The starring duo for the new Class 5A girls' state champions and three members of the Lake Hamilton's 6A-West boys' champions were among All-State basketball selections announced this week by the Arkansas Activities Association.
Hot Springs seniors Ariana Guinn and Imani Honey were named All-State after leading the Lady Trojans (31-3) to the Class 5A state title Saturday with a 50-47 victory over two-time defending champion Watson Chapel (28-5). Guinn led all scorers with 22 points and Honey was named the 5A girls' MVP with 12 points, six rebounds and a game-high five assists.
The Lady Trojans won their last 23 games of the season, including a 65-56 win against Watson Chapel on Feb. 23 in the 5A-South championship game at Trojan Fieldhouse.
Sophomore Santiair Thomas and freshman J.J. Walker were named All-State after leading Hot Springs to the 5A-South boys' title and fourth straight appearance in the state semifinals. The Trojans were 9-9 after tournament play earlier in the season, but finished 24-12 after exiting in the semifinal round to state champion Little Rock Parkview (25-8).
Lake Hamilton's boys' team boasts the most selections of any local team with three All-State players. The Wolves finished 27-5 with All-State juniors Lane Kersey, Mondo Watkins and Kanaan Williams.
The junior trio led Lake Hamilton to a 6A-West championship with home court advantage throughout the tournament. Lake Hamilton earned a bye in the Class 6A tournament, but the Wolves were eliminated in the quarterfinals by Little Rock Hall (24-9).
Jenny Peake was named All-State from the girls' team, which featured a large group of seniors who appeared in their second straight Class 6A state semifinals. The Lady Wolves were 9-11 after a road loss at Hot Springs on Jan. 25 before gaining momentum through the end of the season with a six-game win streak.
Lake Hamilton (19-14) upset Sheridan (23-8) in the 6A-West consolation game to earn the No. 3 seed at state. The Lady Wolves defeated Jacksonville (14-17), 66-54, before eliminating the host West Memphis team (16-15), 66-44, in the quarterfinals.
Lakeside guards Thea Rice, senior, and Ashton Patrick, junior, were named All-State. The Lady Rams (20-10) earned the No. 3 seed from the 5A-South conference at state with a 57-32 victory over De Queen (19-10) in the district tournament consolation game.
Junior Sawyer Lamb was the leading scorer for the Rams (8-18). Lamb helped lead a resurgence in the second half of the season after Lakeside started the season 1-11.
Jessieville senior Alex Burleson was named All-State after leading the Lions to a 24-7 record. The team followed three early season losses with 13 consecutive wins. Jessieville lost two close games, 61-54 and 53-51 in overtime, to Perryville (27-5) in the district and regional finals.
Centerpoint senior Parker Sutton starred for the Knights (20-13) in their run to the state tournament. Centerpoint won its district tournament and topped Junction City (18-13), 58-53, in a consolation game at regionals to earn a No. 3 seed at state.
Mountain Pine senior Fay Haywood was the lone All-State selection from a Red Devils squad that went 26-6, including a district championship.
Cutter Morning Star leading scorer Ryan Brown also represented the Eagles among the All-State selections.
Sports on 03/14/2018