Story and Photo by Rusty Ellis
The York Institute Dragons and Dragonettes were at the forefront of the District 5/AA awards, as junior Gabby Beaty and Senior Nic Smith were each named the MVPs of the league.
Beaty was joined on the All-District team by teammates Ellie Leffew, Sage Smith and Reese Beaty, while Laci Patton and Emy Crabtree were each named honorable mentions.
Other members of the team included Monterey’s Lindsey Wright and Adaline Clouse, Jackson County’s Jacklyn Agee and Riley Thomas, Sequatchie County’s Dylan Belk and Addy Edgmon and Bledsoe County’s Kyndal Meloncon.
The Coach of the Year for the girls’ side of the district was the Dragonettes’ Michael Green.
The Dragons were also really prevalent in the boys awards, as Smith was joined by teammates Jon Heddings, Blaine York and Zach Byrd on the All-District team. Myles Leffew was named an honorable mention.
Other members of the All-District team included Monterey’s Silas Randolph, Jackson County’s Ramon Cuevas, Jordan Arroyo and Tre Monette, Sequatchie County’s Carter Bradford and Baron Gribbs and Bledsoe County’s Garrett Thorpe.
Other honorable mentions featured Jackson’s Hayden Stacy and Kendrick Brown and Monterey’s Brandon Dillon and Byron Borjas.
York’s Rodney Pile was named the Coach of the Year after leading the Dragons to a 21-6 record and an 8-0 mark in district play.
The district tournament will hit full steam on Thursday at Monterey, when the Dragonettes take on Jackson County at 6 P.M. The Lady Wildcats will follow that game at 7:30 with a game against Sequatchie County.
The boys semifinals will take place on Friday beginning at 6 P.M. with York taking on Bledsoe County. Monterey will play Jackson County at 7:30 P.M.