Callaway players make all-region team
Published 11:28 pm Thursday, February 14, 2019
By KEVIN ECKLEBERRY
Daily News
It was a turn-around season for the Callaway Cavaliers.
After winning just three games and missing the state tournament during the 2017-2018 campaign, the Cavaliers made huge strides this season.
Callaway (12-11) increased its win total by nine games, and it finished third in the Region 5-AA tournament to qualify for state.
The Cavaliers’ good work didn’t go unnoticed.
Four members of the Callaway team earned a spot on the all-Region 5-AA team that was released earlier this week.
Callaway’s girls’ team, which has also enjoyed a successful season, placed five players on the all-region team.
Demetrius Coleman, a sophomore who led the Cavaliers in scoring this season, was a first-team selection to the all-region team.
Another sophomore guard, Javontay Boddie, earned a second-team selection, as did junior post player Duke Simpson. Earning an honorable-mention selection for the Cavaliers was junior post player Antinez Blount.
Jaylin Sellers of Spencer was named the region’s player of the year.
Leading the way for Callaway’s girls’ team was senior Kierra Jackson, who made the first team.
Jackson, a post player, has come up big for the Lady Cavaliers this season.
Her finest moment came when she hit a buzzer-beater to lift Callaway to a key region win over Heard County.
Callaway (17-11), which was second in the region during the regular season, finished third in the region tournament.
Three Callaway players, including senior Jasmine Dukes, made the second team.
Also making the all-region team for Callaway were three members of a talented freshman class.
Guards Gabrielle Johnson and Niakoe Burks were second-team picks, and post player Camryn Stargell earned an honorable-mention nod.
Tamiyah Alford of Lamar County was the region’s player of the year.
Both Callaway teams will be on the road for the opening round of the Class AA state tournament on Saturday.
Callaway’s girls’ team will play Elbert County, while the Callaway boys’ team takes on Banks County.
