Some boys' basketball players in the area had better numbers, but none could say they led their team as far as Perquimans' Michael Bonner.

The Pirates had a 21-6 record, were Albemarle Conference regular season co-champions and tournament champions and went to Greenville for the regional semifinals, thanks in no small part to Bonner.

Brett A. Clark/The Daily Advance (ENLARGE)

Perquimans' Michael Bonner (back) goes up for a shot against Southeast Halifax during a sectional semifinal game Feb. 28.

"It's a blessing, coming from all of those losing seasons to have a great season like that," Bonner said. "That all came from the coaches and the team playing hard together every day and practicing hard."

Bonner certainly did his part, averaging 15.4 points and 6.5 rebounds per game on his way to being named the Albemarle Conference Player of the Year. He also had 2.7 assists and 2.5 steals per game.

"He's a really hard-working kid who did what we asked him to do," coach Adam Dougherty said. "He defended the basketball really well. He has that length that gives other teams problems, especially on the offensive end. He's got the ability to create his own shots."

But it was more than just his numbers that made Bonner the choice as The Daily Advance's Player of the Year. He also became a leader for Perquimans, helping the team escape its losing ways.

"Mike is one of our leaders," Dougherty said. "From day one, he was one of our most vocal guys in practice. He does a good job of leading us on and off the floor. He's a good communicator, and his teammates really respect him."

For Bonner, it was about the team coming together. He said it really didn't matter who was putting up numbers, as long as the number in the "W" column was one for the Pirates at the end of the game.

"We've been playing together since we were little," Bonner said. "Who scores the most points doesn't bother our team mentality, because we were always focused on that win. When we played Williamston, I had six points and my best friend, Cyron (Leigh) stepped up and scored 30. We can do that, and I think that was an advantage of our team — teamwork."

Bonner will go from 1A to Division I, as he will suit up next year for Winston-Salem State.

Doug Frierson

Perquimans

Junior scored 10 ppg; all-conference

Donnie Hyder

Northeastern

Senior led team in scoring with 10.2 ppg

Ricky Krainiak

Camden

Junior led area with 18.7 ppg; all-conference

Cyron Leigh

Perquimans

Senior guard averaged 13.5 ppg, 9 rpg

Cordero Riddick

Pasquotank

Senior scored 9.5 ppg; team MVP; All-NCC

Dorian White

Currituck

Senior averaged 9.6 ppg, 7.6 rpg

Thomas Vaughan

Edenton

Led team with 18.2 ppg, 10.6 rpg; All-NCC

Weston Dodson

Camden

Senior averaged 9.8 ppg, 8.8 rpg

Pierre Friendly

Currituck

Led team with 11.5 ppg; added 6.7 rpg

Melvin Boyce

Pasquotank

Senior scored 10.6 ppg; team MVP; All-NCC

Honorable mention

Brynson Barnes Pasquotank

Byron Brooks Camden

Malone Silver Northeastern

Tim Vinick Currituck

Lamar Whidbee Perquimans