(L-R) Hailey Singleton, Maggie Self, Haley Green, Drew Freeland (not pictured: Desiree Keeling).
Sunday night at the Salem Civic Center, the Roanoke, Salem and Botetourt Kiwanis Clubs handed out what is considered the most prestigious awards in local high school basketball during the 46th Annual Kiwanis Roanoke Metro Basketball Awards Banquet.
Thirteen girls and boys teams from our area were represented.
While the All-Star teams, coaches and players of the year, along with team sportsmanship awards acknowledge exceptional performances during the most recent season, there’s little doubt the highlight of the evening is the naming of the Unsung Hero from each of the 26 squads.
(L-R) Justin Goode, Warren Craft, Marvey’o Otey, Dustin Hassell (Not pictured: Christian Kirchman).
The Unsung Hero is the player who in the eyes of coaches and teammates makes a major impact on the success of the program by their unselfish contributions both on and off the court.
Typically not the highest scorer or headline-grabber, but a player who goes the extra mile to encourage others, key the team effort at practices and will be one of the first to dive for a loose ball.
Although the teams represented Sunday night had varying degrees of success this year in the win/loss column, it would be hard to argue the Unsung Heroes didn’t finish 26-0.
Presented by Jerry Spangler, Commissioner of the Western Va. Basketball Officials Association, the Lord Botetourt girls and Roanoke Catholic boys received the team sportsmanship awards. Also, Jerry Henderson was named Official of the Year.
Coaches of the Year were Champ Hubbard of William Fleming on the girls side and Chad Conner of Lord Botetourt from the boys.
The 2014 Girls All-Star team consisted of Desiree Keeling (Wm. Fleming), Drew Freeland (Hidden Valley), Hailey Singleton (Hidden Valley), Maggie Self (Wm. Byrd) and Haley Green (Glenvar). Keeling was named Player of the Year.
The 2014 Boys All-Star team was made up of Justin Goode (Lord Botetourt), Christian Kirchman (Patrick Henry), Warren Craft (Wm. Fleming), Marvey’o Otey (Wm. Byrd) and Dustin Hassell (Lord Botetourt). Goode was named Player of the Year.
Here is a list of each team’s Unsung Hero winner:
GIRLS BOYS
Cave Spring Clair Harkey Alex Emery
Glenvar Logan Bixby Jacob Gladden
Hidden Valley Lindsey Parker Will Harrison
James River Cassandra Shaffer Alex Rodriguez
Lord Botetourt Ashley Farmer Clay Gardner
North Cross Sarah Shaff Matt Doughty
Northside Katelyn Bowden Zach Large
Patrick Henry Alesheia Salters Jimmy Butler
Roanoke Catholic Olivia Clark Josh Carpenter
Roanoke Valley Christian Brittany Galop Daniel Keller
Salem Shannon Dishaw Robert Hudson
William Byrd Katherine Dayton Evan Owens
William Fleming Keashe Lee Keyshawn Wilson
Congratulations to all the winners from The Roanoke Star.
– Bill Turner