JACKSON, Tenn. — The Sports731 Network would like to congratulate the athletes and coaches in West Tennessee on a tremendous 2023-2024 athletic year. In an effort to recognize the top teams, athletes, and coaches in the local area, The Sports731 Network has released its inaugural end of the year sports awards.
TEAM OF THE YEAR (BOYS) – Riverside Panthers Football
After several years of knocking at the door with deep postseason runs, the Riverside High School football team finally finished the job and won a state championship. The Panthers defeated East Robertson 13-7 in the Class 2A title game, wrapping up the 2023 campaign with a 13-2 record. Led by Mr. Football Finalist Stone Wallace, Riverside averaged 37.1 points-per-game throughout the season.
TEAM OF THE YEAR (GIRLS) – Gibson County Lady Pioneers Basketball
There were few teams in the state of Tennessee that displayed a high level of consistency like the Gibson County girls basketball team. The Lady Pioneers added another gold ball to their trophy case in Dyer, winning the Class 2A state championship with a 49-37 victory over Loretto. Gibson County finished their historic season with a 38-1 overall record, winning both the district and region tournaments along the way. The Lady Pioneers were led by senior guard Micah Hart (Class 2A Miss Basketball), who eclipsed the all-time scoring record for the Gibson County girls program.
MALE ATHLETE OF THE YEAR – Jay’Len Mosley (Jackson Christian)
Jay’Len Mosley came into the 2023 high school football season with extremely high expectations. The star receiver from Jackson Christian easily met those expectations, if not exceeded them. In his junior year with the Eagles, Mosley recorded an incredible 1,482 receiving yards, 74 receptions, and a total of 26 touchdowns. Mosley now holds school records for single season receiving yards and single season touchdown receptions, while also becoming #3 on the list of single season touchdown receptions in TSSAA history. His accomplishments on the gridiron this year were good enough to earn the Mr. Football award for Division II-A, a first for any Jackson Christian football player.
FEMALE ATHLETE OF THE YEAR – Haylen Ayers (USJ)
Haylen Ayers is known as one of the top female athletes not just in the state of Tennessee, but in the nation. The freshman phenom quickly emerged as a superstar this past year on both the basketball court and on the softball diamond, helping lead USJ to deep runs in the postseason. In her first season with the Lady Bruins basketball program, the Division II-A Miss Basketball award winner averaged 20 points-per-game, shooting 39% from three and 77% from the foul line. In the Division II-A state championship game, Ayers scored a game-high 30 points to give USJ a 70-58 win in 3OT over Goodpasture. Her success continued in softball, propelling USJ to another state title game appearance. This season on the diamond, Ayers recorded a .478 batting average, 22 stolen bases, and .955 fielding percentage at short-stop.
MALE COACH OF THE YEAR – Tim Strayhorn (Dyersburg Girls Basketball)
It wasn’t too long ago that the Dyersburg girls basketball team was struggling to compete in their district. Tim Strayhorn quickly re-wrote the narrative and found a way to make it all click in 2023-2024. The Lady Trojans ran the table to claim their first Class 3A state championship, finishing the year with a 31-4 record. Strayhorn’s team was full of top-tier talent on the court, winning the District 13-3A and Region 7-3A tournaments on their way to Murfreesboro. Dyersburg defeated South Side, Cocke County, and Upperman in order to bring this year’s trophy back to Trojan Country.
FEMALE COACH OF THE YEAR – Shanna O’Bright (Dyer County Volleyball & Softball)
It’s impressive to take one team to a state tournament, let alone two. Shanna O’Bright did exactly that this past year, leading both the Dyer County volleyball and softball teams to their respective state tournaments. O’Bright’s volleyball program surpassed 30 wins this fall on their way to the Class 2A state tournament, while her softball team came just one win away from an appearance in the Class 3A state title game.
