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CPA's Blackwell named Mr. Basketball again

The Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association handed out its Division I Mr. Basketball awards Saturday with Christ Presbyterian Academy’s Braxton Blackwell winning Class AA for the second consecutive year.

The lone finalist from the Midstate, Blackwell earned the honor over Chris McNeal of Jackson South Side and LeGarald Vick of Douglass.

“He’s one of the most amazing men I’ve ever been around in my entire life,” CPA coach Drew Maddux said. “He’s about excellence in everything he does.”

Blackwell, a junior, helped lead the Lions to a 32-5 record and the Class AA semifinal game, where CPA fell to eventual champion Haywood 60-54.

“Just like last year I wish I could trade this in for the gold ball, but next year I’ll come back stronger,” Blackwell said. “It’s just great to be recognized for something twice.”

Hamilton’s Dedric Lawson beat out his brother and teammate, K..J. Lawson, as well as Southwind’s Donte Dorsey in Class AAA.

Dedric Lawson was a four-year starter for Hamilton who averaged 20 points, 15 rebounds, 3.6 blocks, 2.8 assists and 1.1 steals this season on his way to earning McDonald’s All-America honors.

K..J. Lawson also posted impressive numbers this year with averages of 23.4 points, 15 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 2.1 steals and 1.2 blocks on his way to Region 8-AAA tournament MVP honors.

The brothers led Hamilton to a 65-62 win over Brentwood in the Class AAA championship game Saturday.

Mitchell’s Jeremiah Martin was named Class A Mr. Basketball over Adamsville’s Tucker Campbell and Union City’s Marcus Deberry.

Martin led Mitchell to a 32-6 record and the Class A title with a 69-39 win over Union City to cap off a year in which he averaged 19.8 points, 5.3 rebounds, 4.8 assists and 2.1 steals.

Reach Sam Brown at 615-259-8232 and on Twitter @SamBrownTN.

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