MEADVILLE — Off the basketball court, Franklin County’sVictoria Hunt is a shy and humble young lady. But not so on thebasketball court.

Hunt, who stands 5-foot-8, played wing for Coach Charles Moore’sLady Bulldogs and finished the 2005-06 basketball campaign with a22-3 record. Franklin County went undefeated in Division 7-3Aplay.

For her efforts, Hunt has been selected The DAILY LEADER’S MostValuable Player and Miss Basketball on the 2006 All-Area GirlsBasketball Team. This is the third straight year Hunt has beenselected All-Area, beginning with 2004.

The All-Area Team, composed of players outside Lincoln County,was selected by Daily Leader sports department with input providedby area high school and college coaches.

Joining Hunt on the All-Area Team are Tyesha Williams and SumaDixon of Crystal Springs and Sheba Smith, Jalissa Sandifer andYashunda Williams of Hazlehurst. All five girls are being looked atby a community or senior college.

Hunt finished her senior year averaging 22.5 points, 7.6rebounds and 4.3 steals per game.

“I’m not ready to leave my team,” said Hunt. “I am proud of myteam and the effort they put forth. We had a good coach to coachus. I’d like to thank God, mom, coach and my teammates.”

Under Coach Charles Moore, Franklin County went undefeatedduring the season until the Division 7-3A tournament. Due tohurricane damage to the roof of the gymnasium, they had to play allof their games on the road. Homes games were rescheduled at MullenGymnasium on the Co-Lin campus. The Lady Bulldogs ended up losingto the Hazlehurst Lady Indians 61-55 on Feb. 25. The only otherFranklin losses came to Columbia 52-50 on Feb. 17 and SoutheastLauderdale 61-48 on Feb. 24.

“She was a pleasure to coach,” said Franklin County girls coachCharles Moore. “She developed into our go to player in offensivesituations. She is very coachable. She is a humble young lady.”

Hunt started playing basketball in the sixth grade and was afour-year varsity starter for the Lady Bulldogs.

Hunt says she wants to continue playing basketball. She has hadoffers from Co-Lin, Northwest State (Natchitoches, La.), LouisianaTech and Pensacola (Fla.) Junior College. She is still undecided onwhere she will go.

Tyesha Williams, a 5-6 senior guard, poweredthe Crystal Springs Lady Tigers with 18 points, 5 rebounds and 4steals per game..

“Tyesha is very quick,” said Crystal Springs first-year headcoach Danielle Busby. “She caused a lot of turnovers for us. She’svery coachable. She has a great shot. She is an all-aroundplayer.”

Suma Dixon, a 5-9 senior forward, usedversatility on the basketball court to help the Lady Tigers totheir winning season. Dixon averaged 11 points and 7 rebounds.

“Suma is very versatile,” stated Busby. “She is our bestrebounder. She has a pretty shot.”

Sheba Smith , a 5-7 senior guard, providedHazlehurst with a lot of its outside shooting from 3-point range.Smith finished the season, averaging 15.8 points, 4 rebounds and 2steals.

Hazlehurst coach Freda Craft says, “Sheba has determination,”said All-Area Coach of the Year Freda Craft. “We depended on herfor 3 -pointers.”

Smith, along with teammates Sandifer and Williams, began playingtogether in the seventh grade and came up as a successful teamunder Craft’s coaching. They were all starters in their high schoolcareer.

Jalissa Sandifer, a 5-11 senior forward,provided speed for the Lady Indians who advanced to the State Class3A Tournament semifinals in Jackson. Sandifer wrapped up the yearwith 17.5 points, 4 rebounds and 2.2 steals per game.

Jalissa has quickness,” explained Craft. “She was our leadingscorer.”

Yashunda Williams, a 6-1 senior center,provided the inside support for Hazlehurst. Williams averaged 11.5points, 9.1 rebounds and 1.3 steals a game.

“Yashunda is an outstanding defensive player,” complimentedCraft. “She moved well for a big girl.”

Honorable Mention

Amite County – Brittney Patterson,

Amite School Center – Brittany Harden, AnnsleyDykes, Brittany Lawson.

Copiah Academy Girls – Danielle Cronin, KatieJackson (Sr) Forward.

Crystal Springs Girls – LaTasha Nichols.

Franklin County Girls – Shelina Wilcher,Sherika Hunt.

Hazlehurst Girls – Tiara Wilbert, LakeishaPendleton.

Lawrence County Girls – Jonika Walton, MoniqueCollins, Erica Bryant

McComb Girls – LaAntria Martin, AlishaRayborn.

North Pike Girls – Phenecia Taylor, Tyeshia Holmes, KatrenaRatcliff.

McComb Parklane Girls – Hope Swindle, ErinBrabham, Kaitlyn Johnson.

South Pike Girls – Dominique Brumfield, TkeyaFelder.

Wesson Girls (10-18 ) – Alexis Crosby, Perry K.Furr.