By Chris McCarthy/Editor
A pair of area student-athletes ended their high school basketball careers with the top honor in the state.
Hokes Bluff senior Isaac Haas and Westbrook Christian senior Colin Edwards both were named to the Alabama Sports Writers Association’s 2014 first team All-State team.
This is the third straight season that Edwards made the Class 2A first team. The 6-5” forward was good for 18.5 points, 11.6 rebounds, 3.6 blocks and 2.7 assists while leading the Warriors to a 25-5 record and the regional tournament finals. Edwards was the Messenger’s Boys Player of the Year in 2011-12 and 2012-13. He is a state finalist for the Wendy’s High School Heisman Award.
A 7-3” center, Haas averaged 20.5 points, 10.2 rebounds and 4.4 blocks while helping the Eagles to a 27-6 record and the program’s first-ever trip to the regional tournament in its current format. Haas, who signed with Purdue University in November, was selected to represent Alabama in the Alabama-Mississippi All-Star Basketball Game on March 21 at Jackson State University. Haas was named to the ASWA all-state second team last season.
Hokes Bluff senior guard Carlie Shields was selected to the Class 4A second team after being an honorable mention pick last season. The Messenger’s 2012-13 co-Girls Player of the Year, Shields averaged 14 points, 4.4 assists and 3.8 rebounds while helping the Lady Eagles to a 23-6 record and a berth in the subregional round of the state playoffs. She finished her high school career with over 1,400 points and will play basketball at Piedmont (Ga.) College.
Three area cagers were named to the Honorable Mention teams.
For the second year in a row, Gadsden City’s Dajia Williams made the 6A squad. A senior center, Williams averaged 13.1 points, 9.0 rebounds and 2.0 blocks while helping the Lady Titans to a 20-5 record and a berth in the Northeast Regional Tournament. Williams, who along with Shields was The Messenger’s 2012-13 co-Girls Player of the Year, signed a basketball scholarship with Troy.
Making the boys 6A team was 6-4 senior center Chris Turk, who set school records for points and rebounds per game with respective averages of 19.0 and 11.0. The Titans went 20-6 and made it to the subregional round.
Also garnering honorable mention honors was Abby Lockridge of Class 2A Westbrook Christian. Lockridge averaged 17.9 points, 7.6 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 2.7 steals and 1.2 blocks in 23 games for the Lady Warriors this season.