Less than two years ago Alcovy High School didn't even exist, let alone have a basketball team. Fast forward to now and you have a program with a respectable 26-28 overall record.

But who knows exactly how many wins the Tigers would have recorded had it not been for their fearless leader, senior starting point guard Worrel Clahar.

Certainly not 26, that's for sure.

Based on his leadership among a handful of other skills, Clahar has been selected as the Player of the Year to lead The Covington News 2007-2008 All-County Boys Basketball Team.

"There are plenty of other players who could have gotten this award," acknowledges Clahar. "It's a real honor because I know a lot of good people who got it before me, like (Eastside High's) Torrio Cook. So, I think it's real big for me to get this award."

Clahar led the Tigers in nearly every offensive category this year, averaging 19.2 points and 4.1 assists per game. He shot 46 percent from the field, including 36 percent from beyond the arc.

Perhaps his most impressive performance came in a loss against Cedar Shoals earlier this year. Clahar scored a season-high 39 points and seven assists.

"It felt awesome, but it would have been better if we would've gotten the win," he admits, who also recorded several triple doubles this season.

Defensively, Clahar averaged 5.3 rebounds and led the team in steals with two per game. He also took a team-high 13 charges.

"He's just fun to be around," says Alcovy boys coach Eugene Brown. "He's got great skills and great personality who did so much for the team. It's going to be really hard to replace him on the floor. His desire, his heart, his toughness - that's really the primary thing I'm going to miss is his toughness. Everybody is not able to handle the environment you have out there in varsity basketball.

"He left a legacy for these young guys to follow," he adds. "All of them look up to him, and want to try and accomplish some of the things he did."

Clahar, who started from day one, has played in every single game for the past two years. In fact, he never missed a day of practice or missed a game due to injury or any other reason.

Without question, Clahar has made a lasting impression, particularly on his teammates.

"My brother used to always tell me to make others happy; it'll make your job much easier," says Clahar, who handed out a career-high 12 assists in one game earlier this year. "All I have to do is pass the ball around and everybody's happy. All that is building chemistry and having faith in your teammates, and I really had a lot of faith in my teammates. They're a big part of any award that I get; they're the main part because if it wasn't for them I wouldn't have anything."

During their inaugural season, Clahar helped the Tigers to an overall 15-15 record. More impressively he led Alcovy to its first state tournament appearance after upsetting No. 1 seeded Clarke Central.

"Going to the state playoffs when nobody really expected us to was most definitely my most memorable experience here," says Clahar. "Proving everybody wrong just felt real good."

Though they fell just short of making the postseason this year, the Tigers were a respectable 11-13 overall, finishing third in Region 8-AAAA South (8-7).

"He basically ran our team, and he ran it very, very efficiently," says Brown. "Worrel was always there when his teammates needed them. Whatever recognition he receives, he's also appreciative of his teammates."

Despite some team issues toward the end of the season, things simply didn't pan out for Alcovy. But the Tigers should be a different squad next year, particularly in a new region with new challenges, one that includes not having Clahar running the plays.

Several colleges have already expressed interest in Clahar, including Drake, who was in the NCAA tournament this year.

But for those who have followed Clahar over the past two years, it's tough to envision No. 22 wearing any other jersey other than the black and gold.

"I think he embodies what a player of the year is," says Brown. "He led by example on and off the court, and is just the epitome of a leader."