Kendrick girls basketball player Simone High was named a Georgia Sports Writers Association Class AAA All-State first-team selection, and 10 other local players have been named to the second team or honorable mention in their respective classifications.
Kendrick coach Sterling Hicks has called High the backbone of the defense on a Kendrick team that went 30-1, falling only in the GHSA Class AAA semifinals, and won by an average of more than 20 points.
High, a junior and a Ledger-Enquirer All-Bi-City first-team selection in volleyball and basketball, averaged 12.1 points, four rebounds and four steals per game last season.
Carver's Ariel Butts was a second-team selection, and Kendrick's Deshanti Lewis and LaGrange's Arneshia Williams were honorable mention picks in Class AAA. Jordan's Chelsea Conway was an honorable mention in Class AA, and Pacellia's Brea Walker was an honorable mention in Class A.
In the boys all-state teams, LaGrange's Royal Thomas made second team in Class AAA. Spencer's Damion Brown and Jamell Crowley and Callaway's Quantavius Leslie were honorable mention in Class AA; and Brookstone's Brian Vogler and Chattahoochee County's Niko Jones were honorable mention in Class A.
The GSWA list was released Wednesday morning. Trae Golden of McEachern has been named Mr. Basketball for all classifications, and Khaalidah Miller of Douglass has been named Mrs. Basketball.
Georgian Sportswriters Association All-State Basketball Teams
Mr. Basketball: Trae Golden, McEachern Mrs. Basketball: Khaalidah Miller, Douglass
Boys Class AAAAA Player of the Year: Ryan Harrow, Walton Coach of the Year: David Allen, Central Gwinnett
First team Trae Golden, McEachern, 6-3, Sr. Ryan Harrow, Walton, 6-0, Sr. Jelan Kendrick, Wheeler, 6-6, Sr. Julian Royal, Milton, 6-8, Jr. Marcus Thornton, Westlake, 6-9, Sr.
Second team Derrick Henry, Newton, 6-2, Jr. Jeremy Lamb, Norcross, 6-4, Sr. Dai-Jon Parker, Milton, 6-4, Jr. Jay Rome, Valdosta, 6-5, Jr. Shannon Scott, Milton, 6-3, Jr.
Honorable mentions: C.J. Blackwell, Peachtree Ridge; Darryl Durham, Kennesaw Mountain; Javonte Maynor, South Gwinnett; Brandon Mobley, Groves; Saah Nimley, Collins Hill; Keenan Ready, Groves; Jareal Smith, Johnson-Savannah; Phil Taylor, Wheeler; Devonta White, Centennial; Brian Williams, Central Gwinnett.
Class AAAA Player of the Year: Donte Williams, Miller Grove, Sr. Coach of the Year: Sharman White, Miller Grove
First team Devon Baulkman, Bainbridge, 6-2, Jr. Henry Brooks, Miller Grove, 6-8, Jr. Alloys Cabell, Mays, 6-0, Sr. Desmond Lofland, Richmond Academy, 6-0, Sr. Donte Williams, Miller Grove, 6-9, Sr.
Second team Trey Bussey, Lithia Springs, 6-3, Sr. Marquise Cuyler, Glynn Academy, 6-4, Sr. Chris Davis, Stockbridge, 6-2, Sr. Adam Smith, Fayette County, 6-0, Jr. Kevin Ware, Rockdale County, 6-4, Jr.
Honorable mentions: Marcus Brown, Hiram; Tyler Deihl, Sequoyah; Terrell Fitts, Glenn Hills; Langston Hall, Chamblee; Marcus Hunt, North Clayton; Heath Houston, Hillgrove; David Mason, Chamblee; Babtunde Olumuyiawa, Clarke Central; Tony Parker, Miller Grove; Rasham Suarez, Jonesboro.
Class AAA Player of the Year: Jershon Cobb, Columbia Coach of the Year: Phillip McCrary, Columbia
First team Rion Brown, Liberty County, 6-5, Sr. Jershon Cobb, Columbia, 6-5, Sr. Nick Jacobs, South Atlanta, 6-8, Jr. Jordan McRae, Liberty County, 6-6, Sr. Rod Rucker, Elbert County, 6-5, Sr.
Second team Rashaud Bell, South Atlanta, 6-6, Jr. Chris Denson, Shaw, 6-2, Sr. Ishmael Hollis, Flowery Branch, 6-7, Sr. Shunquez Stephens, West Hall, 6-5, Sr. Royal Thomas, LaGrange, 6-2, Sr.
Honorable mentions: Robert Arnold, Monroe-Albany; Tyler Burse, LaFayette; Javon McKay, Dunwoody; Dominique McKoy, South Atlanta; Michael Obacha, North Atlanta; Onochie Ochie, Westover; Malcolm Sapp, Westover; Martaveous Smith, Burke County; Javan Wells, Eagles Landing; Arabian Williams, Dougherty.
Class AA Player of the Year: Willie Clayton, Thomasville Coach of the Year: Eddie Martin, Greater Atlanta Christian
First team Malcolm Brogdon, Greater Atlanta Christian, 6-4, Jr. Willie Clayton, Thomasville, 6-7, Soph. Rod Hall, Laney, 6-2, Jr. Michael Palmer, Northeast-Macon, 5-11, Sr. Trent Wiedeman, Greater Atlanta Christian, 6-7, Sr.
Second team Matthew Brabham, Central-Macon, 6-2, Sr. Jibri Bryan, Benedictine, 6-5, Sr. LaMario Dixon, McIntosh County Academy, 5-11, Sr. Andrew Houts, Dade County, 5-9, Sr. Darius Minor, Jefferson, 6-1, Sr.
Honorable mentions: Damion Brown, Spencer; Travis Core, Dade County; Jamal Crowley, Spencer; Santez Emory, Heard County; Trumon Jefferson, Decatur; Quantavious Leslie, Callaway; Fab Mills, Screven County; Drew Patrick, Rockmart; Tanner Plemmons, Rabun County; Maalik Reynolds, Westminster.
Class A Player of the Year: Nick Marshall, Wilcox County, Jr. Coach of the Year: Skip Matherly, Wesleyan
First team Kennard Backman, Whitefield Academy, 6-4, Jr. Kentavious Caldwell, Greenville, 6-6, Jr. Nick Marshall, Wilcox County, 6-2, Jr. Griffin Schamp, Wesleyan, 6-4, Sr. Josh Swan, Pace Academy, 6-3, Jr.
Second team Chris Bellamy, Claxton, 6-1, Sr. Chaz Sheats, Athens Christian, 6-3, Sr. Nigel Snipes, Paideia, 6-6, Jr. Robert Turner, Aquinas, 5-8, Jr. Fitzgerald White, Wilkinson County, 6-6, Sr.
Honorable mentions: Alrek Brown, Terrell County; Wes Caver, Wesleyan; Joe Chase, Greenforest Christian; Andrew Frerking, Wesleyan; Terel Hall, Terrell County; Niko Jones, Chattahoochee County, Sr.; Malick Kone, Lanier County; Darious Moten, Bowdon; Derek Roberts, Gordon Lee; Brian Vogler, Brookstone.
Girls Class AAAAA Player of the Year: Diamond DeShields, Norcross Coach of the Year: Angie Hembree, Norcross
First team Alisha Andrews, Redan, 4-11, Sr. Lauren Coleman, Parkview, 6-0, Sr. Moniqua Darby, McEachern, 6-0, Sr. Diamond DeShields, Norcross, 6-2, Fr. Khaalidah Miller, Douglass, 5-9, Sr.
Second team Sharnea Boykin, Westlake, 5-5, Sr. Tai Brown, Northside-Warner Robins, 5-10, Sr. Aneesah Daniels, Redan, 6-0, Jr. Nia Evans, Redan, 6-0, Sr. Tandrea High, Mundys Mill, 5-6, Sr.
Honorable mentions: Kaela Davis, Norcross; Erika Ford, Chattahochee; Briana Jordan, Norcross; Kristina King, Milton; Seandre Lee, Bradwell Institute; Katie Mallow, Brookwood; Chakeckia Miller, Campbell; Keira Peak, Lowndes; Jarae Savage, North Cobb; Moneshia Simmons, Mill Creek, Sr.
Class AAAA Player of the Year: Kayla Lewis, Southwest DeKalb Coach of the Year: Steven Cole, Forest Park
First team Alexis Burke, Bainbridge, 6-0, Sr. Aarika Judge, Hephzibah, 5-8, Sr. Kayla Lewis, Southwest DeKalb, 5-11, Sr. Anma Onyeuku, Fayette County, 5-10, Sr. Brittany Strickland, Dutchtown, 5-5, Sr.
Second team Brianna Banks, Northgate, 5-10, Jr. Ashlee Cole, Forest Park, 5-10, Soph. Brittnee Hazel, Loganville, 5-10, Sr. Kendra Long, Mays, 5-7, Sr. Mauri Wells, Rome, 5-11, Sr.
Honorable mentions: Sequoya Aldridge, Glynn Academy; Jasmine Camp, Chamblee; Larrisa Carter, Mays; Serena Clark, Tucker; Jordan Dillard, Salem; Jen Heider, Marist; Shay Jackson, Osborne; Jessica Morton, Glenn Hills; Sasha Sims, Fayette County; Lauren Smith, Madison County.
Class AAA Player of the Year: Jaymee Carnes, Gainesville Coach of the Year: Chantay Frost, Columbia
First team Jasmain Carey, Lakeview-Fort Oglethorpe, 6-0, Sr. Jaymee Carnes, Gainesville, 6-1, Sr. Alisha Gray, Washington County, 5-8, Fr. Simone High, Kendrick, 5-11, Sr. Shakeva Richards, Spalding, 6-2, Sr.
Second team Ariel Butts, Carver-Columbus, 6-3, Soph. Zonesha Davis, Rutland, 5-9, Soph. DyTiesha Dunson, Westover, 5-8, Soph. Zuri Frost, Columbia, 5-8, Soph. Kenyatta Hendrix, Carrollton, 5-9, Fr.
Honorable mentions: Kelsey Byrd, LaFayette; Tyler Carlson, Richmond Hill; Raven Crawford, Stephens County; Jazmine Goss, Pickens; Rhande Haskett, Ridgeland; Deshanti Lewis, Kendrick; Kimberly Major, Stephens County; Akila McDonald, Columbia; Peyton Robertson, Chestatee; Arneshia Williams, LaGrange.
Class AA Player of the Year: Andraya Carter, Buford Coach of the Year: Gene Durden, Buford
First team Maria Bond, Northeast-Macon, 5-11, Jr. Andraya Carter, Buford, 5-8, Soph. Chaney Means, Greater Atlanta Christian, 5-8, Sr. Briana Williams, Henry County, 5-6, Sr. Kourtnee Williams, Vidalia, 5-5, Jr.
Second team Tiona Burley, Mitchell County, 6-2, Sr. Shekinah Henry, Vidalia, 6-2, Sr. Ashley Jones, Appling County, 6-0, Jr. Mykala Jones, Laney, 5-5, Jr. Shanedra Lockett, Crawford County, 5-10, Sr.
Honorable mentions: Kellie Bacon, Appling County; Chelsea Conway, Jordan; Carmenonique Dawson, Thomasville; Lacie Dowling, Brantley County; Marina DeFoor, Rabun County; Tatiana Jackson, Lovett; Kristina Nelson, Greater Atlanta Christian; Taylor Palmer, Calhoun; Ivey Slaughter, Crawford County; Jessica Watson, North Oconee.
Class A Player of the Year: Destiny Mitchell, Randolph-Clay Coach of the Year: Jan Azar, Wesleyan
First team Caroline Brashier, Walker, 5-6, Sr. Destiny Mitchell, Randolph-Clay, 5-9, Sr. Erin Hall, Wesleyan, 5-9, Sr. Kelly Reid, Savannah Christian, 6-0, Jr. Candice Warthen, Warren County, 5-5, Sr.
Second team Morgan Batey, Pace Academy, 5-11, Soph. Holli Brooks, Gordon Lee, 5-8, Jr. Sonny Canady, Calvary Day, 5-7, Sr. Adrienne DeFilippis, Savannah Christian, 5-11, Sr. Shaniqua Holston, Taylor County, 6-0, Jr.
Honorable mentions: Alex Abraham, Paideia; Nettie Brown, St. Francis; Kelsey Ellis, Calvary Day; Artisha Holston, Taylor County; Amber Howell, Prince Avenue Christian; KeArrow Jenkins, Lanier County; Demetria King, Turner County; Valese McAllister, ECI; Brea Walker, Pacelli; Holli Wilkins, Wesleyan
