By Craig Juer -- Daily Staff Writer

Before Chandler Rhoads' career moves on to its next, to-be-determined location, there's one more award that will need a spot in his trophy case.

For the second year in a row, the Associated Press named Clarke County's Chandler Rhoads to its Group A all-state first team. Rhoads was named the Group A boys Player of the Year in 2007.

"It's pretty cool, being first team all-state two years in a row," Rhoads said. "I had a good career at Clarke County, and it's been an awesome ride the past three or four years. It's pretty cool to be able to accomplish something like that."

Rhoads, who averaged 25.8 points and 3.4 assists last season, was joined on the first team by Tennis Simon of George Wythe, Isiah Hill of King William, Andrew Adkins of Coeburn, and Thomas Brown of Nelson County. Brown, the only player to repeat on the team with Rhoads, led his squad to its first state championship in school history and was named the 2008 Player of the Year.

The Eagles won the Group A state title in 2007 behind Rhoads' 20.3 points and 2.8 assists per game. This season, Clarke County lost 59-50 to Appomattox in the Region B, Division II semifinals. Rhoads scored 19 points on 6-of-23 shooting in that game, including a successful alley-oop conversion, with seconds to go, on the final shot of his high school career.

Rhoads admitted that even though the end of the season left a bad taste in his mouth, he was proud to learn of his announcement to the team.

"All-state, it's obviously the highest honor," he said. "It's awesome to be considered one of the best players in the state. It's something I care about. It's not something I take lightly."

Rhoads is considering BYU, Weber State, JMU, Fresno State and Colgate for his college career.

"I haven't decided yet," he said. "I will know probably within the next two weeks."

Al Copenhaver of George Wythe was named the Group A Coach of the Year. Tihlee Anderson of Gate City, Jeremy Hiezer of Riverheads, Mark Baker of Appomattox Regional Governors School, Patrick Fisher of Castlewood, Josh Smith of Twin Valley and T.T. Carey of Colonial Beach were picked for the second team.

*Contact Craig Juer at cjuer@nvdaily.com

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