Field generals, floor leaders, Gibson and Washington step up
Two seniors counted upon by teammates to get the ball to the right shooter at the right time - and sometimes, it was their shot to take
By Kevin Spradlin
PhDispatch.com
NEW CREEK, W.Va., March 9 -- Matt Gibson of Northern Garrett and Wes Washington of Keyser share PhDispatch.com's first Boys Player of the Year award.
Gibson's award is sponsored by Concept Associates Builders Inc of McHenry and Accident. Washington's award is sponsored by PKR Athletics of Keyser and LaVale.
A total of 13,665 votes were counted during the online fan voting from Feb. 15 through Feb. 22. The second half of the decision-making process came from consulting with coaches, PhDispatch.com staff and contributors.
It was by no means an easy choice. Finishing a close third was Bishop Walsh sophomore Quincy Redmon. Mountain Ridge junior Tyler Whitaker was fourth in the overall selection process and Allegany senior Jake Shade was fifth.
"The team goes as the point guard goes," said Northern Garrett coach Chris Elliott.
And the two awardees this season show what otherwise is self-evident.
The number of online votes for this award far outpaced the number of votes received for any of the three other awards. There were originally 11 players from seven schools on the ballot and when one player received a certain number of write-in votes - in addition to two requests - he was added to the list.
In addition, 12 other players from six of the nine AMAC schools received a wide-ranging number of write-in votes - from one (five separate players) to 386.
None of those 12, however, received a sufficient number of votes to be considered inside the top five. In short, the competition was just too close to call between the top five.
Neither Gibson nor Washington have committed to a post-high school plan of action. Gibson will likely attend college, he's just not sure which one. Washington, meanwhile, will either attend college or pursue a career in the military.
On the court, though, both make lightning-fast decision. Their decisiveness between the rims help the Huskies and Golden Tornado, respectively, win more with them than without them.
"Wes is a perfect fit as a point guard for the type of offense we run," said Keyser coach Gary Liston. "In the numbered break, the point guard is supposed to think 'pass' first and 'shoot' second, yet have the ability to get to the rim and finish. In our style of play, the point guard is extremely important. It sure helps to have a three-year start at this position."
Elliott had similar high praises for Gibson.
"I hate being biased, but I think Matt might have been the best point guard in the area," Elliott said. "it was just his scoring. He also got other guys involved in the game."
Northern Garrett finished the regular season 11-11. Though not a stellar record, it was the team's first finish with 10 or more wins since 2005.
The Potomac Highlands Dispatch
Phone: 301-264-3147
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Mount Savage, MD 21545
A total of 20,373 votes were received, including write-ins. Later this week, a schedule will be released on this page notifying when award winners will be announced. A breakdown:
* Boys Player of the Year: 13,665
* Girls Player of the Year: 4,072
* Girls Coach of the Year: 1,458
* Boys Coach of the Year: 1,178
Thank you for being a part of this initiative to include YOU - the fans - in local sports coverage.
Top five
Overall selection (online fan voting counted 50 percent towards the final selection).
1. Matt Gibson, Northern Garrett and
Wes Washington, Keyser
3. Quincy Redmon, Bishop Walsh
4. Peyton Hartman, Keyser
5. Jake Shade, Allegany
Don Kingery photo
Matt Gibson laid down 21 points for Northern Garrett in a tough loss to then-No. 1 Bishop Walsh.
Concept Associates
Deep Creek Lake, MD
Phone: 301-501-4404
PKR Athletics
Keyser and LaVale