KJ Younger (W)

2023-24 BOYS PLAYER OF THE YEAR

The 2024-23 UnionCountyHoops.com’s Boys Player of the Year is Weddington's KJ Younger. KJ had an outstanding junior year helping to lead the Weddington Warriors to a 27-2 record, SCC Tite, SCC Tournament Title and advanced to the Sweet-16 of the 4A State Playoffs for Coach Ellington.

KJ led Union Co. in scoring with a 22.9 average while averaging 6.8 rebounds per game, dished out 2.7 assists per game and 2.0 steals per game. Younger scored in double figures in every game this season including at career high 39 in a win over Porter Ridge. Kyler recorded a season high 17 rebounds along with 37 points in a win over Ardrey Kell. Younger scored 20+ points in 20 games for the Warriors.

Younger set a Weddington school record for points in a season with 665 previously held by Ryan Schwieger (622) set in 2016-17. Younger's 665 points ranks 6th all-time in Union Co. history. KJ was named UCHoops Player of the Week 5 times during the 2023-24 season as well as being named the SCC Player of the Year, All-SCC and 1st Team All-District.

KJ is the 6th Weddington Warrior to be name the UCHoops POY, joining Chase Lowe ('20,'21,'22), Ryan Schwieger ('16 &'17), Jordan Barber ('15)) , Brandon Watts ('14) and Cory Rase ('08)!!

Congrats KJ !!!

# 25
Position Wing
Height 6'4
Grade Junior

Ashanti Taylor (PR)

2023-24 GIRLS PLAYER OF THE YEAR

The 2023-24 UnionCountyHoops.com's Player of the Year is Porter Ridge's Ashanti Taylor. Ashanti started for Coach Brown from game one and helped lead Porter Ridge to a 20-7 record, Co-Champs of the SCC and the 2nd of the state 4A Playoffs. Ms. Taylor averaged 18.6 ppg, 7.4 rpg, 4.4 apg & 4.4 spg. Ashanti set the Porter Ridge school record for points in a game with 37 in 66-61 win over Weddington. Ms. Taylor was namd SCC Player of the Year and Al-SCC as a freshman. Ahsanti scored in double figures in 23 games and had double digit rebounds in a game six times.

Ms. Taylor scored 502 points this season which ranks 2nd all-time in Porter Ridge high school and 25th all time in Union Co. history.

Ashanti was named UCHOOPS Player of the Week for Weeks 2, 11 & 12 while being named All-SCC, SCC Player of the Year and 2nd Team All-District.

Ashanti is the first freshman ever to be named the UCHoops Player of the Year and now joins former Porter Ridge Pirate greats Kelly Godbout ('10) and Brittny Mitchell ('08) with that honor!

Congrats Ashanti!

# 12
Position Guard
Height 5'11
Grade Freshman

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Some images provided by Madeline Nichols Photography and the WeddingtonAthleticZone