Abbeville athletes honored at sports banquet
By David Shelton
Senior Writer
Abbeville – Another successful year in sports at Abbeville High was celebrated by the athletic department at the recent all-sports banquet.
Abbeville spent the 2024-25 school year in Class A, dropping down from Class AA. The Panthers won a state championship in football and was the state runner-up in boys basketball. Abbeville was competitive in most of the other sports, contending for several region championships.
Here is a rundown of the top athletic performers from the last school year.
The male athlete of the year was Karson Norman and the female athlete of the year was Brittany Gordon. Gage Evans received the “All About the A” award and Ziya Watt received the Panther Pride award.
Boys basketball coach Doug Belcher was the coach of the year and Bobby Patterson was sponsor of the year. Brooke McCall was named volunteer of the year.
Gordon was the most valuable player in girls tennis. Micayla Rodgers earned the team award while Lillie Stone was the rookie of the year.
Demarcus Leach was the MVP in football and Brody Graham received the team award. Kadon Harrison received the comeback player of the year for football.
The MVP in varsity volleyball was Jaylin Vickery and Kaylee Bundrick received the team award. Ella Atkins received the All-In award.
Colton Busbee was the MVP in boys cross country and Kylee Jo Price was the MVP in girls cross country. Bruce Davenport earned the team award for the boys team while Megan Wachs earned the team award for the girls team. Nykeis Brown received the 110 percent award for the boys team and Ansley Smirz received the award for the girls team.
Jayden Baylor was the MVP in boys basketball and Jamarion Williams received the team award. Darius Riley was most improved and Jaylen Baylor was top defensive player.
Andleyah Sanders was the MVP of the girls team and Anacia Dawson received the team award.
The MVP in wrestling was Carter Eby and Collins Brown received the team award. Breakout athlete was Brice Williams.
Kylie Jo Price was the MVP in girls wrestling and Brittany Gordon earned the team award. Cecelia Cramer received the comeback award.
In softball, Audrey Graham was the MVP and Bella Evans earned the team award. Jocelyn Foster was the offensive player of the year and Maddie Beiler was the defensive player of the year.
Norman was the MVP in boys track and Josh Hill received the team award. Nykeis Brown received the 110 percent award.
Tielle Killingsworth was the MVP in girls track and Summer Brooks-Smith received the team award. She’Miah Cobb received the coach’s award and Zyteria Hudson received the 110 percent award.
Gage Evans was the MVP in boys golf and Carter Beiler earned the team award. Most improved player was Dylan James.
Cameron Allen was the MVP in boys soccer and Bryce Williams received the team award. The Excellence award went to Parker Henderson.
Megan Wachs was the MVP in girls soccer and Miranda Stoll received the team award. Maddie Wachs was the rookie of the year and Ruthie New was most improved.
Adam Beiler was the MVP in varsity baseball. Dayne Botts received the team award and Lohen Nickles received the Silver Slugger award. Ben Overholt was the defensive MVP.
