Meet the Sun Herald All-South Mississippi Girls Basketball Team for the 2024-25 season
The 2024-25 season showcased exceptional talent across the Mississippi Coast.
Many standout players led their teams to impressive performances, with a mix of established stars and emerging talents making their mark on the court.
Biloxi continued its run as one of the Coast’s most successful teams and was once again led by the Sun Herald Player of the Year. Ocean Springs’ Starr Jackson earned the people’s choice award after a breakout year for the junior.
Here’s the full All-South Mississippi Girls Basketball Team.
Sun Herald Player of the Year
Zaniya Johnson, Biloxi
The sophomore has bagged her second Sun Herald Player of the Year honor in as many seasons after helping lead her Lady Indians to the Final Four in Jackson.
Johnson averaged 14.5 points per game and hauled in 8.6 rebounds with two blocks and a steal. Her presence opened up scoring opportunities for her teammates, as well. Johnson already holds offers from Auburn, Tennessee, Louisville, Florida State and others.
Coach of the Year
Devin Hill, Biloxi
The Lady Indians inched closer to their ultimate goal by making a Final Four appearance. Biloxi was the only girls team from the Coast to reach Jackson and finished the year with a 30-2 record for the most wins in program history.
Fan Choice Player of the Year
Starr Jackson, Ocean Springs
The junior was the Greyhounds’ leader in every stat category and was one of the top scorers on the Coast. Jackson averaged 15 points, 5 rebounds and 3 assists per game. She earned 38 percent of the vote, ahead of Paityn Langley, who garnered 29 percent of the ballots.
Sun Herald Starting 5
Zaniya Johnson, Biloxi: Johnson continued her impressive career with 14.5 points and 8.6 rebounds per game while adding 2 blocks per contest.
Saniyah Murray, Harrison Central: Murray took a major leap forward in her sophomore campaign, averaging a double-double with 17.9 points and 10.4 rebounds per game.
Kylenn Ward, St. Martin: Ward continued her stellar play with 17.4 points per game as a junior.
Alex Patino, St. Patrick: Patino led the Coast in scoring at 22.9 points per game while also contributing across the stat sheet with 5.1 steals, 3.3 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game.
Sydnei Barber, West Harrison: The junior standout dominated with 19 points and earned a spot in the North-South All Star game.
All-South Mississippi Girl’s Basketball Team
Emmalee Coote, Bay High: The senior averaged 10.1 points per game with 6.4 rebounds. She took 42 charge calls, was named her region’s Defensive Player of the Year and is continuing her career at Pearl River C.C.
Lakietha Sampson, Bay High: Sampson contributed 10 points per game as a senior and was a key defensive presence with 2.6 steals a game.
Asiah Thompson, Bay High: The sophomore filled the box score with 10.3 points per game along with 4.7 rebounds and 2.5 steals.
Jayla Carriere, Biloxi: Carriere averaged 11 points, 2.5 rebounds, and 1.5 assists per game as a sophomore while knocking down 75 three-pointers.
Anslee James, Hancock: The senior leader contributed 10 points and eight rebounds a night for the Lady Hawks.
Riley Bishop, Hancock: Bishop averaged 7 points per game as a key contributor for the Hawks.
Talana Bond, Hancock: The senior guard averaged 12 points and four steals per game and will be continuing her career at Southwest Mississippi Community College.
Autumn Keeler, Harrison Central: Keeler scored 8.6 points, grabbed five rebounds, dished out 3.1 assists and swiped two steals per game.
Rihanna Anderson, Harrison Central: The senior averaged eight points, 4.6 rebounds, 2.3 steals and 1.1 blocks per game.
Paityn Langley, Long Beach: The freshman made an immediate impact with 12 points and 7 rebounds per game.
Jordyn Ford, Moss Point: The senior averaged 12.5 points and four rebounds with 2.8 steals per game for the Tigers.
Taylor Henley, Our Lady Academy: Henley was her district’s Offensive Player of the Year as a freshman, scoring 22.2 points a game with 15.8 rebounds, 4.9 steals, 1.9 assists and 1 block.
Briahna Burt, Poplarville: The senior averaged 7 points with a hefty 8.3 rebounds and 1.8 blocks per game.
Anirah Galloway, Poplarville: Galloway put up 7.7 points with 2.2 rebounds and two steals per game as a junior.
This story was originally published April 17, 2025 at 5:00 AM.
