THOMASVILLE — Thomasville’s girls and boys basketball teams had seasons to remember.

They were rewarded in the Times-Enterprise’s annual All-Area team.

For the second straight season, Thomasville’s Carmenonique Dawson and Willie Clayton were named the area players of the year. Dawson averaged 18 points per game, despite missing much of the second half of the season with an ankle injury. Clayton averaged 17 points and 12 rebounds in leading the Bulldogs to the Class AA championship game.

“It’s just hat’s off to coach (Thomas) McAboy and myself,” said Thomasville boys coach Ben Tillman, referring to the Thomasville girls coach. Tillman was named coach of the year after guiding the Bulldogs to a 24-5 record and Region 1 championship. McAboy was also a coach of the year selection after the Lady Bulldogs finished 24-4 with a region championship.

“We really did a great job of coming in and really pushing the kids. The kids really did a great job with responding to what we were asking them to do,” Tillman added. “I think once one team won, the other wanted to outdo the other. It became really competitive and we don’t want anyone to lose and didn’t want the other team to outdo the other.

“It generated a lot of interest in our sport and a lot of interest in our teams.”

Clayton generated a lot of buzz all season. The sophomore was unstoppable in the post. Against Jefferson in a state semifinal matchup, Clayton scored 23 points, including 13 after halftime. His performance earned high praise from Jefferson coach Bolling DuBose.

“Willie Clayton is a man,” DuBose noted.

Tillman added, “He’s a high-energy guy as I’ve always said. He brings a lot of energy into the game. I think his energy has really overwhelmed a lot of people, being so active on the boards,” Tillman said. “With that aspect, he’s really come around. He still has a lot of work to do, especially with his free throw shooting.

“As far as what he’s contributed this year, I look forward to him bringing that same type of intensity next year. He’s really done a great job with that.”

Clayton was joined on the first team by sophomore teammates Robert Carter and Trey Gosier. Carter averaged a double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds. Gosier, in his first year starting, averaged nine points but came on late in the season. He scored 24 against Benedictine in the second round of the playoffs and 21 against Henry County in the quarterfinals.

“If I had to give a Most Improved trophy, it would definitely go to him,” Tillman said. “He had a chance to play in some major impact games. I think that’s really helped him out tremendously.”

The other first-team selections were Thomas County Central’s Trammell Anderson and Cairo’s Jemonta Baker. Anderson was Central’s leading scorer at 14 points per game. So, too, was Baker at 14.32 points per game. Baker also shot 38 percent behind the 3-point line and drew 10 charges on defense.

Like Clayton, Dawson was unstoppable. She was a key reason the Lady Bulldogs advanced deep in the state tournament. Against Dodge County in the second round, Thomasville trailed by 13 in the second half. Dawson scored 22 of her game-high 24 after intermission, however, and the Lady Bulldogs rallied to a 62-56 victory.

“She put us on her back and got us to the Elite Eight,” McAboy said. “She’s a competitor, what can you say?”

Before Dawson was sidelined because of an ankle injury she sustained against Brooks County, she was averaging 20.2 points per game. No basket was more memorable, though, than the game-winner at home to defeat Central 68-67. She finished with 19 points. It was her last field goal before returning in the Region 1 tournament.

“She just made the money shot,” Central coach Jenny Johnson said.

Dawson was joined on the first team by fellow junior Kierrica Spencer, who, along with second-team selection Audreka Davis, guided the Lady Bulldogs to a 12-game winning streak before losing to Laney in the state quarterfinals.

“They carried the bulk of the load when Carmenonique went down,” McAboy said.

Also on the first team was Brookwood junior Lauren Johnson, who torched GISA Class AAA for 28 points per game. Central seniors Nynesha Terry and Jaleisha Graham were also first-team selections. Terry averaged 10 points per game and Graham averaged 13 per contest.



Boys

1st team

G Trey Gosier THS Avg. 9 points/game

G Jemonta Baker Cairo Hit 38 percent from 3-pt line

F Trammell Anderson Central Led team with 14 points/game

F Robert Carter THS Avg. 12 points/10 rebounds

C Willie Clayton THS Led team with 17 points/game

2nd team

G Brian Walker Cairo Avg. 4.04 rebounds, 4.64 assists/game

G Terrell Bryant Cairo Led Syrupmakers with 4.68 assists/game

F Fred Holton THS Scored 18 points against Central-Macon

F Jermyrin Bodiford Cairo Led team with 4.88 rebounds/game

F Ray Drew Central Avg. 11 points, 6 rebounds/game

Honorable Mention

G Kevin Hudson Brook. Avg. 8 points, 7 rebounds/game

G Charles Hayes THS Scored 10 in state title game

F Reshard Cliett Central Tallied 12 points against Bainbridge

F Seandarius Coleman THS High flyer scored eight against Jefferson



Girls

1st team

G Lauren Johnson Brook. Led area with 28 points/game

G Carmenonique Dawson THS Area’s best player despite ankle injury

G Kierrica Spencer THS Guided team to 12-game winning streak

F Nynesha Terry Central Avg. 10 points/game

F Jaleisha Graham Central Team’s leading scorer at 13 points/game

2nd team

G Audreka Davis THS 3-point specialist had 13 against Dodge

G Kyanna McCraw Central Scored 10 in win against Lee

F Quan Sadberry Cairo Avg. 11 points, 6 rebounds/game

F Vanesia Brown THS Post player scored 17 against Mitchell Co.

F Khabriyah Brown THS Was spark as a freshman

Honorable Mention

G Dominique Davis Cairo Point guard led team in assists, steals

G LaNeshia Barber Cairo Junior was second on team in scoring

G Bryanna McCraw Central Scored 11 in home loss to Bainbridge

F Maya Taylor THS Scored 12 against Albany at home