Player of the Year for 2-5A: Photo by Reggie McLeroy)
By Kyle Roberts
Following an undefeated district run to end the 2023-24 season, Ruston High senior Jaliyah McWain was named Most Valuable Player for District 2-5A while head coach Meredith Graf earned Coach of the Year after the coaches votes were tallied.
Ruston would also have a four more players represented on the first, second and honorable mention teams.
“I tell my team all the time, the more successful your team is, the more recognition is given,” Graf said. “That is no different for this year’s All District teams. It is important for people to realize the teams are based off of only five district games, not the season as a whole. This can make it especially difficult for the nomination and voting process for coaches. I was happy to see the district coaches vote for so many of our Ruston kids and I believe each player on the All-District teams from all the schools are very deserving and had a great impact to our district as a whole.”
Senior Zaccheya Jackson would make first team after averaging 13 points per district game with five boards and three steals. Junior Kiersynce McNeal would earn second team, while both senior A’Nyia Moore and sophomore EK Jones would be named honorable mention.
The entire list is included below. Stats shown only reflect district games.
COY
Meredith Graf, RHS
MVP
#2 Jaliyah McWain RHS 13 points per game, 6 rebounds per game, 5 steals per game
1st Team All-District
#14 Zaccheya Jackson RHS 13 points per game, 5 rebounds per game, 3 steals per game
#3 Jade Spikes OPHS 16 points per game, 2 rebounds per game, 2 steals per game, 2 assists
#23 McKenna Looley OPHS 14 points per game, 5 rebounds per game
#2 MarKayla Williams WM 12 points per game, 4 rebounds per game
#1 Thamerin Balthazar ASH 18 points per game, 3 rebounds per game, 2 steals per game, 3 assists
2nd Team All-District
#24 Mitzariah Minnifield WM
#10 Braciera Clark ASH
#20 Kiersynce McNeal RHS
#10 Macey Hattaway WO
#12 Kiah Simpson OPHS
Honorable Mention All-District
#54 Brea Woods -ASH
#30 Caitlyn Richard– OPHS
#4 Jurnee Carter – OPHS
#23 Ashley Guedry – PHS
#10 A’Nyia Moore – RHS
#11 Ella Kate Jones – RHS
#22 Briley Brothers – WM
#20 Ella Ashcraft – WM
#15 Autumn Wilson – WM
#3 Annie Gilly – WO
#33 Jacie Turner – WO
#11 Addison Spoon – WO
