Below are the superlative award winners for our 2024 baseball season...
Offensive Player of the Year
Cole Koeninger, Keller, Jr.
The Tennessee pledge was named District 4-6A MVP after a dominant two-way season. He hit .419 with eight home runs, 39 RBIs, 39 runs and 23 walks, striking out just 15 times in 157 plate appearances. On the mound, he posted a 0.93 ERA with 96 strikeouts, helping lead Keller to a 32-10 record. In a bi-district playoff win over Mansfield, Koeninger struck out 12 while allowing three hits and two walks. He also had three of Keller’s four hits, driving in two runs.
Also considered: Logan Corley, Lovejoy; Gianni Corral, Lovejoy
Pitcher of the Year
Emerson McKnight, Flower Mound Marcus, Sr.
McKnight was named a first-team all-state pitcher and the District 5-6A MVP after leading Marcus to the state semifinals. He went 11-2 with 114 strikeouts and a 0.96 ERA over 80 2/3 innings. In Game 1 of the regional finals, McKnight threw a three-hit shutout in a 5-0 win over Southlake Carroll, striking out nine while allowing three walks and hitting three batters.
Also considered: Cole Koeninger, Keller; Hunter Vincent, Prosper
Newcomer of the Year
Tyler Scarborough, Lovejoy, Soph.
Scarborough was named the District 9-5A Pitcher of the Year after posting a 1.35 ERA and a team-high 110 strikeouts. The sophomore helped lead Lovejoy to a 31-8 record and a trip to the state semifinals. He struck out five and allowed two earned runs in a win over Frisco Wakeland that secured Lovejoy’s spot in the state semifinals.
Also considered: Cole Cornstubble, Sunnyvale; Carson Roy, Prosper Rock Hill
Coach of the year
Jeff Sherman, Flower Mound Marcus
In his 14th season as a head coach, Jeff Sherman led Flower Mound Marcus to a 30-13 record, a district championship and a trip to the Class 6A Division II state semifinals. In 2024, Marcus finished 16-15, placed third in its district and was eliminated in the bi-district round, while only returning five starters. Sherman had steered Marcus to the regional finals in 2013 and ‘18 but fell short each time. This season, Marcus swept McKinney Boyd in the bi-district round and won three Game 3s en route to the state tournament. One of its most notable playoff victories came against Southlake Carroll, the Dallas Morning News’ top-ranked 6A team entering the postseason. Sherman finished the season with 329 wins.
Also considered: Jimmy Webster, Grapevine; Scott Holder, Prosper
On Twitter/X: @ronharrodjr
More baseball awards
— Dallas-area 2025 baseball player of the year: Luke Esquivel of Grapevine
— All-area baseball 2025: First, second and third teams in the Dallas area
— SportsDayHS all-area baseball 2025: Offensive player, pitcher of the year and more
— All-district baseball 2025: MVPs, players of the year and more for Dallas-area teams
Find more high school sports coverage from The Dallas Morning News here.