A true rising star! Lilly Abbott surged in her first opportunity with Dawson County this season. The sophomore guard not only led the area in scoring, she was one of the night-in, night-out most consistent players in Class 3A.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

16.4 PTS
6.8 REB
3.1 AST
2.0 STL
3.7 DEF
52.7% FG
32.3% 3PT
81.1% FT

Abbott scored 16.4 points per game, adding 6.8 rebounds, 3.1 assists, 2.0 steals, and 3.7 deflections per game. She did it all – and shot 52.7% from the floor, 32.3% from beyond the arc, and 81.1% from the free throw line. She earned All-Region 1st Team honors.

VOTING RESULTS

1. Lilly Abbott – 67 pts (10 1st-place votes)
2. Maddie Lee – 43 pts (2)
3. Millie Southards – 42 pts (4)
4. Regan Trlica – 23 pts (1)
5. Alayah Johnson – 14 pts
6. Ava Thompson – 9.75 pts
7. Niya Daniels – 9.5 pts

Voting included our 17-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

Abbott won the POY with 10 1st-place votes. However, there were several others who received a top vote, including Millie Southards with four, Maddie Lee with two, and Regan Trlica with one.

HISTORY OF BASKETBALL POY

• 2025-26 – Lilly Abbott – Dawson Co SO G
• 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

Abbott is the first Dawson County player since Kaylee Sticker in 2018-19 to win the award, and the first sophomore since Stephanie Patton in 2012-13. Abbott is the third overall Dawson player to take the hardware.

WHO WILL WIN IT NEXT YEAR?

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