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All-Area Girls Hoops

Belmont and West Lincoln played in an MHSAA Class 2A Basketballl Semifinal on Tuesday, March 1, 2022. Photo by Keith Warren

Belmont and West Lincoln played in an MHSAA Class 2A Basketballl Semifinal on Tuesday, March 1, 2022. Photo by Keith Warren

Columbus and Brookhaven played in an MHSAA Class 5A Basketballl Semifinal on Tuesday, March 1, 2022. Photo by Keith Warren

Kara Beth Addison, West Lincoln

Versatile, skilled, composed — the superlatives pile up when describing how Kara Beth Addison plays the game of basketball for West Lincoln. A 5-foot-11 junior point guard, Addison averaged 17.2 points per game for a WL team that finished 20-9 and were MHSAA 2A semifinalists this season. She also averaged 6.2 rebounds, 4.1 assists and 3.3 steals per game for coach Alissa Adams. A three-time Daily Leader All-Area selection, Addison was named MVP of Region 7-2A this season as she led the Bears to a fifth straight division title.

Jamiya Atterberry, Lawrence County

Teams in the area have been put on notice that Lawrence County has a true rim protector for the paint in Jamiya Atterberry. A 5-foot-10 sophomore forward, Atterberry averaged 12.1 points per game for a LC team that finished 14-11 and in second place in Region 7-4A. Also averaged 8.1 rebounds, 3.2 blocks, 2.1 assists and 2.0 steals per game for first year head coach Candace McDuffy. Her play was a big part of Lawrence County bouncing back from two straight seasons with sub .500 records.

Aubrey Britt, Loyd Star

Fearless with the basketball in her hands, Aubrey Britt has made her mark on Loyd Star basketball during a four-year varsity career. A 5-foot-7 senior point guard, Britt averaged 14.1 points per game for a LS team that finished 13-13 this season. A three-time All-Area basketball selection, she pulled down 5.8 rebounds per game, made 2.7 steals per night and handed out 2.0 assists per game for coach Seth Britt. A four-time state champion in cross-country, she’s committed to Blue Mountain College where she’ll run and play hoops. Britt has also been named All-Area in softball.

Lillie Gates, Brookhaven Academy

Many high schools aren’t lucky enough to have a true post presence, but that’s not the case for Brookhaven Academy as Lillie Gates holds down the paint for the Cougars. A 6-foot junior forward, Gates averaged 12.3 points per game for a BA team that finished 33-5 this season. A repeat All-Area selection, she pulled down 8.2 rebounds and blocked 3.1 shots per game for coach Ron Kessler. Crossed 1,000 career points this season and was named to the MAIS 5A South State All-Tournament Team. Already holds an offer from Mississippi College and one can expect that number to grow this spring as she plays AAU for the Mississippi Jazz organization.

Mary Claire Johnson, West Lincoln

When West Lincoln needed big shots throughout a season that saw them finish as one of the top four teams in 2A basketball, the Bears looked to Mary Claire Johnson. A 5-foot-7 junior guard, Johnson averaged 8.4 points per game for a WL team that finished 20-9 and made the MHSAA 2A semifinals at the Mississippi Coliseum. She also averaged 3.2 rebounds, 1.8 steals and 1.1 assists per game for coach Alissa Adams. Johnson shot 35-percent from the 3-point line and was named to the Region 7-2A All-District Team. She was also selected for the Daily Leader All-Area team last year in softball.

Meleyjah Lyons, Wesson

Quicker than a hiccup, there isn’t a player that can cover ground on the court like Meleyjah Lyons does for Wesson. A 5-foot-2 sophomore point guard, Lyons averaged 14.1 points per game for a Wesson team that finished 17-10 this season. Also averaged 6.1 steals, 4.2 rebounds and 2.7 assists per game for coach Michelle Nunnery. A repeat All-Area selection and All-Region pick, Lyons helped Wesson to finish as runners-up in the Region 7-3A Tournament.

Madison Moak, Brookhaven Academy

When it comes to pure athleticism, you’d be hard pressed to find many of her peers that stack up with Madison Moak of Brookhaven Academy. A 5-foot-9 senior guard, Moak averaged 9.4 points per game for a BA team that finished 33-5 this season. She also averaged 3.2 rebounds, 2.4 steals and 1.1 assists per game for coach Ron Kessler. Moak was picked for first team all-district in hoops and as a MAIS all-star in both softball and girls’ basketball. Has been tabbed All-Area in softball multiple times including offensive MVP, she was the leadoff batter for a MAIS 5A state title softball team as a senior and has signed a softball scholarship with Copiah-Lincoln CC.

De’Mya Porter, Bogue Chitto

With physical tools that appear to have no limit, the best basketball of her career is still ahead of Bogue Chitto’s De’Mya Porter. A 6-foot-1 sophomore center, Porter averaged 19.3 points per game for a BC team that finished 13-13 this season. She also averaged 11.2 rebounds and 5.0 blocks per game for coach Marc Howard. A repeat Daily Leader All-Area selection, Porter was named Most Valuable Defensive Player for Region 7-2A after making her presence known in the post as a dangerous shot-blocker.

Anne Brantley Warren, Brookhaven Academy

A look of concentration was always on the face of Anne Brantley Warren as the Brookhaven Academy floor general plays the game with intense focus. A 5-foot senior point guard, Warren averaged 8.3 points per game for a BA team that finished 33-5 this season. She also averaged 5.1 assists and 3.2 steals per game for coach Ron Kessler. A five-year varsity starter who won a state championship as a starter in 8th grade, she was MAIS District 4-5A MVP this season and finishes her career with over 1,400 career points. Warren is committed to play basketball next season for Holmes CC.

Kyja Willis, Brookhaven High

If effort and intensity were to take on human form as a high school basketball player, they’d probably look a lot like Kyja Willis of Brookhaven High. A 5-foot-8 senior guard, Willis averaged 8.2 points per game for a BHS team that finished 24-6 and made the MHSAA 5A semifinals this season. She also averaged 5.1 rebounds, 2.4 steals and 1.5 assists per game for coach Preston Wilson. A repeat Daily Leader All-Area selection, Willis is a track and field standout who won the 5A 200-meter dash last year while also finishing runner-up in the 100-meter and being part of a championship winning 4×200 relay team for the Panthers.

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