Schmidt chosen as IMAC MVP
The media members that cover the Inter-Mountain Athletic Conference (District 2-AAA) released their annual All-IMAC basketball teams on Thursday.
Sevier County forward Devin Schmidt, who helped lead the Smoky Bears to a school-record 28 wins, while scoring 27 points per game, was named the conference’s Most Valuable Player by votes from nine area members of the print and electronic media.
Two other Sevier County boys and three Bearettes were also honored, as were a player each from the Seymour Eagles and Lady Eagles teams.
Media members ranked their top 15 players in each the boys and girls ranks, as well as casting a votes for Coaches of the Year. Points were then tallied for each player, with the top five vote getters named first-team all-conference, players 6-10 on the second team and players 11-15 on the third team. The top vote getter for each boys and girls was named MVP.
In addition to Schmidt, Seymour’s D.J. Griffin was a boys’ first-team selection, while SCHS junior point guard Jacob Whaley was tabbed for the second team. Senior forward Logan McCarter was the Bears’ third honoree, making the third team.
“I think it’s a tribute that we had three guys selected out of the top 15,” SCHS coach Ken Wright said of his team’s three picks. “It’s a tribute to these guys and how hard they worked.
Despite having to dismiss Schmidt from the team during the postseason following an arrest, Wright seemed pleased his player was selected as District 2-AAA MVP.
“He definitely dominated the conference and dominated conference play, so it’s a well-deserved honor,” Wright said of Schmidt, who averaged 27 points, 8.4 rebounds, 3.1 steals and 3.4 assists per game during the regular season.
Among the girls, Seymour’s Kasey Norman — who was named to the first team — was the only local to be in the top five.
Sevier County sophomore post Brittany Tarr was named to the second team, while senior teammates Kesley Wypych and Taylor Chapman were both third-team selections. Cocke County’s Allison Ball was named girls’ MVP after leading the Lady Red to their first district championship in years.
Jefferson County’s Chris Poore was the boys Coach of the Year, while CCHS’s Jeremy Byrd was the girls Coach of the Year.
IMAC media
All-IMAC teams
Boys
First Team
Devin Schmidt - Sevier County (MVP)
Ty Ryans - Cherokee
Jacob Elliott - South-Doyle
Chase McGhee - Jefferson County
D.J. Griffin - Seymour
Second Team
Tanner Trent - Cherokee
Jacob Whaley - Sevier County
Brice Cusick - Jefferson County
Dylan Dockery - Cocke County
Matt Thompson - Morristown East
Third Team
Kyle Briggs - Jefferson County
John Bryant - Jefferson County
Jacob White - Cocke County
Jocquez Bruce - South-Doyle
Logan McCarter - Sevier County
Coach of the Year: Chris Poore - Jefferson County
Girls
First Team
Allison Ball - Cocke County (MVP)
Kasey Norman - Seymour
Autumn Dodson - Jefferson County
Pattie Ruth Taylor - Cherokee
Mika Wester - Cocke County
Second Team
Christina Zimmerman - Morristown West
Jecca Simerly - Morristown West
Jordan Hayes - Morristown East
Brittany Tarr - Sevier County
Lauren Blaylock - Morristown East
Third Team
Kelsey Wypych - Sevier County
Abbe Craine - Morristown West
Jenna Potts - Morristown West
Taylor Chapman - Sevier County
Sharina Cofield - Cocke County
Coach of the Year: Jeremy Byrd - Cocke County
Those casting votes in the poll were: Matt Daniels - Citizen Tribune Sports Editor (Morristown), Seth Butler - Newport Plain Talk Sports Editor (Newport), Jason Davis - The Mountain Press Sports Editor (Sevierville), Billy Daniel - WBGQ Radio (Bean Station), Chris McDaniel - WBGQ Radio (Bean Station), Jay Phillips - WRGS Radio (Rogersville), Jamie Hamer - WMTN Radio (Morristown), Gary Cox - WJDT Radio (Bean Station), Marlin Curnutt - Citizen Tribune Sports Correspondent (Morristown).