Buddy Burney,sports editor

West Bladen High School held its annual Athletic Banquet Tuesday night.

A couple of special tributes were held in conjunction with the event. Long-time Tar Heel and West Bladen Coach Wilma Hughes, who passed away three months ago, was paid a tribute for his more than 50 years coaching at the two schools. Coach Hughes came to Tar Heel High in 1956 and taught and coached until his retirement after more than 30 years.

He continued to volunteer as a coach at the school until it closed its high school six years six ago. For the past six years, he volunteered as a coach at West Bladen. Coach Hughes’ wife Peggy, and his children were on hand to accept a plaque given by the West Bladen Booster Club.

West Bladen basketball coach Ken Cross was also recognized for reaching his 500th basketball win this past season. The Booster Club also presented Coach Cross with a plaque recognizing his accomplishments.

Athletic Director Teresa Coleman announced that Danielle Baysden and Jonathan Benson were the school’s Wendy’s High School Heisman Award winners.

Several teams at the school have received the NCHSAA Scholar Athlete Award. To win, a team must have all members achieve a 3.1 or better grade point average. The teams who earned the honor were girl’s soccer, boy’s golf, girl’s tennis and men’s soccer.

The awards ceremonies began with volleyball Coach Teresa Coleman presenting the volleyball awards. The Knights Award went to Kristen McMillian. Two Coach’s Awards were presented, one to Kayla Davis and one to Brittany Langdon.

Cheerleading Coach Stefanie Burney presented the Most Valuable Cheerleader Award to Quashanique Purdie, and Geormisha Mallory received the Knights Award.

Jeff Atkinson, the cross-country coach, presented Mckenzie Winebarger with the Most Improved Runner Award, and Nick Taylor the Most Valuable Runner Award.

Boy’s soccer coach Roger Carroll presented Jared Carroll with the Offensive Player Award and Austin Pate with the Defensive Player Award. Jonathan Locklear was selected as the MVP.

In girl’s tennis, Coach Kelly White presented Lauren Sealey with the Coach’s Award and Savanah Doyle with the MVP Award.

Coach White also gave the boy’s tennis awards. Matt Johnson was named as Most Improved, and Austin Hillis received the Coach’s Award. C.J. Poythress was named MVP.

Coach Andy Clark presented the football awards. Matt McCall was given the Defensive Player Award, and Blake McClenny received the Offensive Player Award. Timothy Benton picked up the Knights Award, and Joseph Gore was named MVP.

Coach Coleman gave the girl’s basketball awards. The Coach’s Award went to Wynetta Leach, and Samantha Jackson earned the Knight Award. Keshia Gainey was picked MVP.

Coach Cross presented the boy’s basketball awards. Donte McKoy received the Defensive Player Award, and Jamel Hall received the Best Free Throw Percentage Award and was also selected to receive the MVP Award.

The girls’ soccer awards were presented by Coach Gaye Davis. Faith Blackwell received the Most Improved Award and Kristy Jackson got the Knight Award. Anna King was named MVP.

Coach P.M. Gooden gave the softball awards. Senora Graham was given the Coach’s Award, and Carrie Parnell and Hillary Jones were selected Co-MVP.

Baseball coach Wade Pait presented Garrett Brisson with the Defensive Player Award, and Blake Sykes with the Offensive Player Award. Jonathan Benson was selected as the MVP.

In golf, Coach Junior Nance presented Co-Coach’s Awards to Michael Campbell and Doug Britt. Matthew Davis was selected as MVP.

Boy’s track coach Andy Clark gave Terrill Henry the Most Improved Award, and Alfonso White the Knight Award. Christian McDuffie received the MVP Award.

Coach Clark also gave the women’s track awards. Kendra Hall earned the Knight Award and Breona Jenkins was presented the MVP.

The Comeback Player of the Year Award went to Samantha Jackson.

Joe Gore was named Male Athlete of the Year, and Danielle Baysden was selected as the Female Athlete of the Year.