Hornets land six on All-District team; Shea voted Defensive Player of Year

Tyler Shea captured the Defensive Player of the Year award and Banner Allman and Carter Williams were both First Team choices on the recently announced 23-4A All-District boys basketball teams.

Shea averaged 1.3 blocked shots and 2.3 steals per game to lead the Hornets in both categories. He also put up 16.9 points and grabbed nine rebounds per game. He set a program record with 236 two-point field goals made on the season and his 81 steals just missed setting a program record (90) for steals in a season. He was a First Team All-District selection in District 6-4A in 2022.

Allman led the Hornets in scoring on the season (18.1 points per game) and led all of 23-4A in scoring (19.3 ppg). He and Shea both finished the season shooting 60% from two-point range – a program record. Allman set a single-game record with 15 free throws made in a 35-point outing against McGregor and finished five points shy of setting the program record for points in a season. He was a First Team All-District choice in 6-4A in 2021.

Williams was the Hornets second leading scorer on his way to a First Team All-District selection in 2022 but assumed more of a do-it-all role in 2023. He averaged 8.4 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 3.4 assists per game.

Junior Trae Miller, sophomore Rayshon Smith, and sophomore West Allman were all Second Team selections. Miller was the Hornets leading assist man at 3.5 per game while West Allman led Gatesville in three-point shots made (55) and three-point shooting percentage (30%).

Smith, the 6-4A Newcomer of the Year in 2022, set a program record by drawing 48 charges on the season.

District 23-4A District Honors

District MVP: Jelanie McDonald, Waco Connally, J'ylon Nobles, Waco Connally

Offensive Player of the Year: Monta Hillard, Waco La Vega

Defensive Player of the Year: Tyler Shea, Gatesville

Newcomer of the Year: Qwae Willis, La Vega

Coach of the Year: Quinton Snell, Connally

First Team

Kobe Black, Kiefer Sibley, Kaiden Turner, Waco Connally; Eythan Thompson, Amri Gibson, Waco La Vega; Banner Allman, Carter Williams, Gatesville; Zach May, China Spring; Braden Jewell, China Spring; Noah Self, Salado; Trevor Stephens, Robinson.

Second Team

Jamarion Vincent, Issac Perez, Waco Connally; Stephon Nickerson, Waco La Vega, K.J. McFarlin, La Vega; Trae Miller, Rayshon Smith, West Allman, Gatesville; Kejrian Cashaw, Camden Hensley, Caden Exline, China Spring; Luke Law, Levi Ball, Salado; Peyton Tindell, Robinson.