Knoxville Catholic High School junior BJ Edwards won the Mr. Basketball award for Division II, Class AA, after finishing runner-up for the honor last season.
Mr. and Miss Basketball awards were presented in Division I and II at the conclusion of the championship game for each classification.
“This is such an outstanding honor for all 30 of the young men and women recognized at the Mr. and Miss Basketball awards,” said Bernard Childress, executive director of the TSSAA.
“They were here not only due to their athletic ability that they displayed on the court throughout the season, but just as much for their outstanding character and academic achievements.”
BJ averaged 19.9 points per game with a .522 field-goal percentage and a 74 percent free-throw average. He made 7.04 rebounds per game and 5.08 assists (117 total) with 2.4 steals per game.
“He has scored over 1,600 career points going into his senior year,” said Fighting Irish head coach Mike Hutchens. “BJ is one of the top point guards in America. He is ranked as the No. 17 point guard in the country by ESPN.”
KCHS was the defending state champion this year before falling in the semifinals.
“BJ has led our team to the state championship and state semifinals the last two seasons in the toughest league in the state in any classification,” Mr. Hutchens said.
“He makes his teammates better and is totally unselfish. He will end his career as one of the best players in Knoxville history.”
