Albany State honors student-athletes

ALBANY — Albany State’s athletes were honored recently at the school’s 44th annual all-sports banquet, and women’s basketball star Tip Holston and football standout Dexter Moody received the top honors for the 2013-14 school year.

“The banquet was an opportunity to honor our student-athletes for their accomplishments during the 2013-2014 season,” ASU Athletic Director Richard H. Williams said. “Each year, we honor our Lady Rams and Golden Rams teams for their athletic and academic accomplishments. This is our opportunity to thank them for the banner year we had in athletics, along with their dedication and service to the university.”

Basketball player and former Mitchell County star Kedeemya Cooper received the RAM Award, which is presented to the student-athlete who exhibits school spirit, dedication, leadership and service to the community.

More than 100 athletes were honored, including Holston and Moody, who were named the 2014 Female and Male Athletes of the Year.

As a freshman, Holston led the Lady Rams’ to the 2014 SIAC East Division championship and a runner-up finish in the SIAC tournament. She was named the 2014 SIAC Freshman of the Year and the SIAC Defensive Player of the Year and was an all-conference selection. Holston was also named to the NCAA South Region second team.

Moody, the senior defensive leader on the ASU football team, led the Rams to the SIAC East Division championship and an SIAC title. He was named the 2014 SIAC Defensive Player of the Year and voted to the all-conference defensive first team.

On the offensive side of the gridiron, quarterback Frank Rivers won the MVP and the Best Offensive Back trophies. Camilla native Jessie Atkins was named Best Wide Receiver, while Victor Moli received the Best Lineman award. Jarvis Small was named Most Improved Player, and Javoris Wilburn received the Best Freshman award.

On defense, Moody was named the MVP and Best Defensive Back. Damien Goosby received the Best Lineman award, and Marcavius Dudley was named Best Linebacker. Quintory Braswell and Glen Stanley both took home Most Improved Player awards. Mitchell County grad Grover Stewart was named Best Freshman, while Zachary Gayden-Holley and Demonte Queen both received Best Special Team Player awards. Football Academic Achievement Awards went to Ahmad Abd Al-Qadir, Cedric Ashe, Quincy Fortson, Calvin Harris and Jarvis Small.

The top baseball awards went to Robert Latner as the Homerun King, and former Westover star Jacob Campbell as the Batting Champ. Infielder Ryan Latner received the Golden Glove Award. Sylvester native Allen Fender was named the Pitcher of the Year, and Theodore Tramontana received the Relief Pitcher of the Year award. Reise McDaniel received the Coach’s Award, and Hector Carrasquillo was named the Most Improved. Carrasquillo, Jonatan Galan, Demarkus Green, and Clayton Roach received Academic Achievement awards.

The Lady Rams softball team’s MVP and Homerun Queen awards went to Chaconna Marks, while Chelsea Hicks and Malea Maye received the Co-Best Offensive Player awards. Pitcher Alexa Lopez was named Best Defensive Player, and Albany’s Domonique Bryant took home the Best All-Around trophy. Kandis Banks, Chelsea Hicks and Anria Peterson earned Academic Achievement awards.

Holston was named the women’s basketball MVP, while the Defensive Player of the Year award went to guard Mecca Frost. Guard Kourtney Alexander received the Best Offensive award, and guard Keidra Green, a former Crisp County standout, was named Best All-Around. Academic awards went to Holston, Cooper, Amber McKenzie and Julia Okongwu.

Forward Jamorris Gaines was named the Best Offensive Player for men’s basketball, and forward Joe Williams received the Best Defensive Player award. Guard Doug Storey received the team’s Most Improved award.

ASU tennis player Kiara Thompson was named the team’s Most Improved. Keona Livatt won the Newcomer of the Year award, and she and Thompson were honored with the Best Doubles award. Nicolette Williams earned the Senior award.

ASU men’s track & field awards went to Kyran Stewart as the Most Valuable Track Runner, and TreVonte McTyre, who was honored with The Man Award. Elontavius White received the Senior award, and the Track and Field Freshman of the Year award went to Corey Parks. Albert Murrey was given the High Point award. Murrey, White, Terry Orange and Rashon Miller were presented with Academic Achievement awards.

On the women’s side, Olivia Traylor was named Most Valuable Field Performer, Andrew Fullmore as the Most Valuable Track and Brittany Dean with the Senior award. Academic Achievement awards were given to Fullmore, Traylor, Andrea Fullmore and Morgane Rainwater.

Traylor was named the Women’s Cross Country Runner of the Year, and the Best Men’s Cross Country Runner award went to Albert Murrey.

The Best Offensive Volleyball Player award went to Ashley Johnson, and Jillian Anderson received the Best Defensive Player award. Jennifer Evans was named the Most Outstanding Player. Johnson, Kaliah Carter, and Desiree Hardy earned Academic Achievement awards.

For the ASU cheerleading squad, Brianna Bell received the Most Outstanding award, and Omi Potts was named Freshman of the Year. Ashley Griffin and Ashley Gibson were named the Most Outstanding Cheerleaders, and T’Asia McCartherans received the Most Improved award. Sydnee Heidt was presented with the Coach’s award. Academic Achievement awards were given to to Heidt, DeVondrel Banks and Aschiaa Davis.

The Student-Athlete Advisory Committee honored Cooper with the Edythe Y. Bradley Leadership Award. Elontavius White, Mario Barker and Ambrionna Atkism were presented with Community Service awards, while Cedric Ashe and Morgane Rainwater received Advisors’ awards.