This year was a special one for girls’ basketball players in Beaufort County. The area has produced championship-contending teams in the not-too-distant past. No team reached that level this season, and while local squads are on the right path, the area celebrated top-notch basketball that saw Washington, Southside and Northside all earn trips to the postseason.

The Lady Pack — after falling apart midway through last season — only got better with time this year. It culminated in giving Kinston all it had in a close loss in the 2-A Eastern Carolina Conference tournament. Washington ended up as the only local team to host a first-round game and to make it to the second round.

The perpetually young Lady Panthers earned their way back into the playoffs. More so than that, though, they got to give fans a glimpse into the future. Sophomores Prentiss Thomas, Ke’Shayla Arthur, Grace Armstrong, and Ve’Era Holloway all showed flashes of brilliance.

Southside had to endure the loss of Danielle Ruffin, but overcame that to make a second-consecutive playoff appearance. Symone Ruffin and Michaela Dixon led the way, but the Lady Seahawks also had underclassmen like Laquisha Woolard and Shantel Cannon to rely on.

Pungo put together an 18-win season that saw it dominate the Tar Heel Independent Conference. Elsewhere in the league, a young Terra Ceia squad only mustered three wins, but still proved there’s plenty to be excited about moving forward.

 

FIRST TEAM

SYMONE RUFFIN, GUARD, SOUTHSIDE

After Southside lost guard Danielle Ruffin — one of only three seniors on the team — Symone Ruffin stepped up her leadership. Her presence on and off the court drove the Lady Seahawks to their second-straight playoff berth. She scored nearly 17 points per game and notched her 1,000th career point late in the regular season.

 

TIERRA WIGGINS, GUARD, WASHINGTON

It was senior Tierra Wiggins’ mid-range buzzer beater that propelled Washington past Jordan-Matthews in the first round of the playoffs, 50-48. It marked the team’s first win under third-year head coach Ralph Biggs. Wiggins excelled all season as a scorer and offensive facilitator.

 

BROOKLYN HUDNELL, GUARD/FORWARD, NORTHSIDE

Brooklyn Hudnell exuded a hard-nosed mentality that took Northside to the playoffs this past season. She was never the biggest or strongest on the floor, but rarely shied away from driving right to the hoop. As the season went on, the senior also developed a keen 3-point shot that stretched the floor.

 

MICHAELA DIXON, FORWARD, SOUTHSIDE

Michaela Dixon was one of the most complete players on the hardwood this past season. She averaged a dozen points, eight rebounds and three blocks per game. She spread opposing defenses with her 3-point shooting. She also defended the paint well. She stepped up after the Lady Seahawks lost senior guard Danielle Ruffin.

 

DARIA JONES, FORWARD, WASHINGTON

Arguably one of the most intimidating in Beaufort County, Daria Jones commanded attention each time Washington took the court. The junior Lady Pack forward grew to where she could defend about any position on the court. Offensively, her ability to draw double teams hampered her own production at times, but it also created opportunities for her teammates.

SECOND TEAM

CIERRA WIGGINS, GUARD, WASHINGTON
SHANTEL CANNON, GUARD, SOUTHSIDE
ABBY MOORING, GUARD, NORTHSIDE
KIZORIA REDMOND, GUARD/FORWARD, WASHINGTON
LAUREN KELLIE RICKS, FORWARD, PUNGO

HONORABLE MENTIONS

CYNTAVEA BLACKLEDGE, GUARD, WASHINGTON
GABBY SLADE, GUARD, NORTHSIDE
ASHLEY JAMES, GUARD, TERRA CEIA
EMILY SPENCER, GUARD, PUNGO
LAQUISHA WOOLARD, GUARD, SOUTHSIDE
KE’SHAYLA ARTHUR, GUARD, NORTHSIDE
EMMA ALLEN, GUARD, PUNGO
PRENTISS THOMAS, GUARD, NORTHSIDE
REAGAN GLASS, GUARD/FORWARD, TERRA CEIA
HAILEY RESPASS, FORWARD, WASHINGTON
BRINSON EDMONSON, FORWARD, PUNGO