My top pics of the year feature three basketball players who led their teams to state tournament appearances, two more who helped their teams to a share of a city championship, a couple of football phenoms who helped their teams to conference crowns, and a top hoopster who earned all-metro honors on the football field.
Rayeon Williams (St. Paul Central), with Pierre Conwell(St. Paul Johnson) behind him, led the Minutemen to their first state basketball tournament appearance since 2000.
Mikayla Hayes (Park Center) helped the Pirates capture the 3A girls’ state basketball championship as a freshman.
Tyler Johnson (Minneapolis North) blocks JoBreil Powell’s (Minneapolis Washburn) shot during a City Conference boys’ basketball game. Both players led their teams to a share of the conference title.
Chase Coley (Minneapolis Washburn) led the Millers to a second straight girls’ basketball state tournament.
Keyon Thomas (Minneapolis North) shows why he was one of the state’s most dynamic receivers. The senior led the Polars to the city title and within one game of the state football playoffs.
Jaylen Mobley (St. Paul Johnson) catches a pass between two defenders during a section football playoff game. The four-year starter on the basketball team was an all-metro receiver.
Jakobi Jackson (St. Paul Central) stiff-arms a player during the section football playoffs. The running back led the Minutemen to a seventh consecutive City Conference crown
Photos by Mitchell Palmer McDonald
Mitchell Palmer McDonald welcomes reader responses to mmcdonald@spokesman-recorder.com.
Dr. Mitchell Palmer McDonald is a contributing columnist at the Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder.