Daily Leader All-Area Basketball Girls’ Team
Published 3:30 pm Saturday, April 13, 2024
Jamiya Atterberry,
Lawrence County
A senior, Atterberry averaged 10.2 points per game for coach Candice McDuffey and a Lawrence County squad that finished 18-11 in 2023-2024. An All-Area selection as a sophomore, Atterberry has signed to continue her basketball career at Hinds Community College in Utica. Standing just under 6-foot, Atterberry was one of the best rim protectors in the area as she averaged 8.2 rebounds, 3.3 steals, 2.1 assists and 2.4 blocks per game for an LC team that won its region and reached the MHSAA 4A quarterfinals.
Maddie Kate Britt,
Loyd Star
A freshman, Britt averaged 13.1 points per game for coach Russell Cruise and a Loyd Star program that finished 11-12 overall this season. A versatile 5-foot-8 player that can score from inside or outside, Britt pulled down a team best 6.3 rebounds per game while accounting for 1.4 assists and 2.4 steals per game for the Hornets. Britt moved up and joined the varsity squad as an eighth grader and will be counted on to continue developing for new LS head coach Rusty Newman.
Jahnasia Harris,
Wesson
A senior, Harris averaged a team best 13.3 points per game for coach Michelle Nunnery and a Wesson team that finished 11-14 in a tough 3A region. Facing division foes South Pike, Port Gibson, Franklin County and Jefferson County, the athletic, slender 5-foot-11 Harris pulled down 8.3 rebounds per game while chipping in 1.3 assists, 3.0 steals and 1.6 blocks per game.
Reagan Fortenberry,
Brookhaven Academy
A senior, Fortenberry averaged 9.0 points per game for coach Ron Kessler and a Brookhaven Academy team that went 29-12. A repeat selection who started on the wing for a state championship team as a junior, Fortenberry used her athleticism to finish second on the team with a 4.6 rebounds per game average. A Co-Lin soccer signee who was also an All-Area selection in that sport, Fortenberry also chipped in 2.0 assists and 1.6 steals per game for the Cougars.
Alexis Johnson,
West Lincoln
A senior, Johnson averaged 13.4 points per game for coach Lane Young and a West Lincoln team that finished 18-8 this season. On a roster short of experience, Johnson stepped up in a huge way in her first season as a starter. She pulled down 5.3 rebounds per game while chipping in 3.0 steals and 1.4 assists per night on a squad that lost a close game in the second round of the MHSAA 2A playoffs.
Ty May,
Bogue Chitto
A senior, May averaged 12.1 points per game for coach Marc Howard and a Bogue Chitto squad that finished 28-1 this season. A repeat All-Area selection, May was one of the best rebounders on the team as she averaged 6.8 boards per night. May and the fearless style with which she played will be much missed as the Bobcats rebuild next season.
Ainsley Orr,
Brookhaven Academy
A junior, Orr averaged 11.3 points per night for coach Ron Kessler and a Brookhaven Academy team that finished 29-12. A first-year starter in the post, Orr was often around the ball as she led the team with 7.1 rebounds per game. She shot 49 percent from the floor while also chipping in 1.1 assists and 1.1 steals per contest for a team that won its district. Orr was also an All-Area selection in soccer this year as a goalkeeper.
Kema Roberts,
Brookhaven High
A sophomore, Roberts averaged 10.7 points per game for coach Preston Wilson and a BHS squad that finished 13-15. A 5-foot-9 forward, Roberts goes hard in the paint and averaged a team best 7.1 rebounds per game. She also showed her strength during the spring as she finished third at the MHSAA 5A state track meet in discus as a freshman.
Ella Smith,
Brookhaven Academy
A junior, Smith averaged a team-best 12 points per game for coach Ron Kessler and a Brookhaven Academy team that went 29-12. Able to play either guard spot, Smith is her team’s primary ball handler, playing point guard for a state championship winning team as a freshman. She dished out 1.3 assists per game and snagged 1.6 steals per night while also pulling down 3.3 rebounds a contest.
Destinee Thompson,
Bogue Chitto
A sophomore, Thompson averaged 11.2 points per game for coach Howard and a Bogue Chitto program that finished 28-1 and reached the quarterfinals of the MHSAA 2A bracket. Thompson is a player that goes north/south with the ball in her hands and can finish against contact. A 5-foot-7 wing, Thompson chipped in 4.4 rebounds, 2.9 steals and 1.4 assists per game in her second season as a starter.