Messenger file photo by Chris McCarthy
By Chris McCarthy, Publisher/Editor
A pair of local high school basketball players were recently recognized by the Alabama Sports Writers Association.
Sardis junior center Jayda Lacks (pictured above with ball) made the ASWA Class 5A All-State third team for the 2021-22 season, while Hokes Bluff junior guard Jason Presley was selected to the Class 3A honorable mention team.
The 5-11 Lacks averaged a team-high 13.7 points and 9.5 rebounds per game while helping the Lady Lions to a program-best 27-8 record, first-ever county and area championships and a first-ever appearance in the Northeast Regional Tournament finals.
The 6-4 Presley was good for 19.3 points and 5.5 rebounds per game while shooting 55 percent from the field, 32 percent from three-point range and 77 percent from the foul line. Presley’s sharpshooting helped the Eagles win the Class 3A Area 12 Tournament and host a subregional playoff game for the first time in several years.