The First Presbyterian Christian Academy Highlanders basketball teams gathered for a banquet last Thursday at Western Sizzlin’ in Hinesville. They celebrated a successful basketball season, during which the Lady Highlanders won the region tournament and made it to the second round of state, and the boys won their third straight state title.
Varsity girls coach Rosby Frasier and assistant coach Mike Brown gave medals and certificates to the girls, most of who played on the junior varsity team as well."When we got together for our very first practice, there were three people and two were not eligible to play because we are the coaches," Frasier said, recalling the Lady Highlander basketball program’s early days.
She said each year they did their best to improve over the previous season. This year, the varsity girls had their best season to date with an overall 13-9 record and a 7-1 region mark, according to statistics posted on Maxpreps.com.
Coach David Linderman and varsity coach David Jones later gave the boys their awards and praised the players for winning the region and the state titles.
Player awards
Varsity girls
T’era Alston: The Highlander award
Briana Reece: Defensive player award
Shaquoia ‘Coco’ Crockett: Best all around player award
JV boys
Rickey Gilliard: The Highlander award
Xavier Jackson: Most valuable player
Michael Burnett: Most improved
Varsity boys
Jordan Johnson: Minister of defense, All-Region Team, All-State Team
DJ Felder: The Windex man, All-Region Team, All-State Team
Shavon Stoves: Captain charisma, All-Region Team
Mike Brown: Mr. big shot, All-Region Team, All-Star Team
AJ Ansley: Instant defense, All-Region Team, All-State Team, All-Star Team
Hakeem Golden: The Highlander award (silent assassin), All-Region Team