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By Guest Columnist Renee Andrews
The PCHS Boy’s and Girl’s Basketball teams and Pirate Cheerleaders recently celebrated the close of their seasons with a banquet held at Christ Chapel Community Church.
The Varsity Pirate Cheerleading squad presented the Coach’s Award to Asia Thomas for her dedication to the squad during the season. Kayla Langford received the Spirit Award and Lauren Oliver and Haley Vickery were presented with the Best All Around Award. The squad will have a number of “spirit” shoes to fill as they graduate seven team members. Good luck to our senior cheerleaders Kayla Langford, Asia Thomas, Lindsey Hurt, Lauren Oliver, Victoria Pass, Kayla Pryor, and Rebekah Duck.
As Coach Lindsey McDaniel prepared to present the JV Girl’s awards, she told the girls how much she appreciated their hard work this season and enjoyed working with them. Aaliyah Williams was presented the JV Pirate Award and Molly Hurst received the Most Improved Award for the JV squad.
“The Lady Pirate program saw positive growth this year. Leila Chambers, Lauren Duncan, Asia Harris and Latoya King came in to contribute meaningful minutes as freshmen. I’m very optimistic about the future in the leadership of our rising seniors, Shaqueri Talmadge and Ciara Miller,” stated Coach Akins.
Coach Helen Akins and Coach David Cape presented Ashley Reeves with the Academic Award (4.03 GPA). Ashley also received the Captain’s Award. Ciara Miller received the “Never Settle” award and the Best Teammate Award was received by Alisha Furlow. The Lady Pirate Coaches Award went to Lakethia French. Courtney Weldon received the 21 Point Club Award and Most Intense Lady Pirate as well being nominated to the All Region Team. The Lady Pirates graduate Lakethia French, Alisha Furlow, Ashley Reeves and Courtney Weldon.
The Pirates ended the year with a 4th place Region tournament finish and a trip to the first round of the State Tournament; their first appearance in six years. The pirates graduate only one senior, Barius Harris, so the Pirates will return with an experienced team next year.
Receiving a Varsity Boy’s 1st year letter are Desmond Collier, Javius Cook, Zach Fancher, AJ Wellmaker, Drew Fincher, Cameron House, and Shon Love. 2nd year letters went to DeAndre Holmes, Xavier Thompson, and Barius Harris. Scholar Athletes (Varsity and JV) with a 3.0 GPA or higher are Drew Fincher, DeAndre Holmes, Cameron House, Shon Love, Xavier Thompson, Brannon Cape, Jess Devoursney, Tyler Gregory, Alex Holtz, Darius Jordan, Andy Marshall, and Chase Ryan.
Coach Travis McDaniel presented this year’s JV awards to Tony Anthony for Most Improved Player, to Tyler Gregory for the Pirate Award, and the Academic Award was presented to Chase Ryan.
Coach Mark Andrews and Coach Nick Sikes presented this year’s Varsity Awards. Barius Harris received Most Improved Player and the Captain’s Award, DeAndre Holmes received the Pirate Award and was named to the 1st Team All-Region, and Drew Fincher was named Best Teammate and received the Academic Award.
During the boy’s portion of the program, Coach Andrews expressed his gratitude to his assistant coaches, Nick Sikes and Travis McDaniel for their hard work and dedication during his cancer treatments last summer. “These guys took over and ran with it during summer camp and season preparations”, said Coach Andrews. “Looking forward to coaching this year’s players and preparing for a successful season got me through those treatments. My goal was to be well enough and strong enough to coach in October and the love and encouragement I received from our players helped me get there.”
Coach Andrews, Coach Akins, and Coach Stanford each expressed their appreciation for the support of the booster club, the parents, the community and county and school administrators during the season.
Photos courtesy of Renee Andrews and the Pike County School System.
Kayla Langford, Ashley Reeves, Courtney Weldon, Lakethia French, Alisha Furlow and Barius Harris.
Molly Hurst, Aaliyah Williams, Hailey Vickory, Kayla Langford, Ciara Miller, Ashley Reeves, Courtney Weldon, Lakethia French, Alisha Furlow.
Drew Fincher, DeAndre Holmes, Barius Harris, Tony Anthony, Chase Ryan.