In a crowded field of uber-talented players in our area, the one who claims the top award is Enzo Combs for Habersham Central. The senior guard had a legendary season in leading the Raiders.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

20.1 PTS
4.7 AST
4.3 REB
3.1 STL
48% FG
42% 3PT (51 3PT)
74% FT
1,000-PLUS PTS

Enzo Combs had one of the best seasons in school history. The numbers are staggering especially considering that even his head coach says his unselfish play leaves many points off his totals. Still, he was good for 20.1 points, 4.7 assists, 4.3 boards, 3.1 steals, and shot 48% from the floor, including 42% from deep (51 triples), and 74% from the line. He finished his career well north of 1,000 career points.

VOTING RESULTS

1. Enzo Combs – 63 pts (7 1st-place votes)
2. Huey Blalock – 54.5 pts (3)
3. Cal Faulkner – 41.5 pts (4)
4. Houston Henry – 40 pts (3)
5. Kolby Watson – 27.5 pts (3)
6. JoJo McCurry – 24 pts (1)
7. Dayden Rogers – 6.75 pts

Voting included our 21-person panel made up of sports reporters, writers, video producers, former coaches, players, GHSA officials, and sports experts. The voting is Heisman-style, with the following points system:
1st place votes: 5 pts; 2nd: 3 pts; 3rd: 2 pts; 4th: 1 pts; 5th-6th: 0.5 pts; 7th-8th 0.25 pts

Not sure we’ve seen parity like this before in the boys POY vote. Six different finalists recorded a 1st-place vote. That’s unreal. Five of those were legitimately in the mix to win this award. Enzo Combs’ performance stands out, as he had 17 of his 21 votes coming 1-3, more than any other finalist.

HISTORY OF BASKETBALL PLAYER OF THE YEAR

• 2024-25 – Enzo Combs – Habersham Central SR G
• 2023-24 – Cal Faulkner – Lumpkin Co JR G
• 2022-23 – Jadon Yeh – White Co SR G
• 2021-22 – Connor McKay – Rabun Co SR G/F
• 2020-21 – Kolby Moss – Towns Co SR G
• 2019-20 – Carl Cleveland – Banks Co SR G/F
• 2018-19 – Carl Cleveland – Banks Co JR G/F & Luke Chism – Dawson Co SR G
• 2017-18 – Dylan Orr – Banks Co SR F
• 2016-17 – Kahmal Wiley – Banks Co SR G/F
• 2015-16 – Zez Steeple – Banks Co SR G
• 2014-15 – Austin Venable – Banks Co SR C & Austin DiNofrio – Rabun Co SR G
• 2013-14 – Spencer Adams – White Co SR G
• 2012-13 – Tyler Dominy – Dawson Co SR G/F
• 2011-12 – Patrick Burns – Habersham Central SR F
• 2010-11 – Jacob Evans – Dawson Co SR G/F
• 2009-10 – Luke Crumley – White Co JR C

Combs is the first to take this for Habersham Central since 2011-12 when Patrick Burns did so. Combs was not even in elementary school at that time. He is the third straight true guard to win the honors, and he makes the 15th (out of 18) senior to claim it. This award tends to go to someone different every year (only one repeat winner).

WHO WILL WIN IT NEXT YEAR?