Jacob Dellinger exploded on each handoff he was given on the football field for the East Burke Middle Raiders while also excelling on the basketball court to receive EBMS inaugural male athlete of the year award.
Dellinger's big breakout game came on the road vs. Liberty rushing for 195 yards and two touchdowns, including a 35-yard run on the game's very first play.
He also added a 231-yard rushing game against Heritage in a 30-6 victory contested at Draughn High.
Dellinger finished the season with over 1000 yards rushing, including 200-yard performances in the last three of four games, and scoring seven total touchdown runs.
On the basketball hardwood, Dellinger scored in double digits in four games for the Raiders including a season-high 11 vs. Liberty.
(Wayne Baker)
Ally Moore played key roles for the Lady Raiders basketball and volleyball teams to receive the inaugural East Burke Middle female athlete of the year award.
"She was the foundation and rock for our volleyball and basketball teams," said Lady Raiders coach Nancy Kelly. "Ally made my job easy, she is dedicated, hard-working, and never gives up.
Moore assisted the Lady Raiders to 27 consecutive wins and back to back undefeated conference championship seasons as she ended her career at EBMS as a three-year starter.
"Getting to play and start as a sixth-grader made me realize hard work does pay off," said Moore on what was her favorite memory at EBMS.
Moore opened up her eighth-grade season with a 17-point performance vs. West McDowell and had three more double-digit games including the finale at East McDowell (13 pts, five rebounds, assist).
"When I heard we couldn't win back to back championships, it made me and my teammates work that much harder to prove them wrong," said Moore.
Moore was a key contributor at the service stripe for the Lady Raiders volleyball team, finishing runner-up to Heritage.
"She not only excelled in sports but in the classroom as well," Kelly added. "It's nice to have a player who takes responsibility without being asked."
"I will miss her terribly in the upcoming year but I know she will be successful in her future at East Burke."
She had much appreciation for her favorite coaches Kelly, Jen Davis, and her father Steve Moore but it's on to bigger and better things at EBHS including the ultimate goal of bringing the first state championship to Icard.
"If we all work hard and together, it will be done," said Moore.
(Adam Greene)
