Niceville High School senior Deacon Avery has been selected as the 2026 All Sports Association Male Scholastic Award winner, recognizing his achievements on the baseball diamond, in the classroom and throughout the community.
- “I’m really grateful. It’s a big accomplishment,” Avery said. “I’m extremely honored to represent my school and my community in such a big way. Both of them have played a huge part in my success both as a player and a student, and I’m grateful for all my teachers and all the community that supported me during my time at Niceville.”
Avery is a four-year member of the Niceville baseball team, where he plays shortstop. He led the state in home runs last season and came up clutch during the Eagles’ Elite 8 run, hitting two home runs against Columbia and scoring the only run against Lincoln.
He is committed to play college baseball at Coastal Carolina, the defending College World Series runner-up, and is currently being scouted as a prospect in the 2026 MLB draft.
- “It felt like they could develop me as a player and help me grow and reach the MLB, which is my goal,” Avery said. “And their coaching staff is wonderful. They have great coaches that take pride in their players.”
Niceville head baseball coach Justin Bruce praised what the Chanticleers are getting in Avery.
“Coastal Carolina is getting a hard nose and a hard worker. They are getting someone that can move around the field,” Bruce said. “We talk a lot about being a good player, a good person, and being a good student, and he fits all three of those categories.”
Niceville Principal Charlie Marello believes Avery could compete for a starting role in Conway as early as his freshman year.
“They’re getting a high character individual who will work tirelessly to beat out a current Coastal Carolina starter and take their position next year,” Marello said. “When it comes to being an exceptional student athlete and representative for your school, I cannot imagine that there is anyone of a higher quality than Deacon. Deacon has been a leader and a role model to others, both as a person and baseball player.”
Off the field, Avery carries a 4.43 GPA as an AP and dual enrollment student. He is a member of the National Honor Society and received the Anne T. Mitchell Award all four years at Niceville. He serves as vice president of the Niceville Student Government Association and is a member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes.
Avery is also active at Crosspoint Church, where he has volunteered as a VBS helper, middle school ministry group leader and youth basketball coach. He has also taken a mission trip to Mexico.
- His classmates voted him to the homecoming court as both a freshman and a senior.
After high school, Avery hopes to play professional baseball with the goal of reaching the majors.
Avery will be honored at the All Sports Awards Banquet on Feb. 20.
The All Sports Association is a volunteer organization that raises money for local youth-oriented nonprofit organizations with an emphasis on sports programs. Each February at its annual banquet, the organization honors the area’s top high school, collegiate, amateur, professional and Special Olympics athletes, as well as individuals who have supported youth activities.
