Polk County places four on all-Western Highlands Conference basketball squads

A quartet of Polk County basketball players earned all-Western Highlands Conference selection as the league announced those teams on Monday.

Polk County’s Jamal Tanner and Anthony Carson earned selection to the boys team while Hayley Kropp and Sarah Phipps were named to the girls team in voting done by league coaches.

For the boys, Tanner, a sophomore, averaged 18.2 points, 4.3 assists and 3.3 rebounds per game this season. Carson, a senior, averaged 11.2 points, five rebounds, 3.2 steals and 2.4 assists per game.

Avery County head coach Scott Polsgrove was named the conference coach of the year. Mitchell senior Austin Mask earned player of the year honors.

The complete team:
Avery: Chance Watson, James Stewart, Luke Wotell, Jacob Waldroop
Mountain Heritage: Avery Austin, Grant Buckner, Job Kennedy
Owen: Michael Pomeroy, Ryan Raines, Shawn Chapman
Madison: Tyler McDevitt, Daniel Nash
Mitchell: Sam McKinney
Hendersonville: John Thach, Cody Westmoreland

For the girls, Kropp, a sophomore, averaged 15.7 points, 4.9 rebounds and 4.6 rebounds per game in leading the Wolverines to a 13-10 record and state 2A playoff appearance. Phipps, a junior, averaged 7.6 points and 10.6 rebounds per game.

Mountain Heritage head coach Susie Shelton earned coach of the year honors, with Mountain Heritage junior Destiny Elkins named player of the year.

The complete team:
Mountain Heritage: Nyssa Freeman, Kendyll Neil, Abbey Bailey, Abby Renfro
Madison: Lexi Ammons, Baylea Loven, Brooke Vilcinskas
Avery: Kylie Polsgrove, Lauren Burleson, Bre Heaton
Owen: Tre’Onna Salters, Whitney Montgomery
Mitchell: Monique Anderson, Sarah Robinson, Kennedi Grindstaff
Hendersonville: Kristen Reese