T-Boy Lynch displays a humble demeanor despite his manybasketball accomplishments. To put it mildly, Lynch was the stickthat stirred the drink, also known as the senior leader onBrookhaven Academy’s Class AA State Tournament championshipteam.

>For his accomplishments, Lynch has been selected The DAILYLEADER’s Most Valuable Player and Mr. Basketball on the 2007All-Lincoln County Boys Basketball Team. The 5-foot-10 guard wasthe only senior on the squad that was missing 6 of the top 8players from the 2006 state title team.

“It was the whole team, not just me,” answered Lynch when askedabout his MVP honor. Selected to the MPSA All-Star Game, Lynchhelped the South beat the North by scoring 11 points. He also wasnamed to the MPSA’s All-State Team.

“I enjoyed the all-star game,” said Lynch. “It was a lot of funhanging out with everybody.”

Joining Lynch on the DL’s Dream Team are Charles (Bobo) Ranciferand Simmie Yarborough of Brookhaven, Aaron Shaw of West Lincoln,Keyouna Perkins of Bogue Chitto, Rickey Barnes of Loyd Star andCorey Dickerson of Brookhaven Academy.

Brookhaven Academy coach Dale Watts said Lynch was anexceptional player. “T-Boy creates a lot of his shots. He’sprobably the quickest, most athletic player that I’ve coached. Hehas the ability to get to the rim, that’s his strong suit. He canshoot the perimeter shot but his strength is his quickness. He canbreak past an opponent to make a layup or a short jumper off theglass or draw a foul.”

Lynch, the son of John and Helen Lynch, often appeared to takethe Cougars and put them on his muscular shoulders. Wearing jerseyNo. 33, he was a clutch shooter and defender.

Looking ahead, Lynch said he plans to attend the University ofMississippi and pursue a law degree.

“T-Boy gave us a lot of leadership,” said Watts. “You are onlygoing to be as good as your seniors. He really had to lead the teamby example. He had to get in the trenches with them instead of justdirecting them. Sort of like “Come on, guys, let’s get itdone.'”

Lynch got it done. He led the Cougars in scoring and usually wasamong the best rebounders. In his senior year, Lynch averaged 23points, 6.5 steals and 5 assists per game. He was recognized forhis clutch shooting, quickness, ball-handling skills and hishustling performance on defense.

The Cougars finished 31-4, winning their third straight statetitle. They lost to Parklane in the MPSA Overall Tournamentquarterfinals

Keyouna Perkins, a 6-2 senior, averaged 17points and 11 rebounds per game for Coach Andrew Smithie’s BogueChitto Bobcats. He also was a standout receiver on the footballfield.

“Keyouna is an overall good athlete with some size,” saidSmithie. “He has good offensive skills as a shooter, inside andoutside. He’s also a good senior leader. I could depend onhim.”

Aaron Shaw, a 5-10 senior guard, averaged 12.3points, 5.5 assists, 3.3 rebounds and 2.9 steals per game for CoachLane Young’s Bears (21-10). He had several strong showings duringthe playoffs, leading them to the South Mississippi Class 1A finalround.

“Aaron has improved more than any player I’ve ever coached,”said Coach Young. “He has worked hard to get stronger. He’s thebest leader I’ve had.”

Rickey Barnes, a 6-5 junior, sparked Coach GeneBritt’s Loyd Star Hornets to a 19-12 record and the Class 2Aplayoffs. He averaged 13.3 points and 9 rebounds per game.

“Rickey is a really good rebounder with leaping ability,” saidCoach Britt. “He’s a good shot-blocker, too. He has improved awhole lot this season.”

Charles (Bobo) Rancifer, a 6-1 junior, excelledat quarterback on the football field. In the gymnasium, Rancifer18.8 points, 7.8 rebounds and 4 assists per game for Coach RonaldHines and the Brookhaven Panthers who finished 12-18.

“Charles sees the floor well and he’s a great athlete with greatinstincts,” said Coach Hines. “He’s strong and quick. He has afuture playing basketball at the college level.”

Corey Dickerson, a 6-1 junior forward, got alate start due to the football season where he excelled on offenseand defense. He averaged 18 points, 7 rebounds and 2 assists pergame for the Cougars.

“Corey is a strong defender for us,” said Watts. “I would havehim defend strength players on the opposing teams.

“Corey has a a deep desire to win. It’s important to him. He’san excellent perimeter spot shooter. He’s deadly with that.”

Simmie Yarborough, a 6-1 junior, was anAll-Region 6-4A receiver for the Ole Brook Panthers before goingindoors for the basketball season. He averaged 11.4 points and 4.6rebounds per game.

“Simmie is a great jumper and a good form shooter,” said Hines.”He grew a lot and improved this season.”

HONORABLE MENTION

Bogue Chitto: Mario Addison, Seth Avants.

Brookhaven: Donaldmetric Blue, TerrancePerkins.

Brookhaven Academy: Josh Winborne, BlaineRoberts, Daniel Lofton.

Enterprise: Jamie Smith, Matt Taylor.

Loyd Star: Matthew Henderson, Ron Jones.

West Lincoln: Bradleigh Rice, Aaron Collins,Jeremy Byrd.