Editor's note: The All-Commonwealth basketball team is the all-star squad for the paper's six area high schools. The team is chosen by Sports Editor Bill Burrus and Sports Writer Calvin Stevens, with the help from area coaches.
By BILL BURRUS
and CALVIN STEVENS
Sports Writers
Steven Makamson led the Pillow Academy Mustangs to new heights this season in his second year as head coach. For his work, Makamson has been named the Commonwealth's Coach of the Year.
And Lavoris Weathers and Betsy Nelson led their respective teams to great regular season and postseason success and have been named the Commonwealth's Players of the Year.
Makamson guided the Mustangs to a 25-10 record and their first-ever trip to the semifinals of the MPSA Overall Tournament. Pillow won its first two games in Overall for the first time in school history.
"We wanted to win the whole thing, of course, but it was an exciting run for us," said Makamson, a former basketball standout at Pillow and a 1997 graduate of the school. "It took us a little while to start understanding and believing what we could do. The two biggest keys to our success was believing and playing hard.
"Hopefully, we can build on this and put together a program similar to what we have in girls basketball. This year was a step in the right direction."
Nelson, a 5-foot-8 senior guard, helped lead the PA Lady Mustangs to a North AAA conference title and appearance in the state AAA championship en route to a 34-7 mark.
She led her team in scoring (11.9 ppg), assists (2.2 apg), steals (2.9 spg), 3-point shooting percentage (34.0) and free-throw shooting percentage (67.3). Nelson was also the Lady Mustangs' second-leading rebounder with 3.9 boards a contest.
PA coach Durwin Carpenter says Nelson was also a key player for him defensively.
"She was probably our most aggressive player. She set the tone a lot of times for us defensively," Carpenter said. "She was always the one we put in position to help out on other players. She did a good job of anticipating passes, and that's why she led us in steals.
"Every day at practice, she worked at game speed. She was 100 percent every day, and that's a big key to playing so well."
Nelson, an all-conference selection, was one of two senior PA girls voted to play in the MPSA all-star game.
For Weathers, he was a dominant force on the boards, averaging 15 rebounds a contest during the Bulldogs' 24-8 season, which ended in the North 4A tournament.
Weathers, a 6-foot-7 senior center, averaged 16 points, two assists and five blocks per game for second-year coach Kelvin Young.
"There were a lot of times I didn't give J.R. credit for the way he played. He was double-teamed a good bit, and when that happened, it opened the door for other players," said Young. "Because of the success J.R. had, college coaches got a chance to look at some of our other players. I believe that will only help put Greenwood basketball back on the map."
Weathers, a Jacksonville State signee, just completed his high school career by playing in the Mississippi/Alabama All-Star game in Alabama Friday. He scored one point and grabbed two rebounds in Mississippi's 118-113 win over Alabama.
Here's a brief look at the rest of the All-Commonwealth team:
Lauren Coleman, forward, senior, 5-10, Pillow Academy - Tough, hard-nosed player. Was team's second-leading scorer with 10.4 points a contest and led the Lady Mustangs in rebounding with 4.3 boards a game. Averaged 2.4 steals and 1.2 assists. An all-conference and MPSA all-star game selection and two-time All-Commonwealth pick.
Liz Raby, guard, senior, 5-6, Carroll Academy - Explosive offensive player. Averaged a team-high 13.5 points a contest and hit 32 percent from 3-point range for the 16-16 Lady Rebels. Co-MVP of District 2-AA and MPSA all-star game selection.
Erica Duren, guard, senior, 5-6, J.Z. George - Floor general for the 21-9 Lady Jaguars, who lost to Coahoma County in North 2A Tournament. She averaged 6.2 points, 7.0 assists, 4.0 rebounds and 3.0 steals a game. Also named to all-district team.
Anquinette Cooley, center, senior, 5-7, J.Z. George - Played taller than 5-7 in the post for Lady Jags. She averaged 9.5 points, 4.5 rebounds and 2.4 steals a game. Named to all-district team.
Hillary Bland, forward, center, 5-11, Leflore County - Had a good final season for the 11-15 Lady Tigers, averaging 15 points, 9 rebounds and 2 assists a game.
Morgan Woods, guard, junior, 5-0, Pillow Academy - Quick point guard with the ability to blanket opposing point guards. Played more minutes than any other PA player with 915. Averaged 7.0 points, 2.1 assists, 2.6 steals and 2.4 rebounds. An all-conference selection.
Brittany Carter, center, junior, 5-11, Greenwood - Carter was one of few bright spots for the 7-18 Lady Bulldogs. She averaged 12 points and 5 rebounds a game.
Dominic Freeman, forward, senior, 5-8, Amanda Elzy - Averaged 13 points and 6 rebounds a game for the 8-16 Lady Panthers.
Jalissa Coker, guard, senior, 5-3, J.Z. George - Named to the all-district second team after averaging 11.5 points and 2.0 rebounds a game for the Lady Jags.
Marquisha Pointer, guard, sophomore, 5-6, J.Z. George - Pointer actually led team in scoring with 12.1 points per game and also pulled down 5.5 rebounds a contest.
Will Brunson, guard, senior, 5-10, Pillow Academy - Fun player to watch. Buzzes up and down the court and in and out of traffic with ease. Was voted the North AAA conference MVP. Averaged 14 points, 6.5 rebounds, four steals and three assists per game. Selected to play in MPSA all-star game.
William Pugh, guard, senior, 6-2, Greenwood - Explosive player with great leaping ability. Pugh averaged 14 points, 8 rebounds and 10 assists a game for the Bulldogs.
Falando Jones, forward, junior, 6-4, Greenwood - Dangerous player with ability to blow past defenders and has good shooting touch. Jones averaged 14 points, 7.0 rebounds and 7.0 assists a game.
Oscar Martin, forward, senior, 6-0, Amanda Elzy - A threat to shoot the long-range shot from anywhere on the court. The all-star football selection for the Mississippi/Alabama game averaged 26.2 points and 6.0 rebounds a game for the 16-12 Panthers. Martin was named the district's Player of the Year.
Cordell Miller, center, senior, 6-3, Amanda Elzy - A hard-nosed player inside the paint. Played as though he was 6-foot-8. Averaged 18.5 points and 14 rebounds a game. Named to all-district team.
Pate Shackelford, guard, junior, 6-2, Pillow Academy - Tough, aggressive and athletic player. Averaged 14 points, six rebounds and three assists a contest. An all-conference selection.
Allen Cheek, guard, senior, 6-1, Carroll Academy - Prolific offensive player for the 12-17 Rebels. Averaged 17.3 points, 5.0 rebounds and 2.0 assists a game. Voted to play in MPSA all-star game and an all-conference selection.
Rhakeem Freeman, guard, junior, 5-11, Leflore County - Came on strong for the 11-15 Tigers near the end of the season. Averaged 19 points and 11 rebounds a contest and also shot 78 percent from the free throw line.
Sergio Freeman, guard, senior, 5-9, Leflore County - Despite playing with several nagging leg injuries, averaged 17 points, 4.0 steals and 10 assists a game. Made 72 percent of free throws.
Justin Hearn, center, junior, 6-6, J.Z. George - Continues to improve for the Jaguars. Hearn averaged 14.5 points and 8.0 rebounds a game for the 3-24 Jaguars.
