Player of the Year: Lexie Smith, Edgewood Academy sophomore
Whenever the Wildcats needed a bucket, more than likely, it was Lexie Smith getting it for them. In only her sophomore year, she led the team with 22.6 points per game to pair with 2.4 rebounds and 2.1 assists. She crossed the 40-point mark in three games this year while also crossing the 1,000 point mark during the season. Smith was also a menace on the defensive side of the ball racking up 135 steals which averages to five a game.
FIRST TEAM
Aaliyah Humphrey, Wetumpka freshman
Wetumpka was a very young team this year and Aaliyah Humphrey was no exception to this. En route to consecutive years on the All-Elmore County first team, she averaged 16 points, nearly six rebounds, six assists and six steals a game — yet again proving all-around how dominant of a player she is for the Indians. The team as a whole quintupled its win total from her eighth-grade year while winning the area outright.
Jhakhia Anderson, Tallassee senior
Dalton Middleton / The Tribune Tallassee's Jhakhia Anderson (2) drives against Barbour County.
It did not matter if it was on defense or on offense, Jhakhia Anderson was going to make an impact for the Tigers in her senior year. Not only leading the team with nearly 10 points per game, Anderson finished second on the team with 6.5 rebounds a game. She also racked up 45 steals on the season while adding two blocks to her resume. Anderson was not afraid to show her range as a scorer, not only being among the top scorers from inside the paint she also got things done behind the arc being third on the team in 3-point shooting percentage.
Kuraji Crosby, Stanhope Elmore eighth-grader
Austin Elliott / TPI Kuraji Crosby dribbles the ball down the floor against Wetumpka.
Talk about a burst onto the scene for the Mustangs eighth-grade phenom Kuraji Crosby. She was either first or second in almost every statistical category in this year of varsity action. Crosby was second on the team averaging 12 points per game, but her 6-foot-1 frame helped her finish first in rebounds with 14 per game and first in blocks with four per game. Despite not having started high school yet, Crosby will be a focal point for the Mustangs for years to come.
Hailey Phelps, Holtville freshman
Just another young player who made a huge impact for their team was the Bulldogs’ Hailey Phelps. Although not lighting up the offensive stat sheet like the other players with just 5.2 points per game, it was her facilitating and defensive role that shined brightly this year. Phelps was a leader in assists for the squad with 3.1 per game while leading the team with 8 rebounds a game and a resounding 5 steals a game. Not only picking up an All-Elmore County nod, Phelps added other accolades to her resume to round out her freshman year – making the Class 5A Area 6 Tournament team and All-Tournament during the Thanksgiving break.
Lalah Culpepper, Elmore County senior
All around Lalah Culpepper made an impact for the Panther this year en route to an area championship appearance and a trip to the playoffs. At the point guard position, it was her role to facilitate the offense’s production and it’s safe to say she achieved that goal. Whether it be through dishing passing or slashing into the paint, Culpepper helped make the Panther offense tick. She also used her size to her advantage as she was among the top on the team in rebounds.
SECOND TEAM
Avery White, Edgewood Academy
London O’Neal, Tallassee
Logann Banks, Wetumpka
Aniya Burton, Stanhope Elmore
Kaila Higgins, Holtville
Addison Hicks, Elmore County
HONORABLE MENTIONS
Wetumpka: Jordan Harris, Zariah Clark
Tallassee: Cheyann Esterling, Jaaliyah Williams
Stanhope Elmore: Maliah Newton, Summiyah Gilmore
Holtville: Ragen Roberts, Kali Ingram
Elmore County: Addie Stephens, RG Bolton, Cherish Foye
Edgewood: Aubrey Newton, Emerson Boddie
