Triad/Guilford County All-Area 1st Team

The Triad/Guilford County area has just released its All-Area team selections. There are three teams selected as well as honorable mention selections. These players have worked hard on their skills and most have led their teams to successful seasons and even state championship games. Though they all share their own skill sets and strengths there is one thing they all have in common a love for the game of basketball. Here are those selections:   Player of the Year- [player_tooltip player_id="116867" first="Kennedi" last="Simmons"]- Southeast Guilford/Winston-Salem State University No area player has had more impact on the girl basketball scene in the Triad/Guilford County area then Kennedi. She has led her team to two consecutive state championship-winning one and being named MVP and poised to play for another before it was canceled. Her impact on her school’s program can’t be measured but rest assured her impact will be remembered. She averaged over 20 points in the last two years and is one of the most well-rounded players not only in the area but also in the state. Her honors are many and include two-time area POY, All-State honors, All-District and All-Conference POY and 1st team honors to name a few. She will continue her career at WSSU and will no doubt make an immediate impact and have a very successful college career.   [player_tooltip player_id="116876" first="Mariah" last="Frazier"]- Ragsdale High School Routinely spoke of as the best defensive player in the area and one of the best in the state her athletic ability and hard work enable her to defend any position on the court. This led her to be named Conference Defensive POY as a junior. Her offensive skills are continuing to improve and as they do her stock will continue to rise. She is very good at transition and finishing in the lane and positioning herself on the offensive rebounds but one of her hidden talents is her ability to pass the ball which saw her have over 100 assists. Her work ethic has enabled her to lead her team to a share of the conference title and the 2nd round of the state playoffs. She has already impressed some Division 1 programs and before she finishes her senior year she will surely impress more.   Je’Bria Fullwood- Greensboro Day School Sometimes all a program needs is that one player that steps up and grabs the program by the neck and puts it on their back and says follow me. Je’Bria is that type of player a natural leader that leads by example and expects her teammates to work just as hard and this saw her team go from 12-19 the previous season to a 27-4 record and a spot in the state championship game. With her pure hard work hard nose no excuse style of play and her athletic build she was literally a consistent double-double a night player at only 5’9”. Her talents saw her earn PTAC POY honor as well as All-State and Conference honors and they were all well deserved. As a senior expect more of the same and improvements in her skill areas and she will be a player any college will want on their roster.   Regan Kargo- Northwest Guilford High School/Limestone College Playing for one of the powerhouse programs in the area at NW Guilford she continued the success of a program that has produced many top college players, many 20 plus win season and reached the 4th round of the state championship 6 years in a row including a win in 2018. Seen in the area as the best shooter in the area and considered one of the state’s best. Her stand-still knockdown shooting ability as well as her talent to shoot off the dribble or coming off screens is what she will be remembered for most and led to a 17 point per game average. What made her special as well is her impressive basketball IQ which enabled her to play the point guard position for her successful team. Honors include All-District, All-Conference and two-time All-Area team selections. Her talents enabled her to earn a scholarship to Limestone College to continue her basketball career and knowing the type of player she is she will have a fine career.   [player_tooltip player_id="116901" first="Raven" last="Preston"]- Southeast Guilford High School When you think of a versatile basketball player you think of a player that can defend any position with ease from point guard to center whatever is needed aka Kevin Garnett and one that can score in a multiple ways back to the basket, in transition, coming off screens and shooting the 3 point shot aka LeBron James then this player is the best in the area and I will argue the best in the state. She has it all when it comes to talent add to that her poise and confidence that saw her help her team to a state championship as a freshman and followed that up with an even better sophomore season. She was the perfect wingman and compliment to [player_tooltip player_id="116867" first="Kennedi" last="Simmons"] as together they led their team to a 30-1 season and back to the state championship. There is no ceiling for this player and she will no doubt continue to improve she is going to be a BIG TIME RECRUIT before the end of her senior year. Her honors include All-Conference and All-District honors and being the only sophomore on this list. If you have only one game you can go see next season go and see her play and you will be just as impressed as I am and college recruiters nationwide.   [player_tooltip player_id="116863" first="Nyah" last="Stallings"]- Ragsdale High School An effective offensive player with an array of skills that she has improved upon each year. As a 4 year member of the varsity team she has improved her skills both offensively and defensively and as a senior she was able to showcase all her skills. What sets her apart is her ability to put the ball in the hoop from just about everywhere on the court in the lane, in transition, shooting off screens, scoring off the dribble and shooting from 3 point range she literally can flat out just score averaging 13 points a game this year leading her team to a share of the conference title and into the state playoffs. Her honors include Conference POY, All-District, All-Conference and All-Area teams to name a few. There is no doubt her skillset will serve her well next year at Liberty University where she is sure to make a positive impact.