We let the readers vote and you voted.
After another exciting school year in 2022-23, here’s a look at the top players of the year, coaches of the year and teams of the year (girls and boys). Congrats to all the nominees and winners.
Here are the results:
BOYS ATHLETE OF THE YEAR
Adam Burlison, Grapevine
Burlison is one of the best runners in the state and had much success in cross country and track and field. He won the Class 5A state title in cross country last October. Then in May he took home two gold medals in track during the state meet in Austin. Burlison won the 3200 meter race in a time of 8:54.47.
Then later that day, Burlison won the 1600 meter race.
He broke the 5A state meet record in the 3200, breaking the previous record by more than four seconds from 2016.
Others: Tre Johnson (Lake Highlands basketball), Jackson Arnold (Denton Guyer football), Cade Durham (Duncanville football/track and field)
GIRLS ATHLETE OF THE YEAR
Morgan Howard, Colleyville Heritage
Howard was among the top setters in the country and helped the Panthers to a 3-1 win over Frisco Reedy in the Class 5A state championship, the program’s first title. She posted 51 assists and 17 digs, and was voted state champ MVP.
She finished the season with 1,449 assists on the season.
Others: Jensin Hall (Frisco Heritage softball), Kennedy Fuller (Southlake Carroll soccer, Lexi Tuite (Celina soccer)
BOYS TEAM OF THE YEAR
Flower Mound Baseball
The Jaguars were swept by Hebron in the final regular season series to lose out on the District 6-6A championship. But then Flower Mound only lost two games during its playoff run.
FM capped it off with the Class 6A championship, a 6-4 win over Pearland.
It was the program’s first state appearance and title since 2014.
Others: Duncanville football, Allen wrestling, Lake Highlands basketball
GIRLS TEAM OF THE YEAR
Colleyville Heritage Volleyball
Heritage had a 43-7 record, tied for most wins in a single season and a 14-0 district championship. The Panthers would end the season on a 23 game winning streak.
Others: Flower Mound cross country, Celina soccer, Frisco Liberty basketball
BOYS COACH OF THE YEAR
Danny Wallace, Flower Mound
The head baseball coach led the Jags to the program’s fourth appearance at the state tournament and second title. FM went 37-10-2 overall. After a loss in Game 2 against Weatherford in the regional semifinals, the Jags finished 5-0 which included a 4-1 and 4-0 win over Guyer in the regional final and 6-3 over Cypress Woods in the state semis.
Others: Pat Leach (TCA baseball), Joe Duffield (Lake Highlands basketball), Clinton Hollingworth (Frisco Lone Star soccer)
GIRLS COACH OF THE YEAR
Steve McBride, Grapevine
McBride and the Mustangs got over the hump with their first state girls soccer title in program history. Grapevine defeated Frisco 1-0 in the Class 5A state championship. Grapevine won its 16th straight district title.
Others: Megan DeGroot (Argyle Liberty Christian volleyball), Jayme Baker Nelson (Plano John Paul II softball), Erin Hebert (Marcus soccer)
