Cherryville star voted Gaston County Athlete of the Year
Thomas Bess promises he didn’t cast a vote for himself in the GastonGazette.com Athlete of the Year contest.
“My dad did all the voting,” he said.
Bess’ dad and others clicked enough to select the Cherryville three-sport star as Gaston County’s top athlete for the 2009-10 academic year.
GastonGazette.com users selected Bess from a list of 18 athletes. The top eight vote-getters in the first round advanced to the final round, where the votes reset.
Bess received 2,884 votes in the second round, outdistancing Gaston Christian softball pitcher Caitlin Campbell (1,912 votes). Campbell was an all-state selection who led the Eagles to a state title.
“It is (an honor) just to know that I was nominated for it,” Bess said.
Bess was a no-brainer for the original ballot.
A three-sport standout, Bess earned first-team All-Gazette basketball honors after helping the Ironmen win the Southern Piedmont 1A/2A Conference championship. The 6-foot junior guard averaged 21.2 points, 8.3 rebounds, 4.4 assists and 2.8 steals.
Bess played quarterback for the football team, rushing for 11 touchdowns and passing for three. He played multiple positions for the baseball team, pitching four wins while slugging three home runs as Cherryville placed second in the conference and reached the third round of the 1A state playoffs.
“He’s a tremendous athlete and a great kid, too,” said his basketball coach, Scott Harrill.
Of his athletic achievements over the past year, Bess said he was most proud of staying healthy enough to keep playing. Only sickness forced him to miss a few baseball games.
Cherryville also claimed the previous GastonGazette.com contest as Harrill was voted Gaston County’s coach of the decade. Bess couldn’t explain Cherryville’s knack for this sort of contest.
“I have no clue what it is,” he said, laughing.
The South Point football team swept the third and fourth positions, with quarterback Josh Justice receiving 61 second-round votes and running back Aaron Crumbley 51. Ashbrook golfer Megan Burnham was fifth with 17 votes.
You can reach Phillip Gardner at 704-869-1843.
