White County’s 1,000-point, 500-rebound talent Kylie Watkins takes POY honors after yet another sensational season.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

17.0 PTS
8.0 REB
3.0 BLK
2.0 STL
53% FG
82% FT
Region Defensive POY
1,000+ PTS, 500+ REB
*1,399 PTS, 756 REB, 226 AST, 225 STL, 181 BLK*

Kylie Watkins averaged 17.0 PTS, 8.0 REB, 3.0 BLK, and 2.0 STL per game this season, all while shooting 53% from the floor and 82% from the charity stripe. She was named the Region 6-AAA Defensive POY, and finished her career with over 1,000 points and 500 rebounds.

VOTING RESULTS

1. Kylie Watkins – 67.75 pts (8 1st-place votes)
2. Reese Murphy – 59.75 pts (9)
3. Eva Bishop – 34.5 pts (1)
4. Emma Lightsey – 33.25 pts (2)
5. Kaleigh Beaver – 33.25 pts (1)
6. Michel Robbins – 17.5 pts
7. Breelyn Wood – 11.25 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

This one was interesting. The weighted vote favored Watkins, though Reese Murphy had more 1st-place tallies overall. More of Watkins’ votes were 1-2 (8 1st, 7 2nd). This group had such a high quality of stars, that five different players logged 1st-place votes.

HISTORY OF BASKETBALL PLAYER OF THE YEAR

• 2024-25 – Kylie Watkins – White Co SR F
• 2023-24 – Lucy Hood – Rabun Co SR G
• 2022-23 – Mary Mullinax – Lumpkin Co SR G
• 2021-22 – Mary Mullinax – Lumpkin Co JR G
• 2020-21 – Isabel Davenport – Lumpkin Co SR G
• 2019-20 – Isabel Davenport – Lumpkin Co JR G
• 2018-19 – Kaylee Sticker – Dawson Co SR G/F
• 2017-18 – Georgia Stockton – Rabun Co JR G
• 2016-17 – Lainey Gosnell – Habersham Central SR F
• 2015-16 – Lainey Gosnell – Habersham Central JR F & Karlie Bearden – Dawson Co SR G
• 2014-15 – Kaitlyn Duncan – Banks Co SR C
• 2013-14 – Sheyenne Seabolt – Dawson Co JR F
• 2012-13 – Carly Gilreath – Dawson Co SR G & Stephanie Patton – Towns SO G
• 2011-12 – Haley Gerrin – Habersham Central SR C
• 2010-11 – Gabby Arencibia – Towns Co JR G
• 2009-10 – Cara Malone – Lumpkin Co SR G

Watkins becomes the first-ever White County winner of the award despite some stellar players suiting up for the Lady Warriors. She’s the 11th senior overall and fourth different winner in a row, with next year confirmed to be five. She’s the first straight forward since 2016-17 when Lainey Gosnell for Habersham took the hardware.

WHO WILL WIN IT NEXT YEAR?