By Myra Bean and Angie Ledbetter

Tuesday, May 10, South Panola High School held an awards ceremony for non-football athletic departments.

Four teams were recognized as scholar athlete teams: tennis, girls basketball, competitive cheerleaders and slowpitch softball.

The Mississippi High School Activities Association provides certificates to each player on the teams which are scholar athlete teams.

Tennis

Tennis awards given include 2011 Tiger award to Ashley Roberson; 2011 Hustle award to Tyler Phillips; leadership award to Anna Baglan and teamwork award to Hudson Smith.

Tennis team members were recognized as scholar athletes with a certificate for a 3.62 average. Team members include Ashley Roberson, Seth Cook, Matthew Morehead, Meghan Mason, Anna Baglan, Gabe Estridge, Taylor Sheley, Tap Phillips, Chris Webb, Newman Whitt, Elizabeth Hickey, Katie Ellis, Hudson Smith, Mary Clay Gentry, Austin Smith and Kyle Weaver.

Girls Basketball

For the ninth straight year, the girls basketball team was recognized as scholar athletes with a 3.162 average.

Team members include Brittany Baker, Chresha Brown, Christa Brown, Raven Brown, Issaquena Carter, Crystal Contreras, Kionna Ellis, Brittany Moore, Jasmine Sims, Dorian Winfield and Naporshue Strong.

Individual achievement awards went to Christa Brown and Winfield for co-MVPs. Brown was also named the offensive player of the year, while Winfield was named the defensive player of the year. The hustle award went to Moore while Sims received the coach’s award.

Boys Basketball

The South Panola boys basketball team presented the MVP and leading scorer awards to Jakerion Ales. James Watson received the hustle award.

Being honored as the leading rebounder was Jaylen Lee, while Chad Rudd was the assist leader.

JV Basketball Boys

For their play on the junior varsity basketball team, Keenan Hentz received the Tiger award, while Kendell Turner received the hustle award.

The leadership award went to Laundricus Salter. JaMicheal Vaughn received the most improved plaque.

Golf

Calvin Hawkins was named the most valuable player of the golf team. Other team members were recognized: Hunter Brock, Jake Rogers, Kamdon Crofford and Jonathan Middleton.

Competitive Cheerleaders

The South Panola competitive cheerleaders were recognized as a scholar athlete team with a 3.67 average.

Recognized with the spirit of cheer award was Ashley Roberson.

A cheerleader from each class was chosen for the teamwork award: Olivia Battle, senior; Blair Wilkinson, junior; Kelsey Wolfe, sophomore; and Rotierianna Scott, freshman.

The senior cheerleaders were also recognized: Katelyn Meek, Battle, Roberson, Jessica Gentry and Ceciley Williams.

The rest of the team receiving scholar athlete certificates were KK Williams, Taylor Sheley, Newman Whitt, Tabitha Cook, Michelle Bratcher, Brooke Taylor, Hannah Hood, Katie Grace Carlini, Shleby McGovern, Celeste Wyatt and Victoria Pride.

Slowpitch Softball

The Slowpitch Softball team was recognized as a scholar athlete team with an average of 3.54.

Offensive player of the year award went to Amanda Ivy, while Christa Brown was recognized as the defensive player of the year.

Marla Rudd received the coveted hustle award while Marissa McDaniel was honored with the Lady Tiger award. Danielle Townsend received the leadership award.

Other members of the scholar athlete team include Destine Brandon, Chresha Brown, Sarah Cole, Crystal Contreras, Meri Morgan Fortune, Misty Jenkins, Carissa McDaniel, Emily Smith, Olivia Taylor, Shelby Ware, Savanna Williams and Dorian Winfield.

Track

For the South Panola boys track team, Titus Oliver received the Tiger Award. Greg Hayes was honored as the best sprinter. For his performance in discus and shot put, Nick Johnson received the awards. Best distance runner was Garner Barbee.

In girls track, Erin Chapman received the Tiger and the most improved awards. Brittany Baker was named the best springer. Dorian Winfield received the top discus/shot put awards. The best distance runner was Amanda Ivy.