By By BRIAN HAINES , Sports Writer
The 2007-08 girls’ prep basketball season was filled with dynamic individual and team performances. Area fans got to witness Williamston’s season- long pursuit of perfection. The Tigers won 27 straight games before they fell just short of their goal, and got knocked off by Pender in the East Regional playoffs.
Local hoops’ fans also got to see Washington center Samantha Smith lead Pam Pack basketball back on the right track, while the Roanoke faithful watched sophomore star Emoni Jones develop right before their eyes.
Before fans turn the page on the 2007-08 prep season, the Washington Daily News would like to highlight some of the players that made this a year to remember with its all-area team.
Equalia Vines, F/C,
Williamston
The two big questions coming into the 2007-08 season for Williamston were who would be the Tigers’ number two scorer, and who would help Presley Roberson in the frontcourt. Both of those questions were answered when Equalia Vines transferred from Bertie. Vines averaged a double-double for the season, recording 15 points per game, while grabbing 11 boards a night.
Vines’ presence as a scoring threat made it impossible for opponents to triple team point guard Katie Paschal, as they did for a majority of the 2006-07 season. A tremendous athlete, Vines flourished in the Tigers’ pressure defense where her 3.6 steals per game helped ignite Williamston’s fastbreak offense.
Jordan Cantrell, PG,
Terra Ceia
The most versatile guard in the area, Terra Ceia’s Jordan Cantrell improved every aspect of her game this season as she tallied 22 points, seven rebounds and five steals per game, while dishing out five assists a night. There may not be a player who was asked to do more for her team than Cantrell. The two-time NCISSA all-state selection’s defensive duties varied from being a perimeter defender, to mixing it up down low in the paint with other teams’ power forward’s and center’s, all while playing virtually every minute of every game for the Knights.
While her defensive improvement was tremendous, the junior point guard also made strides offensively. Adding the sound use of a jump stop to her arsenal, Cantrell was able to attack the basket and throw her defender off-ballance to draw a foul, or get a clear shot off. The two-time WDN first teamer led Terra Ceia to a 10-2 conference record, and a trip to the NCHISAA? Final four.
Samantha Smith, C, Washington coach Allison Jones calls center Samantha Smith the heart and soul of her team. The WDN calls her the best post player in the area. Smith dominated down low for the Pam Pack as she posted 14 points per game, while ripping down 12 rebounds a night. Those numbers could have easily been higher if Smith wasn’t so foul-prone. While she was athletic enough to score points on the break, Smith’s true calling was in Washington’s halfcourt offense, where she was impossible to cover with just one defender. The vocal leader of the Pack, Smith led a young team to a x-x record and a trip to the NCHSAA 3-A playoffs.
Emoni Jones, G/F, Roanoke
As a freshman, Emoni Jones showed flashes of what she could become, as a sophomore, she was just brilliant. A very smooth offense player, Jones could easily take her defender off the dribble, as well as come off screens and bury jump shots. The Redskins’ swingman fell a rebound a night short of averaging a double-double, as she racked up 13.6 points and nine boards a game. Jones led her Redskins to a 14-10 record this season, and you can bet that win total will be higher when she comes back for her junior campaign.
Sakina Brown, PG, Plymouth
One of the most tenacious players in the area, Sakina Brown was the driving force behind the Vikings. Brown’s speed and quickness, combined with a steady jumper made her a tough cover for any defender. Defensivley, Brown is one of the on-ball defenders around, as her quick hands and feet make her nearly impossible to get by. The senior’s heart and leadership will be missed next season.
WDN All-Area Second team
Presley Roberson, F/C, Williamston
Lavasia Taylor, G/F, Roanoke
Harmony Simpkins, G, Washington
Hayley Stowe, G, Washington
Ashley Dance, Plymouth
WDN Honorable Mention
Jamesville
Elizabeth Ange
Northside
Lauren Rodriguez
Plymouth
Khadija Young
Pungo
Brinkley Johnson
Allison Armstrong
Tess Smithwick
Roanoke
Kierra Land
Shale Dolberry
Genae Roberson
Southside
Mandi Harding
Tamisha Cradle
Courntey Avery
Terra Ceia
Mariah Van Essendelft
Catherine Smith
Jessica Vander Weit
Washington
Davey Ann Burbage
Sharita Grice
Williamston
Cassie Harrell
Natara Peele
Monee Jones