Youth was served in girls prep hoops

In girls hoops in Columbia County this year, underclassmen stole the headlines.

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A pair of talented juniors led Lakeside to a state playoff berth for the first time in school history, while Augusta Christian sophomore Amaura Brandt established herself as one of the area's premier long-range shooters. Unfortunately, Georgia Tech-bound Ebony Wells (junior, Grovetown) missed the season after tearing the ACL in her left knee during the summer.

However, there were still a few high points this season, and there were certainly a number of players who deserve recognition for their performance in the 2009-10 campaign.

Player of the Year

Carolyn Hennecken, Lakeside

Coach of the Year

Moe McCormack, Lakeside

First Team All-County

Carolyn Hennecken (Lakeside), junior, 5-foot-5, point guard

Hennecken has blossomed into one of the area's top point guards. She goes 100 percent every minute she is on the floor and is a key reason why Lakeside was able to earn a state tournament berth. She averaged 14 points per game, along with four rebounds and four assists. She also led the area in free-throw shooting (78 percent), and was selected All-Region for a third consecutive season.

Amaura Brandt (Augusta Christian), sophomore, 5-foot-6, guard

Brandt had some big games this year. When she heats up from long range she is as good a shooter as anyone in the area. Brandt hit 14.4 points per game and knocked down 68 three-pointers this season. She was named All-Region and also was selected to play in the SCISA North/South All-Star Game. She will challenge for player of the year honors next season

Tishal Turknett (Lakeside), junior, 5-foot-7, small forward

Turknett joined Hennecken on the Region 3-AAAA All-Region team, just as she did last season. Turknett averaged 14 points per game. She also pulled down five boards per game and shot 74 percent from the charity stripe. She is one of the area's top scoring threats and teams with Hennecken to form one of the top duos in the area.

Deztinie Cotton (Greenbrier), freshman, 5-foot-9, power forward

Cotton emerged this season to lead the Wolfpack in scoring (10.7 points per game) and rebounding (6.8 per game). She also was one of the area's top shot blockers, as she swatted 2.3 shots per contest. For her efforts, Cotton was named All-Region in 2-AAAAA.

Chade Martin (Grovetown), senior, 6-foot-1, center

Martin was the leader for the Warriors all season. One can only imagine what a great duo she could have formed with 6-foot-3 standout Ebony Wells. Martin was among the area's leaders in rebounding as she hauled in 10 boards per game. She also averaged 9.5 points per outing and was among the top shot blockers in Region 3-AAAA.

Second Team

Kaila Hunt (Greenbrier), senior, 5-foot-6, guard

Hunt is one of the state's top softball players, but she can play a little basketball, too. She led Greenbrier in assists and steals, and averaged 10 points per game. She has signed to play softball at the University of Alabama. Crimson Tide head coach Patrick Murphy has called Hunt the best athlete in the state of Georgia.

Lindsey Banks (Augusta Christian), senior, 5-foot-4, point guard

Banks runs the offense and was a key reason the Lady Lions won their second consecutive Region 1-AAA title. Banks averaged 10.3 points per game and also dished out six assists. She earned All-Region honors and poured in 17 points in the GISA/SCISA All-Star Game.

Emily Shafer (Augusta Prep), senior, 5-foot-10, forward

Shafer had a solid season for the Lady Cavs. She averaged 3.7 block shots per game and also was among the top rebounders in the county, hauling in nearly nine rebounds per game. She also hit 32 percent from 3-point range.

Bianca Stewart (Grovetown), senior, 5-foot-9, forward

Stewart averaged 5.6 points and 7.4 boards per game, but do not let those numbers fool you. By the end of the season she was one of the county's more consistent players. She averaged a double-double once she cracked the Warriors' starting lineup.

Annie Cave (Augusta Christian), junior, 5-foot-10, center

Cave got overshadowed by Brandt and point guard Lindsey Banks, but she was a key piece of the puzzle for Keith Walton's squad this year. She manned the middle, averaging 10.7 points per game and pulling down 7.5 boards per game. She was named All-Region and played in the North/South All-Star Game.

Honorable Mention

Rochelle Leverett (Evans)

Led the Knights with seven rebounds per game and also averaged 7 points per game.

Shatoria Dent (Evans)

Was the Knights' top scorer, averaging nearly 8 points per game.

Miah Shephard (Evans)

Solid defensive guard. Averaged four steals per game and got better as the season went on.

Marianne Davignon (Grovetown)

Averaged more than five assists per contest. Also averaged 6.3 points per game.

Halle Rickerson (Grovetown)

Good shot blocker who also averaged five rebounds per game.

Chanda Wideman (Lakeside)

Despite being undersized, Wideman pulled down more than six rebounds per game, and did a lot of the dirty work for the Lady Panthers. She was an Honorable Mention all-Region selection as well.

Lindsey Weidenaar (Lakeside)

Weidenaar was the zone-buster for Lakeside. She nailed 45 shots from long range and would have been a big-time scorer on most other teams in the county.

Amanda Murphy (Augusta Prep)

Solid guard for the Lady Cavaliers all season.