FLEMING ISLAND - A review of the past high school season of Florida Dairy Farmers athlete selections for class players of the year showcase the level of play in Clay County with the top 10-15 players in football, soccer, basketball, volleyball, weightlifting, baseball, track and softball names being including as top athletes and coaches statewide.
Led by Clay girls weightlifting champion Emma Heck as the Florida Dairy Farmers Miss Weightlifting award winner as the best in all of Florida, featured in Clay Today sports last week, the Florida Dairy Farmers showcases athletes that are integral parts of their respective season with many of those chosen to be a class player of the year not necessarily a state champion.

In football, Oakleaf High running back Chris Foy II, 1301 Yds, 12TDs made the Class 6A player of year list while dad coach Chris Foy was on the coach list in Class 6A.
In Class 5A, Fleming Island quarterback Cibastian Broughton, 1,949 YDs passing 21TDs, 943 Yds Rushing 13TDs, led the Golden Eagles to a region semi finish with Fleming Island coach Derek Chipoletti getting a coach selection.
In volleyball, in Class 6A, Oakleaf junior hitter Jiyanna Rivera was a player of year choice with 345 kills, 50 aces, 112 digs and 108 blocks. Oakleaf coach Jamie Reed was also selected in the coaching ranks.


In Class 5A, Middleburg senior Brooke Forkum led the Broncos to the region semifinals after a state championship year as a junior with mom Meredith Forkum, a choice for coach of year, taking over for legendary coach Carrie Prewitt and finishing at 22-5. Brooke Forkum was third in player of year votes to Chiles Kate Stewart and Port Charlotte's Nygeri Hart.
In Class 1A, St. Johns Country Day School had hitter Hadley Dantzler, a senior, on the player of year list with 182 kills, 18 blocks with coach Jenna Williams on the coach list at 12-16.
In boys soccer, Class 3A, Keystone Heights top scorer Aaron Wiley, 33 goals, 13 assists, was second in voting for player of the year with 66 votes to goalie David Derk of American Heritage, the Class 3A champions, who got 75 votes. Keystone Heights was a region quarterfinal finisher with coach Trevor Waters also chosen for class 3A coach of the year.
In Class 5A, Fleming Island High, a region semifinal finish to eventual 5A champion Arnold, a 2-1 loss, got two athletes chosen with sophomore Ryker Dailey, 17 goals 14 assists,and senor Matthew Van Hook getting nods. Fleming Island coach Adam Hett was also listed in the coach of the year prospects.


In girls soccer, Fleming Island coach Taylor Berry got on the coach of the year list in Class 5A.
In Class 3A, Keystone Heights junior forward Halea Lam selected for a 3A player of year choice with her 21 goals and 10 assists with teammate Kayden Huntley, just a sophomore, also on the 3A list with 27 goals, 3 assists. Keystone Heights coach Roger Laurent was chosen for 3A coach of year nominee with a 13-7-3 with a whole new team of players.
In Class 1A, the 1A champion St. Johns Country Day School Spartans got two nominees with seniors CeCe Nowicki (13 goals, 9 assists) and Mia Johnson on the list for players with coach Mike Pickett (21-3-1, champion) also listed. Pickett was chosen as Class 1A coach of year. Giovanna Waksman of The Pine School, the nations top goal scorer, was chosen as the Miss Soccer, as best player in Florida, while St. Johns beat The Pine School 4-0 in the state championship game.


In girls basketball, Class 5A got Ridgeview senior Nacoya Blocton, 15.2 points, 8.4 rebounds on the ballot.
In Class 1A, St. Johns Country Day School freshman guard Kendall Proffitt, 28.7 points, 8.8 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 4.4 steals, was a strong selection in her first year with new coach Tyler Miller, also nominated on the coach list at 19-8. Proffitt finished second in Class 1A player of year votes, 87-71 to 1A champion Grandview Prep's Lena Girardi. Girardi averaged 30 points per game and will attend Oklahoma State University.
In boys basketball, Class 6A, Oakleaf senior Jelani Wright made the top players list with Fleming Island sophomore center Carson Crawford, 16.9 points, 9.7 rebounds on the Class 5A list.
In Class 1A, St. Johns Country Day School freshman Cam Cooper joined classmate Kendall Proffitt as a top scorer with an 18.2 points, 2.2 assists, 2.3 steals for the Spartans with coach Ian Gibson, 14-12, on the coaches list.