By Chris McCarthy/Editor
Seven area student-athletes were named to the Alabama Sports Writers Association’s 2012013 All-State basketball teams.
Released on Mar. 17, the list is highlighted by Westbrook Christian’s Colin Edwards’ selection to the Class 2A first team.
Edwards, who also made all-state first team as a sophomore, played a big part in the Warriors’ 25-5 record and Northeast Regional Tournament appearance. A 6’4” junior forward, Edwards averaged 21.3 points and 9.3 rebounds and 2.0 blocks while shooting 43 percent from the three-point line.
Three local cagers made the second team – Gadsden City’s Rakim Lubin in 6A, Hokes Bluff’s Isaac Haas in 4A and West End’s Morgan Cleveland in 2A.
A 6’8” junior forward, Lubin averaged a double-double of 19.6 points and 9.2 rebounds. The 7’2” Haas, who has drawn the attention of several Division I schools, was good for 18 points and 10.3 rebounds per game while helping the Eagles to a 201-0 record and the Area 11 Tournament title.
A 5’9” junior forward, Cleveland was a force on both ends of the floor for the Lady Patriots with an average of 15 points, 13.2 rebounds, 3.8 steals, 2.8 blocks and 1.4 assists.
Earning honorable mention recognition were Gadsden City junior center Dajia Williams in 6A, Etowah senior forward Darius Bush in 5A and Hokes Bluff junior guard Carlie Shields in 4A.
Williams was good for 11 points, 12 rebounds and three blocks a game as the Lady Titans finished with a 22-9 record, an area championship and a berth in the Northeast Regional Tournament semifinals.
Bush averaged 17 points, eight rebounds, seven assists and three steals for the Blue Devils.
Shields was a catalyst for a Lady Eagle squad that posted an 18-13 record, won the Etowah County Schools Tournament and made it to the subregional playoff round. She averaged 14 points, 4.2 assists and 2.9 rebounds.