B.J. Edwards (5) and Knoxville Catholic took on MBA in the TSSAA Division II Class AA state tournament semifinals at the Hooper Eblen Center in Cookeville, Tennessee, on Friday, March 5, 2021. The Big Red won 60-49. (Photo by Danny Parker)
By JESSE SMITHEY
Catholic junior point guard B.J. Edwards and Lakeway Christian Academy senior guard Jordaynia Ivie came home from Cookeville with gold hardware Saturday.
While the trophies weren’t of the state championship variety, the two standouts received awards for individual achievements.
Edwards, a top 100 player in the Class of 2022, won Division II-AA Mr. Basketball after finishing as runner-up a season ago.
All Mr. and Miss Basketball awards are based upon regular-season performance only.
The 6-foot-3 prospect averaged 19.4 points, 6.6 rebounds, 6.2 assists and 2.9 steals per game prior to the postseason.
He is the first Mr. Basketball winner in Catholic school history.
“It means a lot,” said Edwards. “I was little upset about it last year, so I just used it as motivation while trying to lead my team back to another championship, but unfortunately couldn’t.
“But Mr. Basketball means a lot to me, and I’m very excited.”
Ivie, too, is the first winner in her school’s history — albeit, a short one for Lakeway Christian. She won Miss Basketball in Division II-A.
Jordaynia Ivie of the Lakeway Lions on Saturday, Nov. 21, 2020. (Photo by Danny Parker)
The 5-9, high-octane guard proved to be a worthy recipient, as she helped the Lions reach No. 1 in the state rankings for Division II-A with 15.5 points, 5.7 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 3.2 steals per game.
“It really does mean a lot to see your hard work and fight pay off in this way,” said Ivie. “I was super blessed to have some of the best teammates, coaches and Lakeway family behind me the whole way.
“I am beyond blessed to have received this award after a long challenging journey.”
Ivie’s teammate, 6-4 post and Iowa State signee Maggie Vick, was a finalist in Division II-A.
Division I girls Miss Basketball winners will be announced Saturday, March 13. Division I boys Mr. Basketball winners will be unveiled Saturday, March 20.