Edna ninth grader Jayfus Smith and Industrial sophomore Braedyn Vanduren- Fuller earned District 25-3A accolades for their play on the basketball court this season.
District coaches chose Smith as the 25-3A Freshman of the Year and tagged Vanduren as the Newcomer of the Year.
Smith started at point guard for the Cowboys until suffering a season- ending ankle injury against Yoakum on Jan. 31. The Cowboys were 9-4 overall and 6-2 in district play at that point but lost their remaining five district games and their Bi-District matchup without Smith.
Vanduren, a sophomore forward, averaged 46 percent shooting inside the arc and 33 percent from behind it, as well as two steals a game while generally assigned to guard the opposing team’s best player in district play.
The Cobras finished the season 20-15 overall but finished fifth in district to just miss the playoffs with a 6-8 record.
First team selections included Edna senior Braylen Harris and junior Kalub Caesar, and Industrial senior Jake Alexander and junior Gi’Ziah Lopez.
Alexander led the Cobras with 21 points a game in district and 18.5 points a game for the entire season, shooting 80 percent from the free throw line, and scoring over 1,400 points for his four-year career. Lopez averaged 14.3 points a game in district, with 8.4 rebounds, two steals and a block.
Making the second team were Edna seniors Brady Peters and Myles Randle, and Industrial senior Brady Koop.
Earning honorable mention were Edna senior Braiden Hernandez and Industrial seniors Bryce Warren and Holden Mc-Mullen.
Academic All-District selections included Alexander, Koop, Warren, junior Ryan Riddle, and sophomores Mason Hunt and John Franz; and Harris for Edna.
In addition, Ganado had four players honored on the District 28-2A boys All-District team.
Senior guard Bryce Ullman was voted Co-Defensive MVP with Weimar senior Zach Norrell.
Senior Callen Hajovsky earned first team honors and seniors Luke Bures and Cain Hayden received second team honors.
The Indians finished fourth in district with a 7-5 record and lost to Thorndale in Bi-District to end the year with a 9-8 overall record.
