Analysis: All-Johnston County Selections

Johnston County proved that girls basketball is improving and that it could be becoming a hotbed for talent in the coming year. Here are the girls who had the 15 best seasons in the county.   FIRST TEAM   MVP: Neuse Charter freshman guard Anna Taylor 21.6 PPG, 2.9 RPG, 3.8 APG, 2.1 SPG, 57% 3FG It was an incredible season for the sharp-shooting point guard. She led her team to 16 wins while making the most three pointers in the state. Coaches of all levels should be tracking her career.   Princeton junior guard Meredith Wooten 18 PPG, 4 RPG, 4 APG, 3 SPG, 44% FG, 35% 3FG Probably the most competitive girls basketball player I have ever seen. Wooten did it all for the Bulldogs as they won their second consecutive 1-A Carolina Conference crown.   North Johnston junior guard Arial Pearce 13 PPG, 3 RPG, 1.2 APG, 2 SPG, 35% FG, 30% 3FG, 71% FT The UNC-W softball commit balled out in her junior year as she was tasked to lead the Panthers. Pearce’s ability to generate offense was key in leading North Johnston to the playoffs.   Smithfield-Selma junior wing Khaliyah Peacock 15.5 PPG, 3.2 RPG, 1.6 APG, 1 SPG, 50% FG, 44% 3FG, 66% FT Peacock continued to be one of the top snipers in the area. Peacock took the next leap as a scorer and should have a big senior year.   Clayton freshman wing Darrionna Howard 15.1 PPG, 8.2 RPG, 1.1 APG, 3.7 SPG, 1.4 BPG, 42% FG, 44% FT   There was a lot of anticipation for this young lady to make her debut and she showed why as she led the Comets to an improved record and a second-round playoff trip. Howard may have the most upside in all of Johnston County, and coaches from all levels should be tracking her.   SECOND TEAM   Corinth Holders senior guard Deonna Adams 11.8 PPG, 5.7 RPG, 4.8 APG, 3.2 SPG, 30% FG, 21% 3FG, 58% FT   The newly NC Wesleyan signed guard Adams put together a great season leading the Pirates for the final time. Her floor vision and athleticism should help the Battling Bishops immediately.   Clayton senior guard Ciasia Washington 7.2 PPG, 2 RPG, 2 APG, 2 SPG, 41% FG, 13% 3FG, 54% FT   The unsigned senior was the second leading scorer for the Comets and her floor game was huge for the young team. Washington was also a plus defensively.   Neuse Charter senior guard Dargan Harris 12.3 PPG, 6.2 RPG, 3.3 APG, 2.6 SPG, .9 BPG   The soccer star was the perfect compliment to Anna Taylor as she could bring the ball up and spot up shoot. Harris also proved to be a factor rebounding and defensively.   Corinth Holders junior wing Crawford Ramsey 11.5 PPG, 6.8 RPG, 1.1 SPG, 31% FG, 27% 3FG, 71% FT   Ramsey improves her activity on the glass and stepped into a bigger role than her sophomore year. Ramsey’s 6-1 stature plus her shooting touch will make her a hot commodity next summer in recruiting.   Smithfield-Selma freshman wing Kayla Robertson 10.5 PPG, 7.3 RPG, 1.6 APG, 2.1 SPG, 47% FG, 29% 3FG, 51% FT   Robertson did a little bit of everything for her team and proved she’s going to be impact player on the varsity level.   THIRD TEAM   Cleveland freshman guard Brooklyn Waller 8.1 PPG, 5.8 RPG, 2.5 APG, 2.9 SPG, 25% FG, 23% 3FG, 50% FT   Waller led the young Rams to an improved record and showed to be a hard-nosed point guard who’s best days are ahead of her.   Neuse Charter junior guard Daja Staten 8.8 PPG, 2.9 RPG, 2 SPG   Staten did a lot of dirty work for the Cougars and should have a bigger role in her senior season.   Princeton senior guard Hailey Woodall 7.2 PPG, 3.5 SPG   Woodall was the best defensive guard in Johnston County and caused a lot of chaos for most of the teams Princeton played.   North Johnston senior guard Mackenzie Gibson 11 PPG, 5 RPG, 2.2 APG, 1.2 SPG, 29% FG, 18% 3FG, 63% FT   Gibson’s basketball IQ was huge for the Panthers and she used it to have a career year in her final effort.   Clayton junior wing Alexia Watkins 6.2 PPG, 6.4 RPG, 1.1 APG, 1.5 SPG, 35% FG, 27% 3FG, 57% FT   Watkins should have a monster year for the Comets next year. She’s too tall for guards and too athletic for most wings to guard. Expect a big senior year.