BERLIN- After a memorable and highly successful season, the Stephen Decatur boys’ varsity basketball team this week picked up several post-season awards including Coach of the Year for B.J. Johnson and Defensive Player of the Year for Colen Gaynor along with several placers placed on the All-Eastern Shore teams.
DMVelite, a regional sports promotion organization that produces tournaments and other showcase events featuring prep players in Delaware, Maryland and Virginia, this week released its All-Eastern Shore post-season awards for Maryland high schools and Decatur’s boys’ varsity basketball team was well represented on the list. After a full season of coverage, including its weekly “Shore Report” installments, DMVelite staffers consulted with area coaches and other media outlets to develop the All-Eastern Shore teams and the individual awards.
Decatur’s Johnson was named Coach of the Year for leading the Seahawks’ remarkable turnaround. After finishing 8-8 last year, Johnson took over this season and led the Seahawks to a 18-6 record, a first-ever Bayside Conference championship and a trip to the state 3A-East Region finals. The season included a 12-game winning streak. The Seahawks also won two memorable regional playoff games on back-to-back days in March to reach the region finals.
DMVelite’s Defensive Player of the Year award went to Decatur’s Colen Gaynor, who was also a catalyst on offense for the Seahawks. The tall, lanky sophomore electrified crowds with his sharp shooting and acrobatic dunks, but his real prowess was on the defensive end of the court. Night in and night out, Gaynor excelled on defense and turned in some of his best performances in Decatur’s biggest games. In the Bayside championship, Gaynor grabbed 10 rebounds, and recorded four steals and six blocks. In the 3A-East sectional against rival Bennett, Gaynor grabbed 11 boards and recorded three steals and seven blocks.
Bennett’s Kory Holden was named Player of the Year by DMVelite this week. Holden averaged nearly 30 points per game and consistently recorded double-doubles throughout the season. The University of Delaware-bound Holden led the Clippers to a 16-6 mark and an appearance in the 3A-East sectional final against Decatur. The Freshman of the Year award went to Marcquan Greene of Kent County.
The All-Eastern Shore First Team included Gaynor and Tyler Hunter from Decatur and Holden from Bennett, along with Parkside’s Dajour Diggs and Wicomico’s Larry Ennis. The All-Eastern Shore Second Team included Greene, Wicomico’s Nelson Brown, Alex Cohen of Crisfield, Travis Morgan of Colonel Richardson and Bennett’s Jordan Duffy.
The All-Shore Third Team included Decatur’s Torrey Brittingham, David Dickerson of Colonel Richardson, Jemir Jones of Washington, Juwan Williams of Parkside and Tyreik Jacobs of Easton. Local players receiving Honorable Mention included Worcester Prep’s Ryan Nally, Quegon Whitney of Pocomoke, Zach Cowell of Salisbury School and Trevell Jones of Wicomico.