Boone's Livingston captures top NET honor

Opponents of Daniel Boone routinely put together game plans with the focus of trying to contain Jamar Livingston. And the 6-foot-4 senior still led the state in scoring.So much for best-laid plans.Livingston was name the Times News/Johnson City Press All-Northeast Tennessee boys basketball player of the year Saturday. He averaged 32 points per game while helping the Trailblazers make a surprising postseason run — missing out on a district title on a last-second shot and falling just six points short of a sectional berth with a close loss in the regional semifinals.Also considered for the honor was Hampton's Cadon Buckles, who led the first team. He was joined by Dobyns-Bennett's Brady Stump, University High's A.J. Murphy, Unicoi County's Grant Hensley and Tennessee High's Creed Musick.The second team was highlighted by Volunteer's duo of Andrew Knittel and Joltin Harrison. Joining them were West Ridge's Wade Witcher, Dobyns-Bennett's Dante Oliver and Sullivan East's Drake Fisher.The defensive player of the year was Hampton's Michael Anspaugh, and the most promising underclassman honor went to Unicoi County's Jackson Simmons.Getting the nod for coach of the year was Hampton's Ned Smith, who led the Bulldogs to their first state championship in 63 years.JAMAR LIVINGSTONIt was a season to remember for the senior guard. He averaged a state-best 32.2 points per game, becoming the first Northeast Tennessee player since Lynn View's Rodney Arnold in 1977 to score more than 1,000 points in a season.Livingston also averaged nine rebounds and two assists per game. He was also money from the free-throw line, hitting 85% of his attempts.CADON BUCKLESHe was the TSSAA Class 1A tournament most valuable player and a Mr. Basketball finalist. The senior guard averaged 24 points per game in helping the Bulldogs capture a state title.Buckles added three assists and two steals per game while making 81% from the free-throw line.BRADY STUMPThe Indians made it back to the state tournament to defend their 2022 title, and the senior guard shouldered a big part of the load. He averaged 20 points and 2.4 3-pointers per game.A.J. MURPHYNot only was the junior guard a force with 19 points per game for a team that reached the state semifinals, he was also the area's best with an average of 3.6 steals. And he chipped in 4.2 assists a game.GRANT HENSLEYWith 17 points per game, he was the leading scorer for a team that reached the state tournament for the first time in 37 years. The senior guard also averaged three assists and three 3-pointers and connected on 82% of his shots from the free-throw line.CREED MUSICKThe senior swingman helped the Vikings rack up a 27-win season before a one-point loss in the region semifinals. Going along with 21 points per game, he added seven rebounds and two steals while shooting 83% on free throws.ANDREW KNITTELHelping the Falcons reach the state tournament for the first time in school history, the senior forward was the team's leading scorer with 18 points per contest. He also took on tough defensive assignments.WADE WITCHERAs the Wolves captured a surprising District 1-4A championship, the senior guard was in the middle of the attack. He averaged 18 points and six rebounds, also shooting 84% from the free-throw line.JOLTIN HARRISONThe Falcons soared, and Harrison delivered impressive performances throughout. The senior guard averaged 15 points and seven rebounds per game.DANTE OLIVERAn early-season injury capped the number of games the senior guard was able to play, but he made the most of his time on the court by averaging 20 points, seven rebounds, 3.5 assists and two steals per game. He also shot 82% from the free-throw line.DRAKE FISHERThe junior guard's average of 20 points per game was complemented by six rebounds, four assists and two steals. He also was a 76% free-throw shooter.MICHAEL ANSPAUGHFor a team that lived on pressure defense, the junior guard was the Bulldogs' best at getting his hands on loose balls. He averaged 2.3 steals per game.JACKSON SIMMONSThe freshman guard averaged 11 points and four assists per game. He was also the area's third-best free-throw shooter with an 85.2% regular-season rate.NED SMITHIt's the fourth coach of the year honor for Smith and the third in the past nine years.His team didn't capture either the district or region titles, but it won every game that mattered — including the 51-43 decision over favored Middleton in the Class 1A championship game.All-Northeast Tennessee award winnersBOYSPlayer of the year2023 — Jamar Livingston, Daniel Boone2022 — Keynan Cutlip, Science Hill2021 — Dylan Bartley, Sullivan East2020 — Ben Diamond, Sullivan South2019 — Blake Atwood, Johnson County2018 — Trevor Hensley, Unicoi County2017 — Gavin Grubb, Sullivan East2016 — Patrick Good, David Crockett2015 — Patrick Good, David Crockett2014 — Patrick Good, David Crockett2013 — Chase Arnold, Sullivan North2012 — C.J. Good, Science Hill2011 — Logan Lyle, Unicoi County2010 — Jordan Cross, Sullivan East2009 — Josh Odem, Science Hill2008 — Josh Padgett, University High2007 — Aaron Woodacre, University High2006 — Omar Wattad, Science Hill2005 — Tyler Estepp, David Crockett2004 — Jerome Odem, Science Hill2003 — Brandon Bradley, University High2002 — Aaron Dugger, Unaka2001 — Gabe Story, Greeneville2000 — Demetric Stevens, Science Hill1999 — Ryan Lawson, Cherokee1998 — Jeremy Dunn, Johnson County1997 — Brad Fields, Science Hill1996 — Jovann Johnson, Science Hill1995 — Jovann Johnson, Science Hill1994 — Jovann Johnson, Science Hill1993 — JaMichael Mills, Dobyns-Bennett1992 — Shane Williams, Science Hill1991 — Shane Williams, Science Hill1990 — Orville Whittington, Science Hill1989 — Ricky Webster, Dobyns-BennettCoach of the year2023 — Ned Smith, Hampton2022 — Chris Poore, Dobyns-Bennett2021 — Dillon Faver, Sullivan East2020 — Michael McMeans, Sullivan South2019 — Justin Penley, University High2018 — Chris Poore, Dobyns-Bennett2017 — John Dyer, Sullivan East2016 — Ned Smith, Hampton2015 — Ned Smith, Hampton2014 — John English, Unicoi County2013 — Lucas Honeycutt, Elizabethton2012 — Ken Cutlip, Science Hill2011 — Jerry White, Hampton2010 — Ryan Arnold, Daniel Boone2009 — Ken Cutlip, Science Hill2008 — John English, Unicoi County2007 — Ned Smith, Cloudland2006 — Billy Duncan, Greeneville2005 — Tony Vaughn, Sullivan Central2004 — Charlie Morgan, Dobyns-Bennett2003 — Tony Hardin, Elizabethton2002 — Donald Ensor, Unaka2001 — Dale Burns, Tennessee High2000 — Mike Poe, Science Hill1999 — George Pitts, Science Hill1998 — John Dyer, Sullivan East1997 — Bobby Snyder, Daniel Boone1996 — Keith Turner, Unicoi County1995 — J.R. Campbell, Johnson County1994 — Charlie Bayless, Happy Valley1993 — Steve Shipley, Dobyns-Bennett1992 — George Pitts, Science Hill1991 — Joe McPherson, University High1990 — George Pitts, Science Hill1989 — Mike Poe, David CrockettDefensive player of the year2023 — Michael Anspaugh, Hampton2022 — Dawson Wagner, David Crockett2021 — Amare Redd, Science Hill2020 — Dawson Wagner, David Crockett2019 — Riamello Wadsworth, Dobyns-Bennett2018 — Kaleb Meredith, University High2017 — Colby Martin, Science Hill2016 — Takeem Young, Greeneville2015 — Coby Jones, Hampton2014 — Ethan Rice, Unicoi County2013 — Zach Norwood, Elizabethton2012 — Zac Potter, Cloudland2011 — Dylan Ward, Hampton2010 — Matthew Potter, Cloudland2009 — Justin Sylvester, Dobyns-Bennett2008 — Jamel Williams, Dobyns-Bennett2007 — Ryan Scott, Unicoi County2006 — Michael Forney, Science Hill2005 — Hunter Sparks, Unicoi County2004 — Walker Throp, Dobyns-Bennett2003 — John LeSueur, Sullivan Central2002 — Walter Brown, Elizabethton2001 — J.B. Blue, Greeneville2000 — Garth McKinney, Happy Valley1999 — Jamar Love, Science Hill1998 — Andrew Whitson, Tennessee High1997 — Jackson Simerly, Sullivan East1996 — none selected1995 — Odarius Williams, Science Hill1994 — Odarius Williams, Science HillMost promising underclassman2023 — Jackson Simmons, Unicoi County2022 — A.J. Murphy, University High2021 — Wade Witcher, Tennessee High2020 — Lucas Slagle, Unicoi County2019 — Brock Thompson, Unicoi County2018 — Parker Hughes, Elizabethton2017 — Corey Russell, Elizabethton2016 — Trevor Hensley, Unicoi County2015 — Preston Benfield, Cloudland2014 — Gavin Grubb, Sullivan East2013 — Patrick Good, Science Hill2012 — Marcus Taylor, University High2011 — Will Adams, Science Hill2010 — Shannon Hale, Science Hill2009 — Zach Garland, David Crockett2008 — Jordan Cross, Sullivan East2007 — Jesse Poteet, Johnson County2006 — Josh Odem, Science Hill2005 — Ike Weaver, Unicoi County2004 — Omar Wattad and Emanuel Reid, Science Hill2003 — Chucky Lindholm, Volunteer2002 — Lester Bailey, Elizabethton; Jerome Odem, Science Hill2001 — Vince Redd, Elizabethton2000 — Rob Love, Science Hill1999 — Rob Love, Science Hill1998 — Demetric Stevens, Science Hill1997 — William Miller, Dobyns-Bennett1996 — Ryan Lawson, Cherokee1995 — Gabe Goulds, Science Hill; Tommy Henegar, Happy Valley1994 — Brad Fields and Nathanial Bailey, Science Hill1993 — Jovann Johnson, Science Hill1992 — Shane Carnes, Dobyns-Bennett; Rob Williams, Science Hill1991 — Jonathan Wilson, Elizabethton; Ryan Black, Dobyns-Bennett1990 — Shane Williams and Jamie Jones, Science Hill1989 — Shea Wilkerson, David Crockett