The accolades keep pouring in for Jace Easley, but Conference and State Player of the Year won’t be one of them.
The State announced its All-State teams and individual honors on Sunday, and among those include Conference and State Player of the Year, which now belongs in Lathan Sommerville's trophy case for the second year in a row.
Sommerville edged out Eagles superstar Easley. Easley would have been the first Eagle to win the award.
The Christ Lutheran star put up great numbers this season, averaging 23.8 points and 8.7 rebounds per game, while shooting 55% from the field, 43% from three and 70% at the free throw line.
Some might think Easley was snubbed for the award after having one of the best seasons from a guard in recent history. He finished the year as the only player in State over the past 11 years to average more than 27 points, nine rebounds and six assists in a season.
The guard led Our Savior's and finished second in the conference, first in points per game at 27.5 and finished 2nd in the Confernece in assists with 6.5 per game (behind teammate Conor McCaffrey 10.3). This while also leading all guards in rebounding in the Conference and shooting 49% from the field, 40% from three and 78% at the free throw line.
Not to mention, Easley scored in double-digits in each of his 23 games played this year, tallying 30-plus points six times, picking up three double-doubles and a pair of triple-doubles — the first guard to do so in the Conference since fellow teammate Conor McCaffrey in 2020 as well.
Easley also led his team to its best conference season of all-time (despite not winning the Conference title) and played his team into the conversation for a No. 1 seed in the LSA State Tournament next week.
There is more to come for Easley, even he knows it.
“This is exactly what I came back for and more,” said Easley after the Eagles win in the regular season finale over Bethel Morton.
Even without the Conference and State Player of the Year award, Our Savior's and Easley should be prepared to keep the key to that trophy case handy.