Chapel Hill, Pine Tree Lead the Way in 2025-26 District 16-4A Boys Basketball Awards
The votes are in, and the 2025-26 District 16-4A Boys Basketball season has officially been recognized with a full slate of individual honors. Chapel Hill and Pine Tree dominated the superlative categories, while players from across the district earned spots on the all-district teams.
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Superlatives
Chapel Hill senior Kenson Anderson claimed the district’s highest individual honor, being named MVP for the 2025-26 season. Anderson’s all-around contributions helped the Bulldogs assert themselves as a top program in the district.
The Offensive MVP award was shared between two standout performers: Marquise Collins of Chapel Hill and Darron Pair of Pine Tree, a senior and junior respectively, who each made their mark on opposing defenses throughout the season.
On the other end of the floor, Pine Tree junior Bosston Johnson earned Defensive MVP honors, anchoring what proved to be one of the district’s most formidable defensive units.
In one of the more exciting storylines of the season, Gilmer freshman Ty Stephenson was named District Newcomer, a well-deserved recognition for a first-year player who made an immediate impact. Stephenson’s emergence gives Gilmer fans plenty to look forward to in the years ahead.
Chapel Hill senior Malik Gee rounded out the superlative honors by earning 6th Man of the Year, a testament to the depth and culture within the Bulldogs’ program.
Chapel Hill head coach Akimba Johnson was named Coach of the Year, capping off what was clearly a banner season for the Bulldogs program.
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All-District First Team
Ten players earned spots on the All-District First Team, representing six schools across the district:
– Isiah Mayfield – Chapel Hill, Sr.
– Abram Sims – Gilmer, Sr.
– Jaden Holladay – Gilmer, Sr.
– Kayson Brooks – Kilgore, Sr.
– Dre Sanders – Kilgore, Sr.
– Bryston Price – Carthage, Jr.
– John Harris – Spring Hill, Sr.
– Jaxson Bradford – Henderson, So.
– Decorian Deitz – Pine Tree, Sr.
– Trent Fowler – Pine Tree, Sr.
Notable among the First Team selections is Jaxson Bradford of Henderson, a sophomore who earned a spot among the district’s elite — a sign of things to come for the Lions.
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All-District Second Team
Twelve players were named to the All-District Second Team:
– Ryder Steele – Chapel Hill, Sr.
– Anthony Smith – Chapel Hill, Jr.
– Brayden Williams – Kilgore, Sr.
– Bi’syn Williams – Kilgore, Sr.
– Jace Harris – Carthage, So.
– Jaydon Lewis – Carthage, Sr.
– Kaden Gordon – Carthage, So.
– D’Ayden Ingram – Pine Tree, Fr.
– Braylunn Upchurch – Gilmer, Jr.
– Brailon Walker – Henderson, Jr.
– Jackson Bergman – Spring Hill, Jr.
– Ashton Valentine – Pine Tree, Sr.
Pine Tree freshman D’Ayden Ingram earned a Second Team nod, joining Stephenson as one of the younger players to make a district-wide impression in 2025-26.
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Honorable Mention
A large group of players received Honorable Mention recognition, reflecting the depth of talent across District 16-4A:
Chapel Hill: Ke’Rion Green (Jr.), Jacob March (Jr.), Jeremy Harper (Sr.), A’Mare Kennedy (So.), Maliek Brown (Jr.)
Pine Tree: Jaxon Waclawczyk (Jr.), Dalan Montgomery (Sr.)
Kilgore: Ian Brown (So.), Maverix Rivers (So.), Jakeylan Zachery (Sr.), Keion Sanders (So.), Deandre Thurmond (Jr.), Dakalynn Murphy (Jr.)
Cumberland: Kendrick Abbey (So.), Carsyn Walker (So.), Angel Price (Jr.), Pryce Butler (Jr.), Isarael Spencer (Jr.)
Gilmer: Davin Fort (Sr.), Celson James (Sr.), Tayveon Horne (So.)
Henderson: Ayden Perry (Jr.), Vince Howard (Sr.)
Carthage: Colt Vickery (Jr.), Colben Foster (So.), JD Edwards (So.)
Spring Hill: Keilan Logan (So.), Hudson Bartell (Jr.)
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Academic All-District
The district also recognized 32 student-athletes for their work in the classroom with Academic All-District honors. These players — from Chapel Hill, Pine Tree, Kilgore, Cumberland, Gilmer, Henderson, Carthage, and Spring Hill — exemplify the balance of athletic and academic excellence that defines high school sports at its best.
Academic All-District honorees include: Malik Gee, Jeremy Harper, Ke’Rion Green (Chapel Hill); Trent Fowler, Decorian Deitz, Bosston Johnson, Darron Pair, Cylin Snoddy, Jaxon Waclawczyk (Pine Tree); Dre Sanders, Kayson Brooks, Keion Sanders (Kilgore); Angel Price, Pryce Butler, Isarael Spencer (Cumberland); Abram Sims, Davin Fort, Ty Stephenson (Gilmer); Justin Howard, Vince Howard, Ayden Perry, Lemarion Coleman (Henderson); Colt Vickery, Colben Foster, Jayden Lewis, Port Porter, Jace Harris (Carthage); and Bon Kim, John Harris, Ayden Quackenbush, Bridge Martin, Hudson Bartell (Spring Hill).
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Congratulations to all the athletes, coaches, and programs honored in the 2025-26 District 16-4A Boys Basketball awards. The future of basketball in this district looks bright, with a mix of experienced seniors leaving a legacy and talented underclassmen ready to carry the torch.
Claude