Madeline Price was the go-to girls for Coach Mitch Mitchell’sCopiah Academy Lady Colonels this year. Price, with her shootingability and team leadership, helped lead the Lady Colonels to a AAAState Basketball Championship during the 2001-2002 season.

For her achievements, Price has been selected as the MostValuable Player and Miss Basketball on The Daily Leader’s 2001-2002All-Area Girls Basketball team.

Othe players named to the All-Area Team were Candice Clayton ofCopiah Academy, Ebony Jenkins of Crystal Springs, Monica Morris ofSouth Pike, Victoria Richardson of Hazlehurst and Brooke Currier ofMcComb Parklane Academy. Jenkins is a repeater from last year’sfirst team.

The dream team, composed of players outside Lincoln County, wasselected by the Leader’s sports staff, with imput provided by highschool and college coaches.

“It’s an honor,” said Price. “It is just great. We have had funthis season.”

The Copiah girls won the State AAA Tournament Championship andfinished the season with a 41-3 record.

Price, who stands 5-foot-7, is fast and quick for her size andplayed guard for the Lady Colonels. She finished the season with anaverage of 16 points. 8 rebounds and 2 assists per game.

“Madeline’s quickness is unbelievable,” said Mitchell. “Shehandled it (pressure) real well. She is also a good defenderbecause of her quickness. She understands the game. She would findyou if you were open.

She did a heckuva job for us for three years,” continuedMitchell.

Price joined teammate Candice Clayton and Parklane Lady PioneerBrooke Currier as they played together for the South AAA-AAAA AllStars recently and beat the North team.

Price and Clayton grew up together as neighbors and beganplaying team basketball since the third grade. Price is going toOle Miss but is undecided yet on her major.

Candice Clayton (5-3, sr.) was the player Coach Mitchell wantedto control the basketball. While playing guard, Clayton averaged 8points, 3 rebounds and 2 assists a game.

Clayton plans to attend Ole Miss on academic scholarships andmajor in dentistry. Price will be her roommate.

Ebony Jenkins (5-9, sr.) played guard for first-year head coachJulia Joiner and the 23-9 Crystal Springs Lady Tigers. Jenkinsaveraged 24 points, 8 rebounds., 5 steals and 6 assists pergame.

Jenkins signed a basketball scholarship earlier in the seasonwith the Southern Miss Lady Golden Eagles.

Monica Morris (5-5, sr.) was named to last year’s Second Team.Morris finished her senior year at South Pike with the South PikeLady Eagles who went 30-5 and lost in the Class 4A statesemifinals. She played point guard and averaged 9 points, 3rebounds, 7 assists and 3.5 steals per game.

Victoria Richardson (5-11, sr.) played for the Hazlehurst LadyIndians who finished the season 26-7. Richardson, at the centerposition, averaged 17.1 points, 8.2 rebounds, 1.65 assists and 5steals a game. She plans to sign with the Co-Lin Lady Wolves.

Richardson was named to the Mississippi Associationi of CoachesSouth All-Star team.

Brooke Currier (5-7, sr.) played guard for Coach Kim Weaver’sParklane Lady Pioneers who finished with a 26-13 record. Currieraveraged 14 points. 2 rebounds and 3 assists a game.

HONORABLE MENTION

Copiah Academy: Ashley Harris.

Crystal Springs: Stacey Lee.

Franklin County: Dedire Gant, Yolanda Fulton.

Hazlehurst: Alesha Collins.

Jefferson County: Travalyn Smith, Latresha Wilson.

Lawrence County: Jasmine Lewis, Barbara Peyton.

McComb: Clarissa Thompson, Felisha White.

Parklane:Lucy Savorgnan.

North Pike: LaQuita Ard, Moneka Lewis.

South Pike: Erica Holloway, LaTracie Forrest.

Wesson: Maggie Johnson, Kail Baldwin.