There were many individuals who contributed to an outstanding 2014-2015 prep season. Here are some people that come to mind.
Andrayah Adams (St. Paul Como Park, girls’ basketball) — The junior guard led her team to first-ever City Conference title and Twin City crown in girls’ basketball.
Charles Adams (Minneapolis North, football coach) — Led Minneapolis North to the state football playoffs and fielded the most exciting team in the state at any level.
Kayla and Kyla Adams (Richfield, girls’ basketball) — The sisters led their team to the Class 3A state tournament despite a No. 5 seed in their section.
Gabrielle Brown (St. Paul Johnson, track and field) — Was the City Conference champion in the 110 hurdles and 300 hurdles and qualified for the state meet.
Garrett Gardner (St. Paul Central, football, basketball) — Was the City Conference Player of the Year and started for the basketball team.
Robbie Grace (Minneapolis Southwest, girls’ track and field) — Qualified for the state meet as an eighth grader and placed third in the 400 meter run.
J.T. Gipson (Champlin Park, basketball) — The Metro Player of the Year and Mr. Basketball winner led his team to a Class 4A runner-up finish in the state tournament.
Mikayla Hayes (Park Center, girls’ basketball) — Sophomore center led her team to its second-straight Class 3A girls’ basketball title.
Scott Howell (St. Paul Central, football) — Led his team to its eighth-straight City Conference title.
Jarvis Johnson (DeLaSalle, basketball) — The senior guard became the first player to start in four consecutive (Class 3A) state championship games. Oh yeah — his team won all four.
Tyler Johnson (Minneapolis North, football, basketball) — Dominated in football as a quarterback during his team’s state playoff run and led the basketball team to within one game of the Class 1A state tournament.
Tre Jones (Apple Valley, basketball) — The freshman guard helped his team capture the Class 4A state crown.
Jia and Jada Lewis (Minneapolis Edison, track and field) — The sisters led their team to a second-place finish in the Class A state meet.
Larry McKenzie (Minneapolis North, boys’ basketball coach) — Put his team back on the state map.
Robert Mestas (Minneapolis Roosevelt, boys’ basketball coach) — The 1995 Mr. Basketball winner, with help from guards London Cobbs and Arione Farrar, nearly led his team to the Class 2A state tournament.
Jalen Mobley (St. Paul Johnson, basketball, football) — The guard, who was also all-metro in football, led the boys’ basketball team to a second-place finish in the Class 3A state tournament.
JobBriel Powell (Minneapolis Washburn, basketball) — The senior guard had his team within one game of the Class 3A boys’ state tournament.
John Robinson (St. Paul Como Park, girls’ basketball coach) — Took his team to new heights.
TT Starks (Hopkins, girls’ basketball) — One of the state’s top players since seventh grade led her team to the Class 4A title.
Gary Trent Jr. (Apple Valley, basketball) — The sophomore forward led his team to the state crown and is one of the top players in the country.
Mitchell Palmer McDonald welcomes reader responses to mmcdonald@spokesman-recorder.com.