Best of Laney: Boys and Girls athletes No. 10, 9, 8 and 7

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 Laney. A total of 17 people voted and the results will be released throughout the week.

Monday, Aug. 3: Boys and Girls 10, 9, 8 and 7 as well as honorable mention (anyone else who received votes)

Tuesday: Aug. 4: Boys 6, 5 and 4

Wednesday, Aug. 5: Girls 6, 5 and 4

Thursday, Aug. 6: Boys 3, 2 and 1

Friday, Aug. 7: Girls 3, 2 and 1

Boys Honorable Mention

• Luke Tendler (29 points and 1 first-place vote)
• Cory Stukes (26 points)
• Samson Williams (24 points)
• Jeff Ferrell (21 points and 1 first-place vote) and Ryan LaGrange (21 points and 1 first-place vote)
• Marcus Hands and Sherod Sidbury (20 points)
• Ronald Hill  and Larry Williams (19 points)
• Travis Johns and Tanner Sewell (16 points)
• Mike Sheehan and Matt Tysinger (9 points)
• Tristan Nelson (8 points)
• Brandon Ellington and Wesley Nelson (7 points)
• Christian Caveness (6 points)
• Niki Puente, Blair Waggett, Imeek Watkins and Cael Willis (5 points)
• Cedric Baker, Boomer Boyd and Ashaad Yeoman (4 points)
• Marcus Mondragon and Chris Sutton (3 points)
• Kyle Costello and Lee Jones (2 points)

Girls Honorable Mention

• Jenson Edwards and Charlene Thompson (22 points)
• Caroline Cahill (19 points)
• Kelli Gottry (18 points)
• Maddy Bullington and Taylor Chism (14 points)
• Haley Shand (13 points)
• Tristen Horrell and Jayla Rogers (11 points)
• Courtney Dwertman, Jessica Figgins and Jenna Grill (4 points)
• Paulette Addison and Madi Johnston (3 points)
• Brookes Musser and Lisa White (2 points)
• Amber Doniere (1 point)

Boys No. 10 

Darren Dickerson (35 points)

Class of 2000

Dickerson was a standout basketball player who helped the Buccaneers reach the 1999 4A State Championship game. In that 84-67 loss to West Charlotte, he scored a team-high 33 points on 10 of 18 shooting from the field. He also went 9 of 11 from the free throw line. Dickerson was named Co-Mideastern Conference Player of the Year as a senior after averaging 20.5 points and 5 assists. He finished his high school career with 1,299 points, which is third in program history. Dickerson continued his college career at Old Dominion, Southeastern Illinois Community College and Florida Atlantic. He helped SICC finish 34-2 and No. 2 in the nation in 2003. Dickerson is a member of the Laney and SICC Hall of Fames.

“Darren was a clutch player who had his best performances in the biggest games. He said in an interview after a conference championship game, ‘I consider myself a big game player and this was a big game. I’m supposed to perform.'” – Anonymous voter

Girls No. 10

Janae Baker (32 points)

Class of 2008

Baker played volleyball, basketball and softball during her terrific career at Laney. She helped all three programs have great success during her senior year. The volleyball team finished 18-11 and reached the second round of the 4A playoffs, the basketball team went 22-7 and reached the fourth round and the softball team had a 20-3 record and advanced to the third round. Baker hit .400 and made only one error at first base during her final high school season. She went on to play lacrosse at Howard University and was named to the National Lacrosse Conference All-Academic Team in 2011.

“Jenae was an unbelievable leader for our softball team her senior year. She played the game the right way and made games and practices enjoyable. ” – Anonymous voter

Boys No. 9

Elijah Wilson (36 points and 1 first-place vote)

Class of 2012

Wilson was a terrific basketball player who also competed in track & field for the Buccaneers. As a junior, he finished fourth in the high jump and seventh in the 300-meter hurdles at the Mideastern Conference Championship. Where Wilson really shined was on the basketball court. He averaged 22.2 points and 9.2 rebounds per game while shooting 45 percent from the field and 38 percent from 3-point range as a senior. Wilson joined Michael Jordan as the school record holder for most points in a game with 42. He continued his career at Coastal Carolina, where he scored 1,885 points and grabbed 513 rebounds in four years. He holds the school record for games played (140) and career field goal attempts (1,687) and is third in career points and field goals made (659). He has been playing professionally overseas since 2017. Wilson helped the Kapfenberg Bulls win the Austrian Basketball League championship in 2019 and was named the Finals MVP.

“Elijah was a special talent who could do it all on the court. He made everyone around him better with his great work ethic and passion for the game.” – Anonymous voter

Girls No. 9

Nikki Lynch (35 points)

Class of 2009

A three-sport standout, Lynch competed in volleyball, basketball and softball for Laney and earned All-Mideastern Conference honors at least twice in each sport. Over her final two seasons, Lynch helped the three programs go a combined 107-51. The basketball team reached the fourth round of the 4A playoffs and the softball team advanced to the third round 2008. That year, she hit .300 with 14 RBI and 18 runs. As a senior, Lynch hit a team-best .442 with 10 doubles, 3 home runs, 9 stolen bases, 26 RBI and 23 runs. She continued her career at Winston-Salem State and was a four-year starter. Over her final three seasons, Lynch hit .367 with 37 doubles, 7 triples, 8 home runs, 111 RBI and 115 runs in 142 games.

“Nikki is one of the hardest workers I have come across in high school athletics. She always put the extra effort into everything and had the respect and admiration of both her teammates and her coaches.” – Anonymous voter

Boys No. 8

Rashaad Tindall (38 points)

Class of 2002

Tindall competed in football and basketball for the Buccaneers. At 6-foot-3, he was a force inside for the basketball team and averaged more than 10 rebounds per game as a junior and senior. Tindall joined the football team as a junior and made an immediate impact at both safety and wide receiver. As a senior, he helped Laney reach the 4A State Championship by finishing with 84 tackles, a team-best 13 sacks and six forced fumbles. In the title game, he hauled in four catches for 90 yards and a 34-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter. Tindall continued his football career at UNC, where he redshirted in 2002 and played in seven games in 2003.

“Rashaad had all the physical tools you would want in an athlete and he was able to pick things up very quickly. He was a force to be reckoned with.” – Anonymous voter

Girls No. 8

Eryn Teague (49 points)

Class of 2006

A tremendous basketball and softball player, Teague was named Laney’s Female Athlete of the Year as a junior and senior. She helped the basketball team claim three straight Mideastern Conference Tournament titles and was a four-year starter on the softball team. As a senior, Teague hit a remarkable .573 with 10 home runs and 40 RBI. She was a two-time Mideastern Conference Player of the Year and ended her career with 18 homers. Teague was inducted into the Laney Athletic Hall of Fame in 2017. She continued her career at Villanova, where she had 116 hits (14 homers), 60 RBI and 48 runs in four years.

“Eryn’s desire and determination to compete were beyond reproach. Whether she was a star on the softball team or an incredibly important role player in basketball, her competitive spirit and athleticism made her one of the best.” – Anonymous voter

Boys No. 7

Kevin Saravia (44 points and 2 first-place votes)

Class of 2017

Saravia had a remarkable wrestling career that culminated with back-to-back 4A state titles. After going 15-13 in a backup role as a freshman, Saravia burst onto the scene as a sophomore by finishing 37-5 and reaching the 106-pound state title match. A year later, he finished 40-4 and claimed his first title, and he repeated as champion with a 43-4 record as a senior. Saravia joined Andre Humphrey as the only two-time state champions in Wilmington history. He finished his high school career with a 135-26 record. Saravia went on to wrestle at Iowa Lakes Community College before transferring to Life University. 

“Kevin’s work ethic was second to none. He wasn’t even a starter as a freshman, but put in the hard work and became a two-time state champion and arguably the greatest wrestler from not only Laney but also Wilmington.” – Anonymous voter

Girls No. 7

Amber Spolarich (64 points and 1 first-place vote)

Class of 2007

Spolarich was a terrific three-sport athlete who competed in volleyball, basketball and lacrosse. Despite never playing volleyball, Spolarich was convinced to try out as a freshman. She not only made the team, but earned a starting spot and became a four-year starter. As a senior, she helped the Buccaneers finish 19-9 and reach the second round of the 4A playoffs. Spolarich was also a terrific four-year varsity basketball player and helped the team claim four straight Mideastern Conference Tournament titles. As a senior, she helped Laney finish 28-2 and reach the 4A East final, where they fell to eventual state champion South View. Spolarich was inducted into the Laney Athletic Hall of Fame in 2020.

“Amber is the poster child for student athletes. Not only was she exceptionally talented on the courts, but she was even more impressive in the classroom. As an athlete, her defensive capabilities were the best I’ve seen and her willingness to complement her teammates’ abilities made her seasons at Laney quite special.” – Anonymous voter