Two local high school boys basketball players and one coach were honored by the 13th Region Media for their regular-season accomplishments. Middlesboro men’s head coach Lewis Morris has been named the 52nd District Coach of the Year.

Middlesboro junior guard Jabari Kyle was named to the 52nd All-District team. Bell County junior London Stephney was named to the 52nd All-District team as well as being named the district’s Breakthrough Player of the Year.

Morris received Coach of the Year honors after just his second season with the Yellow Jackets. In Morris’ first year as head coach for Middlesboro, he improved his team to 15-15 after they went 5-23 in the season prior. He led his team to a 17-13 season this year, including their first district championship since 2011-2012, their first All “A” regional championship and their first victory over Bell County since 2012.

“I don’t even think it about it to be honest with you,” said Morris. “It’s reflective of how hard the team has worked this season and how well they have performed. It’s more of a reflection on them than it is of me. I’m proud of how hard they have worked all year.”

In his first year with Bell County, junior London Stephney was named to the 52nd All-district team. He was also named the district’s Breakthrough Player of the Year. Stephney averaged 12.8 points per game and has provided a spark for his team all season long.

“It means a lot to me personally,” said Stephney. “It’s a great privilege to be named to the all-district team in a district with so many good players. It also means a lot to me to be named the breakthrough player of the year in the district. I work my tail off all year long, and it feels good to be recognized for that. It’s very humbling.”

Middlesboro’s Kyle was named to the 52nd All-District team. Averaging 12.4 points as a sophomore, Kyle improved his numbers this season to a team-leading 14.8 points per game.

“I’m very happy to have been named all-district this year,” said Kyle. “I was devastated when I didn’t make it last year. I felt like I worked hard and deserved it last year too, but it gave me motivation to come out and work even harder this year. I’m proud of the way our team has played this year, and it means a lot to me to be recognized.”