PLAYER OF THE YEAR
SHARIF COBB
A three-year starter for Arts & Sciences, Cobb played both guard positions at times as a senior. He averaged 18 points, four assists, three steals and four rebounds per game to help the Patriots reach the Class A state tournament for a second straight season – the first back-to-back appearances in program history. The Patriots won 14 consecutive games by double figures along the way before falling to eventual state champ Lake County in the quarterfinals. “Sharif developed every year since middle school and became a complete player,” Patriots coach Mark Dragoo said. “He improved as much from his junior year to his senior year as any kid I’ve ever coached. The best defender is rarely your offensive leader too, but Sharif was the best player on both ends for us. He’s a solid scorer and ballhandler and always guarded the other team’s best player. “His willingness to play wherever we needed him was huge for us. Rarely do you get a kid with his ability have that kind of unselfish attitude. His work ethic separated him from a lot of players.”
COACH OF THE YEAR
WALTER McGARY
For the fourth time in his five seasons as Howard’s coach, McGary guided the program to the Class AA state tournament. The Hustlin’ Tigers were not picked in the top half of the District 6-AA preseason coaches’ poll, but they won the district regular-season title, losing to only one district opponent, then advanced to the state semifinals for the second time in four years, finishing 24-7 overall. “I was very proud of the way the kids took it as a challenge and kept the program at the level we all expect to be,” McGary said. “This wasn’t the most talented team we’ve had as individuals, but what I enjoyed more about this group was how well they played together. We were pretty tough when we played together as a team, especially defensively.”
FIRST TEAM
Stedmon Ford