Jake Reed’s expertise and versatility on the hardwood made him avaluable asset to Brookhaven Academy’s basketball program. Thesenior forward played every position on the floor during theCougars’ march to the MAIS Class AA State Tournamentchampionship.

Reed’s banner season continued in the MAIS Class AA-AAA All-StarGame. He was named the South’s Most Valuable Player after amassing18 points and nine rebounds in the South victory.

Honors continue showering the 6-foot-3, 200-pound Reed. He has beenselected the MVP and Mr. Basketball on The DAILY LEADER’S 2010All-Lincoln County Team.

Reed is joined on the DL’s Dream team by Rajavion Stewart and FredFairman of Brookhaven, Glenn Thomas of Loyd Star, Austin Everett ofEnterprise, Jay Case of West Lincoln and Jamison Powell ofBrookhaven Academy.

The Dream Team was selected by members of the DL Sports Department,with input provided by area high school and college coaches.

Reed enrolled at BA in the eighth grade after his parents moved toFranklin County from Kentucky. He continues to be a ferventsupporter of the UK Wildcats.

He was instrumental in leading the Brookhaven Academy Cougars to asixth straight state tournament championship for Coach Dale Watts.Reed averaged 16.8 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 steals pergame.

“Winning the state championship was sweet,” said Reed. He had thestrength and leaping ability to power inside for points or he couldstep outside and sack the 3-point goal.

Reed said Watts was an outstanding coach who stressed defense anddemanded discipline in his players. “Coach Watts has a knowledge ofthe game. He can make adjustments and help us play better.”

Watts has been coaching Reed since the eighth grade, watching himsteadily improve. “Jake knows the fundamentals of the game and heworks hard at the game. He has a great attitude and a great workethic.

“He is probably the most complete basketball player I’ve evercoached,” Watts added. “He can do any phase of the gameexceptionally well. He sees the game and plays it the way CoachWatts thinks it should be played.”

Reed serves as treasurer of BA’s National Honor Society. He isconsidering a career in sports medicine.

Looking to the future, Reed wants to play college basketball. Hehas been protected by Copiah-Lincoln Community College. He is beingrecruited by Mississippi College, too.

Rajavion Stewart, a 5-8 senior, was recognized for his perimetershooting this season as first-year head coach Preston Wilsondirected the Panthers to their first 20-win season in eight years.He averaged 11.8 points, 2.5 rebounds and 2.9 steals pergame.

“Ray is a hard worker who always plays hard.” said Wilson. “He’sone of our better offensive players. He’s a smart player and a goodshooter, especially from 3-point range.”

Glenn Thomas, a 6-foot senior, was a scoring leader on a deep andtalented Loyd Star squad. He averaged 17.8 points, 6.1 rebounds and2.3 assists per game as the Hornets finished 24-6.

Thomas helped the Hornets to their first state tournamentappearance in 38 years. Their appearance on the MississippiColiseum’s portable hardwood, location of the current StateTournament, was the first in 42 years.

Loyd Star coach Gene (Moochie) Britt starred on the 1968 Loyd Starteam that won a state title. He said Thomas was a key to his team’ssuccess this season.

“Glenn has some good moves,” said Britt. “He can take it to thehoop or he can move outside. He has a good outside shot.”

Jay Case, a 6-foot junior, showed vast improvement this season. Heaveraged 16.8 points, 4.0 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 2.9 steals pergame as the West Lincoln Bears won the Region 7-1A Tournament andadvanced to the semifinals of South State, posting a 21-10worksheet.

West Lincoln coach Lane Young said Case has grown physically andmatured as a player. “Jay has always been able to shoot the ballwell and he has improved defensively. He has worked on hismid-range game and taking the ball to the goal.

“He grew a little bit and got stronger, too.”

Fred Fairman, a slender 6-8, 195-pound junior, is the tallestmember of the Dream Team. He averaged 13.7 points and 8.6 reboundsper game for the Panthers, using his height and quicknessinside.

“Fred grew up a lot this year,” said Coach Wilson. “He got betteras the season went along. He led us in rebounding.”

Wilson said Fairman has unlimited potential. “This offseason isvery important to him. He needs to work hard on his post moves andget stronger.”

Austin Everett, a 6-foot-6, 220-pound senior center, averaged 13.9points, 10.1 rebounds and 1.9 assists per game for Coach JohnKnight’s Yellow Jackets as they posted a 15-15 worksheet.

Coach Knight says, “Austin has worked really hard the last year toget stronger. He has improved in the post a lot. He has worked onhis moves instead of relying on his height.”

“He’s a good passer, too, for a big guy. He improved tremendouslyfrom last year in every area.”

Jamison Powell, a 6-1 senior guard, was a late arrival fromBrookhaven Academy’s state championship football team that wentunbeaten in 15 games. After starring at linebacker in football,Powell continued a high level of success on the hardwood. Heaveraged 11.9 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists and 3 steals for theCougars.

Coach Watts said Powell possesses a highly competitive level.”Jamison is a bulldog. He’s a hard-nosed kid who is verycompetitive. He’s a winner and will lay it all on the line.”

Watts said Powell was especially strong on defense. “He had toguard the other teams’ best players a lot. He will go in there andget it done. Defense is important in Cougar basketball and Jamisonis our guy.”

HONORABLLE MENTION

Bogue Chitto: Justin London, Colby Johnson.

Brookhaven: Kristoff Bates, Ross Hill, Leo Garrett.

Brookhaven Academy: Sidney Chaffin, Brock Smith, Bubba Keene.

Enterprise: Riko Palomarez, Thomas Allen, Sam Furr.

Loyd Star: Julious Whittaker, DeAndre Butler, McKinley Hamilton,Joseph Shelby.

West Lincoln: Brandon Robinson, Chad Herring, De Price.