High School Basketball

Seven Lakes’ Bates named District MVP for second straight season

By Tyler Tyre, Sports Editor
Posted 3/19/23

A.J. Bates was named the District 19-6A for the second straight season last week, as the junior point guard garnered MVP accolades after a historic season for the Spartans.

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High School Basketball

Seven Lakes’ Bates named District MVP for second straight season

Posted

A.J. Bates was named the District 19-6A for the second straight season last week, as the junior point guard garnered MVP accolades after a historic season for the Spartans.

Bates was a driving force behind a very strong year for the Spartans, as he along with a young, strong core helped the Spartans to a 34-5 record and a district championship this year.

The Spartans dominated the superlatives list for the All-District team, as senior center Josh Akpovwa was named the districts defensive player of the year, freshman guard Nasir Price was named the newcomer of the year and head coach Shannon Heston was named the co-coach of the year in the district.

The Spartans made their first regional tournament in 12 years on the year and broke the schools single season win record in the process, becoming one of the best teams throughout Spartans history.

Taylor head coach Matthew Brayton was named the co-coach of the year for the district along with Heston. Brayton led the Mustangs back to the playoffs this season and almost pulled off a huge upset in the first round despite being a fourth seed.

Luke Cougran was named the districts offensive player of the year after he had a great year offensively. The junior averaged 25 points per game and making 159 three pointers in 31 games, averaging over five three pointers per game. Tompkins made it to the area round despite being the third seed out of the district, with Coughran leading the way for the offense.

Seven Lakes placed three players on the districts first team, while Jordan, Tompkins and Cinco Ranch placed two players on the first team.

Following is the full District 19-6A All-District team.

2022-2023 Boys Basketball

DISTRICT MVP

AJ Bates, SLHS

   

OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR

Luke Coughran, OTHS

   

DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR

Josh Akpovwa, SLHS

   

NEWCOMER OF THE YEAR

Nasir Price, SLHS

   

19-6A CO-COACH OF THE YEAR

Matthew Brayton, THS

Shannon Heston, SLHS

1st Team

2nd Team

*AJ Bates (Jr, SLHS)

Ade Onaleye (Jr, PHS)

*Josh Akpovwa (Sr, SLHS)

Brett Norton (Jr, SLHS)

*Luke Coughran (Jr, OTHS)

Drew Joyce (Sr, CRHS)

Ayden Perdue (Sr, KHS)

Elijah Black (So, JHS)

Ikemba Otuonye (Sr, PHS)

Jabari Parker (Jr,THS)

Jaden Holt (So, JHS)

Jayden Jones (Jr, MRHS)

Jamal Chretien II (So, MCHS)

Misaias Herrera (Sr, JHS)

Josh Lennon (Sr, CRHS)

Owen Craig (Sr, OTHS)

Luke Robbie (Sr, THS)

Princeton Layton (Jr, PHS)

Nasir Price (Fr, SLHS)

Reece Hymowitz (Sr, THS)

PJ Jones-Bynum (So, CRHS)

 

Scottie Guillory (So, OTHS)

 

Trevor Martz (Sr, JHS)

 
   

* Unanimous Selection

 
basketball, sports, Seven Lakes, AJ Bates, District 19-6A