West Bladen’s Chase Williams and East Bladen’s NeNe Ward and Lalia Smith were named to the HighSchoolOT.com All-State basketball teams announced Sunday.
Williams, a senior center, was named to the web site’s boys’ second team after averaging 20.8 points per game for the Knights with 18 double-doubles. He also was named the Southeastern Athletic Conference Player of the Year and plans to play at The Citadel.
Williams led the Knights to a 27-2 record and reached the N.C. High School Athletic Association 2A Eastern Regional boys’ championship game, losing to Pittsboro Northwood 57-38.
Ward and Smith, both seniors, led East Bladen to the N.C. High School Athletic Association 1A girls’ championship game, losing to Cherokee 84-48. The Eagles were 26-4.
Ward, a guard, was named to the girls’ third team. She averaged 19.4 points, 5.2 rebounds, 4,1 assists and 5.2 steals per game and made 76 3-pointers. She was named the Waccamaw Conference Player of the Year.
Smith, a wing, was named girls’ honorable mention. She averaged 16.6 points, 8.2 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 4.8 steals and 1.1 rebounds per game.
Both Ward and Smith had scored more than 1,000 career points by the end of their junior seasons.
Fifteen players each were named to HighSchoolOT’s first, second and third teams and 30 players were named honorable mention.
Area players named to the teams were:
Boys
• Antonio McKoy, junior, Harrells Christian, second team
Girls
• Taniya Simms, senior, Fairmont, honorable mention
Author: Sonny Jones
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