All-Area Girls Basketball Team

Albany Herald Girls Basketball Player of The Year

Briunna Freeman, Pelham, Senior

Why She’s Here: The Herald Super 6er and Arkansas commit averaged 20 points per game and led her team in all categories as she led the Lady Hornets to the GHSA Class AA state semifinals. Freeman also scored more than 2,100 points in her career.

Player of the year Runner Up

A’tyanna Gaulden, Americus-Sumter, Junior

Why She’s Here: Gaulden had the ability to take over a game and will her team to victory. She proved this in the Region 1 AAAA Tournament when she scored 25 points to lead the Lady Panthers to a 63-50 victory over Monroe to win the region title. Gaulden averaged 21 points per game, seven assists and four steals per game to lead Americus-Sumter (29-2) to the quarterfinals of the Class AAAA state tournament

First Team

Patra Parris, Bainbridge, Senior

Why She’s Here: Parris averaged 16 points and 10 rebounds per game to lead the Lady Bearcats to a berth in the GHSA AAAA state tournament.

Key Key Price, Monroe, Senior

Why She’s Here: Price definitely made the engine go for the Lady Tornadoes. She averaged 25 points, seven rebounds and six steals per game as she led Monroe to the quarterfinals of the GHSA Class AAAA girls state tournament.

Destiny Thomas, Sophomore, Pelham

Why She’s Here: Averaged 10 points a game for the Lady Hornets. She also averaged four rebounds, four assists and four steals per game. While these aren’t tremendous numbers compared to other players on this list, Thomas was a key factor and catalyst in Pelham’s advancement into the state semifinals.

Kobi Thornton, Randolph Clay, Junior

Why She’s Here: This Herald Super 6er averaged 20.6 points and 10.6 rebounds per game to lead the Lady Red Devils (19-11) to the semifinals of the GHSA Class A public school state tournament.

Tynicia McCoy, Senior, Early County

Why She’s Here: Another Herald Super 6er, McCoy averaged 25.7 points per game for the Lady Bobcats. She also averaged 5.7 rebounds, 2.5 assists and got it done on the defensive end as well, averaging 3.1 steals per game.

Second Team

Bryshea Jackson, Westover, Senior

Why She’s Here: Jackson was a key contributor to the success of the Lady Patriots as she averaged 10 points and 10 rebounds per game. Westover went 19-9 on the season and reached the second round of the GHSA Class AAAA state tournament before losing to Buford in the second round.

Quadranique Franklin, Pelham, Junior

Why She’s Here: Again, while the numbers may not be overwhelming, Franklin’s play on the court was another huge factor in the Lady Hornets run to the final four. She averaged 10 points, five rebounds and two steals per game on the season.

Lynsey Washington, Monroe, Junior

Why She’s Here: The 3-point specialist for the Lady Tornadoes, Washington averaged 14 points and four assists on the season but many of those points came from beyond the arc. Washington shot 58 percent from the season from 3-point land.

Timia Swanson, Americus-Sumter, Junior

Why She’s Here: While A’Tyanna Gaulden was the main cog in the Lady Panthers’ engine, Swanson was a big part of their success as well. She averaged a double-double for the season (13 points and 10 rebounds a game), as well as an assist per game. Swanson also got it done on the defensive end, averaging three steals per game.

Jamiya McDaniel, Terrell County, Freshman

Why She’s Here: McDaniel was a key leader in the Lady Greenwave’s success as she averaged 15 points and five rebounds per game. Terrell County advanced to the semifinals of the GHSA Class A public school state tournament.

Third Team

Callie Smith, Westwood, Junior

Why She’s Here: Callie Smith was a key reason why the Lady Wildcats went undefeated at 28-0 until they lost to Bulloch Academy in the GISA Class AAA semifinals. Smith averaged 17.4 points per game, shooting 49 percent from the field. She also averaged 3.3 rebounds per game and three steals per game. Smith was named Region 3-AAA player of the year and made the AAA All-State Team.

Marilauren Farr, Terrell Academy, Senior

Why She’s Here: Farr averaged 16 points and nine rebounds per game in leading the Lady Eagles to a 25-6 record and leading Terrell Academy to the GISA AAA state tournament.

Antonia Jones, Mitchell County, Senior

Why She’s Here: Jones led the Lady Eagles (20-7) to the Region 1-A title and to the second round of the state tournament. She averaged 14 points, five rebounds, six assists and three steals per game.

Kayla Howard, Westover, Junior

Why She’s Here: Another solid contributor for Westover, Howard averaged 10 points and 6 rebounds a game to help lead Westover to the second round of the GHSA Class AAAA state tournament.

Timarius Whiting, Terrell County, Freshman

Why She’s Here: Whiting was one of several young players who were key contributors to Terrell County’s success. She averaged 15 points, six rebounds and two steals per game for the Lady Greenwave.

Honorable Mention

Southland Academy — Ella Hawkins, Madison McPherson; Sherwood Christian — Madison Walker, Molly Kate McClearn, Key’yada Thomas, Michaela Hudson; Dougherty — Tykia Davis, Shy’Keria Williams; Lee County — Alexis Hickson; Terrell County — Jameil McDaniel; Deerfield-Windsor — Kelsey King, Joyner Tyson, Teasie Williams; Terrell Academy — Alana McCook, Olivia Rogers; Westover — Au’Breanna Moore, Nyla Perry; Westwood — Morgan Singleton; Pelham — Mahogany Randall; Worth County — Lindsey Toneygay; Albany — China Marcus; Bainbridge — Tameria Levens, Nadia Marshall, Alex Carter; Americus-Sumter — Amber Hicks, Jy’kiera Long; Monroe — Kelsey Davis