Top 15 rising seniors in Gibson County for the 2026-27 school year

By Michael Odom | July 8, 2026 |

Humboldt’s Darion Taylor was named a Class 1A Mr. Basketball finalist and led the Vikings to the Class 1A state championship game.

Now that the calendar has turned to July, it is time to start looking toward the new school year.

In June, we looked back at the most memorable game, top coaching jobs, top teams and top athletic performances from the 2025-26 school year.

But now we look toward 2026-27 with the top rising seniors for the coming year:

1. Darion Taylor (Humboldt boys basketball) – Taylor had a breakout season last year for the Vikings. He led them to the Class 1A state championship game and was named a Class 1A Mr. Basketball finalist. During his junior season, he averaged 19.2 points, 7.0 rebounds and 3.5 assists.

2. Marleigh Chicantek (South Gibson girls golf) – Chicantek advanced to the Class A state tournament last year for the third straight season, and she finished third place in the state. She averaged a 75 through four rounds of postseason play with a 73 in the District 15-A tournament.

3. Tyshaun Jeter (South Gibson football) – Jeter joined Jaydon Reed as a fierce tandem in the Hornets’ backfield that led the team through a historic season. South Gibson reached the Class 4A semifinals for the first time as he rushed for 1,189 yards and 18 touchdowns on 110 carries. He also had 69 tackles with 13 tackles for loss, three forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and one interception at linebacker.

4. Jade Reed (South Gibson girls basketball) – Reed played a key role in the Lady Hornets’ run to the District 13-3A championship, the Region 7-3A runner-up and beating eventual state champion Dyersburg three times through her play in the post. She averaged 11.1 points, 6.0 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 2.3 steals.

5. Darion Taylor (Humboldt football) – Taylor helped the Vikings through an improved season, which included a fourth-place finish in Region 7-1A. He recorded 101 tackles with one sack, one interception and three forced fumbles, while also recording 819 receiving yards and eight touchdowns.

6. Rebel Blackwell (South Gibson boys soccer) – Blackwell anchored the Hornets’ backline the reached the Class AA semifinals for the first time in program history. He organized the defense and finished the season with five goals and six assists.

7. Kooper McFarland (South Gibson boys soccer) – McFarland played goalkeeper for the Hornets on the run to the program’s first berth into the Class AA semifinals. While in goal, he recorded eight clean sheets with 120 saves and 19 goals allowed.

8. Zak Summers (Milan football) – Summers took over the Bulldogs’ offense last season after transferring in from Union City. He helped Milan to the Region 7-2A championship and all the way to the Class 2A semifinals. He completed 80-of-121 passes for 1,318 yards with 15 touchdowns, while also rushing for 323 yards and one touchdown.

9. Kendall McLemore (Humboldt girls basketball) – McLemore helped the Lady Vikings to a runner-up finish in District 13-1A and to the Region 7-1A semifinals. She averaged 19 points, six rebounds and six assists.

10. Jacob Bateman (South Gibson baseball) – Bateman was of the top two bats for the Hornets as they finished as the District 13-3A runner-up during the regular season with a 20-win season. He batted .423 with seven doubles, one triple, two home runs, 35 RBI, 32 runs and six stolen bases.

11. Carly Thompson (Gibson County volleyball) – Thompson played setter for the Lady Pioneers, who reached the Class A state tournament for the fourth straight season. She had 342 assists, 42 kills, 119 aces and 171 digs.

12. Tyon Campbell (Humboldt football) – Campbell played a key role in helping the Vikings get back into the playoffs after finishing fourth in Region 7-1A. He had 52 catches with 1,012 yards and nine touchdowns, while also recording 104 tackles with three sacks and two interceptions.

13. Max Paschall (South Gibson football) – Paschall will be the leader on the Hornets’ offensive line this season. He played a crucial role last year in trying to open holes for the running backs to get through. With the graduation of some lineman, his role will again he key.

14. Paislee Walls (Peabody girls basketball) – Walls was solid in the post for the Lady Tide as she helped them reach the Region 7-2A quarterfinals. She averaged 13.8 points, 7.3 rebounds, 1.4 blocks and 1.1 steals.

15. Carson Kelley (Milan football) – Kelley played both sides of the ball last year as the Bulldogs won the Region 7-2A championship and reached the Class 2A state semifinals. He was the second-leading rusher for Milan last season behind Jaydon Peete. He also played a key role at linebacker for the Bulldogs.

Michael Odom is the sports editor for the Mirror-Exchange, Weakley County Press, Brownsville States-Graphic and Fayette Falcon. Follow him on X (formerly Twitter) @GCSportsWriter. Reach him by email at michaelodom@milanmirrorexchange.com.