2023 Semoball Awards a night of inspiration and gratitude

The orange and blue lights filled the stage at La Croix Church on Friday, setting the mood for an event that means so much for the finest high school athletes in Southeast Missouri.

The 10th Annual Semoball Awards is their ESPYS, the award show that puts a cap on the 2022-23 school year and ushers in the beginning of 2023-24.

It was a night of inspiration for the athletes in attendance. Dan Meers, the mascot of the Kansas City Chiefs, shared his life story and surviving a faulty test jump that left the stuntman needing a miracle.

"I don't believe I'm lucky to be alive," Mears said, "I do believe I'm blessed to be alive.

"My challenge to you athletes is to take your coin and be an investor," he added, "not only in money but also in life."

It was also a night of gratitude. New Madrid County Central's retiring coach Lennies McFerren, who made history as the first Black high school basketball coach in Southeast Missouri, was this year's recipient of the Semoball Award’s Lifetime Achievement honor. McFerren retired this year after winning his 10th state championship.

"Thank you, everybody, for doing the things that you do," McFerren said after receiving the award on stage. "You are number one."

Jadis Jones of New Madrid County Central accepts the Male Athlete of the Year Award from Dr. Matthew Baker, an orthopedic surgeon with Southeast Orthopedics and Sports Medicine during the 2023 Semoball Awards. Photo by India Hampton

Speaking of NMCC, nobody had a better year than Jadis Jones, who was named the SoutheastHEALTH Male Athlete of the Year after winning the Boy's Basketball POY and being a finalist for the football offense. He finished with 38 receptions for 934 yards and 17 touchdowns this past season and helped the Eagles to a 9-2 overall record and second place in Class 2, District 1. Jones recently announced his commitment to play football at Coastal Carolina.

Jones made history by winning his third straight Boys’ Basketball Player of the Year Award. He was named the Class 3 Player of the Year for leading the Eagles to a state championship by shooting 64 percent from the field and averaging 23.4 points, 11.1 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 3.3 steals, and 1.2 blocks per game.

Amiyah Saxton of Portageville was named SoutheastHEALTH Female Athlete of the Year. Saxton was a star in three sports but volleyball is where she shined the brightest. The two-time Bootheel Conference Player of the Year led the Lady Bulldogs to a 21-11-1 overall record and an MSHSAA Class 2, District 1 Championship. She also earned All-District honors after finishing the season with 264 kills, 47 aces, 56 total blocks, and 240 digs.

Amiyah Saxton of Portageville accepts the Female Athlete of the Year Award from Dr. Matthew Baker, an orthopedic surgeon with Southeast Orthopedics and Sports Medicine during the 2023 Semoball Awards. Photo by India Hampton

__Award winners__

__Boys Soccer__

Will Dodson, Notre Dame

__Cook, Barkett, Ponder and Wolz Girls Soccer__

Justi Nelson, Jackson

__My Daddy's Cheesecake Football Defense__

Tony Terry, Jackson

__Cook, Barkett, Ponder and Wolz Football Offense__

Jamarion Smith, Portageville

__Crader Distributing and your local STIHL dealers Boys Basketball__

Jadis Jones, NMCC

__My Daddy's Cheesecake Girls Basketball__

Katie Waller, Jackson

__Crader Distributing and your local STIHL dealers Softball__

Handley McAtee, Kennett

__Boys Cross Country__

Reed Layton, Woodland

__Girls Cross Country__

Lauren Eftink, Notre Dame

__Boys Track & Field__

DJ Williams, Charleston

__Girls Track & Field__

Lauren Eftink, Notre Dame

__Boys Swimming & Diving__

Phineas Theall, Cape Central

__Girls Swimming & Diving__

Tommy-Anne Marriott, Cape Central

__Girls Wrestling__

Alayna Ray, Sikeston

__Boys Wrestling__

Tyler Beyatte, Jackson

__Boys Tennis__

Charlie West, Notre Dame

__Girls Tennis__

Claire Bean & Handley McAtee, Holcomb/Kennett

__Volleyball__

Alexis Hoffman, Advance

__Baseball__

Caden Bogenpohl, Jackson

__Boys Golf__

Ben Christian, Dexter

__Girls Golf__

Alana Gilbert, Jackson

__SEMO ESPN Coach of the Year__

Josh Roach, Jackson

__St. Louis Cardinals Comeback Athlete of the Year__

Emilia Wunderlich, Jackson

__Sportsmanship__

Samuel Tyler, Sikeston

__rustmedia Best Fans__

Portageville Bulldogs

__The Bank of Missouri Male Scholar__

Sam Cairns, Cape Central

__The Bank of Missouri Female Scholar__

Sophie Boone, Kennett