Best of Hoggard: Boys No. 3, 2 and 1

In an effort to determine the best 10 male and female athletes at each Wilmington school (Ashley, Cape Fear Academy, Coastal Christian, Hoggard, Laney, New Hanover and Wilmington Christian Academy), I selected a panel of qualified individuals to vote. The participants included: former and current coaches, administrators and ADs, media members and even fans. Each individual voted anonymously with their No. 1 athlete receiving 10 points, No. 2 athlete receiving 9 points and so on. 

The next school to have their 10 top athletes revealed is Hoggard. A total of 16 people voted and the results have been released throughout the week.

Monday, June 29: Boys and Girls 10, 9, 8 and 7 as well as honorable mention (anyone else who received votes)

Tuesday: June 30: Girls 6, 5 and 4

Wednesday, July 1: Boys 6, 5 and 4

Thursday, July 2: Girls 3, 2 and 1

Friday, July 3: Boys 3, 2 and 1

Boys Honorable Mention

• Scott Senatore (26 points)
• William Wright (23 points)
• Bryan Sammons (21 points)
• Christian Poveromo (19 points)
• Stephen Lewis (18 points)
• Shawn Sidbury and Rob Varno (14 points)
• Sharod Wallace and Brandon Miley (13 points)
• John Whitehead (10 points)
• Joey Stukes (9 points)
• Tristan Harris and Keevin Thompson (8 points)
• Oliver Holmes (7 points)
• Billy Vaughn (6 points)
• Travis Hunicutt (5 points)
• Bradley Pennington (4 points)
• Luke Caldwell (3 points)
• Sean Grzeck (1 point)

Boys No. 10

Josh Jones (28 points)

Class of 2018

Click here to read more about Josh

Boys No. 9

Chris Toudle (34 points and 1 first-place vote)

Class of 2019

 

Click here to read more about Chris

Boys No. 8

Scott Coleman (37 points)

Class of 2010

Click here to read more about Scott

Boys No. 7

Terry Caldwell (39 points)

Class of 2012

Click here to read more about Terry

Boys No. 6

Stilman White (40 points)

Class of 2011

Click here to read more about Stilman

Boys No. 5

Tommy Bowker (69 points and 1 first-place vote)

Class of 2000

Click here to read more about Tommy

Boys No. 4

Derek Brunson (73 points and 1 first-place vote)

Class of 2002

Click here to read more about Derek

Boys No. 3

Connor Barth (91 points and 5 first-place votes)

Class of 2004

Thanks to a lot of hard work, Barth turned himself into one of the greatest kickers in the history of the N.C. High School Athletic Association. Barth broke the state record for field goals in a season with 20 in 2003 and the record stood until Keith Duncan of Weddington broke it with 22 in 2015. He also made 61 consecutive PATs spanning his junior and senior seasons, which is still the fifth longest streak in NCHSAA history. As a senior, Barth went 20-for-21 on field goals (with a long of 53 yards) and 48 of 50 on PATs. He also put nearly every kickoff into the end zone. Barth continued his career at UNC, where he still holds school records in career field goals (54) and consecutive field goals (19). He went on to play in the NFL for the Kansas City Chiefs, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Denver Broncos and Chicago Bears and made 82.8 of his career field goal attempts (168-for-203) with a long of 57 yards.

“Connor redefined what it means to be a specialist in football for the kids in Wilmington. From high school through his professional career, he has committed to perfecting his craft with relentless work on the field and in the weight room. He left a legacy that has led many other kickers to help maintain the winning tradition at Hoggard.” – Anonymous voter

Boys No. 2

Joe O’Donnell (104 points and 1 first-place vote)

Class of 2013

O’Donnell had an outstanding career as a member of the Hoggard basketball and baseball teams. On the basketball court, O’Donnell finished with 733 career points and is second in program history in career 3-point field goal percentage (39.2 percent). He shot 42 percent (58 of 138) from beyond the arc as a senior. In his four years on the mound, O’Donnell went 22-11 with a 1.98 ERA and 200 strikeouts in 180 1/3 innings. As a senior, he went 5-3 with a 1.68 ERA and two no-hitters. O’Donnell also finished with a career batting average of .266 to go along with 12 doubles, 1 triple and 1 home run. He went on to pitch at N.C. State and went 18-8 with 18 saves and a 3.08 ERA during his career.

“Joe is without a doubt one of the best athletes to ever play at Hoggard. He could have been a college player at any sport he wanted to. Just a tremendous competitor that never backed down from any challenge.” – Anonymous voter

Boys No. 1

Jonathan Cooper (143 points and 6 first-place votes)

Class of 2008

A talent like Cooper doesn’t come around very often. Standing at 6-foot-4 and nearly 300 pounds, he excelled in football, wrestling and track & field. Cooper was instrumental in guiding the Vikings to a perfect 15-0 record and the 2007 NCHSAA 4A football state title as both an offensive guard and defensive lineman. Cooper finished fifth in the state as a heavyweight wrestler his junior year and was third as a senior. He finished ninth in the state in the shot put as a senior with a throw of 46-3.5. Cooper went on to play football at UNC, where he was a three-year starter. He was drafted by the Arizona Cardinals with the No. 7 pick of the 2013 NFL Draft and has made 46 career appearances as a member of the Cardinals, Cleveland Browns, Dallas Cowboys and Washington Redskins.

“Jonathan was amazing to watch at Hoggard and throughout his collegiate and professional career. As an offensive lineman, Jonathan would pull and lead running backs down the field because he was just as fast as they were! Many can remember the dominant defensive performance that he had in the 4A State Championship game in 2007.  He received Offensive Player of the Year honors as a lineman. His raw athleticism was also put on display with his dominance on the wrestling mat and in the shot put ring.” – Anonymous voter