McWeagle 4 Posted June 23, 2011 Share Posted June 23, 2011 Coates starred in football, basketball and baseball — the only three sports offered for boys at Leroy — and is today named the inaugural winner of the Press-Register boys athlete of the year award. The award is intended to signify the best athletic performance by a male high school athlete during the 2010-11 school year.The future Auburn football player beat several other worthy candidates, including future Florida State quarterback Jacob Coker, who also set career scoring and rebounding records in basketball at St. Paul’s and won the individual 5A javelin title during track season. Other strong candidates included Bayside Academy quarterback Camp Campbell, who also won an individual tennis title, and Auburn baseball signee Chase Williamson, who also starred in football at UMS-Wright. But Coates’ ability to change the game — regardless of the sport he played — set him apart. “You couldn’t have picked a better athlete and a better person,” Leroy baseball coach Matt Braun said. Coates began turning his potential into production — and making his senior year memorable — by leading Leroy to the 2A football championship. Against rival Jackson, he enjoyed his breakout game by catching 7 passes for 182 yards, including a state-record-tying 99-yard score, to go with TD receptions of 33 and 14 yards and a 2-yard TD run. “After that game, I knew I had to be a leader,” Coates said. “I stepped it up after that. Every time we needed a big play, they looked to me.” Coates added three touchdowns and an interception in a victory over Sweet Water in the regular-season finale, and capped the season with a three-TD performance in a 34-7 victory over Reeltown in the 2A title game. Coates finished with 62 catches for 1,230 yards and 16 touchdowns and another 8 rushing TDs. The Alabama Sports Writers Association named him the Class 2A back of the year, the Press-Register tabbed him as the AISA-Class 3A player of the year, and he was selected for the Alabama-Mississippi All-Star Classic. He jumped into basketball season and led the Bears to a berth in the Central Regional in Montgomery. Again with no break, Coates transitioned into baseball season and emerged as one of the state’s best dual-threat players for the 2A runner-up. He assumed the leadoff role and hit .489 with 9 homers, 34 RBIs, 66 runs scored and 17 steals while also going 9-1 with a 3.06 ERA as a pitcher. War Eagle, Sammie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
banditmwp 714 Posted June 23, 2011 Share Posted June 23, 2011 :thumbsup: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tigermike 4,005 Posted June 23, 2011 Share Posted June 23, 2011 :cheer: Congrats Sammie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AU alum 2 Posted June 23, 2011 Share Posted June 23, 2011 War Eagle! Congratulations! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aub_jw 2 Posted June 23, 2011 Share Posted June 23, 2011 My younger cousin actually played against in baseball playoffs this year. He said he was one of best players he's seen. So I'm excited to see what he does on the football field. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RunInRed 19,013 Posted June 24, 2011 Share Posted June 24, 2011 Hard to remember the last "3-star" with this much hype. Can't wait to see him on the field. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WarEagle84 0 Posted June 25, 2011 Share Posted June 25, 2011 Hard to remember the last "3-star" with this much hype. Can't wait to see him on the field. If he had committed to uat he'd have been 4-stars. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RunInRed 19,013 Posted June 27, 2011 Share Posted June 27, 2011 Talked to some Auburn players who think freshman WR Sammie Coates (@sammiecoates11) has AJ Green ability. I've seen flashes, and believe it.@JHokanson Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
McWeagle 4 Posted June 27, 2011 Author Share Posted June 27, 2011 Talked to some Auburn players who think freshman WR Sammie Coates (@sammiecoates11) has AJ Green ability. I've seen flashes, and believe it.@JHokanson Big Side note: If any of you are on twitter and not following @JHokanson, I highly recommend that you remedy that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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