Calloway
Roanoke Catholic: Girls-Caroline Poff / Boys-Ross Clark
Salem: Girls-Beth Plympton / Boys-John Repass
William Byrd: Girls-Kelsey Newcomb / Boys-Brandon Byrd
James River: Girls-Morgan Hufford / Boys-Justin Stevers
Glenvar: Girls-Logan Bixby / Boys-Shaquille Bonds
BILL TURNER story / pictures
