Voting for The Item's inaugural high school sports awards show, The Bobbys, starts today
The Sumter Item's new high school sports awards show, The Bobbys, is officially underway.
The program, inspired by ESPN's The Espy Awards, will be a red-carpet gala celebrating the best in Sumter-area sports. Readers can now vote for their favorite high school athletes for the next week and a half. Voting runs May 18-29. The Bobbys will be held at The Sumter Opera House on June 15.
While there are stars currently in professional sports for which Sumter is proud they call home, when it came to naming the awards program and gala, it was a no-brainer. The Bobbys is named for Sumter sports legend Bobby Richardson, the former World Series MVP for the New York Yankees.
"I look at it as you using me to honor them, and I appreciate the honor of being asked to let my name do that," Richardson said. "This community has been so great to me."
There are 14 categories for the public to vote on spanning athletes in individual sports. The area's top football, basketball, baseball, softball, volleyball, cross country and track athletes will vie for a top award. There are also categories for Best Team, Best Coach, Best Female Athlete and Best Male Athlete.
There will also be an Award for Courage, presented by Thompson Construction Group, which will be selected by The Item staff.
Scholarships will be given throughout the night in categories presented by a local business partner.
Other current award sponsors include Simpson Hardware and Sporting Goods for Best Football Player, Wright Way Plumbing for Best Baseball Player and Nu-Idea School Supply for Best Girls Basketball Player.
Winners will be invited to attend the gala, and the public can buy tickets to attend. Tickets are $10 for adults for $5 for students.
The Bobbys will also highlight the 2023 winner of the Hines Furniture Athlete of the Year. Voting for that award ended Wednesday, and the winner will be announced during the event with the top four finalists invited to attend.
For more information about sponsoring an award or the event, contact your sales representative or email advertising@theitem.com.
NOMINEES FOR THE BOBBYS INAUGURAL CATEGORIES
FOOTBALL
Zyeir Gamble - Sumter High
Javion Martin - Crestwood High
Jesse Bowers - Lee Academy
Tyler June - Laurence Manning Academy
BOYS BASKETBALL
Randy Gibson - Scott's Branch
Justin Daniels - Manning High
Corean Nelson - Crestwood High
Myles Squirewell - Lakewood High
GIRLS BASKETBALL
Rickell Brown - Sumter High
Tashiana Farmer - Crestwood High
Savanna Price - Lee Academy
Rosandra Bennett - Scott's Branch
BASEBALL
Ja'Shawn Montgomery - East Clarendon
Clark Kinney - Wilson Hall
Cole Thompson - Lee Academy
Carson Todd - Sumter High
SOFTBALL
Amberly Way - Wilson Hall
Calli Yount - Clarendon Hall
Lyza Prickelmyer - Laurence Manning Academy
Eden Huth - East Clarendon
BOYS TRACK AND FIELD
Michael Ledet - Lakewood High
Sumter Cooper - Wilson Hall
Jake Marshall - Thomas Sumter Academy
Dominick West - Crestwood High
GIRLS TRACK AND FIELD
Nicole Wells - Sumter High
Hannah Burnside - Thomas Sumter Academy
Lori Flemming - Wilson Hall
Ashante Shaw - Lakewood High
CROSS COUNTRY BOYS
Connor Smith - Wilson Hall
Joseph Butters - Sumter High
William Wright - Thomas Sumter Academy
Brody Secosky - Laurence Manning Academy
CROSS COOUNTRY GIRLS
Bailey McInerney - Wilson Hall
Kira Owens - East Clarendon
Emily Vipperman - Sumter High
Abbie Fisher - Thomas Sumter Academy
VOLLEYBALL
Aubrey Payne - Wilson Hall
Ariana Somcheen - Laurence Manning Academy
Olivia O'Clair - Crestwood High
Hayden White - East Clarendon
BEST TEAM
Scott's Branch boys basketball
Crestwood High boys basketball
Lee Academy football
Wilson Hall volleyball
Sumter girls basketball
East Clarendon baseball
BEST COACH
Kevin Miller - Scott's Branch
Aric Samuel - Crestwood High
Rip Ripley - Wilson Hall
Jeff Schaffer - Sumter High
David Rankin - Lee Academy
Anthony Jackson - Ragin Preparatory Christian Academy
BEST MALE ATHLETE
Zyeir Gamble - Sumter High
Randy Gibson - Scott's Branch
Connor Smith - Wilson Hall
Justin Daniels - Manning High
Jesse Bowers - Lee Academy
Conner Palumbo - Crestwood High
BEST FEMALE ATHLETE
Sarah Sonntag - Wilson Hall
Savanna Price - Lee Academy
Eden Huth - East Clarendon
Nicole Wells - Sumter High
Giselle Ramirez - Crestwood High
Ashante Shaw - Lakewood High