The Newton County Appeal has released its Girls All-Area Basketball Awards for the 2019-2020 school year. Here are the recipients:
First team
J.T. Vance, 6-2, Sr. Forward, Union
Why he’s here: Vance had another standout season for the Yellowjackets this season, averaging 22 points and eight rebounds a game, leading Union to a 20-8 record. Vance was an all Division 6-2A pick for the second year in a row and made the 6-2A all-tournament team. Vance was also picked to The Meridian Star’s Premier Preps of East Mississippi boys basketball team for the second straight year as well. Vance is also a standout on the baseball diamond as well for the Yellowjackets.
Kemp Alderman, 6-4, Sr., Center, NCA
Why he’s here: Alderman is the rare three-sport standout for the Generals. Alderman made the MAIS All-star game in football and is an Ole Miss signee in baseball. He’s also a standout in basketball, averaging 12. 5 points a game and 10.5 rebounds a game. He was the district Most Valuable Offensive Player and the Generals’ Most Valuable Player. He was also the team's best rebounder and won the team’s Hustle Award.
Kedrick Osby, 6-6, Fresh, Forward, Newton
Why he’s here: Osby was Newton’s best player for coach Crandall Porter, averaging 15 points and eight rebounds a game. Osby was an all-Division 6-2A selection for the regular season and tournament for the Tigers, who lost in the first round of the Class 2A playoffs. Osby was also named to The Meridian Star’s Premier Preps of East Mississippi boys basketball team.
Josiah Cleveland, 6-1, Sr., Shooting guard, Newton County
Why he’s here: Cleveland was Newton County’s most consistent scorer this season, where he averaged 16.4 points and 3.6 rebounds a game with a season-high of 29 points against Mendenhall. Cleveland was an all-Division 5-4A selection as a junior and a senior. Cleveland was also excellent from the free-throw line where he shot 86 percent for the season.
Danarrious Hughes, 6-1, Sr., guard, Lake
Why he’s here: Hughes is a two-sport standout for Lake and signed with Holmes Community College to play cornerback for the Bulldogs. Hughes averaged 14 points and six rebounds a game for first-year coach Darrin Gray, who said the senior was his best player. Hughes was an all-Division 6-2A pick for the regular season and the tournament.
Second team
Riley Boswell, 5-10, Jr., Guard, NCA
Why he’s here: Boswell emerged as a top shooter for the Generals this season, where he led the team in scoring with 17.5 points a game. He also had 6.5 rebounds, three steals and two assists a game. Boswell was named NCA’s Offensive MVP and won the team’s Free Throw Award.
Brady McGee, 5-10, Soph., Guard, Lake
Why he’s here: McGee emerged as the Hornets best outside shooter as the season progresses where he averaged 11 points a game. Lake coach Darrin Gray said McGee played his best basketball in the last three weeks of the season. McGee is another three-sport standout as well, where he was an all-county selection at quarterback for the Hornets. McGee is also a standout baseball player and was named a Max Preps Freshman Small School All-American.
Jamarcus Jones, 6-4, Jr, Forward, Union
Why he’s here: Jones is another two-sport standouts for Union this past season. For the Yellowjackets, Jones averaged 10 points and eight rebounds a game. Head coach John Darnell said Jones finished the year strong for the Yellowjackets. Jones is also a standout in football, where he led Union with 25 catches for 542 yards. Jones as an all-all-division pick in the 6-2A tournament.
Justin Thompson, 6-2, Soph., Guard, Newton
Why he’s here: Thompson was also an emerging player for the Tigers this season, where he averaged 12 points and four rebounds a game for first-year coach Crandal Porter. Thompson was the team’s best 3-point shooter this past season, shooting 38 percent from beyond the arc.
Davion Hillie, 6-1, Junior, Power forward, Newton County
Why he’s here: Hillie was an outstanding defender and rebounder for the Cougars this season, despite playing against much taller players in almost every game. Hillie averaged 9.7 rebounds a game and led the team in charges taken for veteran coach Steve Harber.
Honorable mention
- E.J. Campbell, Jr, Guard, Union
- Jamaal Croft, Jr., Guard, Newton County
- Davonte Rankin, Sr., Guard, Lake
- Jalen Theus, Jr, Forward, Lake
- Kezarrian Wash, Soph., Guard, Newton
