The Scotland High School fall athletic awards banquet was held on Thursday night in the SHS Auditorium, recognizing standouts from each of the school's six fall sports.

The athletes were not the only people honored at this year's event. Dr. Zack McNeill, Scotland's longtime athletic trainer, received a large plaque commemorating his 33 years of service for the school.

McNeill, known almost exclusively as Dr. Z to those who are familiar with him, received a long and warm standing ovation when he got up to receive his award. He deserved every second and every clap: McNeill has made personal sacrifices over the years — most notably the time he has missed out on spending with his family — while taking care of student-athletes and the school that he cares for. In that way, he is very much like a coach.

It is a job he loves, and McNeill is not only a true professional, but a likable individual who is always willing to share his expertise, and who also will rush to the aid of an injured athlete from an opposing school.

"He's the best I've ever seen," said SHS athletic director Tommy Britt, who also pointed out McNeill's most difficult task, determining whether or not an injured athlete can return to the field of play; he sometimes has to make tough decisions that can decrease a Scotland team's chances of winning, but he makes those decisions with the well-being of the athlete in mind.

Gary Hatchell, Chuck Jackson and Neil Smith also received commemorative plaques for their service to Scotland athletics. All three men have been lending a hand to SHS athletics for the better part of a decade.

The Scotland volleyball team was the most decorated of the fall programs. The Lady Scots won their fourth consecutive Mid-Southeastern 4-A Conference title, and had four players make All M-SEC. Scotland advanced to the fourth round of the state playoffs, and the school's deepest postseason run in history ended against eventual 4-A champ J.H. Rose.

Head coach David Barnes presented the Most Valuable Player award to Whitney Campbell. Most Improved went to Morgan Burch and the Kristina Sessoms took home the Coach's Award.

The Scots went 25-1, and the SHS ninth-grade, jayvee and varsity teams were a combined 58-2 in 2008.

Cross country head coach Jeff Sheppard gave the girls' awards to Victoria Morrow for Most Valuable Runner, Jordan Karlis for Most Improved Runner, Lauren Bowling for Rookie Runner of the Year and Kristen Covington for the Coach's Award.

The boys' cross country awards went to Carl Rosman for MVP, Sam Smith for Most Improved, Allen Minnick for Rookie of the Year and Cole Warren for the Coach's Award.

Colin McDavid presented the boys' soccer awards to: Johnny Lee for Most Improved; Kyle Beam for Offensive MVP; Joseph Monroe for Defensive MVP; Jordan Davis for Team MVP. Davis was an All M-SEC and All Region performer for the SHS soccer team in 2008.

Jeanne Roller gave out her girls' tennis awards to: Eleanor Sojka for Team MVP; Sara Harling for the Coach's Award; Jessi Newton for Most Improved.

First-year head coach Mike Ritchie gave out the girls' golf awards to: Cassie Barringer for Team MVP; Emily Weeks for Most Improved; Nicole Morgan for the Coach's Award.

Scotland head football coach Chip Williams gave out a dozen awards to his players: Most Valuable Running Back was Damonte Terry; MVP Wide Receiver was Larry Smith; Offensive Line MVP was Denzel Miles; Overall Offensive MVP went to center Jonathan Parker; MVP Defensive Back went to Rock Williams; MVP Defensive Lineman went to Kwamaine Smith; MVP Linebacker was Red Covington; Overall Defensive MVP was middle linebacker James Robinson; Special Teams MVP went to William Locklear; the Coach's Award was given to offensive lineman Chris Chavis; Most Improved went to receiver/safety Anthony Moss; Most Dedicated went to defensive tackle Eric Driggers.

Barnes and Roller were both recognized by Britt after being named Coach of the Year in volleyball and girls' tennis. The volleyball team was the only SHS program to bring a conference championship to Laurinburg in the fall.

"Overall, you guys and girls did an outstanding job for our athletic programs in the fall season," said Britt. "I'd like to also thank the parents for the time your child is away from home ... the dedication and support you've given to our athletic program is appreciated greatly.”