The Ashely Dearing Award, a tradition in the Chatham County high school sports community, is given annually to the most versatile male high school student-athlete in Chatham County. This year, the honor goes to Savannah Christian senior Jamari McIvory. McIvory is the 71st Ashley Dearing Award winner. McIvory is a standout athlete at Savannah Christian, excelling in football, basketball, and track and field.
As a Raider Football Player, Northern Illinois University recruited him to play football, and he signed a letter of intent with the Huskies two months ago in February. McIvory played defensive back and wide receiver this past season, helping lead Savannah Christian to the GHSA Class AAA state championship game. He had a remarkable season, recording seven interceptions and making 32 tackles from his safety position. Additionally, McIvory was a valuable offensive player, scoring eight touchdowns and accounting for nearly 400 yards. He was named to the All-Region team.
As a starter on the Raider basketball team, Jamari averaged 9 points, six rebounds, and 1.3 assists per game. He was named to the GHSA Coaches All-Region Region 3A honorable mention the last two seasons.
SCPS head boy's basketball Coach Zach Darling said, "Jamari is a kid who just puts his head down and works. He wants to compete and do whatever he can to help his team win. He loves his teammates, his coaches, and Savannah Christian and gave us everything he had."
In Track and Field last May, McIvory won the Class 3A 200 meters and the 400 meters in the GHSA state track and field meet. He was recognized as the All-Greater Savannah Male Track and Field Athlete of the Year. He has continued to dominate and secured the GHSA Region 3-3A crowns in the 200 and 400 meters last Friday. Also, during Friday's region meet, he finished second in the 100 meters.
McIvory is Savannah Christian's 10th recipient of the Dearing Award, succeeding Demetrius Robertson, who won it in 2016. Zayden Edwards, a junior at St. Andrew's School, came in second place in the voting for the Dearing Award. Seniors James Tisby of Beach High School and La'Don Bryant of Benedictine Military School tied for third place.
The winner of the award is determined by a vote. The voters consist of athletic directors from both public and private schools in Chatham County, as well as members of the local media. To be eligible for the competition, nominees must have participated in football, basketball, and a spring sport.
DEARING AWARD WINNERS
2024 - Jamari McIvory, Savannah Christian
2023 — Jake Merklinger, Calvary Day
2022 — Mike Cabellero, Windsor Forest
2021 — Trent Broadnax, Benedictine
2020 — Gavin Stewart, Benedictine
2019 — Winston Wright, Memorial Day
2018 — Javonte Middleton, Jenkins
2017 — Calvin Turner, New Hampstead
2016 — Demetris Robertson, Savannah Christian
2015 — Brad Stewart, Benedictine
2014 — Brad Stewart, Benedictine
2013 — Paris Baker, Jenkins
2012 — Johnathon Chamblee, Savannah Christian
2011 — Dom DeMasi, Calvary Day
2010 — Dom DeMasi, Calvary Day
2009 — Jesse Morrell, Bethesda
2008 — John Moesch, Savannah Country Day
2007 — Scott Reed, Groves
2006 — Demarcus Dobbs, Calvary Day
2005 — Kellen Stanley, Savannah Christian
2004 — Sage Glasper, Groves
2003 — Joey Boaen, Savannah Country Day
2002 — Ben Patrick, Jenkins
2001 — Lamar Owens Jr., Benedictine
2000 — Danny McNamara, Benedictine
1999 — Rashad Chisholm, Savannah High
1998 — Kris Edge, Savannah Christian
1997 — Tommy McNamara, Benedictine
1996 — Terry Bryant, Johnson
1995 — Ronnie Rockett, Jenkins
1994 — Majiid Lanier, Beach
1993 — Bill Sparks, Savannah Country Day
1992 — Barry Kleinpeter, Calvary
1991 — Marcel Cooper, Groves
1990 — Lloyd Rowland, Savannah Christian
1989 — Pee Wee Kelley, Savannah Christian
1988 — Keith Jones, Savannah High
1987 — Corey Ladson, Tompkins
1986 — Lee Lane, Calvary Day
1985 — Peter Brennan, Benedictine
1984 — Earl Mason, Groves
1983 — Paul Jurgensen, Benedictine
1982 — Robbie White, Savannah Christian
1981 — Greg Amick, Savannah Country Day
1980 — Larry Brobst, Savannah Christian
1979 — Lamar Owens, Tompkins
1978 — Randy Lanier, Benedictine
1977 — Mark Grainger, Savannah Christian
1976 — Rufus Kelly, Savannah High
1975 — Ricky McBride, Groves
1974 — Shan Saunders, Savannah Country Day
1973 — Jo Jo White, Richard Arnold
1972 — Gene Dotson, Benedictine
1971 — Lawrence Maner, Benedictine
1970 — Bobby Reagan, Savannah Country Day
1969 — David Sasser, Groves
1968 — Joby Wright, Johnson
1967 — Julian Smiley, Savannah High
1966 — Peter Schmidt, Savannah Country Day
1965 — Roger Grove, Groves
1964 — Danny Sims, Savannah High
1963 — Dewey Warren, Jenkins
1962 — Tommy Brennan, Benedictine
1961 — Larry Patterson, Benedictine
1960 — Terry Tyler, Savannah High
1959 — Ronnie Braddock, Benedictine
1958 — Jimmy Miller, Savannah High
1957 — Tom Brown, Benedictine
1956 — Carlos Mobley, Savannah High
1955 — Charlie Moore, Benedictine
1954 — Elmer Lott, Savannah High
Photo Credit: Savannah Christian Prep social media pages
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