Farragut's Powell named Gatorade Player of the Year

Farragut High School senior shortstop Curt Powell was named Gatorade State Player of the Year on Thursday, becoming the first athlete to win the award in school history.

Powell, a Vanderbilt University signee, helped Farragut (39-5) to back-to-back state titles by hitting over .500 this season with eight home runs and 39 RBIs.

He is now a finalist for the national player of the year award, which will be announced in June.

“I feel honored,” said Powell. “I just found out about it. I knew Coach (Tommy) Pharr had signed me up for it.

“It feels great. I thank God for it.”

Academics and community involvement were also taken into account, and Powell maintained a 3.61 grade-point average and volunteered through the Young Life Christian ministry.

Former winners include Sonny Gray (Smyrna, 2008), Taylor Hill (Mt. Juliet, 2007) and Kyler Burke (Ooltewah, 2006).

Powell joins Webb’s Faith Dupree (girls’ basketball) and Carter’s Mark Sherrod (boys’ soccer) as local recipients of Gatorade’s state award this season.

“Curt Powell is the best player in the state by far,” said Bearden coach Matt Buckner in Gatorade’s press release. “First of all, he’s quick as can be. He’s the toughest out we’ve ever had to pitch to. He can hit it out, hit it to the opposite field and hit it down the line.

“He’s the best shortstop in the state as well. He makes ridiculous plays that no high school kids should make. He gets to a ton of balls and makes the running play as good as anybody I’ve ever seen. He’s just a special athlete. I’ve probably seen him get 80 at-bats against us, and he’s ripped us to shreds.”