Leah Williams has been named girls basketball Player of the Year in the East Central 2-A Conference and for Sampson County.
A multi-sport standout, Williams, who has committed to Mount Olive for basketball, averaged 21.1 points for a 23-3 hoops team that shared the regular-season title in the East Central 2-A Conference. She also contributed 4.1 rebounds per game, although she is only 5-feet-4. Williams also averaged 4.6 assists and 4.1 steals.
“She’s probably the hardest-working player I’ve ever had,” said Midway’s Allen McLamb, who was named county Coach of the Year in girls basketball. “It didn’t matter if we were up or down, she was giving it all she had. I can’t think of anyone who is more deserving.
“She put in the extra hours to make it. She has a super strong will about her. She set a lot of records, but she is very team-oriented. I was very, very honored to coach a kid with that much drive and heart and have the opportunity to be around her. To experience that drive — you don’t see that much in kids anymore.”
Making all-conference from the Raiders were senior Maddee Royal as well as juniors J.J. Sankey and Alyssa Wrench.
Sankey averaged 13.7 points, 3.1 rebounds and 4.5 steals.
Wrench provided 7.2 points and 5.3 rebounds per game. Royal’s numbers included 4.2 points and 4.8 rebounds.
Track honors
Brian Wallum, boys winter track coach for the Raiders, and Beth Best, who guided the girls in winter track, have also been named for Coach of the Year awards.
Wallum has gotten an improved report on a health issue, said Best, who also serves as athletic director for Midway.