TIFTON — Four basketball players from the Tiftarea were named to their respective All-State teams in recent voting by the Georgia Sports Writers Association.

Tift County’s Justin Brownlee, Worth County’s Tia Lewis, Turner County’s Shawn Jackson and Irwin County’s Ternell Davis, were named among the 15 honorable-mention players in their respective classifications.

Brownlee was named the All-Tiftarea Boy’s Player of the Year this past season. He also played in the GACA North-South All-Star contest.

During the season, he averaged 21.2 points, 9.7 rebounds and 5.3 assists per contest.

“We are very proud of Justin. He was an outstanding player for us in every possible way, both offensively and defensively. He scored, handled the ball, defended and rebounded,” said Tift County head coach Johnny Spurlin. “We certainly hope Justin takes advantage of his opportunities to continue displaying his talent at the collegiate level.”

Brownlee is a senior, but Lewis, who was the All-Tiftarea Girl’s Player of the Year this past season, is only a junior. This past season she averaged 19.1 points and 19.3 rebounds per contest.

“Tia is a great player and student,” Worth County Lady Rams head coach Tim Hathcock said. “She works hard to make herself better and we are expecting bigger things from her next year.”

Making All-State is nothing new to Jackson. The senior was named as a first-team All-State selection in football back in December.

During the 2005-06 basketball season, Jackson averaged 15 points, 11 rebounds and three steals per game.

“Shawn is a great, solid kid. He scored 1000 points and had 500 assists in his career,” Turner head coach Eric Holland said. “He was an extremely great player for us.’

According to Holland, Jackson is said to be close to signing with either Fort Valley State, Savannah State or Columbus State.

Davis was the surprise pick from the Tiftarea. Only a freshman, Davis averaged 24 points, nine rebounds, four steals and three assists per game for head coach Chuck Folker’s Indians.

“Ternell is a complete player. He has the ability to get a shot off at any time he wants, he can handle the ball well, shoot the three and he is very good at penetrating to the basket,” Folker said. “While only a freshman, he can still improve in all these areas to become even a better player in the next three years.”

Davis is the first freshman from the Tiftarea picked for the All-State team since the late Ronalda Pierce, the Turner County Lady Rebel was named first-team as a freshman in 2000. According to Folker, Davis is Pierce’s first cousin.

Besides the Tiftarea contingent, Gayla Williams from nearby Atkinson County High was also honored by the sports writers. The 6-foot senior was named the Girl’s Player of the Year in Class A. Her teammate, Alesia Thomas, was named honorable-mention on the Class A list.



Georgia Sports Writers

Association

All-State Basketball Teams



Mr. Basketball: Javaris Crittenton, Southwest Atlanta Christian

Miss Basketball: Maya Moore, Collins Hill



Class AAAAA



Player of the Year: Jodie Meeks, Norcross

Coach of the Year: Eddie Martin, Norcross



First team

J.J. Hickson, Wheeler, 6-9, Jr.

Jodie Meeks, Norcross, 6-4, Sr.

Chris Allen, Meadowcreek, 6-3, Jr.

Casey Mitchell, Savannah, 6-4, Sr.

Gani Lawal, Norcross, 6-9, Jr.



Honorable mention: J.T. Tiller, Wheeler; James Florence, Wheeler; Chris Singleton, Cherokee; Wesley Matthews, South Cobb; James Fields, Beach; Aaron Gilstrap, Marietta; Recentae Harris, Tri-Cities; Justin Brownlee, Tift Co.; Jaquan Bray, Campbell; Kenny Russell, South Cobb; Brian Fisher, Kennesaw Mountain; Cameron Heyward, Peachtree Ridge; Trevor Gaskins, Milton; Jerrell Boswell, Newton; Sylvester Egbe, Redan.



Girls

Player of the Year: Maya Moore, Collins Hill

Coach of the Year: Tracey Tipton, Collins Hill



First team

Maya Moore, Collins Hill, 6-1, Jr.

Porsha Phillips, Redan, 6-1, Sr.

Christy Marshall, Beach, 6-0, Sr.

Shantell Black, Collins Hill, 5-4, Sr.

Gia Lockett, South Gwinnett, 5-9, Sr.



Honorable mention: Brittany Hall, Campbell; Alex Winchell, South Gwinnett; Amani Franklin, Redan; Jasmine Smith, Stephenson; Charmaine Clark, Bradwell Institute; Michelle Thompson, Cherokee; Kristen Murdock, Marietta; Tabitha David, Pebblebrook; Courtney Strauthers, Shiloh; Shelbie Pool, Mill Creek; Chioma Okoli, Brookwood; Brittany Cade, Collins Hill; D’Andra Moss, Norcross; Brittany Carter, Newton; Kelly O’Connor, Milton.





Class AAAA

Player of the Year: Lance Storrs, Columbia

Coach of the Year: Phil McCrary, Columbia



First team



Jeremy Price, Columbia, 6-9, Jr.

Cameron Tatum, Tucker, 6-6, Sr.

Jujuan Jones, Douglas Co., 6-6, Sr.

Lance Storrs, Columbia, 6-5, Jr.

Martavious Adams, Baldwin, 6-9, Jr.



Honorable mention: Andy Ogide, Paulding Co.; Bryan Browner, Cedar Shoals; Jarvis Jones, Carver-Columbus; Aaron Parr, St. Pius; Ricky Dobbs, Douglas Co.; Obinna Hurt, Baldwin; Jeremy Simmons, Tucker; Damarr Carter, Chapel Hill; Chris Kupets, Cedar Shoals; Sidney Harris, Griffin; Anthony Jones, Miller Grove; Markis Callahan, Clarke Central; Jerome Manuel, Evans; Daylon Mathis, Murray Co.; Derrick Favors, South Atlanta.



Class AAAA

Player of the Year: Kelley Cain, St. Pius

Coach of the Year: Stephanie Dunn, St. Pius



First team

Kelley Cain, St. Pius, 6-5, Jr.

Chimere Jordan, Jones Co., 5-9, Jr.

Nikitta Gartrell, Mays, 5-9, Sr.

Drey Mingo, Marist, 6-2, Jr.

Michelle Swiec, Greenbrier, 5-6, Jr.



Honorable mention: Tagan Hatchett, Etowah; Amy Horton, Haralson Co.; Lakeisha Levi, Northside-Warner Robins; Angelique Gray, Stone Mountain; Krista Tate, St. Pius; Andrea McGuirt, Marist; Courtney Freeman, Madison Co.; Jasmine Duffey, Jonesboro; Tynishia Berry, Jackson Co.; Latia Williams, North Clayton; Charenee Stephens, SW DeKalb; Alicia Manning, Etowah; Jelisa Caldwell, Westside-Macon; Courtney Hurt, Salem; Nikita Thomas, Mays.



Class AAA

Player of the Year: An’Juan Wilderness, Dunwoody

Coach of the Year: Scott Bracco, Dunwoody



First team

An’Juan Wilderness, Dunwoody, 6-6, Sr.

Antoine Johnson, Westlake, 6-0, Sr.

Germaine Sparkes, Liberty Co., 6-5, Sr.

Kareem Carter, Spencer, 6-9, Sr.

Austin Steed, Butler, 6-8, Sr.



Honorable mention: Jerome Burney, Westlake; Anthony Miller, Liberty Co.; Barry Drummond, Liberty Co.; Courtney Watkins, Perry; Zac Swansey, Dunwoody; Kierre Jordan, Dunwoody; Reginald Billingslea, Troup; Jamarco Warren, Gainesville; Renard James, Richmond Academy; Trevor Welcher, Richmond Academy; Curtis Brown, Hephzibah; Jamarie Brown, Washington Co.; Martez Howard, Banneker; Larriques Cunningham, Franklin Co.; Nagee Smith, Cedartown.



Girls

Player of the Year: Siarre Evans, Spalding

Coach of the Year: Marcus Searcy, Avondale



First

Siarre Evans, Spalding, 5-10, Sr.

Nicole Stroud, Avondale, 6-3, Jr.

Porsha Whitle, Hephzibah, 5-11, Sr.

Rosetta Hollis, Kendrick, 5-11, Sr.

Whitney Randolph, Johnson-Gainesville, 5-11, Sr.



Honorable mention: Oceana Jackson, Franklin Co.; Kita Waller, Gainesville; Shaday Woolcock, Avondale; Parrisha Simmons, Southwest-Macon; Damisha Moore, Cartersville; Kaylyn Small, Richmond Academy; Tia Lewis, Worth Co.; Quanneisha Perry, Towers; Brittany Kirkland, Monroe Area; ReNate Lopez, Hephzibah; Kendra Berry, Westover; Metra Walthour, Liberty Co.; Nisha Adams, Liberty Co.; Leschelle Matthews, Kendrick; Javonna Kent, Cross Creek.





Class AA

Player of the Year:  Chris Wright, Dublin

Coach of the Year: Clint Thomas, Dublin



First team

Chris Wright, Dublin, 6-4, Sr.

LaShun Watson, Greenville, 6-5, Sr.

Frank Davis, East Hall, 6-2, Sr.

Howard Thompkins, Wesleyan, 6-8, So.

Ben Smith, Dublin, 5-11, Sr.



Honorabld mention: Walter Hill, East Hall; Ladarius Hall, Thomasville; Jamar Moore, Thomasville; Demaryius Thomas, West Laurens; Lehman Colbert, Crawford Co.; Cam Sherman, Buford; Xavier Collier, Laney; Jared Collins, Toombs Co.; Corey Roper, Darlington; Andre Hicks, Lovett; Will Kenimer, North Oconee; Robertas Kleiva, Pace; Andrerius Thomas, Grady; Ternell Davis, Irwin Co.; Tay Waller, Manchester.



Girls

Player of the Year: Ashley Houts, Dade

Coach of the Year: Jan Azar, Wesleyan



First team

Ashley Houts, Dade Co., 5-6, Sr.

Carolyn Whitney, Wesleyan, 5-8, Sr.

Janae Stokes, Vidalia, 5-7, Sr.

D’Nay Daniel, GAC, 5-8, Jr.

Eboni Fields, Landy, 5-5, Sr.



Honorable mention: Lauren Falohun, Pace; Le Le LeSeur, Wesleyan; Kimberly Jones, Appling Co.; Kadedra Evans, Screven Co.; Kimberly Gay, Dodge Co.; Kylee Marx-Booth, Holy Innocents’; Andrea Butler, West Laurens; Keyonnia Cook, Josey; Adriene Reid, Westside-Augusta; Brittany Bell, Josey; Megan Elliott, Pace; Jasmine McKinney, Laney; Sarah Delk, Wesleyan; Nikeitta Chappell, Olgethorpe Co.; Kayla Evans, Model.





Class A

Player of the Year: Jarvis Crittenton, SACA

Coach of the Year: Courtney Brooks, SACA



First team

Jarvis Crittenton, SACA, 6-5, Sr.

Senaro Hillman, Wilkinson Co., 6-2, Jr.

Rashaad Lewis, Randolph-Clay, 6-5, Sr.

Kelvin Anderson, Whitefield, 5-8, Jr.

Danny Friend, Jr., SACA, 6-6, Sr.



Honorable mention: Keonte Keith, Jefferson; Dontrell Taylor, Wilkinson Co.; Emilo Lebelo, Athens Academy; Brandon Nolley, Hancock Central; Kelvin McConnell, Whitefield; Kenith Scott, Jenkins; Tommy Seals, Warren Co.; Reggie Barner, Aquinas; Chris Griffin, Greenforest Christian; Roshawn Jackson, Turner Co.; Cameron Padgett, Calvary Baptist; Dexter Ellington, Randolph-Clay; Jahaziel Howard, SACA; Jonathan Whipple, Wilkinson Co.; Junard Hartley, Whitefield.



Girls

Player of the Year: Gayla Williams, Atkinson Co.

Coach of the Year: Jermaine Thompson, SACA



First team

Gayla Williams, Atkinson Co., 6-0, Sr.

Sequoyah Griffin, Pacelli, 5-11, Jr.

Fatiha Salaam, W.D. Mohammed, 5-8, Sr.

Shalita Brooks, Jefferson, 5-7, Sr.

Mariah Chandler, SACA, 6-1, Fr.



Honorable mention: Alesia Thomas, Atkinson Co.; Jarquella Woods, Pacelli; Monshay Thomas, Terrell Co.; Jasmine Birdsong, Hancock Central; JoDonna Molden, Calhoun Co.; Christian Hunnicutt, Landmark Christian; Tegra Hillman, Wilkinson Co.; Cierra Duhart, Hawkinsville; Diundra Doughty, Washington-Wilkes; Kori Penland, Gordon Lee; Andrea Day, Montogemery; Desiree Hollis, McIntosh Co. Academy; Mimi Dubose, Jefferson; Brittany Daniels, Randolph-Clay; Allegra Grimes, Wilkinson Co.