Basketball standouts earn All-State honors

The Arkansas Activities Association announced the basketball All-State players this week. Three Union County athletes were honored, including El Dorado’s Lauren Nelson. 

She was joined by Parkers Chapel’s Kallie Martin and Junction City’s JaKourian Key.

Nelson, a senior, averaged 12.3 points and 8.5 rebounds for the Lady Wildcats, who advanced to the 5A State Tournament.

“To know Lauren is to understand what it’s like to be humble,” said El Dorado coach Ashlee Curtis. 

“She has worked so hard along with her teammates, to get to where she is. She spent a lot of 6 a.m., mornings in the gym that people didn’t see. She earned being one of the top student-athletes in our conference. Very well deserved. Good job, kiddo.”

Martin, a junior, averaged 12.7 points and 10.2 rebounds for the Lady Trojans, who advanced to the 2A South Regional Tournament.

“It’s a well deserved recognition of her effort and hard work in the gym. It’s not only a huge honor for her but our basketball program,” said Parkers Chapel coach Justin Welch. 

“Anytime Kallie touches that gym floor, I know what I’m going to get from her and it’s always great to see players like that get recognized by the coaches in our conference.”

Key, a senior, led the Dragons to the 2A State Tournament. He averaged 17 points and 10 rebounds per game.

“Couldn’t have happened to a more deserving kid,” said Junction City coach Xavier Diamond. “The kid works hard in the classroom and on the court. He’s the best example that we want to see in all of our student-athletes. He has worked hard and his future is bright.”



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