ESPN High School Sports

The window on the Gatorade State Baseball Player of the Year race is closing, and the search for elite student-athletes is in full swing. The award recognizes not only athletic excellence, but also high standards of academic achievement and exemplary character demonstrated on and off the field. Here are two top candidates who meet the basic award criteria as determined by our ESPNHS team that administers the program’s selection process.

Zach Ferntheil
Junior RHP/first baseman, Service (Anchorage)

2012 Team record: 11-2
2012 Team standing: Will begin state tournament on May 31

2012 W-L record: 3-0-2
2012 ERA: 1.12
2012 Strikeouts: 25

2012 Batting average: .423
2012 Slugging percentage: .500
2012 OPS: 1.014

Academics: B average
Collegiate destination: HS Junior

How he’s played himself into the State POY conversation: 2011 First Team All-Conference

Lance Ibesate
Senior RHP/shortstop, Juneau-Douglas (Juneau)

2012 Team record: 13-3
2012 Team standing: Will begin state tournament on May 31

2012 Batting average: .564
2012 RBI: 8
2012 Runs: 20

2012 W-L record: 3-0
2012 ERA: 2.00
2012 Strikeouts: 35
2012 Innings: 21

Academics: B average
Collegiate destination: Undecided

How he’s played himself into the State POY conversation: 2011 First Team All-Conference

Make no mistake, the Gatorade State Baseball Player of the Year race isn’t over yet. Time remains for one standout student-athlete among thousands to rise to the top of our list. Here are some more of many who’ve been in the conversation throughout the 2011-12 campaign.

Garrett Brown: Senior catcher, Service (Anchorage)
Max Karnos: Senior RHP, South Anchorage (Anchorage)
Kyle Kornegay: SR RHP/first baseman, Dimond (Anchorage)

Think we're missing a deserving Gatorade State Player of the Year candidate in your state? Let us know via e-mail at ESPNHS_GPOY@ESPN.com.

The window on the Gatorade State Boys Soccer Player of the Year race is closing, and the search for elite student-athletes is in full swing. The award recognizes not only athletic excellence, but also high standards of academic achievement and exemplary character demonstrated on and off the field. Here are two top candidates who meet the basic award criteria as determined by our ESPNHS team that administers the program’s selection process.

Jackson Lehnhart
Junior Forward/Midfielder, Juneau-Douglas High (Juneau, AK)

2012 Team record: 13-2-2
2012 Team standing: Next regular season game vs. Ketchikan, May 11

2012 Goals: 17
2012 Assists: 8
2012 Points per game: 1.47
Career goals: 25
Career assists: 20

Academics: A average
Collegiate destination: HS Junior

How he’s played himself into the State POY conversation: MVP of 2011 state title game; Crimson Bears' leading scorer; Won back-to-back state titles.

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The window on the Gatorade State Football Player of the Year race is closing, and time is running out for student-athletes to state their POY case. The award recognizes not only athletic excellence, but also high standards of academic achievement and exemplary character demonstrated on and off the field. Here are two top candidates who meet the basic award criteria as determined by our ESPNHS team that administers the program's selection process.

A.J. Hull
Senior quarterback/defensive back, Kenai Central (Kenai, AK)

2011 Team record: 6-4
2011 Team standing: Won Medium School state title

2011 COMP-ATT (%)-YDs: 32-102 (31.3)-816
2011 TDs-INTs: 9-9
2011 Carries-YDs (AVG.)-TDs: 162-933 (5.8)-14


2011 Tackles: 96
2011 Interceptions: 6

Academics: A average
Collegiate destination: Undecided

How he’s played himself into the State POY conversation: 2009-2011 First Team All-State selection; 2009-2011 First Team All-Conference selection; Set school record for career touchdowns with 44.

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The window on the Gatorade State Football Player of the Year race is closing, and time is running out for student-athletes to state their POY case. The award recognizes not only athletic excellence, but also high standards of academic achievement and exemplary character demonstrated on and off the field. Here are two top candidates who meet the basic award criteria as determined by our ESPNHS team that administers the program's selection process.

A.J. Hull
Senior quarterback/defensive back/punter, Kenai Central (Kenai, Alaska)

2011 Team record: 6-4
2011 Team standing: Medium School state champions

2011 COMP-ATT (%)-YDs: 32-102 (31.4)-816
2011 TDs-INTs: 9-9

2011 Carries-YDs (AVG.)-TDs: 162-933 (5.7)-14

2011 Tackles: 96
2011 Interceptions: 6

Academics: A average
Collegiate destination: Undecided

How he’s played himself into the State POY conversation: Led his team to the 2011 state title. 2009-2011 First Team All-State selection. 2009-2011 First Team All-Conference selection. School record holder for career TDs (44). 2011 Alaska School Activities Association State Playoff All-Tournament Team selection.

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