Inspirational athletes, outstanding players and talented teams took the spotlight Wednesday evening at the second annual Daily News Prep Sports Awards celebration at Monticello Middle School.

A crowd of about 250 watched as The Daily News recognized 30 individual athletes, six teams and three outstanding plays, with help from master of ceremonies Kirc Roland — the popular Lower Columbia College athletic director and longtime KLOG radio personality — and an assist from keynote speaker Kelly Smith and special guest Bill Marshall.

Kelso High School cleaned up with six awards, including Team of the Year for its state champion fastpitch team. Rainier High School received the School of the Year award, with all six of its major teams advancing to state competition.

There were winners from 16 different categories, along with Inspirational Athlete awards for Makaio Mobbs, the Kelso baseball player who began the season on the junior varsity and ended up earning first-team all-league and second-team all-state honors; and Wahkiakum track star Jasmine Bingham, who fought through diabetes to capture three individual state titles.

Bingham also received the second annual Diamond Legacy award from Christine Jones of Awards N’ More USA.

Marshall, a former coach at R.A. Long High School who won two state titles, head of the Cowlitz Volleyball Club and a member of the Washington State Volleyball Coaches Hall of Fame, told the athletes that he was pleased to be a part of a ceremony that gives back to the athletic community and recognizes the “best of the best.”

Marshall said he and his family moved to the Longview area 36 years ago, and he has learned that this community supports youth and youth sports.

“They say that sports builds character,” he said. “But I say that your true character is revealed under the stress of sports.”

Smith, the highly successful head baseball coach at Lower Columbia College with more than 500 career wins, told the students that they were fortunate to live in an area where high school athletes get so much coverage by the newspaper and radio stations.

“You are being honored by your friends and coaches, and this is a big deal.” Smith told them. “Be sure to thank your parents, because they really didn’t want to go to all those games. They’ve done more than you know, and someday you’ll realize that.”

Smith also told the nominees that he was amazed by their accomplishments and statistics.

“Congratulations. Great job. Now what?” he asked them. “You’ll have to work even harder now. Separate yourself from the pack. Be good at whatever you do. Not all of us can be professional athletes.”

Among the spectators Wednesday was legendary Naselle boys basketball coach Lyle Patterson, who posted a 623-228 record in 32 years with the Comets from 1965 to ’97. When the boys’ Coach of the Year award went to Naselle football coach Jeff Eaton, the first hand he shook on the way back to his seat was Patterson’s.

The 2009 Daily News Prep Sports Awards winners were:

Top Male Athlete, Fall: Andrew Allen (Rainier football)

Top Female Athlete, Fall: Heather Shulke (Castle Rock volleyball)

Top Male Athlete, Winter: Kyler Roden (Mark Morris wrestling)

Top Female Athlete, Winter: Carly Perkins (Kelso basketball)

Top Male Athlete, Spring: Adam Scalesse (Kelso track)

Top Female Athlete, Spring: Crystal Nyman and Jenna DeRosier (Kelso fastpitch)

Play of the Year: Nick LaRoy’s 21st strikeout against Stevenson (Kalama baseball)

Scholar-Athlete of the Year, boys: Taylor Woodruff (R.A. Long)

Scholar-Athlete of the Year, girls: Lacey Seidl (Castle Rock)

Ms. Star 3-Sport Athlete of the Year: Mollee Schwegler (Rainier)

Mr. Stud 3-Sport Athlete of the Year: Zack Gehring (Castle Rock)

Inspirational Athlete of the Year, boys: Makaio Mobbs (Kelso)

Inspirational Athlete of the Year, girls: Jasmine Bingham (Wahkiakum)

Coach of the Year, boys: Jeff Eaton (Naselle football)

Coach of the Year, girls: Mike McMahon (Kelso fastpitch)

Team of the Year, boys: Kalama Chinooks baseball

Team of the Year, girls: Kelso Lassies fastpitch

School of the Year (combined boys and girls): Rainier Columbians

2008-09 Prep Sports Photo Gallery