VIDALIA — They may not have gotten that state championship trophy, but Vidalia basketball coach Robert Sanders and junior Gary Stewart did get a consolation prize.

Stewart was named Class 3A Most Outstanding Player, and Sanders was named 3A Coach of the Year by the Louisiana Sports Writers Association, it was announced Thursday.

Stewart was also named to the Class 3A all-state first team, the first time Sanders said he’s had a player receive the award.

“He brought a challenge to the other teams with his size and his ability to see over most of their guards,” Sanders said. “He had the ability to pass the ball over their heads and find his own teammates, and certainly he had the ability to rebound and to score.”

Stewart said he was surprised to win the award after the Vikings lost in the state championship game.

“It caught me off guard,” Stewart said. “I really didn’t think I would win it. But it means a lot. It lets me know all the hard work I put in practicing has paid off.”

Vidalia’s Quartrell Thomas received honorable mention by the LSWA.

The Vikings finished the season 32-2, falling to Richwood in the Class 3A Top 38 Tournament State Championship game at the Cajundome in Lafayette, La.

“It was a different atmosphere than we were used to,” he said. “I know we thought we had seen some big crowds before, but that was by far the biggest, and the biggest stage they had ever played on in their young careers.”

Sanders said he knows how much his team wanted the title, but being honored as the best coach in Class 3A is a good second-place prize.

“It’s quite an honor,” he said. “It’s a tribute to our team for the work they’ve done this year. We couldn’t have done it without them. The team isn’t named for anything specifically, but they were responsible for getting us these honors.”

Sanders said playing at the Cajundome was a fun experience and one he knows the team would like to have again.

Two seniors are graduating this spring, which leaves most of the Vikings’ squad intact.

“I see this group as being hungry to get back there,” Sanders said. “I think they’re willing to put in the effort this summer and during the season to reach the championship again.”