Meet the Sun Herald’s All-South Mississippi Girls Basketball Team for 2020
Moss Point and Harrison Central carried the banner for girls basketball on the Coast during the 2019-20 season, and that’s why those programs have been rewarded the most on this year’s Sun Herald All-South Mississippi Girls Basketball Team.
The Lady Tigers (25-8) were the lone team to make it to the state championship round, losing 37-30 to Ripley in the Class 4A title game in Oxford.
The Red Rebelettes (27-6) made it to the Class 6A semifinals in Jackson, dropping a 65-49 decision to Olive Branch.
Here’s a look at how the individual honors and the entire All-South Mississippi Team shakes out for the 2019-20 season:
Coach of the Year
Ethan Porter, Moss Point
Porter has been the head coach at Moss Point for two seasons and he now has two Sun Herald Coach of the Year honors to his credit. He built a team around senior star Robyn Lee and installed a defense that shut down opponents all season. The Lady Tigers gave up 40 points or more in only three games. This year’s trip to the 4A championship game marked the deepest drive into the postseason in the history of the Moss Point girls program.
Player of the Year
The Coast typically turns out some of the state’s best individual talent, and this year was no different. Lee was the clear choice to be Player of the Year after serving as the driving force behind the Lady Tigers’ trip to the Class 4A title game. The Louisiana Tech signee accounted for more than half of her team’s scoring during the season, averaging 20.4 points, 6.4 rebounds and 3.0 steals.
Fan’s Choice Player of the Year
Maddy Ladner, Hancock
The sophomore guard averaged 14 points, 5 rebounds and 2 steals a game for the Lady Hawks, who finished the season with a 20-10 record. Ladner was very efficient from the field, hitting 50 percent of her attempts.
All-South Mississippi Team
De’Asia Booker, Harrison Central — Senior point guard holds offers from Pearl River CC, Southwest CC and Coahoma CC. She averaged 9 points, 5 assists and 3 steals.
Hayleigh Breland, Stone High — Sophomore guard who holds a Southern Miss offer. She averaged 17.3 points, 5.3 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 3.2 steals.
Callie Cowan, Gautier — Senior point guard who averaged 18.3 points, 6.3 rebounds, 2.8 steals and 4.4 steals.
Justice Cox, Ocean Springs — Junior guard averaged 12.1 points a game.
Daydria Cuevas, Pass Christian — 6-1 freshman averaged 12 points, 7 rebounds and 5 blocked shots.
Jamaya Evans, Harrison Central — Junior forward/guard who averaged 10 points and 8 rebounds.
Simaru Fields, West Harrison — Sophomore guard averaged 14.3 points, 6.3 rebounds and 3.3 steals.
Alani Gildersleeve, Moss Point — Senior guard who averaged 6 points and 2.4 rebounds a game. She has signed with Bishop State Community College in Alabama.
Payton Lee, Pearl River Central — 5-9 senior forward who averaged 14.3 points and 6.7 rebounds, signed with Pearl River CC in softball.
Valencia McFall, St. Martin — Sophomore forward who averaged 11.5 points and 7.3 rebounds.
Maria Moye, Stone High — Sophomore guard who averaged 10.1 points, 5.1 steals and 4.0 steals.
Marcavia Shavers, Biloxi — 6-1 center who signed with Pearl River CC. She averaged 12.7 points and 9.0 rebounds as a senior.
Laila Walker, Harrison Central — 6-2 sophomore center who averaged 12 points and 12 rebounds.
Analya White, St. Martin — Senior guard holds offers from Southwest CC and Co-Lin CC. She averaged 10 points, 4.4 assists and 3.9 rebounds.
This story was originally published April 16, 2020 at 10:38 AM.
