McDermott wins 3A Bob Carey Memorial Award

The family of Bob Carey is pleased to announce the 2018 winners of the Bob Carey Memorial Award. This award is very prestigious as he was instrumental in giving the sport of girls' basketball the recognition it deserves in the state of Wyoming.

This award is given to senior basketball players only. This award seeks to honor the outstanding girls' basketball player in the state of Wyoming, with one award in Class 1A/2A divisions and one award in Class 3A/4A divisions. In order to be nominated for the Carey Award, a senior basketball player must show leadership ability, scholarship, character, athletic ability, and community involvement.

All of the nominees for this year's award have demonstrated outstanding personal and athletic characteristics, but only one has been chosen for each classification and 3A 2018 winner is Haley McDermott of Hot Springs County High School.

The Carey Award was instituted in 1996 in honor of long-time Lander High School coach Bob Carey. Coach Carey was the only coach in Wyoming to have won both a boys' and girls' State championship in basketball. He was also instrumental in starting girls' basketball in the state of Wyoming. Carey believed in excellence and in equality for all athletes. As a coach, he was known for his gentlemanly manner and his sense of sportsmanship. He cared deeply for all of his students and encouraged them to excel in all areas of endeavors. Carey died of lung cancer in February of 1995, leaving a legacy of distinction for athletes in Wyoming.

The winners will receive a plaque, and their names will appear on a plaque located in the Bob Carey Memorial Fieldhouse in Lander.

"This is a great honor for Haley," Bobcat girls basketball coach Cory Sova said. "This is the most prestigious award in girls basketball in Wyoming and she was very deserving. Haley has proved that you can be a fierce competitor yet a genuine good person. Haley rated strongly in character, scholarship, community service, leadership ability, and athletic ability.  

"Additionally, Haley has done a great job for the Lady Bobcats for four years. She has been a three sport athlete and is also a member of the student council. She also serves on the Wyoming High School Activities Association's Student Sportsmanship Advisory Committee. She carries a 4.0 and is looking at studying Engineering. 

"Haley has been fantastic this year in leading the Lady Bobcats. With no other seniors and juniors on the varsity squad, she has been very good with our young kids and has led by example on and off the court.

"I am extremely proud of Haley! She has demonstrated qualities of a top-notch student athlete."

The Wyoming High School Athletics Association released the members of the All State and All Conference teams this week and McDermott was named All Conference.