The 2009-2010 Character Counts! in Chaves County Winter Athlete Recognition program concludes this week with Boys Basketball.
Character Counts! believes that, a game without principles is only a game, and victory without honor is no victory at all.
The eight young men nominated by their coaches as the Character Counts! Athlete of the Year for boys’ basketball are: Joaquine Eriachio of New Mexico Military Institute, Ryan Gomez of Hagerman High, Clayton Garnett of Dexter High, Matthew Singleton of Roswell High, Ben Thomas of Gateway Christian School, Billy Kolker of Valley Christian Academy, Cole Maxey of Goddard High and Chance Ortiz of Lake Arthur High.
Pilar Carrasco, NMMI high school basketball coach, has chosen Joaquine Eriachio to represent his program. He is a 17-year-old senior from Pine Hill, N.M.
He was selected as the Cadet of the Month for both November and December. He is currently on the Dean’s List and is active in cross country and the Native American Club.
He speaks to young native Americans about the importance of an education and plans to continue his education in college at New Mexico State University in engineering.
“Joaquine has demonstrated the six Pillars of Character for four years at NMMI. Has grown into a fine leader for our team, our school, and his community,” coach Carrasco said.
Hagerman High School’s basketball coach, Anthony Mestas, has chosen Ryan Gomez as his Character Counts! athlete of the year.
A junior, he is undecided about his future education plans. A member of the 2009 State Class A Football team, he has been selected 1st Team All District in football and 2nd team All District in basketball and vice president of Student Council, he helps with cleaning the grounds of our schools.
“Ryan shows respect to me and all other teachers, staff and administration at Hagerman High School,” coach Mestas said. “He is a very caring individual to others and to all the younger Bobcats in our community.
“This young man deserves this award because he shows all the six pillars of character on and off the basketball court. Ryan is responsible because he shows up to class and practice and is fair with his teammates. Ryan Gomez is a hard worker with character and plays with passion on the basketball court.”
The Dexter High School basketball program is coached by J.T. Bracken. He has chosen Clay Garnett as his Character Counts! representative.
A 17-year-old junior, he is a member of Boy Scouts of America. His is an active member in Dexter Troop 19 where he is a Life Scout currently working on Eagle Scout. He will attend the 100th National Scout Jamboree this summer with the Conquistador Council Contingent Troop.
The 2009 football season saw him named AA Football All-District First Team and All-District Second Team. He was the Dexter Demon football team captain. In the ‘07 and ‘08 seasons he received the “Future Player” Award.
A Milkman Triathlon participant, he lettered in track in 2009 and was the relay alternate for the AAA state track meet. He will play DHS baseball this spring.
Clay plays one of the lead roles for the Dexter Drama Club’s upcoming play next month and is a member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes..
Clay is a member of Dexter First Presbyterian Church and Youth Group. He attends Teen Community Bible Study in Roswell and is a volunteer at many community events in Dexter.
“Clay is an outstanding student athlete,” coach Bracken said. “He not only works hard in athletics, but he exerts the same amount of energy into his school work.
“Besides participating in athletics he is also involved with several activities outside of school. Along with hard work, determination, and continuing to model the six pillars of character, Clay will be a model for future Character Counts! nominees.”
Matthew Singleton, a Roswell High School senior, was chosen by coach Britt Cooper as his Character Counts! athlete of the year. He is active in the FCA, football, basketball and track at RHS.
He participates in church activities and the Basketball Camp for Elementary Students. He plans on attending University of New Mexico.
“Matthew is a young man who has great character,” coach Cooper said. “He is always helping people and is willing to go the extra step for his team. He is involved with his school and his community and will go far in life with his great attitude and work ethic.”
From Gateway Christian School, coach Troy Grant, has selected senior Ben Thomas, who has been a 1st Team All District receiver in football and has been a previous Character Counts! honoree in football.
The Student Council president, he will attend Eastern New Mexico University-Roswell. Along with being involved with Gateway Church, Ben also has assisted in feeding the homeless and ministers to people in the community.
“Ben Thomas has shown and demonstrated the pillars of Character Counts! both on and off the court of competition,” coach Grant said. “He leads by example and encourages his teammates in every situation.”
Billy Kolker, a junior at Valley Christian Academy, was selected by coach Randy Lyons, who said, “Billy demonstrates good work habits, hustle and sportsmanship. He respects his teammates and shows his leadership by being willing to do the small things to make our team successful.”
He will attend the University of New Mexico.
Goddard High School is represented by 17-year-old senior Cole Maxey.
A Presidents Award winner for Educational Excellence, he has been on the District 4AAAA All Academic Team for 3 years both in basketball and soccer. He is a member of National Honor Society and the GHS Rocketry Club.
He serves at Community Kitchen, has sorted school supplies for donations to needy students, has helped assemble computers to be given away and helped facilitate a local annual triathlon.
He will attend New Mexico Tech or New Mexico State and major in engineering.
He was chosen by Coach Kevin Jones who said, “Cole is a young man of great integrity. He is an honor to his parents and community.
“Cole is always encouraging those around him. Strong Character, a heart for others and a solid work ethic are strong suits of Cole. It has been my pleasure and honor to get to spend time with and get to know Cole during his high school years.”
Lake Arthur High School’s program is represented by junior Chance Ortiz. He was selected by Coach Thomas Clay.
He has been involved with community clean up for 4 years. He is a role model for his brother and sister, as well as the younger students at Lake Arthur Municipal Schools, and is always a help to his mother around the house.
He will be the president of the Class of 2011 and plans on studying criminal justice in college and entering the legal field. He hopes to attend college in New Mexico.