LOS ANGELES — Karl Towns Jr., a 7-footer headed to Kentucky to play basketball, and Brianna Turner, a Notre Dame recruit, have been honored as Gatorade National High School Athletes of the Year.
Camas senior-to-be Alexa Efraimson was among 12 nominees in attendance at the awards banquet.
Efraimson qualified as this season’s Gatorade national girls cross country runner of the year.
Towns led his St. Joseph High School team to three straight state titles before graduating a year early this spring. The forward from Metuchen, New Jersey, averaged 20.9 points, 13.4 rebounds and 6.2 blocked shots last season.
Turner led Manvel (Texas) High to consecutive state titles, averaging 20.8 points, 11.5 rebounds and 4.2 assists last season.
The winners were chosen by a nationwide panel of sports experts who took into account individual accomplishments during the academic year, athletic, academic and character excellence, impact on their team’s success and their achievements during their prep career.
