GHS flag football’s Ray, SCHS baseball’s Martin nominees for Mid-State Player of Year Awards
By Shea Haile Courier Sports
NASHVILLE — Two local athletes have earned nominations for the Middle Tennessee High School Sports Awards powered by The Tennessean and sponsored by Ponce Law. Smith County High electric pitcher and Alabama commit Riley Martin along with Gordonsville High girls flag football standout and Cumberland University signee Christina Ray have been nominated for Player of the Year awards for their respective sports.
The awards show — which is scheduled for Tuesday, June 9 at the Music City Center — highlights the accomplishments of athletes across the Mid-State. The Player of the Year awards consider athletes across all classifications in the Middle Tennessee area. The awards show begins at 7:00.
Ray was a standout for the Gordonsville flag football team and utilized her ball hawking skills to snare 27 interceptions including seven returned for touchdowns.
The senior, who played her first season of flag football this spring, also contributed on the offensive side of the ball with 62 receptions.
Gordonsville conlcuded a 20-2 season and reached the Class 1A “Final Four” after also capturing the Region 3-1A crown.
Ray is a nominee for Flag Football Player of the Year along side Emma Archer – Brentwood, Raighnan Buchanan – Blackman, Rhea Carthon – Ravenwood, Brooklynn Donahue – Mt. Juliet, Emoni Hayes – Overton – Pearl Cohn, Caroline Merville – Ravenwood, Madison Nettles – Blackman, Brynee Snow – Dickson County, KT Tolbert – Green Hill, Hollee Wilson – Creek Wood and Madi Zaitz – Independence.
Smith County baseball product Riley Martin was tabbed as a nominee for Baseball Player of the Year.
The Alabama commit helped power the Owls to a Class 2A “Final Four” appearance where the Black-and-Gold fell twice to eventual champion Milan. SCHS concluded the 2026 season with a 26-15 record.
Martin tallied 112 strikeouts in his junior campaign as the ace pitched 69 innings. Martin registered a 1.522 ERA and opposing hitters had a batting average of .183 against the right handed arm.
At the plate, the junior also made an impact with a .336 batting average and a .394 on base percentage. Martin posted 41 hits including eight doubles and four homers along with 26 RBIs.
Other Baseball Player of the Year nominees are Joey Ansell – Brentwood Academy, Stephen Bobo – Shelbyville Central, Wyatt Clatur – Nolensville, Jack Dugan – Lipscomb Academy, Bo Holloway – CPA, Michael Holt – Ravenwood, Drew Hostetler – Siegel, Cayden King – Middle Tennessee Christian School, Jameson Napper – Grace Christian Academy, Kaden Powell – Beech and Gunner Skelton – Columbia Academy.
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