HIGH-SCHOOL

PHOTOS: StarNews Athletes of the Decade

Jayhlen Washington, North Brunswick Class of 2017: Washington was a dominant force, winning 13 individual track & field state championships with the Scorpions. He also helped North Brunswick win four-straight team state championships. [Ken Blevins/StarNews]
Jayhlen Washington, North Brunswick Class of 2017: Washington was a dominant force, winning 13 individual track & field state championships with the Scorpions. He also helped North Brunswick win four-straight team state championships. [Ken Blevins/StarNews]
Wilmington StarNews
Desire Brown, Trask Class of 2016: Brown remarkably split time between two spring sports. She was the 2016 StarNews All-Area Girls Track and Field Athlete of the Year and also shined on the softball field for the Titans. [StarNews File Photo]
Desire Brown, Trask Class of 2016: Brown remarkably split time between two spring sports. She was the 2016 StarNews All-Area Girls Track and Field Athlete of the Year and also shined on the softball field for the Titans. [StarNews File Photo]
Wilmington StarNews
Caroline Estep, Hoggard Class of 2014: Estep was a three-time StarNews All-Area Girls Swimmer of the Year before going to N.C. State. [Matt Born/StarNews Photo]
Caroline Estep, Hoggard Class of 2014: Estep was a three-time StarNews All-Area Girls Swimmer of the Year before going to N.C. State. [Matt Born/StarNews Photo]
Wilmington StarNews
Caroline Cahill, Laney Class of 2017: Cahill was three-time StarNews All-Area Girls Golfer of the Year and finished in the top-five at the state championships twice with the Bucs. She is currently a junior with the UNCW women’s golf team. [Matt Born/StarNews]
Caroline Cahill, Laney Class of 2017: Cahill was three-time StarNews All-Area Girls Golfer of the Year and finished in the top-five at the state championships twice with the Bucs. She is currently a junior with the UNCW women’s golf team. [Matt Born/StarNews]
Wilmington StarNews
Julia Buehler, Hoggard Class of 2015: The two-sport star was the StarNews All-Area Player of the Year in Girls Lacrosse (2014) and Girls Basketball (2015) before spending time with the women’s basketball programs at Appalachian State and UNCW. [StarNews File Photo]
Julia Buehler, Hoggard Class of 2015: The two-sport star was the StarNews All-Area Player of the Year in Girls Lacrosse (2014) and Girls Basketball (2015) before spending time with the women’s basketball programs at Appalachian State and UNCW. [StarNews File Photo]
Wilmington StarNews
Blake Taylor, Wilmington Christian Academy Class of 2015: The former Patriot is in the midst of his senior season at ECU, but he’s already finished as a USGA runner-up in a partner event (2019 Amateur Four Ball) and qualified for a PGA Tour event in 2018. [StarNews File Photo]
Blake Taylor, Wilmington Christian Academy Class of 2015: The former Patriot is in the midst of his senior season at ECU, but he’s already finished as a USGA runner-up in a partner event (2019 Amateur Four Ball) and qualified for a PGA Tour event in 2018. [StarNews File Photo]
Wilmington StarNews
Ashleigh Antal, Laney Class of 2012: Antal didn’t compete much during the high school seasons, but the junior-circuit star went to Vanderbilt and was part of a 2015 national team championship with the Commodores as a senior. [StarNews File Photo]
Ashleigh Antal, Laney Class of 2012: Antal didn’t compete much during the high school seasons, but the junior-circuit star went to Vanderbilt and was part of a 2015 national team championship with the Commodores as a senior. [StarNews File Photo]
Wilmington StarNews
Mackenzie Gore, Whiteville Class of 2017: Gore was a two-time StarNews All-Area Baseball Player of the Year and led Whiteville to three state titles. The No. 3 pick in the 2017 MLB Draft, he is now a top prospect in the San Diego Padres farm system. [Matt Born/StarNews]
Mackenzie Gore, Whiteville Class of 2017: Gore was a two-time StarNews All-Area Baseball Player of the Year and led Whiteville to three state titles. The No. 3 pick in the 2017 MLB Draft, he is now a top prospect in the San Diego Padres farm system. [Matt Born/StarNews]
Wilmington StarNews
Trevon Brown, New Hanover Class of 2013: Brown was the StarNews All-Area Football Offensive Player of the Year in 2012 and also helped the Wildcats’ basketball team win a state championship that year. Brown went on to play at ECU, finishing fifth in Pirates’ history with 1,829 receiving yards. [StarNews File Photo]
Trevon Brown, New Hanover Class of 2013: Brown was the StarNews All-Area Football Offensive Player of the Year in 2012 and also helped the Wildcats’ basketball team win a state championship that year. Brown went on to play at ECU, finishing fifth in Pirates’ history with 1,829 receiving yards. [StarNews File Photo]
Wilmington StarNews
Kadeem Allen, New Hanover Class of 2012: In his senior season, Allen led the Wildcats to a state championship and was named the StarNews All-Area Boys Basketball Player of the Year. He went on to play two seasons with the University of Arizona before being drafted by the New York Knicks. He’s played in 37 NBA games. [StarNews File Photo]
Kadeem Allen, New Hanover Class of 2012: In his senior season, Allen led the Wildcats to a state championship and was named the StarNews All-Area Boys Basketball Player of the Year. He went on to play two seasons with the University of Arizona before being drafted by the New York Knicks. He’s played in 37 NBA games. [StarNews File Photo]
Wilmington StarNews
Blake Walston, New Hanover Class of 2019: Walston won three state championships with the Wildcats, going back-to-back in baseball (2018-19) and one in football (2017). The quarterback was selected in the first round of June’s MLB Draft and is now a top prospect in the Arizona Diamondbacks farm system. [Ken Oots/For The StarNews]
Blake Walston, New Hanover Class of 2019: Walston won three state championships with the Wildcats, going back-to-back in baseball (2018-19) and one in football (2017). The quarterback was selected in the first round of June’s MLB Draft and is now a top prospect in the Arizona Diamondbacks farm system. [Ken Oots/For The StarNews]
Wilmington StarNews
Stanley Broaden, Ashley Class of 2011: Broaden was a two-sport star. He was a two-time StarNews All-Area Boys Track and Field Runner of the Year and also an all-area boys soccer player for the Screaming Eagles. He went on to play both sports for Appalachian State. [StarNews File Photo]
Stanley Broaden, Ashley Class of 2011: Broaden was a two-sport star. He was a two-time StarNews All-Area Boys Track and Field Runner of the Year and also an all-area boys soccer player for the Screaming Eagles. He went on to play both sports for Appalachian State. [StarNews File Photo]
Wilmington StarNews
Travis Johns, Laney Class of 2013: Johns was a dominant force in the pool, winning the StarNews All-Area Boys Swimmer of the Year Award three times before moving out west and swimming for Stanford. [StarNews File Photo]
Travis Johns, Laney Class of 2013: Johns was a dominant force in the pool, winning the StarNews All-Area Boys Swimmer of the Year Award three times before moving out west and swimming for Stanford. [StarNews File Photo]
Wilmington StarNews
Javonte Williams, Wallace-Rose Hill Class of 2018: Williams was the StarNews All-Area Offensive Player of the Year in 2017 after leading the Bulldogs to their fourth straight state title. He just finished his sophomore season with North Carolina. [Matt Born/StarNews]
Javonte Williams, Wallace-Rose Hill Class of 2018: Williams was the StarNews All-Area Offensive Player of the Year in 2017 after leading the Bulldogs to their fourth straight state title. He just finished his sophomore season with North Carolina. [Matt Born/StarNews]
Wilmington StarNews
Ana Sharbaugh, Cape Fear Academy Class of 2019: Sharbaugh was a four-time StarNews All-Area Girls Tennis Player of the Year and never lost a singles match while with the Hurricanes. [Matt Born/StarNews]
Ana Sharbaugh, Cape Fear Academy Class of 2019: Sharbaugh was a four-time StarNews All-Area Girls Tennis Player of the Year and never lost a singles match while with the Hurricanes. [Matt Born/StarNews]
Wilmington StarNews
Garrett Walston, New Hanover Class of 2016: The second Walston brother on this list, Garrett was the 2015 StarNews All-Area Football Offensive Player of the Year with the Wildcats and just finished his junior season as the starting tight end at North Carolina. [Matt Born/StarNews]
Garrett Walston, New Hanover Class of 2016: The second Walston brother on this list, Garrett was the 2015 StarNews All-Area Football Offensive Player of the Year with the Wildcats and just finished his junior season as the starting tight end at North Carolina. [Matt Born/StarNews]
Wilmington StarNews
Shelby Howell, New Hanover Class of 2012: Howell totaled five StarNews All-Area Player of the Year Awards, with two in cross country and two in track & field. She finished her running career at Appalachian State. [Matt Born/StarNews Photo]
Shelby Howell, New Hanover Class of 2012: Howell totaled five StarNews All-Area Player of the Year Awards, with two in cross country and two in track & field. She finished her running career at Appalachian State. [Matt Born/StarNews Photo]
Wilmington StarNews
Bryan Sammons, Hoggard Class of 2013: Sammons was the StarNews All-Area Baseball Player of the Year in 2013 before taking his talents to Western Carolina University. 2020 will be Sammons’ fourth year in the Minnesota Twins farm system after getting selected in the eighth round of the 2017 MLB Draft. [Matt Born/StarNews]
Bryan Sammons, Hoggard Class of 2013: Sammons was the StarNews All-Area Baseball Player of the Year in 2013 before taking his talents to Western Carolina University. 2020 will be Sammons’ fourth year in the Minnesota Twins farm system after getting selected in the eighth round of the 2017 MLB Draft. [Matt Born/StarNews]
Wilmington StarNews
Alex Highsmith, Ashley Class of 2015: Smith was a three-sport star with the Screaming Eagles, but he really blossomed with the UNC-Charlotte football team. In 2019, Highsmith was named a third-team All American by the Associated Press. [StarNews File Photo]
Alex Highsmith, Ashley Class of 2015: Smith was a three-sport star with the Screaming Eagles, but he really blossomed with the UNC-Charlotte football team. In 2019, Highsmith was named a third-team All American by the Associated Press. [StarNews File Photo]
Wilmington StarNews
Saniya Rivers, Ashley Class of 2021: Rivers has already won two StarNews All-Area Girls Basketball Player of the Year Awards while at Laney. Last year’s Gatorade North Carolina Player of the Year will finish her career with the Screaming Eagles. [Ken Blevins/StarNews]
Saniya Rivers, Ashley Class of 2021: Rivers has already won two StarNews All-Area Girls Basketball Player of the Year Awards while at Laney. Last year’s Gatorade North Carolina Player of the Year will finish her career with the Screaming Eagles. [Ken Blevins/StarNews]
Wilmington StarNews
Clark Cota, Topsail Class of 2015: Cota helped the Pirates win a state title in 2014 and was named the StarNews All-Area Baseball Player of the Year the following season. Cota is now with the Oakland Athletics farm system after a three-year career with UNCW. [Matt Born/StarNews]
Clark Cota, Topsail Class of 2015: Cota helped the Pirates win a state title in 2014 and was named the StarNews All-Area Baseball Player of the Year the following season. Cota is now with the Oakland Athletics farm system after a three-year career with UNCW. [Matt Born/StarNews]
Wilmington StarNews
Trevor (left) and Jonathan Kelley, Ashley Class of 2011: The Kelley twins were named StarNews All-Area Baseball co-Players of the Year in 2011 after leading Ashley to the East Regional Final. Jonathan went on to pitch at VMI, while Trevor starred for North Carolina and is now a pitcher in the Philadelphia Phillies farm system. [StarNews File Photo]
Trevor (left) and Jonathan Kelley, Ashley Class of 2011: The Kelley twins were named StarNews All-Area Baseball co-Players of the Year in 2011 after leading Ashley to the East Regional Final. Jonathan went on to pitch at VMI, while Trevor starred for North Carolina and is now a pitcher in the Philadelphia Phillies farm system. [StarNews File Photo]
Wilmington StarNews
Joe O’Donnell, Hoggard Class of 2014: O’Donnell was a dominant starting pitcher for Hoggard before enrolling at N.C. State and putting together a solid collegiate career out of the Wolfpack’s bullpen. [Matt Born/StarNews]
Joe O’Donnell, Hoggard Class of 2014: O’Donnell was a dominant starting pitcher for Hoggard before enrolling at N.C. State and putting together a solid collegiate career out of the Wolfpack’s bullpen. [Matt Born/StarNews]
Wilmington StarNews
Tyler Bowersox, South Brunswick Class of 2017: Bowersox was a two-time StarNews All-Area Boys Swimmer of the Year. He is now a junior on the swim team at Queens University of Charlotte. [StarNews File Photo]
Tyler Bowersox, South Brunswick Class of 2017: Bowersox was a two-time StarNews All-Area Boys Swimmer of the Year. He is now a junior on the swim team at Queens University of Charlotte. [StarNews File Photo]
Wilmington StarNews
Ashley Sloup, South Brunswick Class of 2014: Sloup was a two-time StarNews All-Area Girls Golfer of the Year with the Cougars before playing at the college level with Winthrop. [StarNews File Photo]
Ashley Sloup, South Brunswick Class of 2014: Sloup was a two-time StarNews All-Area Girls Golfer of the Year with the Cougars before playing at the college level with Winthrop. [StarNews File Photo]
Wilmington StarNews
Jabril Robinson, North Brunswick Class of 2014: Robinson was a football and track & field star for the Scorpions. He split his college career between Clemson and West Virginia, winning a 2016 national championship with the Tigers. [StarNews File Photo]
Jabril Robinson, North Brunswick Class of 2014: Robinson was a football and track & field star for the Scorpions. He split his college career between Clemson and West Virginia, winning a 2016 national championship with the Tigers. [StarNews File Photo]
Wilmington StarNews
Kate Pottle, New Hanover Class of 2019: Pottle was a two-time StarNews All-Area Girls Swimmer of the Year. She also finished inside the top-10 at the state championships twice, and is now a freshman at Davidson. [Ken Blevins/StarNews Photo]
Kate Pottle, New Hanover Class of 2019: Pottle was a two-time StarNews All-Area Girls Swimmer of the Year. She also finished inside the top-10 at the state championships twice, and is now a freshman at Davidson. [Ken Blevins/StarNews Photo]
Wilmington StarNews
Joe Sculthorpe, Topsail Class of 2016: Sculthorpe won a state championship in wrestling during his sophomore season and played both ways in football. He just finished his redshirt-junior season with the N.C. State football team. [StarNews File Photo]
Joe Sculthorpe, Topsail Class of 2016: Sculthorpe won a state championship in wrestling during his sophomore season and played both ways in football. He just finished his redshirt-junior season with the N.C. State football team. [StarNews File Photo]
Wilmington StarNews
Steven Linkous, North Brunswick Class of 2012: Linkous was a three-time all-area baseball player with the Scorpions before a sterling college career at UNCW. Linkous was selected by the Colorado Rockies in the 2016 MLB Draft and played professionally for three seasons. [StarNews File Photo]
Steven Linkous, North Brunswick Class of 2012: Linkous was a three-time all-area baseball player with the Scorpions before a sterling college career at UNCW. Linkous was selected by the Colorado Rockies in the 2016 MLB Draft and played professionally for three seasons. [StarNews File Photo]
Wilmington StarNews
McKayla Zupan, Hoggard Class of 2013: Zupan won three consecutive StarNews All-Area Girls Tennis Player of the Year Awards before heading to Boone and playing tennis with Appalachian State. [StarNews File Photo]
McKayla Zupan, Hoggard Class of 2013: Zupan won three consecutive StarNews All-Area Girls Tennis Player of the Year Awards before heading to Boone and playing tennis with Appalachian State. [StarNews File Photo]
Wilmington StarNews
Julianna Askew, Ashley Class of 2019: Askew was a back-to-back StarNews All-Area Volleyball Player of the Year, leading the Screaming Eagles to a pair of Mideastern Conference titles. She just finished her freshman indoor season as a starter with North Florida. [Matt Born/StarNews]
Julianna Askew, Ashley Class of 2019: Askew was a back-to-back StarNews All-Area Volleyball Player of the Year, leading the Screaming Eagles to a pair of Mideastern Conference titles. She just finished her freshman indoor season as a starter with North Florida. [Matt Born/StarNews]
Wilmington StarNews
Larry Williams, Laney Class of 2013: Williams was a two-time all-area wrestler and football player who started his college career at ECU before finishing as a star offensive lineman for Oklahoma State. [StarNews file photo]
Larry Williams, Laney Class of 2013: Williams was a two-time all-area wrestler and football player who started his college career at ECU before finishing as a star offensive lineman for Oklahoma State. [StarNews file photo]
Wilmington StarNews
Natalie Tyner, Laney Class of 2019: Tyner won seven All-Area athlete of the year awards, with four in cross country and three in track & field. She won the cross country state championship in 2017 and now runs for North Carolina. [Matt Born/StarNews]
Natalie Tyner, Laney Class of 2019: Tyner won seven All-Area athlete of the year awards, with four in cross country and three in track & field. She won the cross country state championship in 2017 and now runs for North Carolina. [Matt Born/StarNews]
Wilmington StarNews
Ross Robison, Cape Fear Academy Class of 2014: Robison was a two-time StarNews All-Area Boys Golfer of the Year. He played with UNCW for two seasons. [StarNews File Photo]
Ross Robison, Cape Fear Academy Class of 2014: Robison was a two-time StarNews All-Area Boys Golfer of the Year. He played with UNCW for two seasons. [StarNews File Photo]
Wilmington StarNews