Player of the year

Nigel Munson

Ask DeMatha coach Mike Jones about Nigel Munson, and the coach revels in the Virginia Tech-bound guard’s impact on the program. ‘‘He was one of the main reasons why we have gotten back to the top,” Jones said. ‘‘We had a rough year his freshman year, but he stayed loyal to the school, the program and his teammates. Loyalty to the program is what got us here.” Munson led one of the best two-year stretches in Stags’ history as the team went 63-3 and won two Washington Catholic Athletic Conference titles. He averaged 17 points, 7.5 assists and 4 rebounds per contest in his senior season.

Coach of the year

Mike JonesTwo years ago, some may have questioned whether Mike Jones was the right man to follow the legendary Morgan Wootten as head coach of the DeMatha’s storied basketball program. In his first two seasons, Jones’ team finished under .500 during the 2002-03 campaign and failed to reach the WCAC finals in 2003-04. Two years later, the Stags’ are back-to-back WCAC champions and the questions about Jones have disappeared. ‘‘I think us getting back on top was accomplished last year,” said Jones, whose team was 34-1 this season. ‘‘This year was really about the players. I definitely have a lot of pride in what we have done over the past couple of seasons. But I was only able to accomplish this with the support of the kids and their families.”

First team

Eric Henderson, Bowie, senior: En route to a stellar season, Henderson suffered a head injury and spent the last month of the season in Georgetown University Hospital Center after surgery to remove a blood clot. Henderson was the county’s top scorer before the injury, averaging 26 points per game in 12 contests. He is considering attending Virginia Tech, Fordham and Georgetown this fall.

Darnell Dodson, Eleanor Roosevelt, junior: Dodson emerged as one of the state’s top underclassmen this season on a senior-laden Raider squad. The 6-7 wing guard averaged 15.6 points, eight rebounds, 2.9 steals and 2.8 assists for the state Class 4A finalists. Dodson, who had a season-high 31 points against Forestville, has a scholarship offer from Maryland and should have more by this fall.

Bobby Shannon, Potomac,senior: Last season’s Player of the Year, Shannon led the Wolverines to the 2006 state semifinals. The explosive Shannon wowed the crowd with seldom-matched athletic prowess and leaping ability despite spending the season with nagging injuries. He averaged a county-high 27.3 points per game to go along with 10.3 rebounds with more than two steals and blocks. He plans to spend next year at a prep school before heading to college.

Jourdan Morris, EleanorRoosevelt, senior: Morris’ return to Roosevelt this season boosted the Raiders’ surge to the state 4A finals. The 6-6 forward, who spent last season at Montrose Christian, averaged 13.8 points and 10.2 rebounds for Roosevelt, which lost to Whitman in the state finals. Morris will attend St. Bonaventure on a basketball scholarship.

Hillary Haley, Friendly, senior: The forward displayed skills inside and from the perimeter for the14-11 Patriots. Haley averaged 20 points, eight rebounds and three assists per game and has signed with East Carolina. He proved difficult to defend thanks to a quick release and good range. Friendly coach Oliver Walker said Haley was the glue to the team and worked hard to assume the leadership role.

Justin Robertson, C.H. Flowers, senior: Robertson was instrumental as the Jaguars had their finest season in the school’s six-year history. He averaged 18.6 points and three assists as Flowers posted a school-record 21 victories and won the County 4A title. The 6-foot guard had a season-high 32 points as Flowers’ historic campaign ended with a loss to Suitland in the South Region semifinals.

Austin Freeman, DeMatha,junior: One thing that DeMatha can count on after winning back-to-back Washington Catholic Athletic Conference titles is that next season, Freeman will be one of the best seniors in the country. He was nearly impossible to defend one-on-one this season and led the team in scoring at 19.5 points per game to go along with 8.5 rebounds and three assists.

Corey Allmond, Gwynn Park, senior: Though the Yellow Jackets’ season ended in disappointment, Allmond was dominant. The 6-foot-1 guard averaged 21 points, six assists and five rebounds for Gwynn Park, which lost to Friendly in the 3A South Region opening round after winning its first county championship. Allmond, who has attracted interest from several mid-major Division I schools, had a season-best 40 points against Friendly.

Mike Lewis, Suitland, senior: A transfer from Douglass, Lewis helped the Rams back to the 4A South Region finals this past winter. The 5-8 guard averaged 17 points, eight assists and four steals for the District Heights school, which fell to Eleanor Roosevelt in the region title game. Lewis will join teammate Cliff Dixon and Chris Mast in the upcoming Capital Classic All-Star game.

Second team

Nasir Austin, Fairmont Heights

Jordan Brooks, Flowers

Josh Brown, Largo

Darryl Greene, McNamara

Courtland Bluford and Enis Whatley, Pallotti

Cliff Dixon, Suitland

Kevin Ford, DuVal

Darrell Funderburk, Central

Augustus Gilchrist, Friendly

Branden McDonald, Roosevelt

Chris McFarland, Riverdale Baptist

Devin Paige, Grace Brethren

Ricardo Pride, Potomac

Greg Adams, Bowie