Pillow Academy junior center Carolyn Wellborn and Greenwood High School senior guard Falando Jones have been named the Commonwealth Players of the Year for their outstanding performances during the 2007-2008 basketball season.
Pillow girls' coach Durwin Carpenter is the paper's Coach of the Year. He guided the Lady Mustangs to a 33-4 record this past season en route to winning the State AAA Division I championship and a trip the Overall finals, where PA lost to Presbyterian Christian.
It was Pillow's 12th trip to Overall in Carpenter's 14-year tenure at the school and the Lady Mustangs' sixth trip to the Overall championship game. Pillow is 3-3 in the Overall finals under Carpenter.
Carpenter's overall record at Pillow is an amazing 442-82 - that's less than six losses a season, giving him an 84.3 winning percentage.
Wellborn, a 5-foot-10 post player, gave the Lady Mustangs their most consistent source of offense. She led the team in scoring with 11.8 points a contest, field goal percentage (164-of-298, .550) and free throw percentage (84-of-125, .672).
Wellborn battled an early-season knee injury and didn't break into the starting lineup until just before Christmas. After a short adjustment period, Carpenter said, Wellborn's play took off.
"She worked extremely hard in the post area and perfected some good moves down low. She got better and better throughout the season," said the PA head coach.
Wellborn also was able to provide some scoring outside of the paint, hitting 12-of-22 from 3-point range.
"She's a good shooter, so by the end of the year we were able to put in some sets to get her free outside," Carpenter explained.
Wellborn used her size and strength to lead the Lady Mustangs in rebounding, pulling down seven boards a contest. She also averaged 1.3 steals a game.
Wellborn was the only Lady Mustang to score in double figures in all four Overall games, putting up two double-doubles in the 12-team tournament.
Jones, who recently played in the Mississippi/Alabama all-star game, was a dynamic player for the 22-11 Bulldogs, who lost in the first round of the North 4A playoffs. He led the team in scoring (20 ppg) and rebounding (9.1 rpg).
Jones also dished out four assists and picked up three steals a contest while averaging 1.5 blocks.
GHS coach James Cole says Jones will probably sign a scholarship with a junior college out of state.
"He's taking visits to a couple of schools in Florida, one in Georgia, one in Tennessee and one in Alabama that I know of," Cole said. "He projects well at the next level because he's so athletic and explosive. He's 6-foot-4, 217 pounds. He's gained nine pounds since the season ended, and that's all muscle.
"He was such a key player for us because he could play one through five and play all positions very well. He's very coachable and a good team player."
Here's a look at the rest of the All-Commonwealth team:
n Brittany Carter, 5-10, senior, forward, Greenwood - Carter capped her senior campaign by averaging 11 points and 5.5 rebounds a contest for the 10-20 Lady Bulldogs. Received honorable mention status on the all-district team.
n Morgan Woods, 5-2, senior, guard, Pillow Academy - A top-notch floor general and an intense defensive stopper. The Mississippi College signee played in the MPSA all-star game. She averaged a team-high 3.9 steals and a team-high 3.9 assists. She also averaged 6.8 points and 2.3 rebounds a contest.
n Stella Malouf, 5-10, junior, forward, Pillow Academy - Athletic player with a good overall game. Was second on the team in scoring with 9.6 points a contest. Also averaged 1.9 steals, 2.9 rebounds and 1.3 assists a contest. Had the team's second-best shooting percentage from the field (135-of-276, .490).
n Hannah Robinson, 6-0, sophomore, center, Leflore County - Robinson was a steady force for the Lady Tigers inside during their 15-16 season. She averaged 13 points and 10 rebounds a game and was named to the all-district team.
n Marquisha Pointer, 5-6, junior, guard, J.Z. George - Pointer did it all for the Lady Jaguars. She averaged 16 points, seven rebounds and three assists per contest for the 14-17 Lady Jags. She was also named to the all-district team.
n Kambreia Summerville, 6-0, junior, center, Greenwood - Summerville came into her own this season as she averaged 16 points and 11 rebounds a game.
n Whitney Barry, 5-6, junior, guard, Carroll Academy - Was a first-team all-conference performer for the 13-17 Lady Rebels. She led CA in scoring with 14 points a contest and averaged three assists a game.
n Ellen Hull, 5-7, senior, guard, Pillow Academy - Provided key leadership and was the team's top 3-point shooter, hitting 21-of-66 (.375). Was tied for second on the team in rebounding with 3.2 boards a contest. Averaged 6.5 points, two assists and 1.5 steals a game. Played in the MPSA all-star game.
n Yeisha Bolden, 6-0, senior, center, Amanda Elzy - Bolden was a force inside for the Lady Panthers (2-22) despite a dismal season. She averaged 16 points and eight boards a game and was named to the all-district first team.
n Carolyn McCorkle, 5-7, senior, guard, Greenwood - McCorkle ran the team for the Lady Bulldogs as she averaged 10 points and four rebounds a game.
n Pate Shackelford, 6-2, senior, guard, Pillow Academy - A super intense player who plays with tremendous hustle. Helped lead the Mustangs to back-to-back trips to the Overall semifinals. Led his team in scoring with 17 points a game. Also averaged six rebounds and two steals a contest. Played in the MPSA all-star game.
n Darius Hammond, 6-2, sophomore, guard, Amanda Elzy - Hammond led the Panthers with 26 points and 10 rebounds a contest after not playing organized basketball since junior high. He was named the Most Valuable Player in the district for the 8-19 Panthers.
n William Morris, 5-11, junior, guard, Greenwood - Maybe the best overall shooter in the area. Averaged 13 points, two rebounds, two steals and two assists a game.
n Rhakeem Freeman, 6-3, senior, guard, Leflore County - Freeman was a senior leader for the 9-22 Tigers. He averaged 19 points and nine rebounds a contest and was named to the all-district team.
n Jamarcus Fleming, 5-8, junior, guard, J.Z. George - Head coach Kelvin Young called Fleming his most consistent player during the Jaguars' 12-16 season. He averaged 13 points a game and was named to the all-district team.
n Bo Craig, 6-3, senior, center, Pillow Academy - Was the MVP for the North squad in the MPSA all-star game. Led the Mustangs in rebounding with nine boards a game and in blocked shots with 2.5 a game and averaged 10 points.
n Eric Sims, 6-4, senior, forward, Carroll Academy - An all-conference player for the 15-11 Rebels. Averaged a team-high 12 points a game.
n Frank Rush, 6-4, senior, forward, Greenwood - A strong player. Averaged 10 points, eight rebounds and three assists a contest.
n Jeffery Simmons, 6-0, sophomore, guard, Greenwood - One of the more athletic players in the area. A real high flyer. Averaged 10 points, two assists and two steals a contest.
n Trevarus Christian, 6-2, senior, forward, J.Z. George - Christian was the player the Jaguars counted on most for tough, hard-nosed defense. He averaged 10 points and six rebounds a game.
