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Like many people, both young and old, sports trading cards are a popular item.

Those cards are collected for many reasons. Some see the monetary value in them while others just like to collect, trade and keep them for historical value.

We have so many high school athletes who had remarkable senior seasons. Many are taking their talents to the college level to showcase their talents in a variety of sports. There are even some who are going to college to cheer, as Trinity O’Neal of Northside announced with her intention to go to Barton College this fall.

There are a lot of other talented underclassmen who will return to their respective high schools this fall to continue their education on and off the field. What better way to showcase them than with trading cards?

We decided to design cards for those top athletes we expect to see shine on the playing field during the 2025-26 school year. Just like a sports card, we’ll feature a photo of the athlete and their stats from the sports they played.

It’s a series we’ll continue to showcase throughout the summer leading up to the start of another high school sports season. As a reminder, it’s less than 80 days before the next season begins and we get to see these talented young men and women in action again.

Addison Gibbs

Washington High School

Rising senior

As a junior, she earned Eastern Plains All-Conference honors … According to MaxPreps, she was 10-5 in singles and 16-4 in doubles after the EPC tournament … teamed with Avery Thomas to reach the EPC finals in doubles, losing to Rylee Greene and Aubrey Smith of Greene Central 1-6, 6-4, 7-5 at No. 1 doubles … qualified for the Eastern Regionals in doubles with Thomas … Team was 16-3 overall and advanced to the second round of the Class 2A state playoffs, losing to Bunn … Team was second in Eastern Plains Conference to Greene Central … Also played on the girls’ soccer team that was 15-3-1 overall, 9-0-1 in EPC. Pack won the EPC title and advanced to the third round of the Class 2A state playoffs, falling to East Duplin. Scored a goal and two assists for the season.

Chase Hewitt

Northside High School

Rising Senior

Was 37 of 73 for 529 yards passing with four touchdowns and one interception … averaged 14.3 yards per pass and 58.8 yards per game … Rushed 22 times for 27 yards and a touchdown … also had a two-point conversion … his longest run was 17 yards … on defense, he had one tackle and an assist … In basketball, he was eighth in scoring this season with 5.1 points per game … also averaged 4.5 rebounds (3.5 defensive) … had 138 points, 122 rebounds, 19 assists, 33 steals and eight blocks … shot 37% from the floor … was 26-for-100 from 3-point range … was 8-for-14 from the free-throw line.