Duke, N.C. State, UNC recruits named Mr., Ms. Basketball in N.C., S.C.
Three players named players of the year in their state, along with a point guard headed to N.C. State, are this year’s Mr. and Ms. Basketball in North and South Carolina.
The awards recognize the top senior boys’ and girls’ high school basketball players in each state. The Observer began the Mr./Ms. Basketball awards in North Carolina in 1985. South Carolina players became eligible in 1990.
▪ Mr. Basketball in North Carolina is Concord Robinson’s Lavar Batts. Batts, a 6-foot-3 point guard, made multiple all-state teams this season and averaged 24 points, seven rebounds, five assists and two steals. He is Cabarrus County’s all-time scoring leader (2,174 points) and will play at N.C. State next season.
▪ Ms. Basketball in North Carolina is Clinton’s Mikaya Boykin. Boykin, a 5-9 guard, was N.C. Player of the Year by Gatorade, USA Today and the N.C. Associated Press. After missing two seasons with knee injuries, the future Duke Blue Devil averaged 38 points, 14 rebounds, 6.6 assists and six steals. She led Clinton to the 2A state championship.
▪ Mr. Basketball in South Carolina is Columbia Gray Collegiate Academy’s Jalek Felton. A 6-3 guard, Felton was S.C. Gatorade Player of the Year after averaging 26.3 points and 5.4 assists for 2A semifinalist. Felton, who signed with North Carolina, played in the Jordan Brand All-American game and is the nephew of former Tar Heels point guard Raymond Felton.
▪ Ms. Basketball in South Carolina is Dreher High’s Jaelynn Murray, whose mother, Michelle, played for the South Carolina Gamecocks in the 1990s and ranks third in school history in blocked shots. Jaelynn, a 6-2 forward, averaged 24 points and 11 rebounds and was the S.C. Gatorade Player of the Year. Murray, who signed with North Carolina, was also chosen state player of the year by the S.C. Basketball Coaches Association.
Past Winners
MR. N.C. BASKETBALL
2015-16: Edrice “Bam” Adebayo, High Point Christian
2014-15: Brandon Ingram, Kinston
2013-14: Theo Pinson, High Point Christian
2012-13: Isaiah Hicks, Oxford Webb
2011-12: Rodney Purvis, Raleigh Upper Room
2010-11: Terry Whisnant, Cherryville
2009-10: Reggie Bullock, Kinston
2008-09: Mason Plumlee, Arden Christ School
2007-08: Ty Walker, Wilmington New Hanover
2006-07: Demontez Stitt, Butler
2005-06: Will Graves, Greensboro Dudley
2004-05: Kevin Swinton, Greensboro Dudley
2003-04: Anthony Morrow, Charlotte Latin
2002-03: Chris Paul, West Forsyth
2001-02: Shavlik Randolph, Raleigh Broughton
2000-01: A. Richardson ,Raleigh Leesville Rd.
1999-00: Scooter Sherrill, West Rowan
1998-99: Jason Parker, West Charlotte
1997-98: Kris Lang, Gastonia Huss
1996-97: Jenis Grindstaff, McDowell
1995-96: Vincent Whitt, Greensboro Dudley
1994-95: Antawn Jamison, Providence
1993-94: Ishua Benjamin, Concord
1992-93: Jeff Capel, Hope Mills South View
1991-92: Todd Fuller, Charlotte Christian
1990-91: Donald Williams, Garner
1989-90: Rodney Rogers, Durham Hillside
1988-89: Bryant Feggins, Winston-Salem Glenn
1987-88: Kenny Williams, Eliz. City N'eastern
1986-87: Henrik Rodl, Chapel Hill
1985-86: Robert Brickey, Fayetteville Smith
1984-85: Chucky Brown, North Brunswick
MR. S.C. BASKETBALL
2015-16: Seventh Woods, Hammond School
2014-15: PJ Dozier, Spring Valley
2012-13: Justin McKie, Irmo
2011-12: Brice Johnson, Edisto
2010-11: Rod Drummond, Wade Hampton
2009-10: R.J. Slawson, Fort Dorchester
2008-09: Milton Jennings, Pinewood Prep
2007-08: Murphy Holloway, Dutch Fork
2006-07: Mike Holmes, Bishopville Lee Central
2005-06: Mike Jones, Lower Richland
2004-05: Devan Downey, Chester
2003-04: Ra'Sean Dickey, Marlboro Co.
2002-03: Brandon Wallace, Silver Bluff
2001-02: Raymond Felton, Latta
2000-01: Tymere Zimmerman, Marlboro Co.
1999-00: Rolando Howell, Lower Richland
1998-99: Chuck Eidson, Pinewood Prep
1997-98: Tony Kitchings, South Aiken
1996-97: James Griffin, Greenville
1995-96: Jermaine O'Neal, Eau Claire
1994-95: B.J. McKie, Irmo
1993-94: Roderick Blakney, Hartsville
1992-93: Ray Allen, Hillcrest-Dalzell
1991-92: Marvin Orange, Irmo
1990-91: Larry Davis, Denmark-Olar
1989-90: Lawrence Mitchell, Conway
MS. N.C. BASKETBALL
2015-16: Erin Whalen, Providence Day
2014-15: Stephanie Watts, Weddington
2013-14: Jatarie White, Providence Day
2012-13: Keri Fulp, East Surry
2011-12: Tiffany Mitchell, Providence Day
2010-11: Cierra Burdick, Butler
2009-10: Shannon Smith, Gastonia Forestview
2008-09: Christal Caldwell, West Charlotte
2007-08: Candace Wood, Victory Christian
2006-07: Cetera DeGraffenreid, Smoky Mountain
2005-06: Joy Cheek, South Mecklenburg
2004-05: Rashanda McCants, Asheville
2003-04: Chante Black, East Forsyth
2002-03: Camille Little, Winston-Salem Carver
2001-02: Kerri Gardin, Morganton Freedom
2000-01: Natasha Brackett, Providence Day
1999-00: Chrystal Baptist, Charlotte Christian
1998-99: Amy Simpson, Eden Morehead
1997-98: Tina McKiver, East Duplin
1996-97: Tynesha Lewis, SW Edgecombe
1995-96: Shea Ralph, Fayetteville Sanford
1994-95: Natasha Davis, Freedom
1993-94: Tiffani Johnson, Garinger
1992-93: Konecka Drakeford, Providence Day
1991-92: Wendy Palmer, Roxboro Person
1990-91: Christy Cagle, Hayesville
1989-90: Tonya Sampson, Clinton
1988-89: Danyel Parker, Clinton
1987-88: Mitzi Yount, Bandys
1986-87: Andrea Stinson, North Mecklenburg
1985-86: Schonna Banner, West Caldwell
1984-85: Jill Goldberg, Raleigh Broughton
MS. S.C. BASKETBALL
2015-16: Jhileiya Dunlap, Columbia Dreher
2014-15: Dejoria Howard, Orangeburg-Wilkinson
2013-14: Aja Wilson, Heathwood Hall
2012-13: Alaina Coates, Dutch Fork
2011-12: Xylina McDaniel, Spring Valley
2010-11: Aleighsa Welch, Goose Creek
2009-10: Kayla Jenerette, Traveler's Rest
2008-09: Morgan Stroman, Lower Richland
2007-08: Ruby Lee, Wright Latta
2006-07: Bailey Dewart, Spartanburg Dorman
2005-06: Wilesia Hardy, Spartanburg
2004-05: Karlana Greene, Timberland
2003-04: D'Lesha Lloyd, Lower Richland
2002-03: Ivory Latta, York
2001-02: L. Atkinson Bishopville, Lee Central
2000-01: LaQuita Neely, Laurens
1999-00: Nikki Jett, Columbia
1998-99: Chrissy Floyd, Laurens
1997-98: Shaunzinski Gortman, Keenan
1996-97: Teresa Geter, Columbia
1995-96: Cion Washington, Irmo
1994-95: Nikki Blassingame, Seneca
1993-94: Allison Feaster, Chester
1992-93: S. Calloway, Orangeburg-Wilkinson
1991-92: Saudia Roundtree, Westside
1990-91: Libby Corry, Blacksburg
1989-90: Tammy Gibson, Hartsville