Meet the 2023-24 Shreveport Times All-Area girls’ basketball team
Ruston (24-8) cruised through District 2-5A undefeated and advanced to the LHSAA Non-Select Division I quarterfinals after outlasting Natchitoches Central (23-11) in a 50-48 contest in Ruston.
That success allowed Lady Bearcat guard Jaliyah McWain to garner the top award on the Shreveport Times 2023-24 All-Area girls basketball team for a second consecutive season.
Here’s a look at the team selected after consultation with area coaches. The squad was chosen from schools in Bienville, Claiborne, DeSoto, Lincoln, Natchitoches, Red River, Sabine and Webster parishes.
Player of the Year
Jaliyah McWain
Ruston, Sr.
Why selected: The District 1-5A MVP repeats as the Times All-Area top player after averaging 15 points, six rebounds, four assists and three steals while shooting 40% from the field.
ALL-DISTRICT 2-5A: District champ Ruston sweeps top honors on 2023-24 All-District 2-5A girls basketball team
DISTRICT 1-5A: Parkway dominates the 2023-24 All-District 1-5A girls basketball team
Coach of the Year
LaKinya Curry
Arcadia
Why selected: The Lady Hornets’ boss took over a storied program and directed them back to March Madness in Southeastern’s University Center. Arcadia finished (32-3) and won the LHSAA Non-Select Division IV state title.
Justice Young
Arcadia, Sr.
Why selected: The District 1-1A MVP led the Lady Hornets to the LHSAA Non-Select Division IV state title by averaging 12 points, 11 rebounds and 3.0 assists per contest.
Timberlyn Washington
Lakeview, Jr.
Why selected: Washington led the Lady Gators to the LHSAA semifinals averaging an area-high 23 points, four rebounds and six steals.
Makayla Gallien
Natchitoches Central, Sr.
Why selected: A repeat Times first-team selection, Gallien averaged 16 points, four rebounds and four assists in her final season.
Chelsie Davis
Mansfield, Sr.
Why selected: Playing on a low-scoring team that stresses defense, Davis still managed 15 points and seven rebounds each game.
Lanetta Hill
Logansport, So.
Why selected: The 5-foot-2 bundle of energy averaged 22 points, eight rebounds and five steals for the Lady Tigers.
Second team
Alyssa Christophe, Natchitoches Central, Sr.
Zaccheya Jackson, Ruston, Sr.
Ambree Collinsworth, Castor, Sr.
Mallory Smith, Cedar Creek, Jr.
DeAsia Alexander, Arcadia, Fr.
Kierra Harrison, Minden, Sr.
Z'Riah Buggs, Homer, Jr.
Jimmy Watson covers Louisiana sports for the USA TODAY Network. Email him at jwatson@shreveporttimes.com and follow him on Twitter @JimmyWatson6.
This article originally appeared on Shreveport Times: Check out the 2023-24 Shreveport Times All-Area girls’ basketball team
