POY finalists
- Updated: March 22, 2022
Calhoun County has five players in the running for Player of the Year in their classification, Mr. and Miss Basketball
By East Alabama Sports Today
Three of Calhoun County’s five first-team Boys All-State basketball players and both of its first-team Girls All-State picks are among the 48 finalists for Player of the Year in their respective classifications.
That means they’re all in the running for Mr. and Miss Basketball.
Anniston’s Antonio Kite and Jacksonville’s John Broom went head-to-head on the floor twice this season. Now, they’re going head-to-head for Class 4A boys Player of the Year. Piedmont’s Alex Odam is a 3A finalist.
Escambia County’s Sheldon Williams is the third finalist in 4A. Winfield’s Ja’borri McGhee and Final Four MVP Cole Millican of Plainview are the other two finalists in 3A.
Broom, a junior, averaged 18.8 points a game for the 4A state champions, led the county in free throw percentage (.848) and was second in 3-point shooting (.443).
Kite, an Alabama football signee, averaged 21.4 points a game, 6.8 rebounds, was fourth in the county in steals (.2.7) and third in assists (5.1). He also was a finalist for 4A Football Player of the Year.
Odam led Calhoun County in scoring with a 25.3 average. The junior was third in free throw shooting (.789), top 10 in 3-point percentage (.369), led the county in assists (131) and was second in total steals (71). He became his school’s all-time leading scorer (boys or girls) this season.
The county’s two girls All-State first teamers – Oxford’s Xai Whitfield (6A) and Ohatchee’s Jorda Crook (3A) – are Player of the Year finalists in their classifications. Spring Garden’s Ace Austin is a 2A finalist.
Crook led Calhoun County in scoring (26.9), rebounding (14.9), steals (3.9 and blocked shots (42). The junior set the Calhoun County Girls Tournament single-game scoring record this year with 43 points against Alexandria.
Whitfield, a sophomore, led the county in free throw shooting (.786) and 3-point shooting (.435) while averaging 14.7 points and 6.2 rebounds.
Hartselle’s Masyn Marchbanks and Final Four MVP Samiya Steele of Hazel Green are the other two finalists in 6A. Final Four MVP Ella Jane Connell of Prattville Christian and Susan Moore’s Cali Smallwood are the other two finalists in 3A.
The winners and Mr. and Miss Basketball will be recognized March 31.
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