Carson Gleese: VDN’s Boys’ Basketball Player of the Year

VICKSBURG, Miss.(VDN) — St. Aloysius basketball standout Carson Gleese has been named the Vicksburg Daily News Boys’ Basketball Player of the Year, marking the second consecutive year he has earned the honor.

For Gleese, the award represents more than just individual success.

“Player of the Year is a huge goal for me because that’s everyone in the county and there’s multiple people who could be in this situation,” Gleese said. “I just remain humble and thank God for this.”

Gleese was the driving force behind the Flashes this season, leading Warren County in scoring while averaging nearly 20 points per game during the 2025-26 campaign. Under head coach Walter Hallberg IV, St. Aloysius finished with an 18-7 record and made a strong run to the playoffs as Gleese averaged 17 points per game.

“This season was a success and we worked better as a team this year, so it was great overall,” Gleese said.

His senior season was filled with standout performances, including multiple games scoring more than 20 points while leading the Flashes to key victories. One of his most memorable moments came when he surpassed the 1,000-point career mark, scoring 34 points in a game against Riverfield Academy.

Gleese’s success also extended beyond the high school season. He became the first player in school history to compete in the MAIS All-Star Game, where he delivered another memorable performance by scoring 20 points and earning the game’s Most Valuable Player award against some of the top athletes in the association.

Basketball has been part of Gleese’s life for as long as he can remember. He began playing at just three years old at the local YMCA, where the sport quickly became his passion.

His journey, however, wasn’t always easy. As a sophomore, Gleese often came off the bench and believed he could contribute more to the team. With patience and hard work, his opportunities grew. Over time, he developed into the Flashes’ go-to player and one of the top athletes in the program.

Despite the accolades, Gleese’s path has also been shaped by adversity. After losing his father at a young age, he continued to pursue his dreams while leaning on the support of family, friends and teammates.

Now, he leaves St. Aloysius as one of the school’s most accomplished athletes. Along with being named Player of the Year, he also earned All-State honors during his career.

As he reflects on his journey, Gleese credits the people around him for helping him reach this point.

“I want to thank my family, especially my mom,” he said. “I also want to thank my family, my closest friends, my teammates and all my coaches over the years.”

Gleese is currently undecided on if he will continue his basketball career on the collegiate or leave his basketball days behind as he will always be known as one of the school’s top athletes.