The Northwestern 3A/4A Conference late Saturday announced its all-conference basketball teams, as voted on by league coaches.

Patton sixth-year coach Dennis Brittain was named NWC boys coach of the year, and Freedom senior guard Ariyana Williams repeated as NWC girls player of the year.

Brittain has guided the Panthers to five consecutive state playoff berths, perhaps none more improbably than this winter. Patton graduated its top three scorers and four total starters from the 2015-16 squad, one of whom was the programs all-time leading scorer, but Brittain helped keep the team in the top half of the league race.

Patton again won 11 or more games, also for a fifth straight season, and was two games above .500 entering the final week of the regular season.

Its Brittains first coach of the year award.

To have been selected from this excellent group of coaches means the world to me, Brittain said. This was certainly a team award, and without the dedication and hard work of all of the players, coaching staff and the support of my wonderful wife, this would not have been possible. I am truly honored and humbled and forever thankful to all of those who had a part in it.

Williams finished her prep career as a four-year starter Saturday by scoring 17 points in the 3A West Regional finals to land her right on 2,000 career points. Her Lady Patriots won undefeated league titles the last two years and followed them with NWC tournament titles.

The four-time All-NWC selection, two-time county player of the year and reigning district player of the year and all-state pick led the county this year at 20.8 points per game and added 4.2 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 2.5 steals, shooting 38 percent from behind the 3-point line and 79 percent at the free-throw line.

The East Carolina recruit was also All-NWC Tournament for a second straight year and won her third straight MVP at the Freedom Christmas Invitational. Williams helped lead FHS to regionals all four years and was 2016 Kay Yow state championship game MVP as Freedom won its first state title in undefeated fashion.

Burke County was represented on the All-NWC boys team by Freedom sophomore guards Jakari Dula (16.8 ppg, 3.9 rpg, 2.5 apg) and Fletcher Abee (17.9 ppg, 3.6 rpg; school record 98 3-pointers) and senior guard Niguel Moore (5.1 ppg, 2.9 rpg, 6.6 apg) as well as Patton senior forward Austin Spurlin (14.9 ppg, 4.5 rpg).

Freedom junior forward Tobias Kanipe (8.7 ppg, 6.2 rpg) and Patton junior guard Tripp Causby (12.8 ppg, 3.4 rpg, 4.8 apg, 2.0 spg) were named All-NWC honorable mention.

Freedom senior guard Amaryah Corpening (14.3 ppg, 3.9 rpg, 3.1 apg, 3.2 spg), sophomore guard Madison Bailey (5.6 ppg, 3.3 rpg) and freshman guard Blaikley Crooks (6.3 ppg, 3.0 rpg) and Patton junior guard/forward Makaley Lovelace (9.8 ppg) were named All-NWC in girls.

Freedom sophomore center CC Davenport (4.2 ppg, 5.4 rpg) was on the honorable-mention team.

Hibritens Anderson Keller was NWC boys player of the year, and Wataugas Laura Barry was NWC girls coach of the year.

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Patton's Brittain, Freedom's Williams win top NWC hoops honors - Morganton News Herald