The School District of Manatee County has announced that O’Mariah Gordon, a sophomore at Braden River High School, has been named the Gatorade Florida Girls Basketball Player of the Year. The Gatorade Player of the Year program recognizes the nation’s most elite high school athletes for not only athletic excellence, but also for high standards of academic achievement and exemplary character. O’Mariah Gordon, who wears the #3 for Braden River High’s Girls Basketball team, will receive a trophy and various Gatorade products to share with her teammates. Through the Gatorade Play It Forward initiative, Gatorade will donate $1,000 to a sport-based organization of O’Mariah’s choosing. Lastly, a banner will proudly be displayed in her honor at Braden River High School.

Roughly 5.7 million students play the Gatorade Player of the Year sports, according to the release. There are approximately 600 student athletes named Gatorade State Player of the Year. Past winners include Peyton Manning, Abby Wambach and Derek Jeter.

Braden River High School