By Tony Burns
Sports Editor
EL DORADO - The Arkansas Activities Association released its All-State basketball teams last week. Five Union County girls were honored, including El Dorado’s Mekaylan Hicks. Hicks was joined by Junction City’s Nikayla Fisher and Jyrezhia Nathan, Smackover’s Sharnes McGhee and Strong’s LaDasia Williams.
Hicks, a 5-11 senior, led the Lady Wildcats to the semifinals of the 6A State Tournament. She averaged 21.4 points and 11.3 rebounds per game and has signed to compete at the University of Central Arkansas.
Hicks was also named to the All-State Tournament Team.
“I’m extremely proud of Mekaylan,” said El Dorado coach Destinee Rogers. “She came into her senior season with a goal and that was to lead the team. There were multiple times where she put the team on her back and carried us. I thought she worked extremely hard. She led the right way this year.
“I’m really proud of her and how she carried this team on her back all year long.”
Three-year senior starters, Fisher and Nathan, led the Lady Dragons to the 3A-8 regular season championship and to the finals of the regional tournament. The backcourt duo helped Junction City qualify for the Class 3A state tournament. Nathan was injured in the regional and did not get to play in the state tournament. Fisher earned All-State Tournament honors.
“It’s big for our program that we had two players to make All-State,” said Junction City coach Henry Harrell. “They’ve been big every since the seventh grade. I’m proud of both of them. It lets you know if you work hard, good things will happen. Both of them have good character. They’ve been winners every since they came into the program. We’ll have some big shoes to fill next year.”
McGhee, a junior point guard, averaged 15 points, three assists and three steals for the Lady Bucks.
“Sharnes made it this year. She deserved to make it last year as a sophomore. They just had a couple of seniors that got in over her,” said Smackover coach Tripper Rowton. “She worked hard and got better over the summer. Her ball handling and her passing got a lot better this year.”
Williams, a 6-0 senior post, helped the Lady Bulldogs advance to the Class 1A state quarterfinals and the 1A Region 5 championship. She averaged 13.4 points and 14.3 rebounds per game.
“When we voted on All-State at the district meeting, the coaches had her as the top vote getter. That's a big honor,” said Strong coach Jason Porter. “Her rebounding and inside presence was something teams had trouble with the entire year. She was a big key in our late season run. Our fast break game was keyed by her ability to dominate the boards. We didn't have to send the house. Our guards knew they could get out and go and not have to worry about rebounding. I'm very proud of her. She is a very quiet person but her game was pretty loud.”
Strong’s Dynasty Davis earned All-State Tournament honors. The freshman guard moved up to senior high after leading the junior high team to an unbeaten season.
“She was easily the best player in our conference, junior high or senior high,” said Porter. “I didn’t see any players at the state tournament that were better than her. She’s gonna be a special player.”