by Malcolm Butler

Choudrant High School swept the District 2B boys and girls basketball honors following impressive seasons that saw them both capture the league titles and earn postseason berths.

 

GIRLS

Seniors Reese Brown and Sadie Jones were named co-Most Valuable Players, while head coach Brandy Robertson was named the District 2B Coach of the Year. 

Jones, a 5-foot-7-inch senior forward, averaged 12.8 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 3.4 steals per game, while Brown, a 5-foot-5-inch senior guard, averaged 12.3 points, 5.0 steals and 3.0 assists per game.

“Having Sadie and Reese named co-MVP’s this year was well deserved in my opinion,” said Roberson. “Both of these girls are exceptionally hard workers, leaders both on and off the court, they excel in the classroom and they are at the top of every list you can categorize them in. So it is only fitting that they are at the top of the all-district list.

“Sadie really put in a lot of extra work in the off season this year. and it really showed. She was comfortable both in and outside the perimeter this season, and it really made her a threat.

“Reese really tapped into her ability to pass and dish the ball down this year creating easy scores for Sadie down low, and Sadie did a great job of finishing. I thought both girls were irreplaceable on my team on both offense and defense this year. Having them on the court at the same time created a problem for other teams.”

Robertson guided the Lady Aggies to a 24-8 record, the District 2B title, and a second round playoff appearance.

“Brandy was one of my first hires three years ago,” said Choudrant Principal Chris Jones. “We did not have a lot of talent and the kids that we had faced some setbacks due to Covid and a shortened junior high experience. She had some real bumps the first two years, and we had to spend some time in my office building her up because we knew her biggest jump was gonna come this year.

“Those girls bought into her system. They played AAU in the summer, and she worked them like dogs all year long. They made a huge jump over the last three years because she is extremely hard-nosed and that mentality bled through to her players this year. We did not have the most talented group of kids on the floor most nights, but they were gritty and they played hard for her and each other. I will take players and coaches with grit and a good work ethic over raw talent and bad attitudes any day.”

Joining Brown and Jones on the all-District team were sophomore guard Katherine Hernandez and Alyssa Bell, who both earned second team honors. Sophomore forward Hannah Bryan was named honorable mention all-district.

1st Team

Reese Brown, Choudrant

Jadyn Hutchinson, Family Community Christian

Sadie Jones, Choudrant

Eden Miller, Downsville

Rory Norwood, Family Community Christian

 

2nd Team

Alyssa Bell, Choudrant 

MJ Caldwell, Family Community Christian

Peyton Hales, Family Community Christian 

Katherine Hernandez, Choudrant

Lauren Thompson, Forest

 

Honorable Mention: 

Hannah Bryan, Choudrant

Emma Clack, Forest

Lillian Clack, Forest

Brooke Mitchell, Downsville

Amber Nappier, Downsville

Sophie Warner, Family Community

 

Co-MVP: Reese Brown, Sadie Jones

Coach of the Year: Brandy Robertson, Choudrant

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BOYS

Senior Brayden Pye was named the District 2B Most Valuable Player while Ryan Smith earned Coach of the year honors. 

Pye, a 6-foot-1-inch senior forward, averaged 11.4 points and 6.8 rebounds a game for the Aggies.

“Brayden had a wonder senior year, especially towards the end of the season,” said head coach Ryan Smith. “He continued to work hard every day. That lead to a more expanded role for him on both sides of the ball. His athleticism and experience will be tough to replace. We are going to miss him for sure.”

Smith guided Choudrant to a 21-12 record, the district title, and a second round playoff appearance.

“Ryan Smith is a good coach, but he’s a great person,” said Choudrant principal Chris Jones. “He does a fantastic job of getting kids into the program and then developing them into players. Most of our kids don’t ever pick up a basketball until they get to sixth grade.

“Ryan is always going to be competitive but his biggest strength is in teaching kids how to be a part of a team. This group of seniors this year is going to be special to us because they are a true reflection on their coach. Ryan can find the absolute best in every person and that is his biggest strength in my opinion.”

Joining Pye on the all-district first team for Choudrant were senior forward Jackson Ambrose and senior guard Carson Carrico. Freshman Turner Rhodes earned second team honors while senior guard Benton Case earned honorable mention honors. 

First Team

Jackson Ambrose (Choudrant)

Carson Carrico (Choudrant)

Jaden Carroll (Family Community Christian)

Connor Harper (Downsville)

Brayden Pye (Choudrant)

 

Second Team

Landen Harmon (Forest)

Blayne Lord (Family Community Christian)

Turner Rhodes (Choudrant)

Haiden Sabo (Downsville)

Miles Sotello (Downsville)

 

Honorable Mention

Benton Case (Choudrant)

Xander Ferry (Forest)

Jackson Jarrette (Family Community Christian)

 

MVP: Brayden Pye (Choudrant)

Coach of the Year: Ryan Smith (Choudrant)

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