The Pensacola News Journal is launching a fan poll to select the best high school senior basketball players from the 2025-26 season, allowing local readers to vote for their favorites. Nominations include eight boys and eight girls, chosen based on their publicly available statistics or recommendations from coaches. This poll is separate from the official all-area awards, to be announced next week. Voting runs until April 1 at 11 a.m. CT, with winners to be recognized in several categories including player of the year and newcomer of the year. Notable nominees include Marcus Cooper and Chamiah Francis, among others.

By the Numbers
  • Marcus Cooper averaged 19.5 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 1.8 steals per game.
  • Chamiah Francis helped lead Booker T. Washington to its first state championship since 2000 with 10.8 points and 6.5 rebounds per game.
State of Play
  • The polls will feature daily releases for each grade, starting with seniors.
  • Expected awards include player of the year, defensive player of the year, and newcomer of the year, alongside first and second teams for boys and girls basketball.
What's Next

The fan poll will continue to engage the community until the voting deadline on April 1, followed by the announcement of the official all-area teams next week. Fans will likely discuss and debate the results, which could influence future voting for similar events.

Bottom Line

This interactive voting initiative not only showcases local talent but also fosters community engagement in high school sports, creating excitement around the season's top performers.