Houston, Taylor named East Burke Middle's best from ’25-’26

Eighth graders Sawyer Houston and Zoey Taylor were honored at awards day as East Burke Middle School’s male and female athletes of the year, respectively, during the last day of school for the 2025-26 year on May 29 in Icard.

Houston played football, basketball, and baseball for the Raiders, leading EBMS to a tie for fifth place in the Foothills Athletic Conference in both football and baseball.

Houston, a three-year Raiders baseball player, enjoyed the highlights of his season on the diamond around the midpoint, in late March and early April.

He struck out five batters and did not allow an earned run in five innings from the mound in a 6-5 road win at East McDowell, scattering just two hits and one walk. Houston also singled and drove in a run in that victory.

Then in 18-0 and 18-2 wins over Burke County foes Heritage and Walter Johnson, Houston combined for three singles, one triple, three runs scored, and six RBIs, also pitching two scoreless innings with a pair of strikeouts and one hit allowed.

“What made Sawyer successful was the fact that he is always working to get better,” said Mitchell McGuire, who is East Burke’s athletic director and who also coached Houston in both football and baseball.

“He is coachable and willing to accept criticism, which is hard to find in athletes today. He is also a great teammate and is always ready to help when and where he is needed.”

Taylor was also a three-sport athlete, participating in volleyball and basketball for a third season apiece with the Lady Raiders while also excelling in track and field.

This spring, Taylor was the FAC champion in the girls discus throw (80’11”), and she also won the girls triple jump event in a three-team meet hosted by Liberty this spring.

In addition, she was a key member of EBMS teams that finished in third place in the FAC in both volleyball — where she led the team throughout the season in defense, serving, and hitting — as well as basketball.

“She was always a great teammate and listener and was willing to do anything that was asked by her coaches,” EBMS volleyball and girls basketball head coach Nancy Kelly said.

“She also put the student in ‘student-athlete’ by being stellar in her classes. I couldn’t ask for a better all-around selection for female student-athlete of the year.”