Here's who won at the Coastal Empire High School Sports Awards Show

The Coastal Empire High School Awards Show was held Monday night at the Johnny Mercer Theater as the top high school athletes from the Greater Savannah area were honored at an event where former Georgia football star Sony Michel was the featured speaker.

In the Overall Athlete of the Year category — versatility was rewarded as Calvary Day's Jake Merklinger and Veronica Sierzant were announced as the winners.

Merklinger had previously been named the winner of the 70th annual Ashley Dearing Award as the most versatile male high school athlete in Savannah, while Sierzant won the equivalent honor for girls as she became the first three-time winner of the Hollis Stacy Award.

Merklinger, the quarterback who committed to play at Tennessee, had another huge year behind center for the Cavaliers as he completed 67% of his passes for 1,987 yards and 32 touchdowns with just two interceptions. He was also a standout on the Cavalier basketball team, and in lacrosse, a sport he took up just two years ago.

"It was awesome to win such a prestigious award," Merklinger said. "There are so many great athletes in Savannah, so it was really an honor to win this."

Sierzant doubled up once again as she was named the All-Greater Savannah Volleyball Player of the Year and the Overall Girls Athlete of the Year for the second year in a row. In volleyball, she had 480 kills, 156 digs and 56 aces for a Sharks team that won a region title as she was a second-team AVCA High School All-America selection.

The Syracuse volleyball signee was also one of the top basketball players in Georgia, as the 6-foot-3 senior averaged 18.5 points, 14.5 rebounds, 2.9 assists, 2.3 blocks and 1.9 steals per game. She ended her career at Islands as the school's all-time leader in career points (1,569) and rebounds (1,216). She was also a member of the Sharks 4x400 meter relay team that qualified for the state track and field meet.

"It was exciting to win this award again, and I felt happy to leave a legacy for girls sports here in Savannah," Sierzant said. "I hope it inspires younger girls to chase their dreams in sports and work to be the best they can be."

Caroline Ryan of St. Vincent's was the winner of the girls most versatile athlete award. The senior played volleyball, flag football, basketball and golf. A captain of the volleyball and golf teams, her volleyball and flag football squads both reached the Elite Eight in the state playoffs, while the Saints' golf team competed in the state tournament.

She was named the MVP of the SVA basketball team after averaging 10.1 points and 8.6 rebounds per game and in volleyball, she had one of the highest hitting percentages on the team and was second in blocks.

The boys most versatile athlete was Tanner Ennis, a junior from Bryan County High School.

A standout defensively for the Bryan County football team, Ennis had 98 tackles, including 13.5 for losses and was named the Region 3-A Division I Co-Player of the Year, while earning All-Greater Savannah first-team honors.

He was also an All-Greater Savannah first-team pick in baseball and was named the Region 3A Division I Pitcher of the Year. He fanned 59 batters in 28 2/3 innings in 15 relief appearances as he went 3-2 and posted a 1.91 ERA. He was also the offensive catalyst from the leadoff spot, hitting .392 with 36 runs on the season.

In basketball, Ennis was an All-Region 3A Division I first-team selection for a Bryan County squad that reached the state playoffs.

The Overall Boys Coach of the Year was Mel Abrams of St. Andrew's, who led the Lion basketball team to its second consecutive GIAA Class 3A state title. In his eighth season leading the program, Abrams' squad extended a win-streak dating back to last season to 26 games before a setback to Gibbs of St. Petersburg, Fla. 43-40 on Jan. 7, in its only loss of the year. The Lions finished the campaign on a 16-game win streak with a 28-1 record.

Abrams is known as a coach who understands the game and how to motivate his players. His senior star Zyere Edwards is headed to play at Augusta University. The Lions had several impressive wins against GHSA squads, including a victory over Hiram, which reached the Class 5A quarterfinals and finished the season with a 25-3 record.

Jackie Hamilton of the Calvary Day girls basketball team was named the Overall Girls Coach of the Year. In his 18th and final season Hamilton led a young squad to the Region 3-3A regular season and tournament titles before making a memorable playoff run to the state semifinals.

He closed out his career with 429 career wins, five Final Four appearances and a Class A State championship in 2008. But Hamilton's influence and impact went far beyond the basketball court. He made lifelong relationships with his players and their families, and taught lessons about everyday life, which made him a coach that players loved to compete for.

The Courage Award went to Lamont Mitchell, the senior football player from Benedictine who is headed to play at Georgia Military College.

Mitchell was just eight years old when he and his sister, Nikesha, found their mother, Melithia Singleton, who had been killed.

Taken in by his aunt and uncle Taneshia and Eric Jones, Lamont grew up learning to deal with the emotions from an incident that turned his life upside down. Football became a huge part of the healing process for Mitchell as he went to Benedictine Military School and worked his way up to become an impact player as a running back and linebacker as a junior for a Cadet squad that won the Class 4A state championship.

The prospects for his senior season were looking great as Mitchell was expected to have starting roles on both sides of the ball. But on the very first play of the season, he suffered a knee injury on a kickoff return against Jenkins that ended up sidelining him for the rest of the season.

After the shock of the season-ending injury wore off, Mitchell took on the role of a senior leader despite not being able to play. He attended practices and games and served as a kind of player/coach as he supported the program in any way possible.

The Cadets made another incredible run -- and won their second straight Class 4A state championship behind an unforgettable goal line stand in the final seconds of a 14-13 win over Cedartown. Mitchell was there sweating it out on the sideline with his teammates and coaches, and took part in a raucous celebration in the locker room as he closed out his high school career.

The Benedictine football team was named the Overall Boys Team of the Year after becoming the first team from the Savannah area to win back-to-back GHSA state titles. It was the fourth state title in the last 12 years under Danny Britt, who was the All-Greater Savannah Coach of the Year once again.

The Cadets started out with a 2-2 record, losing on the road to high quality opponents in Columbus of Miami and Ware County, in a 14-10 setback against a Gator squad that went 15-0 to win the Class 5A state crown.

BC was led by Za'Quan Bryan, the defensive back and receiver who is headed to play at Minnesota, and junior quarterback Luke Kromenhoek, the Florida State commit, who emerged as one of the top quarterbacks in the nation in his first year as a starter.

A goal line stand in the pouring rain in the final seconds to beat Cedartown at Center Parc Stadium was a fitting end to an unbelievable season for the Cadets.

2022 All-Greater Savannah football team Here's the 2022 All-Greater Savannah high school football team and Coach of the Year

The Girls Overall Team of the Year Award went to the Savannah Arts Cross Country Team.

After finishing second in the Class 3A State meet in 2021, the Panthers dropped a classification and won it all in 2022 behind a stable of stellar runners.

Senior Margaret Wade won an individual state title and took home gold in seven of eight races she competed in.

Lyric Olson was fifth in the state finals race and Ava Coffey was sixth. Both seniors went on to win individual gold medals in the Class 2A state track and field meet last month.

Elle Harward Grant and Camille Arango finished 12th and 17th respectively as the Panthers became the first girls cross country team from the Greater Savannah area to win a state cross country championship since the event started in 1975. Panther coach Steve Ricciardi was named the Girls Cross Country Coach of the Year once again.

The School Spirit Award went to St. Vincent's Academy, the all-girls school that has one of the top overall athletic programs in the state. And the Saints always have a strong support system with students and parents on hand to cheer teams on.

SVA's spirit is evident in events like the Annual "Pink Night" during volleyball season where the school raises money for breast cancer awareness. The event has been a huge success and become part of the SVA tradition.

St. Vincent's is also known as a school where athletes are encouraged to play multiple sports -- embracing versatility. Competing in a variety of sports adds to the spirit that defines the school.

Fall Awards

In football, Za'Quan Bryan of Benedictine was named the Overall Player of the Year. Bryan, an All-State first-team selection by the AJC, was the Region 3-4A Player of the Year as he helped lead BC to its second straight state crown. As a defensive back, he had 72 tackles with four interceptions and four pass breakups. He caught 63 passes for 680 yards and eight touchdowns, and ran for 290 yards and five scores. He returned four punts for touchdowns and had a pick-six among his 18 touchdowns on the season. Bryan has started school at the University of Minnesota -- and his father was on hand to accept his award.

Bryan's teammate, quarterback Luke Kromenkoek, was named the Offensive Player of the Year. The 4-star recruit is a rising senior who has committed to play at Florida State. In his first year as a starter behind center he threw for 2,576 yards with 24 touchdown passes and just three interceptions and ran for 453 yards and seven more scores. He was voted the Co-Offensive Player of the Year in Region 3-4A and was a first-team All-State selection by the Atlanta Journal Constitution.

BC's Danny Britt was the Football Coach of the Year.

Savannah Christian's Elijah Griffin was named the Defensive Player of the Year. The 6-foot-4, 280-pound defensive lineman is ranked as the No. 1 rising junior prospect in the country, regardless of position. He was named the Region 3-3A Defensive Player of the Year and helped lead SCPS to a second-place finish in the region and to the state quarterfinals. He had 82 tackles, including 30 for loss and 14.5 sacks with 14 QB hurries. The five-star prospect has offers from a plethora of Power 5 schools, was a first-team All-State pick by the AJC.

In softball, South Effingham's Bailey Kendziorski of South Effingham took home Player of the Year honors. The rising senior helped lead the Mustangs to a region title and to the Elite Eight in the state tournament. She had a record of 13-5 with an ERA of 1.07 and a WHIP of .707 with 110 strikeouts and just nine walks in 111 2/3 innings and pitched three no-hitters. She also hit .318 with a .455 OBP and 18 RBIs with 20 runs scored. Her coach, Adam Newland, was the All-Greater Savannah Softball Coach of the Year.

2022 All-Greater Savannah softball Meet the All-Greater Savannah Softball Team and Coach of the Year for 2022

In cross country, Margaret Wade of Savannah Arts was named the Girls Runner of the Year for the second year in a row.

The senior won six of the seven cross country events she raced in this year -- and took the individual championship in the Class 2A state meet by 20 seconds to help lead her squad to the team title, under Steve Ricciardi, who was the Girls Coach of the Year. As a junior, she was third individually in the Class 3A state meet as her team took second.

Her only second place finish came in the Alexander ASICS Invitational, an Elite race in Fairburn where she finished behind a runner from Florida. But Wade's time of 17:37.12 was the best posted in a 5K race this season by a Georgia runner across all qualifications.

Memphis Rich of Richmond Hill also repeated as he was named the Boys Runner of the Year for the second consecutive year. He won the Class 7A individual title with a time of 16:21.93. He won the Region 1-7A championship at Norman Park (16:01.10) and the Class 5A-7A Division at Alexander/Asics Invitational on Oct. 1 in Fairburn (15:31.40). Rich will be back for his senior year under head coach Levy Sybert, who was the Boys Cross Country Coach of the Year.

In flag football, Hayden Aliotta was named the Player of the Year. The senior quarterback had another excellent season for the Saints as she completed 70 % of her passes for 2,227 yards with 35 scoring passes and nine interceptions for the Area champions, who finished the season with a 14-2 record. She also rushed for 446 yards (8.7 yards per carry) and five touchdowns.

Winter Sports

In basketball, Zyere Edwards of St. Andrew's was named the Boys Player of the Year. Edwards was the GIAA Class 3A State Player of the Year for the second year in row after leading the Lions to their second consecutive state title.

The Augusta University signee averaged  22.6 points, 2.1 rebounds, 4.6 assists and 4.1 steals per game and helped lead the Lions to a 28-1 record.

2023 All-Greater Savannah boys hoops Meet the 2023 All-Greater Savannah Boys Basketball team and Coach of the Year

Hannah Cail of Calvary Day was named the Girls Basketball Player of the Year for the second year in a row. The Georgia College & State signee averaged 20.8 points, 5.8 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 3.2 steals per game this season to lead the Cavaliers to the Class 3A regular season and tournament titles and then on a run to the Final Four in the Class 3A playoffs.

She was named the Region 3-3A player of the year, and was a first-team All-State selection.

2023 All-Greater Savannah girls hoops Meet the 2023 All-Greater Savannah Girls Basketball team and Coach of the Year

Ashton Anderson of South Effingham was named the All-Greater Savannah Wrestler of the Year. The heavyweight won a Class 6A state title to become on the only individual champion from the Greater Savannah area.

The junior prevailed in a championship a match that came down to the wire as he scored an escape in the Ultimate Tie Breaker, edging Jaylin Tate of Woodward Academy by a point in a fourth period of overtime.

Anderson will be back on a Mustang team stacked with talent next year under Christopher Bringer, who was named the All-Greater Savannah Coach of the Year for the second year in a row.

Gaby Van Brunt of St. Andrew's was named the Girls Swimmer of the Year for the third consecutive year. Van Brunt, who has signed to swim at Alabama, swept all three of her individual events at the GIAA meet for the third straight season, and closed out her career with 11 individual state titles.

Caden Cahill of Benedictine was named the Boys Swimmer of the Year. The junior had an impressive performance in the Class 4A-5A State Meet. He finished second in the 100-yard backstroke with a time of 52.21 and took fourth place in the 100 fly (51.40).

Spring Sports

2023 All-Greater Savannah baseball team Meet the All-Greater Savannah Baseball team and Coach of the Year

Ely Brown of Savannah Christian was named the All-Greater Savannah Baseball Player of the Year. The senior lefty was a star centerfielder and pitcher for a Raider team that won a region title and advanced to the Class 3A state semifinals.

The Mercer University signee hit .369 with an OPS of 1.139 and had seven doubles, a triple and six homers with 27 RBIs, 35 runs and 12 stolen bases. On the mound, the lefty was 5-0 with a 2.17 ERA. The Region 3-3A Player of the Year was also one of the top centerfielders in the state.

In girls soccer, Kayla Jackson of Richmond Hill took home player of the year honors. Jackson was the top player on the top team in the Greater Savannah area as she helped lead the Wildcats to a Region 1-7A title and to the state quarterfinals.

Jackson had 15 goals and 14 assists for a team that went 15-1 on the season and was named the Region 1-7A Player of the Year. Jackson has signed to play at Jacksonville State.

All-Greater Savannah girls soccer Meet the 2023 All-Greater Savannah Girls Soccer team and Coach of the Year

In boys soccer, Ryan Fabrizio of Benedictine was named the Player of the Year. Fabrizio was a standout for a Cadet squad that won the Region 3-4A title, as he earned region player of the year honors.

He had 21 goal and 10 assists on the season -- including a natural hat trick in the final 23 minutes of a come-from-behind 3-2 overtime win over East Hall that sent the Cadets to the state semifinals. He was an All-State first-team selection.

2023 All-Greater Savannah boys soccer Meet the 2023 All-Greater Savannah Boys Soccer Team and Coach of the Year

Another Benedictine athlete took home honors as the Lacrosse Player of the Year.

Junior Riley Wilson did it all for the Cadets, the top team in the Greater Savannah area. He was an All-Area 8 First-Team selection after an impressive season where he showed his versatility. He had a win percentage of 70.7 %, winning 150 faceoffs,. He also led the team in ground balls with 97, and scored 31 goals while dishing out 11 assists.

Wilson helped lead the Cadets to an area title and to a berth in the state quarterfinals.

Savannah Christian's Mary Miller, one of the top high school players in the country, was named the Girls Golfer of the Year for the third year in a row.

She opened with an 8-under par 64 at Maple Ridge Golf Club, and closed out with a 73 to beat Savannah Country Day's Kate Barber by four strokes and win the Class 3A State Tournament at Maple Ridge Golf Club.

Miller, who has committed to golf at Georgia Southern, also won the Area 2-3A tournament with a 68 at Crosswinds GV and finished second in the Savannah City Girls Championship at Bacon Park, with a 34 over nine holes.

All-Greater Savannah boys and girls golf Meet the 2023 All-Greater Savannah Girls and Boys Golf Teams and Coaches of the Year

Benedictine's Hamp Threlkeld was named the Boys Golfer of the Year. The freshman played like a veteran all season for the Cadets as he helped lead his team to four tournament titles on the season.

He won the Savannah City Boys Championship at Bacon Park with a 68 that included an ace on the ninth hole to help lead the Cadets to the team title. He tied for second with a 74 at the Cadet Cup at Savannah Golf Club. He shot 74 to tie for fourth at the Wildcat Invitational. He shot 75 at the Area 3-4A tournament and shot a team-best 79-77 to tie for 17th at the Class 4A state tournament to help lead the Cadets to a fifth place finish.

A pair of Savannah Christian athletes were named track and field athletes of the year.

On the boys side, Jamari McIvory won the Class 3A 200 meter and 400 meter titles with times of 21.65 and 48.10 and also ran the anchor leg on the Raider 4x400 relay team that finished fourth. As a sophomore, he won the 200 meters and was fifth in the 400 in the Class A Private meet.

2023 All-Greater Savannah track & field Meet the 2023 All-Greater Savannah boys and girls track and field teams and Coach of the Year

His classmate, Jadyn Singleton, was named the Girls Track and Field Athlete of the Year.

She won the Class 3A state title in the long jump with a leap of 18-6.5. She also finished sixth in the 100 meters (12.37) and seventh in the 200 meters (25.52), while running the anchor leg in the SCPS 4x100 relay team that took fifth at state. Singleton had a strong showing in the Wingfoot Night of Champions in Atlanta against state champions in all enrollment classifications and had a personal best jump of 18-9 to finish third.

In tennis, Ethan Thurmon of Savannah Christian was named the Boys Player of the Year for the second year in a row.

Thurmon closed out his high school career in dominating fashion as he posted a 19-0 record on the season. He had a record of 34-1 over the last two years.

Halee Harper of South Effingham took home Girls Tennis Player of the Year honors. The junior had a record of 12-2 on the season without a loss to anyone in the Greater Savannah area. She had wins over Effingham County, Savannah Country Day and Calvary Day.

Dennis Knight covers sports for the Savannah Morning News. Contact him at Dknight@savannahnow.com. Twitter: @DennisKnightSMN

This article originally appeared on Savannah Morning News: Winners revealed at the Coastal Empire High School Sports Awards Show