When it comes to athletics, Enterprise’s Lacey Palomarez excelsin several sports. Her major accomplishments were achieved inbasketball this season despite a painful shoulder injury whichhindered her performance.

Palomarez has earned the title of Miss Basketball on The DailyLeader’s All-Lincoln County Basketball Team for the 2001-02campaign. The 5-foot-9 senior forward averaged 20.5 points, 8.3rebounds, 7.4 steals and 2.2 assists per game.

Joining Palomarez on the dream team are Jessica Melton and RandiMoak of Bogue Chitto, Ayana Tillman of Brookhaven, Dana King ofWest Lincoln and Ancy Myers of Brookhaven Academy. The team wasselected by the Leader sports staff, with input provided by areahigh school and college coaches.

Barry Gray of Brookhaven Academy is the DL’s All-Lincoln CountyGirls Basketball Coach of the Year.

Palomarez under went shoulder surgery last week to repair a tornrotator cuff. The injury was diagnosed as a tear in the lebrumcartilage ring. That ended her fastpitch softball season where shestarred as catcher for the Lady Yellow Jackets.

In basketball, Palomarez was instrumental in Enterprise’s 18-3campaign. The Lady Jackets, coached by Billy Vaughn, wererunners-up to Bogue Chitto in the Division 7-1A Tournament and lostto Dexter in the opening round of the South State playoffs.

A leader on offense and defense, Palomarez said she enjoyed theseason. “This was our best year. I love playing for Coach Vaughn.He made the game a lot of fun.”

Palomarez led Enterprise in rebounding and was second in 3-pointfield goals. She made 82.9 percent of her free throw attempts.

“Lacey is a special player,” said Vaughn. “They don’t come alonglike her very often. She’s a good athlete with a lot ofdetermination and desire. She knows the game of basketball and shehates to lose.”

An honor roll student, Palomarez has scored 23 on her ACT and isleaning toward signing a scholarship with Mississippi College. Shealso is considering Copiah-Lincoln Community College.

She injured her shoulder playing slowpitch softball last fall.”I was making a throw from left-center to third base.”

Palomarez said the injury restricted the motion of her arm. “Ithurt to make a layup. I couldn’t throw a long pass overhand. I hadto throw it underhand.”

Ayana Tillman (5-11, jr.) was a force in the paint for CoachRonald Gill’s Lady Panthers. She averaged 16.8 points, 10.2rebounds and 1.5 blocked shots per game.

The Lady Panthers finished 25-5 this season, runners-up to SouthPike in the Division 6-4A Tournament. They lost to NortheastLauderdale in the opening round of the South State playoffs.

Ancy Myers (5-7, sr.) directed Brookhaven Academy’s Lady Cougarsto a 34-4 record and the Class AA State Tournament championship.She averaged 13.6 points, 7 rebounds, 3 steals and 3 assists pergame for Coach Barry Gray’s Lady Cougars.

A steady, consistent player, she accounted for 23 points and 16rebounds in BA’s state championship win over Marvell, Ark.

Jessica Melton (5-7, jr.) provided Bogue Chitto’s Lady ‘Catswith plenty of points and leadership as a playmaker. She averaged16 points, 7 rebounds, 6.1 steals and 5.8 assists, sparking herteam to a 21-7 record and the semifinals of the Class 1A StateTournament.

She was a catalyst in BC’s march through the state playoffs. Inthe state tournament win over Ingomar, she scored 25 points,grabbed 8 rebounds and made 6 steals.

In the south/state tournaments, she made 91 percent of her freethrows.

Dana King (5-5, jr.) led West Lincoln in scoring. She averaged17 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists and 3 steals per game. Anexcellent shooter from 3-point range, she scored a season-high 36points versus North Pike during the regular season.

The Lady Bears, coached by Andy Smithie, finished 19-7. Theylost in the semifinals of the Division 7-1A Tournament.

Randi Moak (5-6, jr.) averaged 12.6 points, 6.7 rebounds, 4.3assists and 5.2 steals per game for Coach Mickey Myers as the Lady’Cats won the Division 7-1A Tournament. Moak made 70 percent of herfree throws.

In the semifinals state tournament loss to Durant, she led theLady ‘Cats with 16 points and 7 rebounds.

HONORABLE MENTION

Bogue Chitto: Yolanda Drummond, Marquita Ratcliff.

Brookhaven: Aneidra Stanton, Shamika Gilmore.

Brookhaven Academy: Anna Gatlin, Kelli Byrd, Lauren Smith.

Enterprise: Andrea Harthorne, Joyce Allen.

Loyd Star: Beth Smith, Jamakia Henderson, Ava Brown.

West Lincoln: Holli Bass, Hannah Roberts.