RIPPLE/Matthew Gorry

RIPPLE/Matthew Gorry

Six Falcons were honored by the Mountain Valley Conference in the annual awards. Top row (from left to right): Caleb Brawley, Travis Holden and Barrett Hennings. Bottom row (from left to right): Brittan Baity, Ben Temple and Josh Faircloth.

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RIPPLE/Matthew Gorry

RIPPLE/Matthew Gorry

Starmount head coach Mike McCann (left) congratulates Chase Thompson during the conference tournament. McCann was named co-coach of the year.

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RIPPLE/Matthew Gorry

RIPPLE/Matthew Gorry

Forbush head coach Taylor Rutledge was honored with a share of the Mountain Valley Conference Coach of the Year award this past season.

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Matthew Gorry

Sports Writer

EAST BEND - Eighteen local high school ballplayers were recognized by the Mountain Valley Conference when the conference announced the annual awards last month.

Yadkin County neighbors Starmount and Forbush each placed six athletes on the end-of-the-year all-conference lists, while Elkin and East Wilkes landed three apiece.

The Rams, who powered their way to the conference tournament title and the second 2A seed, finished with four players earning all-conference recognition. Seniors Dillon Dobson, Dillon Bray and Eugene Billips joined junior Tanner Mathis on the prestigious list, while Luke Shore and Chase Thompson were named honorable mentions.

Forbush matched their rivals with four athletes on the all-conference list. The 2010 MVAC Player of the Year Caleb Brawley was joined by Josh Faircloth, Travis Holden and Ben Temple as honorees, while Brittan Baity and Barrett Hennings earned honorable mentions.

Skippers Mike McCann (Starmount) and Taylor Rutledge (Forbush) shared the top coaching honor of the year as they were named co-coaches of the year.

The Elks, who advanced to the second round of the 1A state playoffs with a win over Albemarle, placed one player on the all-conference list. Senior Hadyen Snow earned top honors, while Jamey Cranford and Ben Osborne were named honorable mentions.

East Wilkes followed suit with Justin Shepherd earning the Cards’ lone all-conference selection. Zach Crabb and Zach West each earned an honorable mention.

The complete all-conference and honorable mention lists are below:

All-Conference

Eugene Billips (Starmount)

Caleb Brawley (Forbush)

Dillon Bray (Starmount)

Jordan Carlton (Wilkes Central)

Dillon Dobson (Starmount)

Austin Easter (Alleghany)

Josh Faircloth (Forbush)

Travis Holden (Forbush)

Martin Koon (Wilkes Central)

Perry Lowe (Wilkes Central)

Tanner Mathis (Starmount)

Alex Minton (West Wilkes)

Matthew Sexton (Ashe County)

Justin Shepherd (East Wilkes)

Will Shepherd (West Wilkes)

Hayden Snow (Elkin)

Tyler Stotler (West Wilkes)

Stefan Susi (Wilkes Central)

Ben Temple (Forbush)

Christian Triplett (Wilkes Central)

Honorable

Mention

Brittan Baity (Forbush)

Grant Caudill (Alleghany)

Zach Crabb (East Wilkes)

Jamey Cranford (Elkin)

Sam Gammons (Ashe County)

Graylan Groce (West Wilkes)

Cameron Guyton (Ashe County)

Tyler Hall (North Wilkes)

Barrett Hennings (Forbush)

Preston Millsaps (West Wilkes)

Ben Osborne (Elkin)

Austin Owens (North Wilkes)

Brandon Pruitt (Wilkes Central)

Luke Shore (Starmount)

Austin Staley (Wilkes Central)

Chase Thompson (Starmount)

Anthony Watson (Alleghany)

Zach West (East Wilkes)

Reach Matthew Gorry at 835-1513 or mgorry@heartlandpublications.com.