The Coastal Empire High School Sports Awards Show, presented by Georgia Ports, was held Friday night at the Savannah Civic Center's Johnny Mercer Theater with Savannah native and LSU basketball star Flau'jae Johnson as the guest speaker.
Here are the winners of the Premier Awards and Players of the Year in each sports that were announced Friday night.
Girls Athlete of the Year: Jadyn Singleton, Savannah Christian
Jadyn Singleton was named the Girls Athlete of the Year after the senior had another incredible season with the Raider Track and Field Team.
Singleton won her second straight Class 3A State title in the long jump. She also took home a gold medal in the triple jump after adding the event to her repertoire.
She also took fourth place in the Class 3A State Meet in the 100 meters with a time of 12.15 as she was the High Point Winner in the event. Singleton has earned a Cheerleading scholarship at Georgia and will be in Athens to begin her college career this fall.
Boys Athlete of the Year: Luke Kromenhoek, Benedictine
Former Benedictine star Luke Kromenhoek was named the Boys Athlete of the Year.
He started his football career at Benedictine as a backup quarterback behind Holden Geriner, now at Auburn. But Kromenhoek earned a starting job at safety for a BC squad that won a state title his sophom*ore year.
Kromenhoek helped lead the Cadets to back-to-back titles as a junior in his first year as the starting quarterback, and was also a standout basketball player that year on a BC squad that reached the state semifinals for the first time since 1961.
He had an excellent final season as a 5-star signal caller his senior year as he threw for 2,578 yards with 24 touchdowns and just two interceptions while running for 557 yards and seven more scores to lead BC to the state semis.
Kromenhoek enrolled early and is playing on scholarship for Florida State.
Most Versatile Female Athlete: Gianna Brown, New Hampstead
Brown was named the Most Versatile Female Athlete after being named the MVP of four different Phoenix teams.
She earned All-region honors in flag football, basketball, volleyball and soccer.
Brown was an All-Greater Savannah first-team selection in flag football and basketball. In football, she was an All-State pick after hauling in 13 touchdown catches and 513 yards receiving, while pulling 117 flags and picking off three passes, one she returned for a touchdown for the Phoenix, who reached the Division I State semifinals.
In just her second year playing basketball, the 6-foot standout averaged 20.6 points and 11.0 rebounds per game. She also starred as a middle blocker in volleyball and a goal keeper in soccer and won the Hollis Stacy Award as the most versatile female athlete in Savannah.
Most Versatile Male Athlete: Jamari McIvory, Savannah Christian
McIvory was named the Most Versatile Male Athlete.
The senior was named the All-Greater Savannah Boys Track and Field Athlete of the Year once again after he repeated as the Class 3A state champion in the 400 meters with a personal best time of 47.11, while finishing second in the 200 meters in 21.45.
His speed translated well to the football field where McIvory was one of the top defensive backs in the state, helping lead the Raiders to the Class 3A state title game. He was an All-Greater Savannah first-team pick. He had 32 tackles with seven interceptions, including a pick-six, and was also a playmaker on offense with 297 yards rushing and four scores, with four catches for 90 yards and two touchdowns.
McIvory also earned all-region honors with the Raider basketball team. He was named the winner of the 71st Ashley Dearing Award as the most versatile male high school athlete in Savannah and has signed to play football at Northern Illinois.
Football, Defensive Player of the Year: Elijah Griffin, Savannah Christian
The Defensive Player of the Year Award in football went to Savannah Christian junior Elijah Griffin for the second year in a row. The junior, a 6-foot-5, 285-pound defensive lineman, had an incredible season and helped lead the Raiders to the Class 3A title game against Cedar Grove.
The 5-star recruit had 97 tackles, including 31 for loss, with 17.5 sacks and scored his first high school touchdown in the state semifinals on a pick six and was an All-State first-team selection.
He got his first college offer from UGA as an eighth grader, and has offers from the the top programs from throughout the country.
Football, Offensive Player of the Year: Ra'Shawn Truell, New Hampstead
The Offensive Player of the Year Award went to Ra'Shawn Truell of New Hampstead who had a spectacular season in his first year as the Phoenix starting quarterback.
He set a school record, passing for 533 yards with four touchdowns in a loss to Benedictine and was named the Co-Offensive Player of the Year in Region 3-4A as he threw for 3,308 yards with 38 touchdowns and six interceptions, while running for 138 yards and four scores.
Truell was named the co-winner of the Finocchiaro Award as the top football player in Savannah with Calvary's Jake Merklinger.
Football, Overall Player of the Year: Jake Merklinger, Calvary Day
Merklinger took home Overall Football Player of the Year honors after a stellar senior season with the Cavaliers.
A starter behind center since his freshman year, Merklinger helped lead the Cavs to the state semifinals where they lost to eventual state champion Cedar Grove 49-42.
Merklinger threw for 305 yards and five touchdowns in that game, and also scored on a rugged touchdown run, bowling over a would be tackler near the goal line.
He was named the Region 3-3A Player of the Year after completing 72% of his passes for 3,028 yards with 38 touchdowns and two interceptions while rushing for 439 yards and 11 more scores. Merklinger was the co-winner of the Finocchiaro Award as the top player in Savannah. He enrolled early and is playing at Tennessee on scholarship.
Lifetime Achievement Award: Tim Jordan, Savannah High
Former Savannah High basketball coach Tim Jordan was the recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award.
Jordan stepped down after 28 years as the head coach at The High in September with a career record of 555-251. He led the Blue Jackets to the State Final Four six times, reaching the finals four times and winning the 1998 Class 4A state championship.
His teams often played up in classifications and competed against perennial powers from the Atlanta area in the postseason. But Jordan's emphasis on defense and unselfish play always had his teams ready to compete.
His coaching tree includes such well known names as Utaff Gordon, a former assistant who went on to win a title of his own while coaching Johnson to a win over Jordan's Blue Jacket squad in 2014. Former player Bakari Bryant who a state crown coaching at Jenkins and is now coaching at Dougherty High, and Frank Williams is a well-respected coach at Benedictine.
After stepping down to take a job with the school district, the former football standout at Savannah State said he was proud of what he accomplished at his time with Savannah High.
It was always about more than wins and losses on the court for Jordan, who created lifelong relationships with players and anyone he encountered in his roles at Savannah High.
Courage Award: Kam Cody, Benedictine
The Courage Award went to a deserving recipient in Benedictine's Kam Cody.
The rising junior is a standout defensive lineman with the Cadet football team. He suffered a heart incident during a BC practice during his freshman year and nearly lost his life. But the quick work of Benedictine trainers and first responders kept the defensive lineman alive, and he is making the most of a second chance.
Cody had an ICD (an Implantable cardioverter-defibrillator) installed in his heart. The device can deliver electric shocks, when needed, to restore a regular heart rhythm. He worked hard mentally and physically during a remarkable recovery and was back on the field as a starter and big time contributor for the Cadets as his sophom*ore season started.
He has gone about his business with an unmatched work ethic and a constant smile on his face as he has become an inspiration for teammates, coaches and everyone he encounters.
With two years of high school football left to play, Cody is looking to change his life through the sport he loves with a passion. He has offers from schools including Arkansas, Miami, Minnesota and USC.
Boys Coach of the Year: Christopher Bringer, South Effingham
The Boys Coach of the Year Award went to South Effingham wrestling coach Christopher Bringer, who led his team to its second straight State Dual Meet Championship in Class 6A. The Mustangs followed it up by winning their first state crown in the Class 6A Traditional State tournament.
He had a chance to coach both his sons, Bear and Moose Bringer, as Moose brought home a silver medal from the state meet.
Boys Team of the Year: South Effingham Wrestling Team
His Mustang squad was also picked as the Boys Team of the Year.
The Mustangs had a pair of individual state champs in Eli Wood and heavyweight Ashton Anderson, who won his second straight state crown.
Four other Mustang wrestlers earned silver medals with Moose Bringer, Adam Hardeman, Emilio Santana and Gannon White reaching the finals.
Girls Coach of the Year: Annie Keller, Savannah Christian
Savannah Christian Golf Coach Annie Keller was named the Girls Coach of the Year. Keller played for a Savannah Christian squad that won a state crown in 2006, now she has led the Raiders to three straight state titles, the last two coming in Class 3A.
This year, SCPS ran away with the team championship once again as the Raiders beat Gordon Lee by 32 strokes at LaFayette Municipal Golf Course.
Girls Team of the Year: Savannah Christian Girls Golf Team
Keller's squad was named the Girls Team of the Year.
Mary Miller, the senior who has signed to play at Georgia Southern, won the individual state title for the second year in a row as she edged teammate Ava Cottis on the first playoff hole. Both players had finished regulation in the 36-hole event at even par.
Charlotte Goodman and Rylan Hurd are also members of the team that also won an Area title.
Spring Sports
Baseball, Player of the Year: Will Hampton, Calvary Day
Calvary Day's Will Hampton was named the Baseball Player of the Year.
The Vanderbilt-bound senior helped lead the Cavaliersto the Class 3A state championship series. He hit .454 with an OPS of 1.246. He had nine doubles, three triples, three homers, 29 RBIs, 31 runs and 12 stolen bases. He was a closer in the regular season, with his pitching role becoming more prominent in the playoffs. He had a record of 2-1 with a 1.26 ERA and a pair of saves, fanning 49 batters in 39 innings. He was named the Region 3-3A Player of the Year.
Golf, Girls Player of the Year: Mary Miller, Savannah Christian
Savannah Christian's Mary Miller closed out her stellar high school golf career by winning her second consecutive Class 3A state championship, and won Girls Golfer of the Year honors once again.
She took the state title in dramatic fashion by edging her teammate, Ava Cottis, on the first playoff hole at LaFayette Municipal Golf Course after they were tied at even par 144 in the 36-hole event as the Raiders won their third straight team crown.
The Georgia Southern-bound senior also won the Area Championship, the Wildcat Invitational and tied for medalist honors in the Savannah City High School Championship.
Golf, Boys Player of the Year: Braden Schnaible, The Habersham School
Braden Schnaible of The Habersham School was named the Boys Golfer of the Year.
The junior won the GAPPS Division II state championship with a 1-under par 71 at Bull Creek Golf Course. He won the Savannah City High School Championship with a 1-over par 72 at Bacon Park Golf Course. He also won the Gregg Wolff Invitational in Metter with a 1-over par 72 and the Blue Devil Golf Classic in Statesboro with a 72. He tied for third at the 1902 Cup with another 72.
Tennis, Boys Player of the Year: Caleb McElveen, Effingham County
Effingham County's Caleb McElveen was named the Boys Tennis Player of the Year.
The senior helped lead the Rebels to the Sweet 16 of the Class 6A playoffs as a No. 3 seed out of Region 2-6A. McElveen didn't have a loss to an opponent from the Greater Savannah area and posted a record of 15-2 on the year. He has signed to play for Piedmont University.
Tennis, Girls Player of the Year: Halee Harper, South Effingham
South Effingham's Halee Harper was named the Girls Tennis Player of the Year for the second year in a row.
Harper has an impressive season as she posted an overall record of 12-4. She had a win over Savannah Country Day and split her matches with Effingham County's Riley Metzger. Harper has signed to play with Coastal Alabama Community College.
Soccer, Boys Player of the Year: Wesley Hooker, Savannah Country Day
In boys soccer, Savannah Country Day senior Wesley Hooker took home Boys Player of the Year honors.
The senior helped lead the Hornets to the Region 3-3A title and to the quarterfinals of the state playoffs. He had 30 goals and 22 assists for a squad that didn't lose a game to a team from the Greater Savannah area this season. He has signed to play at Pfeiffer University.
Soccer, Girls Player of the Year: Madison Haldeman, Richmond Hill
Madison Haldeman of Richmond Hill was named the Girls Soccer Player of the Year. The senior made the move from the back line to midfield, but was still a top notch defender for the Wildcats. She was named the Region 1-7A player of the year and had six goals and 11 assists on the season for a team that didn't lose a game to anyone from the Greater Savannah area. She has signed to play at Emory & Henry College.
Lacrosse, Boys Player of the Year Riley Wilson, Benedictine
Riley Wilson of Benedictine was named the Lacrosse Player of the Year for the second year in a row.
Wilson did it all for the Cadets as the senior won 68% of his face offs. He was also a standout attackman with 28 goals, 22 assists and 176 ground balls. He was an All-Area first-team selection for a BC team that reached the state quarterfinals.
Track and Field, Boys Athlete of the Year: Jamari McIvory, Savannah Christian
Jamari McIvory of Savannah Christian was also a repeat winner as the senior was selected as the Boys Track and Field Athlete of the Year.
The senior defended his Class 3A state title in the 400 meters with a personal best time of 47.11 and finished second in the 200 meters (21.45). He also had one of the fastest area times in the 100 meters this season with a 10.67.
Track and Field, Girls Athlete of the Year: Jadyn Singleton, Savannah Christian
His teammate Jadyn Singleton won the honor as the Girls Track and Field Athlete of the Year for the second consecutive year.
The senior closed out her career with a flourish as she repeated as the Class 3A state champion in the long jump with a leap of 18-6, and also won the state triple jump crown with a mark of 39-1. She also had a podium finish in the 100 meters by finishing fourth in 12.15 to win the High Point Award for the Class 3A State Meet.
Fall sports
Cross Country, Boys Runner of the Year: Memphis Rich, Richmond Hill
There was another repeat winner as Richmond Hill's Memphis Rich was selected as the Boys Cross Country Athlete of the Year once again.
The defending Class 7A state champ lost a shoe halfway through the Class 7A state race and still finished 33rd with a time of 16:42.78. He broke 16 minutes on 5K courses four times, including a PR of 15:16.62 for an 11th place finish at the Alexander / Asics Invitational. Rich took fourth at the Meet of Champions with a time of 15:48.55. The senior has signed to run at Appalachian State.
Cross Country, Girls Runner of the Year: Julia Anastasio, Richmond Hill
Rich's teammate, Julia Anastasio, was selected as the Girls Cross Country Athlete of the Year.
The freshman established herself as one of the top young runners in the state with a memorable season as she won the Region 1-7A title with a time of 19:33.80 on the 5K course. She finished seventh in the Class 7A state finals with a time of 19:48.92, the best mark of any female runner from the Greater Savannah area on the Carrollton course.
She followed by finishing 11th at the Meet of Champions and then sixth at the AAU National Cross Country Championships. She was second at the Orthowest Invitational and set a 5K personal best time of 18:27.27 when she finished 27th at the Alexander / Asics Invitational.
Flag Football, Player of the Year: A'Kera Jackson, New Hampstead
A'Kera Jackson of New Hampstead was named the Flag Football Player of the Year.
The senior quarterback helped lead the Phoenix to a region championship and to the state semifinals, where New Hampstead gave three-time state champion Southeast Bulloch a battle in a 20-14 setback.
She threw for 1,731 yards and ran for 386 yards, accounting for 35 total touchdowns for a Phoenix team that finished the season with a 19-1 record.
Softball, Player of the Year: Bailey Kendziorski, South Effingham
Bailey Kendziorski of South Effingham was named the Softball Player of the Year for the second year in a row.
The Boston College signee closed out her career in style as she helped lead the Mustangs to a region title and to the Class 6A Final Four.
She went 20-1 on the season with an ERA of 1.07, striking out 202 batters in 137 innings pitched. She also had a triple, a home run and drove in 22 runs at the plate. The All-State selection was also named the Region 2-6A Pitcher of the Year.
Volleyball, Player of the Year: Finn Higginbotham, Savannah Arts
In volleyball, Finn Higginbotham of Savannah Arts was selected as the Player of the Year.
The senior helped lead the Panthers to the Class 2A state semifinals for the second year in a row. She had 429 kills, with 52 blocks, 84 aces, 194 digs, 37 assists and 278 serves received and was an All-State first-team selection. The Area 3-2A Player of the Year has signed to play at Point Loma Nazarene University in Southern California.
Winter Sports
Basketball, Boys Player of the Year: Caleb Jones, Benedictine
In boys basketball, Benedictine's Caleb Jones was named the Player of the Year.
The junior helped lead the Cadets to the Class 4A state semifinals for the second year in a row. He led the GHSA in scoring, across all classifications, with 27.8 points per game.
The All-Region 3-4A first-team pick also had 5.3 rebounds, 27 assists and two steals per game and was a first-team Class 4A All-State pick by Sandysspiel.com.
Basketball, Girls Player of the Year: Kayley Wedlow, Bryan County
Bryan County's Kayley Wedlow was named the Girls Basketball Player of the Year.
The senior averaged 17.3 points, 6.0 rebounds, 3.7 assists and three steals per game for a Bryan County squad that reached the state quarterfinals. She was named the Region 3A Division I Player of the Year. She has signed to play with South Georgia Technical College.
Boys Wrestler of the Year: Ashton Anderson, South Effingham
South Effingham's Ashton Anderson was named the Wrestler of the Year for the second year in a row.
The senior heavyweight defended his Class 6A state title and was a star for the Mustang squad that repeated as the Dual Meet State Champions, before adding the team title in the Traditional State meet to their trophy case.
Anderson posted a record of 59-5, setting a school record for wins in a season. He has signed to compete at Newberry College.
Girls Wrestler of the Year: Izzy West, Richmond Hill
The junior won Area and Sectional championships and improved on her third place finish in the State Meet as a sophom*ore as she reached the finals this season and was the state runnerup at 110 pounds.
Her father and mother, Harry and Raquel West, are Brazilian Jiu Jitsu black belts and run a local business — Devine Jiu Jitsu Savannah and Five Star Wrestling on Ogeechee Road.
West won three other individual tournament crowns during the high school season and posted a record of 32-3. She is headed to Fargo, North Dakota to compete in the Marine Corps Nationals in July.
Swimming, Boys Swimmer of the Year: Caden Cahill, Benedictine
Caden Cahill of Benedictine was named the Boys Swimmer of the Year.
Cahill had a strong showing at the GHSA Class 4A-5A State Meet at Georgia Tech as he placed fourth in the 100-yard backstroke with a time of 52.29 and was sixth in the 100 butterfly (51.58) and swam legs on a pair of Cadet relay teams.
Swimming, Girls Swimmer of the Year: Jossy Thompson, St. Andrew's
A freshman was named the Girls Swimmer of the Year as Jossy Thompson took home the honor after an impressive campaign for St. Andrew's.
Thompson won all three of her events in the GIAA State Meet held at Georgia Tech. She was the champion in the 50-yard free (24.45), 100 fly (58.33) and the 100 breast stroke (1:08.15).
Dennis Knight covers sports for the Savannah Morning News. Contact him at Dknight@savannahnow.com. Twitter:@DennisKnightSMN
This article originally appeared on Savannah Morning News: Winners from the Coastal Empire High School Sports Awards Show revealed
