Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

PHS athletes honored at banquet

Prescott's Athletic Booster Club held a sports banquet for members of the Curley Wolves and Wolverettes.

Prescott Athletic Director David Maxwell welcomed the packed house, thanking the PABC for honoring the local athletes.

From there it was award time.

First up was Jody Cowart, head coach of the Wolverette basketball team.

He presented the Rotary Leadership Award to LaSheena Gillard, with Mary Delgado getting the Hustle Award. Tammy Harris received the Lions Outstanding Athlete honors and Madeline Taylor was bestowed with the Outstanding Rebounder award.

Katie McCauley was named defensive player of the year, with Harris taking the offensive player accolades. Taylor was the Kiwanis Scholar Athlete, with Tareva Smallwood being tabbed as the most improved player. Harris was the tam's most valuable player.

Along with this, Harris was named first team All-Conference and All-State.

Gillard was named to the second team All-Conference, with Taylor earning honorable mention.

Cheerleader awards followed, with Maci Glass, Jennifer Johnston, Katie McCauley, Ambur Richards and Alye Smith being tabbed as All-American nominees, with McCauley named an All-American cheerleader.

During the NCA camp, the cheerleaders received the stunt smart safety award, national championship bid winner, top team winner and spirit stick winner.

Jason Himes told the audience Zack Martin was the men's outstanding tennis player, while Meagan Martin earned the honor for the women's team.

In golf, Bill Virdin said there was a tie for the James McKenzie Outstanding Golfer Award. It went to Ben Hale and Drew Richards. Both earned a trip to the state golf tourney at Farmington.

David Maxwell presented Layne Wilson with the outstanding participant for the Prescott swim team.

Larry Newsom gave out the awards for boys basketball.

Joe Stueart was named All-State, first team All-District and MVP.

Jeremy Purifoy was honored as the defensive player of the year, the Rotary Leadership and honorable mention for All-District.

Jason Butler was the offensive player of the year and second team All-District.

A.J. Lewis was the team's assist leader, with Ray Smith the outstanding rebounder. Luther Stueart was tabbed as most improved, with Mitchell Taylor earning the Hustle Award. R.J. VanHook got the Scott Graham Sixth Man Award.

For track, Greg Smith presented awards to Jarrod Norwood, for the outstanding track event, and DeMaricus Craven as the Jeff Haynes Outstanding Track Participant.

Dennis Pruitt handed out the baseball awards.

Josh Brown got the comeback player of the year award after suffering a major knee injury in his sophomore year.

Ryan Roberson was the Kiwanis Scholar Athlete, while Zach Martin was the hits leader, highest on-base percentage and had the highest batting average.

Zach Richards was the team's RBI leader, with Roger Muldrew being tabbed the winning pitcher and walk leader. Matt Hodges was the home run leader.

Maxwell presented awards for softball.

Martin was the offensive MVP, with Harris the defensive MVP. Miccah Yates was named most improved player, with Maci Glass earning the outstanding leadership award.

Then came the football awards.

Martin was named outstanding offensive player, with Martel Woodley getting tabbed the best defensive player. Butler was named Don King outstanding lineman, with VanHook earning the outstanding back award.

Adam Beaver was named Don Riddling Outstanding Lineman, with Haris Williams earning the Lions Club most improved honors. Joe Stueart and Norwood received the Don Muse defensive player award.

Purifoy received the Lions Club defensive player honors, while the purple heart award went to Brad Glass and Craven.

Those who made first team All-District were: Stueart, Norwood, Woodley, VanHook, Martin and Butler.

Those named second team All-District were: Williams, Glass, Beaver, Lewis, Purifoy and Aaron Tosch.

Honorable mention for All-District went to: Johnny Burton, Eli Ratcliff, Robert Block, Chris Hopper, Luther Stueart and Craven.

Two were named All-State: Butler and Joe Stueart.

Todd Richards, president of the PABC, recognized the volunteers who dedicated their time and effort to make sure the Prescott athletic program is second to none.

Maxwell closed the banquet by pointing out many of the student athletes were involved in more than one sport.

"Many wonder when these student-athletes have time to study, sleep and have a social life outside the clubhouse, field house or gym," he said.

"I would like to share some numbers with you about our student-athletes. During the 2002 commencement ceremony, more than $500,000 in scholarship money was awarded to graduating seniors. As I was listening, I started taking notes an found more than $285,000 of that was awarded to student-athletes from last year's class. Only $30,000 was for an athletic scholarship. The rest was for academic excellence."

Maxwell said he will again be watching this year during graduation, knowing the students are better for their efforts in athletics as they prepare for the real world.

Prescott High School has a population of about 325 students, he said, with 116 honors students with a 3.0 or higher grade point average. Of the 116, 40 percent are student-athletes.