Franklin’s J’Michael Gray named first-team Class 2A All-State; Lady Hornet’s Amari Butler named second-team All-State
Class 2A basketball showcased a wide variety of talent and teams. And the LSWA’s Class 2A All-State basketball teams reflect those qualities as four different schools collected top awards.
Amite senior point guard Jalencia “Jen” Pierre and Episcopal head coach Taylor Mims Wharton attained Player of the Year and Coach of the Year status, respectively for the girls squad, while Newman junior shooting guard Chris Lockett and Port Allen head coach Dimario Jackson secured the same honors on the boys team.
J’Michael Gray of Franklin was a first-team pick for the boys and Franklin’s Amari Butler was a second-team girls’ selection.
Rontrinia Hawkins of Franklin also earned an honorable mention on the girls’ team.
Pierre led Amite to a Class 2A title with averages of 25.8 points per contest, 8.7 assists, 7.1 steals and 4.6 rebounds per contest.
The Southeastern Louisiana University signee averaged over 23 points per game in the playoffs. She also averaged a double-double in postseason play with 10.8 assists per game.
Wharton coached Episcopal to an LHSAA girls basketball title game for the first time in school history. The Knights were the Division III runners-up to Lafayette Christian Academy.
Lockett was a returning all-state player who led his team to a Division III boys title. Lockett accounted for 13.5 points per game, 5.5 rebounds, 4.1 assists and two steals per contest during the season.
Jackson, an all-state player at Brusly, made the transition from successful player to earn 2A Coach of the Year honors after leading the other West Baton Rouge Parish school, Port Allen, to its third straight title in his first year on the job.
Port Allen, the No. 2 seed, defeated No. 5 Amite, 67-49, in the Class 2A State Championship Game.
Gray averaged 22.1 points a game for the Hornets and Butler averaged 26.3 for the Lady Hornets.
BOYS
FIRST TEAM
Player, School, Ht., Cl, Avg.
Braylon Richard, Lafayette Christian, 5-9, Sr., 12.0
Stewart Bonnecaze, Episcopal, 6-2, Sr., 21.1
Elliot McQuillan, Port Allen, 6-1, Jr., 17.0
J’Michael Gray, Franklin, 5-10, Sr., 22.1
Chris Lockett, Newman, 6-3 Jr., 13.5
SECOND TEAM
Player, School, Ht., Cl, Avg.
Leon Posey IV, Oakdale, 6-2, Sr., 26.3
Kam Williams, Lafayette Christian, 6-7, So., 16.0
Simeon Powell, Amite, 5-10, Jr., 13.0
Omarion Miller, North Caddo, 6-2, Jr., 26.0
Canin Jefferson, Newman, 6-0, Jr., 15.0
OUTSTANDING PLAYER
Chris Lockett, Newman
COACH OF THE YEAR
Dimaro Jackson, Port Allen
HONORABLE MENTION
Camron Smith, Rayville; Demarcus, Dixon, Rayville; Javonte Howard, Lakeview; Derrius Carter, Avoyelles Charter; Desmond Duncan, Winnfield; Zakelvion Gadison, Rapides; TreDez Green, East Feliciana; Daylen Turner, Menard; Jordan Brooks, Port Allen; Jawarren Cade, Many; Kendrell Perry, St. Thomas Aquinas.
GIRLS
FIRST TEAM
Player, School, Ht., Cl, Avg.
Jada Richard, Lafayette Christian, 5-7, So., 30.0
Peyton Hines, Avoyelles Charter, 5-10, Sr., 24.0
Jalencia Pierre, Amite, 5-6, Sr., 25.8
Izzy Besselman, Episcopal, 5-11, Sr., 20.0
Amari West, Rayville, 5-8, Sr., 28.0
SECOND TEAM
Player, School, Ht., Cl, Avg.
Vivian Sketoe, Lake Arthur, 5-5, So., 20.0
Mackenzie Joseph, Kinder, 5-11, Sr., 18.0
JaNaiya Lakeview, 5-2 Fr. 19.0
Hailey Brumfield, Amite, 5-8, Sr., 15.9
Amari Butler, Franklin, 5-8, Sr., 26.3
OUTSTANDING PLAYER
Jalencia “Jen” Pierre, Amite
COACH OF THE YEAR
Taylor Mims Wharton, Episcopal
HONORABLE MENTION
Eve Alexander, Lafayette Christian; Carlesia Fields, Bunkie; Kelly Norris, Rosepine; Carlisa Mitchell, Rapides; Anaya Yunusah, Newman; Kali Hornsby, Lake Arthur; TaNyjah Plumber, Kinder; Taylor Farris, Rosepine; Marilyn Seeling, Menard; Timberlyn Washington, Lakeview; Monae Duffy, Lafayette Christian; Rontrinia Hawkins, Franklin; Gracelyn Sibley, French Settlement.