The Long County Blue Tide basketball teams wrapped up the regular season and region tournament last week. The Lady Tide ended up falling short of missing the state playoffs, while the boys won the 2-AAA tournament championship and advanced to the state playoffs for the the fifth year in a row. On Saturday, several players from both teams were named to the Region 2-AAA All-Region Teams with one Tide boys player standing out as one of the best players in the region.
The Lady Tide had four players awarded All-Region honors at Saturday’s region tournament. Sophomore Cecilia Burke was the lone Lady Tide player named to the First Team. Burke had a great year leading the Tide as she was one of the leading scorers for the team.
Senior Akiara Garland, sophomore Ke Osha McKeever, and freshman Jada Young were all given Honorable Mention for All-Region. Garland was one of the more accurate shooters for the Tide, being around 40 percent from three-point range. McKeever led the team in steals and really came on as one of the better defenders late in the season. Young had a great year for the Tide, coming off the bench and making great plays scoring and rebounding in the post.
The Blue Tide boys had seven players named to the All-Region teams. The biggest award of the night was given to senior Trajan Weatherspoon. He was named the Region 2-AAA Boys Co-Player of the Year along with Liberty County’s Ladarrius Mack.
Throughout the season, Weatherspoon played a big role down low for the Blue Tide. He was the best rebounder on the team and averaged just over 11 points a game for the team. He also usually provided a big spark for the Tide and its fans with electric dunks. He posted nearly 20 dunks on the year for Long County.
Senior Samuel Turner and junior Tostadas Pouncey both made the First Team. Turner had a great year rebounding for the Tide and making big plays driving to the hole. Pouncey was one of the better ball handlers for the Tide and the best three-point shooter, going around 50 percent from behind the line.
Sophomore Cameryn Johnson proved he is going to be a big part of the Blue Tide’s future as he was the lone player to make the Second Team. He provided great minutes off the bench and made big plays where the team needed him.
Seniors Donovan Sykes, Xavier Carlton, and Adison Russell were all given Honorable Mention for All-Region. Sykes was the leader of the Tide this year as the head point guard. Carlton made good plays in the paint and was a big body for the Tide. Russell would come in off the bench and make plays at the shooting guard and small forward positions for the Tide.
The Blue Tide boys were the best team in Region 2-AAA this year and with seven players making the All-Region Team, it is not hard to see why. The team will look to continue their incredible season as they host the Rutland Hurricanes out of Macon on Saturday, February 15 in the first round of the AAA state playoffs.