It was a banner year for girls basketball in East Texas.
Martin’s Mill won another state title — the program’s sixth. The Lady Mustangs were joined deep in the playoffs by a host of other East Texas programs.
Grapeland advanced to the state tournament for the first time since 1989 before falling to Martin’s Mill in the title game.
Canton, Mineola, Edgewood, Winnsboro, LaPoynor and Chireno all reached their respective regional tournaments. Canton made it to the Class 4A Region II final before falling to state power Dallas Lincoln.
The Tyler Lee Lady Raiders’ run through the playoffs was cut short in the second round, but the Lady Raiders took state qualifier Allen down to the wire in a 35-29 setback.
These teams, among others, had solid seasons on the hardwood thanks to the performances of some of the top players and coaches around.
Those contributors help make up the 2019 Tyler Morning Telegraph All-East Texas Girls Basketball Team.
Mineola junior guard Sabria Dean is the All-East Texas Player of the Year. The two time District 12-3A Most Valuable Player averaged 20 points, six rebounds, three assists and four steals per game in helping Mineola reach the regional tournament.
Dean was an All-State and All-Region selection by the Texas Association of Basketball Coaches.
Dean recently received a Division I offer from Lamar University.
Most girls basketball fans knew about one Aaliyah at Tyler Lee coming into the season — TCU commit Aaliyah Morgan. But another Aaliyah — freshman guard Aaliyah Campbell burst onto the scene for the Lady Raiders.
The 5-8 Campbell averaged 10.8 points, 4.8 rebounds and two steals per game. She also shot 48 percent from the floor and was selected as the District 11-6A Newcomer of the Year.
Campbell’s strong freshman campaign made her the choice for All-East Texas Newcomer of the Year.
Canton went 36-2 and was one game short of a trip to the state tournament in San Antonio. The Eaglettes used a balanced effort to stifle their opponents all season long.
Canton also had a strong presence on the sideline, earning John Hobbs All-East Texas Coach of the Year honors.
The All-East Texas first team is comprised of a senior, two Tyler ISD juniors and two sophomores.
Canton’s Hannah Manry is the lone senior on the first team. She earned MVP honors of the Edgewood Tournament and the Macy Chenevert/Patriot Holiday Girls Basketball Classic. She was also the District 14-4A MVP and an All-State and All-Region selection.
John Tyler's Asia Parker (14) tries to shoot the ball as Robert E. Lee's Aaliyah Campbell guards her during a high school basketball game at Tyler Junior College in Tyler, Texas, on Tuesday, Nov. 27, 2018. (Chelsea Purgahn/Tyler Morning Telegraph)
John Tyler’s Asia Parker and Tyler Lee’s Aaliyah Morgan both earned nods on the first team.
Parker averaged 24 points and eight rebounds per game as a junior. She was an All-Region selection and the district 16-5A Offensive Player of the Year.
Morgan — a TCU Commit — averaged 13 points, nine rebounds, 2.6 blocks and two steals per game. She is ranked No. 49 in the country by ESPN.
Athens’ Makiyah McCollister — a sophomore — earned a spot on the first team by averaging 23.2 points, 5.1 rebounds, 3.1 assists and 5.6 steals. She made 104 3-pointers.
Morgan and McCollister are the last two All-East Texas Newcomers of the Year.
Jacksonville sophomore Grace Abercrombie rounded out the first team. She averaged 16 points, 11 rebounds, six steals and 1.5 blocks per game this season.
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2019 Tyler Morning Telegraph
All-East Texas Girls Basketball Team
PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Sabria Dean, Mineola, junior
About Dean: Dean averaged 20 points, six rebounds, three assists and four steals per game and was the District 12-3A MVP for the second straight year.
NEWCOMER OF THE YEAR: Aaliyah Cambell, Tyler Lee, freshman
About Campbell: The 5-8 guard averaged 10.8 points, 4.8 rebounds, and two steals, and she shot 48 percent from the field.
COACH OF THE YEAR: John Hobbs, Canton
About Hobbs: He led Canton to a 36-2 record. The Eaglettes advanced to the Class 4A Region II finals before falling to Dallas Lincoln.
FIRST TEAM
Asia Parker, John Tyler, junior: Averaged 24 points and eight rebounds per game.
Aaliyah Morgan, Tyler Lee, junior: TCU commit averaged 13 points, nine rebounds, 2.6 blocks and two steals per game.
Hannah Manry, Canton, senior: The 5-8 guard led Canton to 36 wins, was the District 14-4A MVP and an All-State selection.
Makiyah McCollister, Athens, sophomore: Averaged 23.2 points, 5.1 rebounds, 3.1 assists and 5.6 steals per game with 104 made 3-pointers.
Grace Abercrombie, Jacksonville, sophomore: Averaged 16 points, 11 rebounds, six steals and 1.5 blocks per game
SECOND TEAM
Destiny Matthews, Palestine, senior: Averaged 24.4 points, eight rebounds and 3.5 steals per game in District 18-4A play. Scored 51 points in a win over Athens.
Teira Jones, Grapeland, sophomore: Averaged 19 points and eight rebounds a game for state finalist.
Taylor Sparks, Martin’s Mill, senior: Averaged 17.4 points per game for state champion.
Jordan Tauscher, Grace Community, senior: Kansas State track and field signee averaged 14 points, six rebounds and four assists per game. She was a first-team TAPPS 5A All-State selection.
Kori Minnix, Torup, senior: Averaged 18 points and 11 rebounds per game.
THIRD TEAM
Shelbi Steen, Lindale, sophomore: The 6-0 post averaged 11 points, eight rebounds and two steals per game before tearing two ligaments in her ankle in district play.
Sydney Foster, Bullard, senior: The four-year starter and All-Region selection led Bullard to 124 wins in her career.
Brooklyn Bolin, Grand Saline, senior: Averaged 18.4 points, 5.3 rebounds and 3.1 steals per game.
Ty Moon, Troup, senior: Averaged 16 points, six rebounds and two steals per game.
Chanlee Oakes, Rains, sophomore: Averaged 16 points and 11 rebounds while battling through injuries.
HONORABLE MENTION
Alba-Golden: Grace Bizzell, Ashlyn Rogers
All Saints: Madeline Perkins
Brownsboro: Kentoya Woods, Paris Miller, Mekhayia Moore
Bullard: Erin Berry, Haley Day
Canton: Olivia Norrell, Mattie Tullos
Chireno: Briana Rushing, Nelly Vargas, Jaleigh Johnson, Jessica Durrett
Douglass: Mariah Neal
Edgewood: Tabitha Parker, Katy Pool
Gilmer: Meshia Shead, Haylee Jordan
Grapeland: Hannah Chipman
Hallsville: Maddison Ford, Mallory Pyle, Laikyn Smith
Hawkins: Alyssa Eddington, Jaycee Cheshire, Emily Moore, Harlie Conover, Lynli Dascus
Jacksonville: Alexis Calderon
John Tyler: Shaquelan Choice
Kilgore: Alexis Anderson, Amaria Thomas, Jada Abercrombie
LaPoynor: Staci Whitehead, Tori Hurd
Longview: Heavunli Reese, McKenze Brown
Lufkin: Kurstyn Harden
Malakoff: Sha’Kera Thompson, Alliyah Coleman
Martin’s Mill: Mollie Daniel, Abbie Orrick, Jada Celsur
Mineola: Jessiah Riley
Mount Enterprise: Kaylee Cox, Alyssa Oliver
Oakwood: Rachelle Rodgers
Pine Tree: Hydaushia Talley, Hollie Clugston
Sabine: Mikinzi Cantrell, Sarah Davis
Spring Hill: Lacey White
Tatum: Essence Allen, Jayla Hooper, Ashton Brown
Tyler Lee: Alyssia Thorne
Union Grove: Carleigh Judd, Macey Alston, Madelynn Lacaze
Winnsboro: Taryn Davis