News Democrat

SBAAC awards academic all-stars, winning teams

By Wade Linville –

The Southern Buckeye Athletic/Academic Conference held its annual Winter Sports Awards Dinner and Banquet at Hamersville School on March 7, and among those awarded were this year’s SBAAC Academic First Team all-stars and league champion teams.
In the SBAAC American Division, the Batavia Bulldogs finished as this year’s league champions with a 10-1 record.
Batavia senior Kayleigh Thompson was the recipient of the SBAAC American Division Academic Player of the Year Award, while Batavia’s Claire Polston received the American Division Coach of the Year Award.
Earning SBAAC American Division First Team Academic awards were: Aaron Partin (Western Brown), Grayson Craig (Norwood), Luke Smiddy (New Richmond), Joey Hammill (New Richmond), Kendra Dietrich (Goshen), Erica Wright (Batavia), Kayleigh Thompson (Batavia), Seth Ketchem (Batavia), and Kristina Cass (Amelia).
The Clermont Northeastern Rockets were the winners of the SBAAC National Division.
CNE senior Katie Pelzel took home the SBAAC National Division Academic Team Player of the Year Award, while CNE’s Missy Hardy received the National Division Coach of the Year Award.
Receiving SBAAC National Division First Team awards were: Kacey Smith (Williamsburg), Xan Planck (Georgetown), Kaylee Van Huss (Felicity), Josh Smith (CNE), Katie Pelzel (CNE), Zoe Beebe (CNE), Samuel Reinhart (Blanchester), Alex Bergen (Blanchester), and Olivia Havran (Bethel).