Honorable Mentions: 2017 WDN Male Athlete of the Year
Published 6:40 pm Thursday, June 15, 2017
TYLER HENDRIX, TERRA CEIA
There are few Terra Ceia athletes as decorated as Tyler Hendrix. The Knight phenom averaged a double-double with a second-best 18 points per game and a team-high 10.7 rebounds a game. A five-year varsity player, he led Terra Ceia to a historic season. He and the Knights surged through the Tarheel Independent Conference, hosted a first-round playoff game and finished 25-2. Hendrix was also a key player for Terra Ceia’s soccer team, and a go-to pitcher behind ace Austin Roscoe.
JAMES BARROW, NORTHSIDE
James Barrow and Jackson Midgette were a backfield dream team for Northside’s football team this season. He led the squad with 1,037 rushing yards and 14 touchdowns. He was integral to the Panthers hosting a first-round playoff game, but they ended up falling short to North Edgecombe. He chipped in as a bench player on the basketball team. His speed (15 stolen bases) and modest .263 batting average helped Northside to its best baseball season in recent memory, too. He’ll continue his football career at Guilford College.
TRIPP BARFIELD, WASHINGTON
Tripp Barfield, who will be playing Division I baseball at UNC-Asheville next year, was Washington’s ace this season. His work on the mound and at the plate helped the Pam Pack win its first playoff game since 2009. He finished the season with a 7-1 record and 1.14 earned-run average. He also helped the Pam Pack golf team a bit as it won its third-straight regional championship.
DEMETRIUS EBRON, SOUTHSIDE
Demetrius Ebron was an impact player in football, basketball and baseball. His three interceptions and four fumble recoveries coupled with his two receiving touchdowns made him a valued two-way player for a Southside team that went to the 1-A eastern-regional championship. He was a key scorer and floor general for a Seahawks basketball team that struggled. He also batted just south of .300 for a baseball team that continues to get better each year.
FREDERICK HOLSCHER, WASHINGTON
Frederick Holscher started his junior year with a challenge when he was thrown into the starting quarterback role days before the season opener at Havelock. By the end of the season, he settled into the role nicely. He finished the season with 374 passing yards and three touchdowns, despite operating a run-heavy offense. The junior shined on the baseball field, too. His .329 batting average led the team and he was a consistent infielder for a Pam Pack squad that won in the postseason for the first time since 2009.
JACKSON MIDGETTE, NORTHSIDE
A football team’s quarterback is its heartbeat. Jackson Midgette was in charge of running Northside’s offense, and played a vital role on defense, as the Panthers put together their best season in a while. Midgette had 567 rushing yards for eight touchdowns. He also returned a pair of interceptions for touchdowns as a defensive back. He will continue his career at North Carolina Wesleyan in the fall.
BEN MCKEITHAN, WASHINGTON
Ben McKeithan helped guide Washington to another deep playoff run during soccer season. His 25 goals and 26 assists curbed the loss of key offensive pieces, despite the fact that McKeithan spent most of his time on defense. He also kicked for the Pam Pack football team during the fall. In the spring, he and Zack Pagnani made it to the state championships as a doubles pairing in tennis.
NOAH TROGDON, SOUTHSIDE
Noah Trogdon was a do-it all player for Southside this past fall. He put his hand down in the trenches, despite being undersized compared to opposing linemen. Still, he finished the campaign with 31 tackles, 4.5 of which were for a loss. His versatility and hard work landed him a spot at Bluefield College, where he’ll likely be a linebacker or fullback.
RHYS ALLIGOOD, NORTHSIDE
Whenever the opponent had the football, Rhys Alligood was there or heading there. His 16.5 tackles for a loss ranked first among Northside’s defenders, and his 79 total tackles were second. His continuous presence in the opponent’s backfield made him arguably the most formidable defensive end in Beaufort County. Alligood will take his talents to Guilford College in the fall.
CODY GODLEY, WASHINGTON
Cody Godley excelled at the plate, in the infield and on the pitcher’s mound. Washington’s own Swiss army knife was integral to the Pam Pack’s strong season. He posted a 2-1 record and boasted a 2.08 ERA — third, behind Tripp Barfield and Chris Sulc — in 11 appearances. He finished the season with a .222 batting average, despite being hampered by injury. He will play for Guilford College next spring.
MARSHALL MEDLOCK, SOUTHSIDE
Going into his senior season, Marshall Medlock had experience quarterbacking Southside’s football team. He put his knowledge to good use has he led the Seahawks to a second-straight regional-championship appearance. He threw for 495 yards and six touchdowns in a run-heavy offense. He was a valuable bench forward for a basketball team that struggled. On the diamond, Medlock was a consistent first baseman. He also posted a 0.78 ERA in six appearances. He will play football at Methodist in the fall.
AVERY BOWEN, UNITY
Avery Bowen shredded opposing defenders on the soccer field this past fall. The Unity forward scored 43 goals in his senior campaign to solidify himself as arguably the most decorated Warrior in program history. His dominance earned him a spot on Montreat’s roster this fall.