Best of Laney: 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 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)

Boys No. 10 

Darren Dickerson (35 points)

Class of 2000

Click here to read more about Darren

Boys No. 9

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

Class of 2012

Click here to read more about Elijah

Boys No. 8

Rashaad Tindall (38 points)

Class of 2002

Click here to read more about Rashaad

Boys No. 7

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

Class of 2017

Click here to read more about Kevin

Boys No. 6

Tre Whitted (58 points)

Class of 2003

Click here to read more about Tre

Boys No. 5

Taqiy Muhammad (63 points)

Class of 2000

Click here to read more about Taqiy

Boys No. 4

Stephen Batts (75 points and 2 first-place votes)

Class of 2004

Click here to read more about Stephen

Boys No. 3

Willie Davis (84 points)

Class of 2002

Davis was a terrific football player and track & field athlete during his time at Laney. He was instrumental in guiding the football team to the 4A State Championship game in 2001 by finishing the season with 1,757 rushing yards and 19 touchdowns. The senior running back also had 13 catches for 170 yards and a score. In the title game against Independence, Davis had 15 carries for 64 yards and also returned a kickoff 97 yards for a touchdown in the fourth quarter. On the track, he claimed Mideastern Conference titles in the 100-meter dash and triple jump as a senior. He also finished second in the 200-meter dash and third in the long jump. Davis still holds the school record in the triple jump at 42-4.5. He continued his football career at Virginia and played in 13 games as a defensive back before suffering a career-ending injury.

“Not many players make a coach question what they just saw, but Willie made many do that. His size made you question whether the speed he had was possible. He had the greatest stride I’ve seen and he made the spectacular plays look routine. He had unbelievable athletic ability.” – Anonymous voter

Boys No. 2

RD Montgomery (85 points and 4 first-place votes)

Class of 2000

At 6-foot-7, Montgomery was a force on the football field and basketball court. He helped the basketball team reach the 4A State Championship game in 1999 and finished with 10 points and nine rebounds in the loss to West Charlotte. On the football field, Montgomery played defensive end and tight end. He had 13 sacks as a junior and finished with nine sacks as a senior despite missing time with an injury. Mongomery was inducted into the Laney Athletic Hall of Fame in 2020. He signed a football scholarship with Wake Forest and later joined the basketball team as a walk-on. 

“RD was a great athlete and an even better person. He embraced all roles: defend, rebound, block, tackle and score. It was all about the team and the win.” – Anonymous voter

Boys No. 1

Mike Causey (99 points and 5 first-place votes)

Class of 2004

Causey received five first-place votes to earn the top spot. A three-sport standout, he competed in football, wrestling and baseball. Causey played all over the field for the football team, but his best position was linebacker. He led Laney in tackles as a junior and senior. Causey claimed the 189-pound 4A wrestling state championship as a junior. He reached the finals with an overtime victory and claimed the title with a hard-fought 3-2 win over John Buck of A.C. Reynolds to end the season with a 45-9 record. On the baseball field, Causey hit hit .325 with six doubles, three triples, two home runs and 20 RBI as a junior. A year later, he hit .321 with four doubles, two home runs and 12 RBI despite missing the first month of the season with an ankle injury. He was inducted into the Laney Athletic Hall of Fame in 2013. Causey signed a football scholarship with Wake Forest and also joined the baseball team as a walk-on. He transferred to Campbell for baseball and hit .252 with 11 doubles, two triples, two home runs, 21 stolen bases, 42 RBI and 45 runs in two seasons.

“Mike was a phenomenal athlete who contributed at a high level for three teams. It was amazing how he could go from one season right into the next and immediately perform at a high level. He will forever go down as one of Laney’s best. ” – Anonymous voter