The Georgia Sportswriters Association released its All-State high school basketball teams Saturday with several local players earning recognition.
Effingham County’s Jakeenan Gant was named the Class AAAAA player of the year for the season consecutive year. Jenkins junior Malik Benlevi was an honorable-mention pick in Class AAAAA. In Class AAA, Chris Cokley of Savannah High and Rico Bonds of Johnson were honorable-mention picks. Khaliq Hughes of Calvary Day was an honorable-mention selection in Class A.
On the girls side, Kyesha Lewis of Effingham County was a first-team pick in Class AAAAA, while Faith Sanders of Jenkins earned second-team honors in the same classification.
Tianna German and Shae Leverett of South Effingham earned second-team honors in Class AAAA, and Beach senior Jada Young was a second-team pick in Class AAA.
Class AAAAA
Player of the Year: Jakeenan Gant, Effingham County, Sr.
Coach of the Year: Jamaal Garman, Warner Robins
First team
Jakeenan Gant, Effingham County, Sr., 6-8
Keith Pinckney, Miller Grove, Sr., 6-1
Marquez Callaway, Warner Robins, Soph., 6-2
Phil Cofer, Whitewater, Sr., 6-8
Kamar Baldwin, Apalachee, Soph., 5-11
Second team
D’Haire Haney, Osborne, Sr., 6-1
Alterique Gilbert, Miller Grove, Soph., 5-10
Cameron Johnson, Clarke Central, Sr., 6-4
Armel Potter, Sprayberry, Sr., 6-0
Daniel Fowler, Allatoona, Sr., 6-3
Honorable mentions
Malik Benlevi, Jenkins, Jr.; Darrin Clark, Northside-Warner Robins, Jr.; Tyree Crump, Bainbridge, Soph.; Raasean Davis, Paulding County, Sr.; Paul Jackson, M.L. King, Sr.; Josh Lay, Villa Rica, Sr.; Sharieff Medlock, Ware County, Sr.; Shembari Phillips, Tucker, Jr.; Maleek Taylor, Drew, Jr.; Cody Williams, South Paulding, Sr.Girls
Class AAAAA
Player of the Year: Erykah Davenport, Tucker, Sr.
Coach of the Year: Robin Potter, Tucker
First team
Erykah Davenport, Tucker, Sr., 6-2
Tynice Martin, Southwest DeKalb, Jr., 5-10
Lakiah Sims, Drew, Sr., 6-0
Ayanna Mitchell, Salem, Jr.
Kyesha Lewis, Effingham County, Jr.
Second team
Faith Sanders, Jenkins, Sr.
Davion Wingate, Southwest DeKalb, Jr., 5-7
Kierra Henry, Pope, Jr., 5-9
Zutorya Cook, Osborne, Soph., 5-7
Jasmine Stone, Evans, Sr., 5-7
Honorable mentions
Dee Blankenship, Creekview, Sr.; Miesha Brooks, Harris County, Sr.; Terriana Cave, Stephenson, Jr.; Jada Coggins, Whitewater, Jr.; Taylor Jakes, Northside-Columbus, Sr.; Breasia McElrath, Forest Park, Jr.; Mallory Myers, Greenbrier, Jr.; Keisha Shy, Paulding County, Sr.; Morgan Taylor, Greenbrier, Jr.; Cassidy Williams, McIntosh, Jr.
Class AAAA
Player of the Year: Brea Elmore, Redan, Sr.
Coach of the Year: Jerry Jackson, Redan
First team
Brea Elmore, Redan, Sr., 5-8
KeKe Calloway, Mary Persons, Jr., 5-9
Ashleigh Outler, Cross Creek, Sr., 5-9
Michaelle Smith, Jonesboro, Jr., 5-11
Alexia Manning, Columbus, Sr., 5-7
Second team
Tianna Germain, South Effingham, Sr., 5-2
Yaktavia Hickson, Columbia, Sr., 5-8
Jacqueria Gunter, Columbus, Sr., 5-6
Shandrea Leverett, South Effingham, Soph., 6-2
Ra’Keta Shelton, Dougherty, Sr., 5-8
Honorable mention
Vanessa Blagmon, Woodland-Stockbridge, Fr.; Jada Hubbard, Heritage-Catoosa, Jr.; Bridgette Kelly, Chestatee, Sr.; Aleisha Merriweather, Richmond Academy, Sr.; Nasheema Oliver, Crisp County, Sr.; Candace Rhodes, Chamblee, Sr.; Kayla Smith, Fayette County, Jr.; Lucy Stone, River Ridge, Sr.; Eboni Watts, Rutland, Sr.; Tiffany Wimpy, Ridgeland, Sr.