COVINGTON, Ga. — The 2021-22 girls basketball season was filled with a lot of special individual performances by local players. Whether it was just one game or the entire season, each team had a player who delivered a noteworthy performance this past season. 

With those performances in mind, The Covington News selected a first and second team as well as an honorable mention from each school for the 2022 All-Covington News girls basketball team. 

But first, this year’s team begins with three special honors: Most Valuable Player, Newcomer (Freshman) of the Year and Coach of the Year.

Most Valuable Player

 Lizzie Teasley, Eastside

Value can be measured in many different ways. Oftentimes, value is gauged by a player’s season statistics or accolades. And, while Lizzie Teasley’s stats and accomplishments are substantial, she’s been voted as this year’s Most Valuable Player because of the impact she had that cannot be found in a stat book. 

Head coach Gladys King highlighted Teasley as the one player she would lean on having a young, inexperienced squad of players this season. That seemed to pay off for the Lady Eagles because, at the beginning of the year, Eastside seemed to struggle with multiple areas of the game. However, toward the end of the season, the Lady Eagles seemed to play as a more cohesive unit on the court. 

King credited Teasley as a huge part of this year’s progress. 

Teasley also led her team in scoring averaging 9.8 points per game. She finished second in rebounding (4.6 per game) and in steals (0.8 per game). At the season’s end, Teasley was the lone Lady Eagle to receive All-Region honors for Region 8-AAAAA. 

The cherry on top for Teasley came in her final home game as a Lady Eagle where she set a new career-high scoring 37 points against Apalachee on Feb. 14.

Newcomer of the Year

Jada Hyman, Social Circle

The Social Circle Lady Redskins had a young team heading into this past season. Out of an 11-player roster, eight of the players were freshmen and sophomores. 

Separating herself from the rest of the pack, though, was freshman Jada Hyman. 

Hyman concluded her freshman season averaging 13 points, 2.3 rebounds and 1.3 steals per game. Her point average led the Lady Redskins and she came second on the team in steals per game. 

Hyman’s notable performance this past season also caught the eye of Region 8A-Public coaches, too. 

When the season was over, region coaches voted her onto the Second Team All-Region for Region 8A-Public.

Coach of the Year

Dave LaBarrie, Social Circle

At the helm of the young Lady Redskins squad was head coach Dave LaBarrie. 

Prior to the season, LaBarrie told The Covington News that he wanted to “establish a winning tradition” this upcoming season. It seems like the Lady Redskins did just that. 

In his first year as Social Circle’s head coach, LaBarrie led the Lady Redskins to a 13-13 regular season record along with a 7-5 record in Region 8A-Public. In the region tournament, Social Circle earned third place. 

As a result of its third place finish, Social Circle qualified for the state playoffs for the first time in six years. 

So, when all was said and done this season, the Lady Redskins accomplished a lot under LaBarrie’s direction.

FIRST TEAM

Tre’Miyah Berry, Newton

- 15 ppg and 2 apg

- Second Team All-Region for Region 4-7A

Taylor Favors, Social Circle

- 12.6 ppg, 3.6 rpg and 2.3 spg

- First Team All-Region selection for Region 8A-Public

Carltajah Jackson, Alcovy 

- 7.5 ppg, 6.4 rpg and 2.4 spg

- Second Team All-Region selection for Region 3-6A

MeCole Terrell, Newton

- 12 ppg and 8 rpg

- Second Team All-Region for Region 4-7A 

Mehkyla White, Eastside

- 9.6 ppg, 0.9 rpg and 0.2 spg

SECOND TEAM

Ella Archer, Social Circle

- 5.2 ppg, 2.5 rpg and 0.3 spg

- Honorable Mention for Region 8A-Public

Luv Llewellyn, Alcovy 

- 6.1 ppg, 7.1 rpg and 0.9 spg

 - Second Team All-Region selection for Region 3-6A

Breyonna Rhodes, Newton 

- 6 ppg and 2 spg 

- All-Defensive Team for Region 4-7A

Jailyn Williams, Eastside

- 5.6 ppg, 1.6 rpg and 0.1 spg

Diazjahne Head, Alcovy 

- 6.4 ppg, 3.7 rpg and 1.4 spg

- Honorable Mention for Region 3-6A

HONORABLE MENTION

- Maria Harris, Alcovy

- Kaliel Kracht, Eastside

- Bunea Marable, Social Circle

- Kyla Price, Newton

Members of the 2022 All-Covington News team were selected by a panel including Sports Editor Phillip B. Hubbard, and Publisher Taylor Beck.