PHS Basketball Holds End Of Season Banquet

Last night, the PHS basketball team held the end of season banquet at PHS. It was a night to celebrate and look back on what was a great year for Pickens basketball.The night kicked off with Dragons head basketball coach Brad Steinhauer welcoming everyone to the banquet followed by the Invocation lead by Athletic Director/Athletic Trainer Kyle Rasco. Before the letters and awards were handed out, everyone was invited to get food from Bigun’s Barbeque, who catered the event. A highlight video of the season was shown to look back on what was accomplished during the year.

After the highlight video finished, it was time for the cheerleaders to receive their letterman certificates. Head cheerleading coach Mellissa Weeks, took the time to talk about the season and the hard work the girls put in and thanked them for a great year. JV Girls coaches Jenna Shaw and Sarah Pinson were up next to talk about the season the JV girls had. The JV girls finished the season 7-5 and coaches Shaw and Pinson were very optimistic about the future of the girls.

After the JV girls got their certificates, C-Team/JV boys coach Daniel Culbreth reviewed the seasons the young men had. Several of them finishing the year on the varsity team. Coach Culbreth even had to mention how well dressed the young men were. Next up, Nettes head coach Donna Enis took the podium to thank everyone for coming and for help making this past season one to remember for the Nettes. The Nettes varsity girls got their letterman certificates as coach Enis said, “they earned it.”

The girls Academic Award went to senior Makayla Payne for having the highest average, sophomore Kaitlin Redman recieved the Most Improved Award, the Offensive Player of the Year Award went to senior Haley Kalson (scored over 1,000 points in her career), Defensive Player of the Year Award went to senior Paula Pickett and sophomore Ashley Nelson. Sophomore Autumn Young was honored with a new award created in honor of the late Sierra Stephens. Sophomore Taylor Wigington received the Ledford Pruitt Award. the three seniors Haley Kalson, Makayla Payne, and Paula Pickett were named the MVP of the season.

for the Dragons, the Defensive Playerof the Year went to sophomore Travis Huffman, Offensive Player of the Year went to senior Shannon Brooks (scored 1,000 points in his career, named to First Team All-Region), the Academic Award went to Grady Pearson, the Stephen Ledford Memorial Award went to junior Walker Lawrence. Junior Zack Hermann received the Rj Casey Spirit Award, Shannon Brooks grabbed the Chairman of the Boards Award (averaged 7 rebounds), senior Javier Zuniga was awarded the Jennings Key Memorial Award, and the MVP went to Shannon Brooks (averaged 18 points per game).

It was a great night to celebrate everyone that helped make this season of PHS basketball one to remember. Both the Nettes and Dragons return the bulk of their roster next season. The Dragons were just one game away from state while the Nettes advanced to the sweet sixteen for the first time since 2001. PHS basketball is a program to keep an eye out for.