Coaches recognize Lakewood's most valuable players.
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Junior Avni Agrawal, was named MVP for the 2012 Lakewood tennis team by the team and coach. “I’m proud of myself for being MVP two years in a row, and I plan on being MVP next year,” she said. Agrawal practices over the summer and after school nearly every day, and tennis coach Brian Taylor can tell that it pays off.
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Girls basketball coach Necole Tunsil chose forward Kasey Drayton as MVP for the team. “Pretty much she led us offensively and defensively and she was a big leader on our team this year,” said Tunsil. “I feel good,” said Drayton, a junior. “I think we’re gonna do pretty good . Hopefully we’ll get back to states,” she said about next year.
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Basketball coach Anthony Lawrence chose forward Jacobi Boykins, a sophomore, and junior Shabazz Waller as the MVP. “Jacobi was athletic, did a lot of things for us … and he’s only a sophomore,” said coach Anthony Lawrence. Boykins said he is optimistic about next year. “I feel (we’ll do) better than we did this year, all the way to states,” said Boykins.
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Track and field coach Anthony Snead chose sophomore Devontae Persha as this year’s MVP for the track team because he broke the 800-meter record by two seconds, coming in at 1.57. “I think it’s a great honor,” said Pershay, who runs the 800m, the 4X8 and the mile and competes in the high jump. “I’m very happy.”
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Coach Hayley Forsyth chose sophomore Mariah Watts as this year’s MVP. “Skill wise, Mariah Watts had the highest batting average. She has a very good (earned-run
average) as a pitcher, and she leads by example,” said Forsyth. “It’s a real honor to be MVP,” said Watts. “(It) shows that hard work pays off.”
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Coach Eric Ventura picked junior Sydney Taylor-Heyward as his MVP. “Not only is she extremely talented, but she is dependable and a hard worker,” Ventura said. Ventura is happy Taylor-Heyward is returning next year, and Ventura believes that they will have a good team next year. Taylor- Heyward was pleased when she learned that Ventura had picked her as the top player. “I was just one of the people that never quit,” she said.
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Senior Madalyn Golightly led the dive team, placing in the top 10 at the statewide diving competition. “I think I received the MVP award because I’m a good team player and I contributed a lot,” said Golightly. Coach James Kostka said losing Golightly will be hard. “It is hard to match her skill and aptitude.We hope to continue to build the dive team so that Madalyn will not only leave behind a legacy, but also serve as a keystone from which we shall build,” said Kostka.
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Berkley Whaley was an MVP on and off the court this year. Whaley got a full-ridescholarship to the University of Florida forvolleyball and left Lakewood in January for Gainesville. “She was a great worker, and she had unbelievable athleticism,” said assistant coach Jovanie Aponte. Whaley lead her team to the regional finals. “The team will definitely miss her. We won’t be the same, but I think we have a good chance of making it to regionals again,” Aponte said.
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Football coach Cory Moore chose quarterback Tracy Johnson, junior, as this year’s MVP. “He’s a good leader on and off the field, with a good work ethic, and (he) exemplifies what we stand for as a team,” said Moore. “It’s a big accomplishment. I put in a lot of work in my off season with my receivers,” said Johnson.
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Senior Steven Doyle was named MVP for boys’ soccer by coach Matt Gorny, who described him as “a leader, strong and a smart defender.” Doyle said, “I’m really proud. I worked my way up and am happy I got this far my last year.” He started his sophomore year as a team manager and got to practice with the team but didn’t get to play, and by his senior year he moved up to sweeper and team co-captain.
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Baseball coach Jayce Ganchou chose shortstop and pitcher Cornelius Copeland, junior, for his MVP. Copeland led the team in home runs with two. “When you have a very, very, very good player, you call him a 5-tool player. He can hit, he can hit for power, he can throw, he is fast, and he has leadership,” Ganchou said. “It’s one of my best seasons so far. I worked really hard and it paid off,” said Copeland.
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Coach Anthony Snead chose Sharell Keys as MVP for the girls track team because “she broke her own record” in the 100m dash with a time of 12.03, he said. “I work hard enough. He (coach Snead) always tells me ‘hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work,’ ” said Keys.
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Golf coach John Toronski decided to let the team decide MVP, and sophomore Lance Smith was chosen because he’s reliable and has good character. “I had consistent scores throughout the year, and I guess the other students thought I was the best one,” said Smith.
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Senior Josh Conradi was a standout on the swim team, getting Coach James Kostka’s MVP nod. “Josh led the team in and out of the water. He was courteous and polite, and helped with all the team functions,” said Kostka. Conradi reached the regional finals for swimming this year. “I think it’s an honor to be named the swim team MVP. I felt that I was a good swimmer and extremely helpful,” Conradi said.
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Senior Katy Lally, who is a sweeper and forward, was named MVP for the second year in a row. “I wasn’t surprised to get MVP because I worked really hard and got it last year,” said Lally. She will be playing soccer as a walk-on at Florida Atlantic University. She said she wishes the best to her team. “I hope I left them with a better sense of team. Work hard and try hard every day,” said Lally.
