Shareka Hunt has come a long way since being named to the 2007DAILY LEADER All-Area Girls Basketball Team. During the 2007-08season, Hunt helped the Franklin County Lady Bulldogs to thechampionship game of the Class 3A state tournament at theMississippi Coliseum in Jackson.

The Franklin County girls lost to state champ SoutheastLauderdale. The Lady Bulldogs finished the season with a 27-11record.

For her senior leadership and determination, Hunt has been namedthe 2008 DAILY LEADER Most Valuable Player on the All-Area GirlsBasketball Team.

Joining Hunt on this year’s team are Paige Webster of FranklinCounty, Maggie Jackson of Parklane, Kampatrice Slocum and IvielleStewart of South Pike and Ann Shelby Davis of Wesson. Slocum andStewart were Co-MVPs on last year’s team.

The All-Area Team, composed of players outside of LincolnCounty, was selected by the DL sports department, with input fromarea high school and college coaches.

Hunt, who stands 5-foot-10, played forward for Coach CharlesMoore’s Lady Bulldogs. She averaged 14.2 points per game and ledoff the backboards with 8.9 rebounds. Hunt was named to theAll-District and All-State teams and signed a basketballscholarship with the Co-Lin Lady Wolves.

“I feel honored to be on the All-Area Team,” said Hunt.

Hunt said she is looking forward to going to Co-Lin and playingfor the Lady Wolves. She is undecided on her major.

“We will really miss her,” said Coach Moore. “Shareka startedfor four years. She was the heart of our team this year. She alwayspracticed with a smile on her face.”

Hunt said the game with Southeast Lauderdale for the statechampionship is the one she will remember from this season.

All of Hunt’s spare time is spent taking care of her 7-month-old daughter, Shaniece.

Hunt added, “I’d like to thank Coach Moore, my momma and daddy,and my teammates.”

Paige Webster, a 6-foot junior forward, helpedpower the Franklin County offense. Webster led the Lady Bulldogswith 16.5 points and 7.3 rebounds a game.

“Paige got a lot better as the year went along,” stated Moore.”She’s our strongest rebounder. She was the go-to ball player.”

Webster was also named All-State and will play in theMississippi All-Star game this summer.

Maggie Jackson, a 5-9 senior, deliveredoffensively for Coach Russell Cruise’s Parklane Lady Pioneers.Jackson, who played forward, averaged 16.2 points and 10 boards agame. She scored 7 points for the South All-Stars in the MPSAAll-Star game.

Jackson was named All-Conference and second team All-State Team.She also exceled on the softball field and has signed a scholarshipto play for the Southwest Lady Bears. Jackson was also named to theAll-Star team.

“Maggie has leadership,” said Cruise. “She has tenacity. She’s agreat team leader. Maggie plays really hard and her motor neverstops. She is great. She is a winner.”

Kampatrice Slocum, a 5-9 senior, averaged 11points and 7 rebounds a game at post for the South Pike LadyEagles. Slocum also excelled on the track and field with statetitles in both shot put and discus. She has signed to playbasketball at Southwest.

“Kampatrice is aggressive,” said 2007 All-Area Coach of the YearMarcus Flippin. “She works hard. She is strong. She’ll do a goodjob at Southwest.”

Ivielle Stewart, a 5-8 senior, worked at pointguard and finished the year for the Lady Eagles averaging 14 pointsand 3 rebounds a game.

“Ivielle can shoot the ball,” said Flippin. “She can knock itdown.”

Ann Shelby Davis, a 5-10 sophomore, continuesto improve under the direction of Wesson girls basketball coachHugh Webb. Wesson posted its best record in decades, going20-13.

Davis began playing varsity basketball as an eighth grader underCoach Jemmye Anne Helms. This year, Davis led the Lady Cobras with15.6 points and 6 rebounds a game. She was named to theAll-District First Team.

“Ann Shelby is going to develop into an outstanding collegiatebasketball player,” said Webb. “She can be a Division One prospect.She has a good work ethic.

“Ann Shelby is a great student of the game,” added Webb. “In allof my years of coaching, Ann Shelby is probably one of the best Ihave coached. She is a hard-working practice player.”