It was a memorable winter to say the least on the hardwood at McDougal-Evers Gymnasium.
For the first time in CWCHS history, the Bulldogs and the Lady Bulldogs won an outright conference championship in the same season, and for the first time since 1998-1999 both the boys and girls basketball teams won 20+ games.
Along with the historic team success, the Bulldogs and Lady Bulldogs saw their fair share of individual success as well as numerous players were named to the Black Diamond Conference All-Conference Teams.
Sophomore Caroline Simmons was named to the All-Conference Team after averaging 10.7 points per game. Simmons was also 2nd on the team in rebounding with 135 total rebounds, averaging 4.2 boards a game. Simmons also shot a near automatic 81% from the free throw line.
After an incredible senior season, Mara Serafini was named the BDC’s Most Valuable Player for the 2023-2024 season.
CWC sports fans may very well be witnessing the greatest senior year by a Lady Bulldog athlete in school history. Not only did Serafini lead the Lady Bulldog volleyball team to a 4th Place finish at the IHSA State Finals, she averaged 16 points per game, surpassed the 1,000 career points mark and made her presence felt as one of the best defenders in 2A.
Serafini becomes the first Lady Bulldog to be named BDC MVP since Abby Vaughan in 2018.
Three CWCHS boys basketball players made the BDC All-Conference team for the 2023-2024 season.
After a breakout junior season, Gavin Holloman earned an All-Conference nod. Holloman averaged 13.2 points per game, to go along with 2.4 assists and 3.6 rebounds per game. Holloman is on pace to surpass the 1,000 career point mark next season.
To the surprise of none, junior Mitchel Edwards was also named to the BDC All-Conference Team. In his 3rd year as a starter, Edwards averaged 14.5 points and 6.8 rebounds per game this season. In late January, Edwards scored his 1,000th career point. He is just the 2nd player in CWCHS history to reach 1,000 career points in his junior season (Kenny Winter – 1962).
The leader of the pack, Landon Driscoll, was named Black Diamond Conference MVP.
Driscoll averaged 14.3 points per game, 5 rebounds per game, shot 77% from the free throw line and nearly 40% from 3-point range. Driscoll will continue his basketball career at Blackburn College in Carlinville this fall.
Driscoll becomes the first Bulldog to be named BDC MVP since Lawson Warren did so in 2011.
Congratulations to all CWCHS Athletes who are members of the 2023-2024 Black Diamond All-Conference Team!
Full All-Conference List:
Girls –
Mara Serafini – Carmi-White Co. (MVP)
Grace Bishop – Edwards County (Co-Captain)
Rylee Edwards – Fairfield (Co-Captain)
Rayci Phelps – Hamilton Co.
Caroline Simmons – Carmi-White Co.
Adrianna Hendrix – Eldorado
Lola Nussmeyer – Edwards Co.
Kat Jennings – Flora
Alexia McKinney – Edwards Co.
Lily Simpson – Fairfield
Boys –
Landon Driscoll – Carmi-White Co. (MVP)
Layne Tucker – Fairfield (Captain)
Mitchel Edwards – Carmi-White Co.
Gavin Holloman – Carmi-White Co.
Neil Young – Flora
Trevor Johnson – Flora
Landon Harrelson – Fairfield
Anjuan Rhodes – Edwards Co.
Jake Phelps – Eldorado
Abe Neal – Hamilton Co.
