Westlake's Johnson, McEachern's Cooper Earn USA Today Atlanta High School Sports Athlete Of

On Thursday, USA Today High School Sports hosted their Atlanta High School Sports Awards honoring the top high school student athletes, coaches and teams from the greater Atlanta Metro area. The show's host included ESPN analysts Jesse Palmer and Sage Steele with presenters Stephen Curry, Patrick Mahomes, Jackie Joyner-Kersee, Bill Belichick, Drew Brees and more. It was a big night for both Westlake High School's Raven Johnson, who helped lead the Lions to their third consecutive Georgia High School association state title and McEachern's Sharife Cooper, Both took home Basketball Player of the Year awards and Johnson nabbed the Girls Athlete of the Year Award, while Cooper was named the Boys Athlete of the Year. Johnson's coach, Hilda Hankerson was also named Girls Coach of the Year, making it a big night for Westlake altogether. In cross country, Woodland's McKenna Trapheagan was named Cross Country Runner of the Year. Trapheagan, who is a Georgia Tech signee, won her consecutive GHSA state title running a state best this year in a time of 18:26.67. On the boys side, Mary Pearson's Justin Wachtel was named the Boys Cross Country Runner of the Year as his GHSA 4A state title win was the first in the programs history.. Marietta Blue Devils' Arik Gilbert, an LSU signee, was named the Football Offensive Player of the Year. Gilbert's final high school season ended with him totaling 101 catches for 1,760 yards which is the second best in state history. The Buford Wolves girls basketball team earned the Girls Team of the Year honor as this past season the Wolves won their fourth consecutive GHSA state title. See below for winners of the night.

Volleyball Player of the Year - Savannah Bray (Etowah)

Girls Wrestler of the Year - Amani Jones (Ola)

Boys Wrestler of the Year - Nick Stonecheck (Buford)

Softball Player of the Year - Jahni Kerr (Wesleyan)

Football Defensive Player of the Year - Myles Murphy (Hillgrove)

Top Team of the Year - Harrison Hoyas Football

Boys Coach of the Year - Larry Thompson (Wheeler)

Boys Team of the Year - Woodland Wrestling