JACKSON, Tenn. – The Sports731 Network would like to congratulate the athletes and coaches in West Tennessee on a tremendous 2024-25 athletic year. In an effort to recognize the top teams, athletes and coaches from around the region, it’s time for our second annual Sports731 Network Awards.
BOYS TEAM OF THE YEAR – Milan Bulldogs Football
The first year of the Wade Comer era got off to a tremendous start, as the Bulldogs finished as the runner-up in Class 2A after a close defeat at the hands of Marion County in the state championship. The Bulldogs lost just a single game in the regular season to JCM, but otherwise dominated a schedule that saw them take down other 2A contenders like Huntingdon, Riverside, JCM in the their postseason rematch and a road semifinal game at Memphis Fairley. Led by Class 2A Mr. Football Jaydon Peete in the backfield, the Bulldogs gave everyone a glimpse into what the future could look like under Wade Comer.
GIRLS TEAM OF THE YEAR – Westview Lady Chargers Basketball
The Lady Chargers were a force from the beginning of the season to the end, as indicated by a 33-1 overall record. The season culminated in a state championship run that saw them dominate East Nashville and Loretto in the Class 2A State Tournament, before winning their third gold ball in four years over York Institute by a final score of 44-38. Maddy Gray was named a 2A Miss Basketball finalist and played a major role in the title run in her lone season in Martin, while four-year standout McCall Sims averaged 14.8 points per game under head coach Brian Haskins.
MALE ATHLETE OF THE YEAR – Gray Eubanks (Huntingdon)
Eubanks was a standout across multiple sports during his time representing the Mustangs. On the gridiron, he led his team to a 10-3 record and a second-place finish in Region 6-2A, one of the best regions in the class. Individually, he carried the ball 269 times for 1,820 yards and 31 touchdowns for the Mustangs, good enough to make Eubanks a semifinalist for Class 2A Mr. Football. He led the way on the baseball diamond as well, hitting .458 with a 1.597 OPS to go along with 13 home runs, 16 doubles and 56 RBIs. On the mound, he pitched to the tune of a 2.25 ERA with 36 strikeouts in eight appearances, and with those combined numbers, he was named Class 2A Mr. Baseball. Eubanks was a major reason for the Mustangs’ runner-up finish against Lakeland Prep at Spring Fling.
FEMALE ATHLETE OF THE YEAR – Haylen Ayers (USJ)
Ayers followed up a stellar freshman campaign that saw her lead the Lady Bruins to a Division II-A State Championship with an even more impressive sophomore season on an individual level. She averaged 21 points per game and was named the Division II-A Miss Basketball winner for the second consecutive season. Ayers also put together a great softball season in her own right as well, as she posted a .643 batting average with four home runs, two doubles, two triples and 20 RBIs.
MALE COACH OF THE YEAR – Kendall Dancy (JCM Boys Basketball), Erit Turner (JCM Football)
Votes were split down the middle for a pair of standout coaches from Jackson Central-Merry, as both Dancy and Turner led their respective programs to new heights not seen from either in a long time. For Dancy, he coached his team to a Region 7-2A Championship over Peabody, a Class 2A Sectional win over Fairley and their first State Tournament appearance in several decades. Their season ended with a 21-10 overall record, but Dancy has the program moving in the right direction. For Erit Turner, he led his Cougar football team to a 9-3 overall record, including a surprise upset win at Milan in Week 5 by a final score of 47-38. His team backed that win up by finishing third in the region after winning a win-and-get-in game against Riverside in the regular season finale, and then the Cougars went on the road and knocked off Summertown in the first round of the playoffs. Needless to say, it’s a good time to be a JCM Cougar.
FEMALE COACH OF THE YEAR – Tori Liggett (Greenfield Girls Basketball)
Winning a state championship is already difficult, but winning one after finishing third in your district tournament? That’s exactly what Liggett and her team accomplished this past season. After defeating Gleason in the District 14-A Consolation, her team would play in elimination games for seven of their final eight games of the season, winning all eight to close the year. In Murfreesboro, they took down North Greene, Richland and Van Buren en route to a Class A State Championship, capping off one of the more impressive title runs in recent memory.
