The impressive accolades continue to pile up for East Hamilton senior Madison Hayes, who on Friday was named the Tennessee girls' basketball player of the year by Gatorade.
Earlier this year the 6-foot-1 guard became Hamilton County's first public-school girls' player selected to compete in a McDonald's All American Game, and she was also named one of this season's three finalists for Class AAA Miss Basketball for the state after winning the award as a junior. The 2020 Mr. and Miss Basketball winners will be announced Tuesday.
"It's exciting and I'm blessed to win this award," Hamilton said of the Gatorade honor. "I've worked hard for it, and a lot of people have been a part of my success. I couldn't be happier for all the accolades I've received this year."
Gatorade's award recognizes academic achievement and high character as well as athletic success. By winning the state award, Hayes becomes a finalist for Gatorade's national award for the girls' basketball player of the year, which will be announced later this month.
"I have never seen a player who is more important to her team's overall success," Cleveland coach Tony Williams said of Hayes in Gatorade's release announcing the award. "She is a leader and one of the fiercest competitors I have ever seen in the women's game."
Hayes, who is ranked as the nation's No. 29 recruit for the 2020 class by ESPN.com and has signed with Mississippi State, averaged 25.8 points, 11.4 rebounds, 3.4 assists, 2.8 steals and 2.0 blocks per game for the Lady Hurricanes this past season. She ended her prep career with 3,055 points and 1,584 rebounds.
She also volunteered for local youth literacy programs, has worked as a youth basketball camp counselor and carries a 3.21 GPA.
Previous Gatorade national award winners in girls' basketball include former Tennessee star Candace Parker and former Connecticut star Diana Taurasi. Former Bradley Central standout Rhyne Howard, now a sophomore at Kentucky and the Southeastern Conference women's basketball player of the year for 2020, is also a previous Gatorade state award winner.
Gatorade annually presents national awards in 12 high school sports - Dalton's Omar Hernandez won the national honor for boys' soccer last year - and those winners are eligible for the athlete of the year awards presented to one boy and one girl.
Staff file photo by C.B. Schmelter / East Hamilton senior Madison Hayes could be the TSSAA Class AAA Miss Basketball honoree for the second straight year, but she already has been selected as a McDonald's All American and Gatorade's girls' basketball player of the year in Tennessee for 2020.Contact Stephen Hargis at shargis@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6293. Follow him on Twitter @StephenHargis.