JUNIOR MOMENTS
Lomega underclassmen Wilson, Snowden sweep Cherokee Strip Conference MVPs
LOMEGA HIGH SCHOOL juniors Adysen Wilson, pictured left, and Noah Snowden, right, were named MVPs of the Cherokee Strip Conference after a recent vote of coaches. Wilson and Snowden helped lead their teams to at least a share of their respective conferenc
Lomega practically swept the honors when the Cherokee Strip Conference recently announced its postseason awards.
The most valuable player and coach of the year awards for both boys and girls went to those in Raider blue.
Adysen Wilson was the MVP for the girls.
The junior newcomer averaged 18.9 points, 7.2 rebounds, 4.4 assists and 4.4 steals in helping the team go 7-0 in conference play and also win the conference tournament.
The Lady Raiders’ closest conference contest was their first. They beat Burlington 45-39 on Nov. 15.
Their next-closest margin of victory was 41 points against Cherokee.
Lomega beat conference foes by an average of 47.6 points in the regular season and by 51 points in the conference tournament.
Lomega was 30-2 overall and won its last 27 games while claiming the Class B state championship.
Kevin Lewallen was named the conference’s coach of the year.
Wilson was joined on the all-conference team by fellow junior Emma Duffy and freshmen Sydni Walker and Darcy Roberts.
Hensley Eaton, who was the state tournament MVP, and Shelby Russell were honorable mention.
On the boys side, Lomega and Ringwood were conference co-champions this season.
That led to Justin Edsall of Lomega and Nathan Pearson of Ringwood splitting coach of the year honors.
However, the conference MVP wasn’t split.
That went to the Raiders’ Noah Snowden.
The versatile junior averaged 18.9 points and 4.6 rebounds.
Lomega and Ringwood both finished the conference season with a 6-1 mark.
After dropping the conference opener to Burlington on a last-second shot, Lomega won six straight, including winning 59-32 at Ringwood on Jan. 21.
Ringwood returned the favor three days later by knocking off the Raiders 42-39 in the conference tournament semifinals.
Ringwood went on to win the tournament the next night.
Lomega ended its season 20-10 and was just one victory shy of reaching the Class B state tournament.
The Raiders lost area tournament games to Paden (52-50) and Hammon (62-57), teams that eventually advanced to the state semifinals.
Riley Lumpkin also earned a spot on the all-conference team.
Honorable mention went to Tate Ott and Blake Snowden. The awards are voted
The awards are voted on by the conference’s coaches.