Page 14 - South Mississippi Living - June, 2026

COAST NOTE
Ansley Brent (purple dress) with Honorees: Ayden Green, Parker Talley,
Myah Favre, Hayden Berglind, Jordan Stapleton, Aryana Dixon, Grayden Davis, Paris Trivillion, Makenzie Rocco, Titus Feaster, Avery Lofton, Kaison Koenenn, Cooper Crosby, Parker Nettles, Max Baris, Kamryn LaFontaine, Tahj Jill, Samantha Johnson, Hunter Lyles, Lucy Myrick, Tyrese Ricardo, Gage Anderson, Blake Nettles, Saniyah Murray, Sean Fairley, Armani Gordan, Tate Murphy, Dane McElroy, Annah Niceley, Addison Davis and Kaelyn McKenzie.
story and photo courtesy of WXXV
WXXV recently held its fourth “Student Athlete of the Week” banquet at the Great Southern Club in Gulfport to recognize the 32 local student athletes who were featured in the on-going series this year.
“It’s by far my favorite night of the year,” says WXXV Sports Director Ansley Brent who produces the segment weekly and hosts the banquet. “It brings me so much pride and joy having all of the Coast’s very best joined together in one room and celebrating all of their many accomplishments and future plans.”
Performance Tire and Wheel has been the title sponsor of
the weekly local sports segments for three years now and owner Melissa Mauffray and her daughter-in-law Brittney Mauffray relished the opportunity to offer some words of wisdom and gift the students high quality sports bags and hoodies.
“These young men and women represent so much more than success in sports. They are leaders, role models, and the next generation of our community,” says Brittney Mauffray.
“This program is one way for us to give back while also recognizing the discipline, perseverance, and leadership these
student athletes demonstrate both on and off the field. We believe investing in and celebrating young people is one of the most important things we can do. We are incredibly proud to serve as the title sponsor of Student Athletes of the Week, and we look forward to continuing our support for many years to come,” adds Mauffray.
Bienville Orthopaedic, Coca-Cola and Gearbox also sponsored tables for athletes families to attend and Todd Trenchard with The Bacot Foundation gave a surprise scholarship to Christian Collegiate Academy’s basketball phenom, Tahj Hill.
“My main goal while conducting these Student Athlete of
the Week segments is to make my athletes feel seen, heard and loved. They’re so much more than their stats and records and it’s one of my greatest privileges to tell their stories and their why, because they’re my why!” Brent adds.
Catch WXXV’s Student Athlete of the Week segment Wednesday nights at 9 p.m. from August through April on WXXV News 25 or check out our list of past honorees at WXXV25.com.
14 | June 2026
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