Robert Wilson spent 23 years at The Clarion-Ledger/Jackson Daily News as a sportswriter with more than half of those years covering high school sports, mostly in the Metro Jackson area. He helped chose the Dandy Dozen in various sports for more than a decade. Wilson rebirthed a similar team four years ago with Mississippi Scoreboard Metro Jackson Preseason Elite 11 Girls Basketball Team based on our All-Metro team selections from last season and information from high school and college coaches. Wilson selected the best players from Hinds, Madison, and Rankin Counties from their performances last season. The players below are in alphabetical order. The boys team will be published next week.
Anna Morgan Anderson, MRA, 5-9, Junior, Guard
Anderson averaged 13.6 points, 3 rebounds, 2.8 steals, 2.3 assists and shot 77 percent from the free throw line and led Madison-Ridgeland Academy to a 29-8 record and an Overall Tournament runner-up finish.
She was a member of the Tatum and Wade/MSB Metro Jackson first team last season as a sophomore. This is Anderson’s second season to be a member of the Elite 11 team.
She scored a career-high 36 points without playing the fourth quarter – tying for the third best in school history – against Memphis East in the Dragon Fire Classic in Collierville, Tenn., during the Christmas holidays. She averaged 19.2 points during a nine-game stretch and scored her 1,000th point during that stretch and if she continues this pace could possibly break Rivers Futral’s career school scoring record of 2,200 points. Futral graduated in 2020.
Anderson averaged 12.5 points, 4.5 rebounds, 3.2 steals and 2 assists and helped MRA to a 36-4 record, and a MAIS Class 6A runner-up finish and an Overall Tournament runner-up finish and was a second team selection on the All-Metro Jackson team two years ago as a freshman.
As an eighth grader, Anderson started and helped MRA win the state and Overall championships, the first eighth-grader to start for MRA coach Stephen Force in his 29-year head coaching career.
Anderson has offers from Delta State and Mississippi College.
“Anna Morgan is a tough competitor who hates to lose,” Force said. “She maybe the most competitive person I’ve ever coached. One of the hardest workers I’ve ever had. She is an incredible practice player, bringing it every day. Anna Morgan has a very high motor on the floor and never slows down, which makes her dangerous on both ends of the floor. She worked hard this off season in the weight room. She cares only about winning when she steps on the floor. Anna Morgan is a stud. If you want somebody to go to war with, Anna Morgan is your girl. As a sophomore, she was voted conference co-MVP and only played in five conference games. She is really good defender and has led MRA in scoring her freshman and junior seasons and in steals for the past three years.”
Anderson was an all-state cross country runner as an eighth grader, freshman and sophomore and helped MRA to state titles each those years. She finished third in the MAIS Class 6A state tournament at No. 2 singles in tennis as a freshman and won 6A state No. 1 doubles and helped MRA to its first girls state title in school history as a sophomore.
Anderson had six points in MRA’s 48-43 victory over Leake Academy in the season opener Monday night in the Madison Madness Preseason Classic at MRA in Madison.
Meg Barbour, Jackson Prep, 6-3, Senior, Forward
Barbour averaged 11.1 points, 9 rebounds, 1.6 blocked shots, 1.6 steals, shot 48 percent from the field, 30 percent from 3-point range and 66 percent from the free throw line and led Prep to a 26-7 record, the MAIS Class 6A state championship and Overall Tournament semifinals last season as a junior.
She was a member of the Tatum and Wade/MSB Metro Jackson second team last season as a junior.
Barbour has offers from Southern Mississippi, Mississippi University for Women, Alabama-Birmingham, Louisiana Tech, Mississippi College, and Northeast Mississippi Community College.
“Meg really elevated her game last season,” Prep coach Michael McAnally said. “While she had the luxury of having seniors around her to carry a lot of the load, I think she realized as the season progressed that our team was counting on her as much as our seniors. Meg affects the game in so many ways on both ends of the floor. She will certainly carry the majority of that load this season as our one returning starter.”
Barbour had 18 points in a 63-12 win over Riverfield, La., Monday at the Madison Madness Preseason Classic at MRA in Madison in Prep’s season opener.
Ayla Benson, Madison Central, 5-8, Senior, Guard
Benson, a transfer from Germantown High, averaged 9.8 points, 4 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 1.3 steals and helped Germantown to a 17-14 record and a MHSAA Class 7A quarterfinal appearance.
She was a member of the Tatum and Wade/MSB Metro Jackson fourth team last season as a junior.
Benson has offers from East Mississippi Community College, Mississippi Delta CC, Alabama A&M, Arkansas Pine Bluff and Fort Scott CC.
“Ayla is a silent assassin,” Madison Central coach Jalessa Taylor said. “She came in and adjusted to our style of play in just two weeks – something that really impressed our coaching staff. She’s a knockdown shooter who can score from all three levels, and she leads both by example and with her voice. We’re proud to have her on our squad and can’t wait to watch her thrive her senior year.”
Madison Central opens the season Nov. 4 at Pearl.
Holly Jackson, East Rankin Academy, 5-6, Senior, Guard
Jackson averaged 12.6 points, 4.0 rebounds, 2.5 steals and 2.4 assists and helped East Rankin to a 36-3 record, the MAIS Class 5A state championship and the Overall Tournament first round appearance last year as a junior.
She was a member of the Tatum and Wade/MSB Metro Jackson third team last season as a junior.
Jackson has verbally committed to play softball at Copiah-Lincoln Community College.
“Holly is an explosive guard who can score at all three levels and knows what it takes to win,” East Rankin coach Brooke Rhodes said. “I’m excited to see how she will lead our team this year. She will take over the main role of point guard for us and will make our offense to go.”
East Rankin opens the season against Madison-Ridgeland Academy Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. in the Madison Madness Preseason Classic at MRA in Madison.
Malia McCelleis, Northwest Rankin, 5-4, Junior, Guard
McCelleis averaged 16.7 points, 4.1 steals, 3.6 rebounds, and 2.5 assists and helped Northwest Rankin to a 22-6 record and the MHSAA Class 7A semifinals last season as a sophomore.
She was a member of the Tatum and Wade/MSB Metro Jackson first team last season as a sophomore.
McCelleis has offers from Mississippi University for Women, Copiah-LIncoln Community College, Itawamba CC and St. Clair, Michigan, CC.
“Malia is one of the best players I’ve ever coached,” Northwest Rankin coach Tameika Brown said. “She makes an impact on the game on both offense and defense. Malia is a leader, both on and off the court. She is a two-year captain for us, has been the leading scorer for the past two season and led us in several other statistical categories last season. Not only does she work hard, she has a high IQ for the game. Malia is a joy to coach and so much fun of watch play the game. She is a versatile player and she plays both the point guard position and the shooting guard position.”
Northwest Rankin opens the season against Neshoba Central Nov. 6 at Neshoba Central in Philadelphia.
Alilyiah Morris, Madison Central, 5-7, Senior, Forward
Morris averaged 11 points, 8.2 rebounds, 2.9 steals and 1.7 assists and helped Madison Central to a 14-15 record last season as a junior.
She was a member of the Tatum and Wade/MSB Metro Jackson fourth team last season as a junior.
Morris has offers from East Mississippi Community College and Fort Smith CC.
“Alilyiah brings unmatched energy and passion to the game,” Madison Central coach Jalessa Taylor said. “She’s our lockdown defender, our grit and the engine that keeps us going. After battling back from an ACL injury, Alilyiah hasn’t missed a beat – and we couldn’t be more excited to see her back on the court. Her return is going to be something special.”
Madison Central opens the season against Pearl Nov. 4 at Pearl.
Shamira Morton, Canton, 6-3, Senior, Forward
Morton averaged 23.6 points, 14 rebounds and 5.5 blocked shots and led Canton to a 28-6 record and its second consecutive MHSAA Class 5A runner-up finish last season as a junior.
She was the Player of the Year on the Tatum and Wade/MSB Metro Jackson for the past two seasons as a sophomore and junior.
Morton verbally committed to Seton Hall in September and chose Seton Hall over Louisiana Tech and Providence. She also had Division I offers from Southern Miss, Alcorn State, Alabama-Birmingham, Memphis, South Alabama, SMU, Tulane, Belmont, Murray State, George Mason, Appalachian State, Arkansas State, Stony Brook and North Carolina A&T.
Morton was second in rebounding and blocked shots and third in scoring in Mississippi by MaxPreps last season.
“Shamira proved to be a tough opponent to most teams we played last year and stopping he was the main objective in their game plans,” Canton coach Melissa Word said. “She definitely left her heart and soul on the floor for every outing. Shamira and her teammates are hungry to get back to the ultimate goal of reaching the state finals this year.”
She has had season highs of 40 points (also a career high) against Velma Jackson, 21 rebounds against Germantown and 10 blocked shots against Leake Central, Provine, Greenville and Cleveland Central. She has career highs of 23 rebounds against Ridgeland and 12 blocked shots against Cleveland Central and Greenville as a sophomore.
For the second straight year, Morton led Canton to one win from a state championship, losing to Pontotoc 41-39 in the MHSAA Class 5A state title game last season. She had 22 points (10 of 13 from the field), 18 rebounds, 6 blocked shots, 3 assists, and 2 steals in the title game.
Morton averaged 20.1 points, 13.6 rebounds and 5.8 blocked shots and led Canton to a 28-5 record and a MHSAA Class 5A state runner-up finish two years ago as a sophomore. She was a member of the All Metro Jackson first team.
Morton averaged 10.3 points, 8.4 rebounds and 3.8 blocked shots and helped Clinton Christian to a 19-15 record and a third-place finish in the MAIS Class 4A state tournament and reached the MAIS Overall Tournament semifinals and made fourth team All-Metro Jackson three years ago as a freshman.
Canton opens the season against Yazoo County Nov. 4 at Canton.
Jayden Rhymes, Jackson Academy, 5-6, Senior, Guard
Rhymes averaged 9.2 points, 3.6 assists, 3.1 rebounds, 2.2 steals and led JA to a 20-9 season and the MAIS Class 6A semifinals in Jan Sojourner’s final season as a head coach after 45 career seasons.
She was a member of the Tatum and Wade/MSB Metro Jackson fourth team last season as a junior.
Rhymes scored a career-high 28 points in a win over defending MAIS Class 6A state champion Jackson Prep and 25 points in an upset over defending MAIS Overall Tournament champion East Rankin Academy in a six day span in January. She made a combined 18 of 31 shots from the field in the two games.
Rhymes has offers from Mississippi University for Women and Itawamba Community College.
“I had to scout Jayden a lot last season and at Christmas time she may have been the best player in the league,” said first-year JA coach Henry Gantz, who replaced Sojourner and came from Central Hinds Academy. “She unfortunately got hurt but I’m very excited to see her come back stronger. Jayden can do things offensively that will really open up our playbook. She can be a score first point guard or facilitator. Jayden also is one of our top defenders and she can really guard hard on the perimeter.”
JA opens the season against defending MAIS Overall Tournament champion Parklane Academy Nov. 4 at Central Hinds Academy in Raymond.
Karley Robinson, Madison Central, 5-6, Sophomore, Guard
Robinson averaged 16.3 points, 4.9 rebounds, 4.7 assists, 3.9 steals before suffering a knee injury in January and led Madison Central to a 14-15 record last season as a freshman.
She was a member of the Tatum and Wade/MSB Metro Jackson second team last season as a freshman.
Robinson has Division I offers from Alcorn State, Jackson State, Tennessee-Martin and Alabama A&M.
“Karley has really matured in her leadership role since last season,” Madison Central coach Jalessa Taylor said. “She has a clear understanding of what we’re trying to accomplish and has truly taken on the role of a coach on the floor throughout the preseason. She’s a true floor general – someone who makes the game easier for everyone around her. Before her injury last season, Karley was hitting her stride and finding a great rhythm. She’s picked up right where she left off and has continued to improve. We’re really excited about what this season holds for her and for our team.”
Madison Central opens the season against Pearl Nov. 4 at Pearl.
Liz Stevens, East Rankin Academy, 6-2, Junior, Forward
Stevens averaged 16.1 points, 12.1 rebounds, and 2.1 blocked shots and helped East Rankin to a 36-3 record, the MAIS Class 5A state championship and the Overall Tournament first round appearance last year as a sophomore.
She was a member of the Tatum and Wade/MSB Metro Jackson second team last season as a sophomore.
Stevens has offers from Southern Miss, Mississippi College and Appalachian State.
“Liz is a big time player and does not even know how good she can be,” East Rankin coach Brooke Rhodes said. “She will be someone who gets a lot of attention from other teams and will be a big factor for our success this year. The sky is the limit for her.”
East Rankin opens the season against Madison-Ridgeland Academy Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. in the Madison Madness Preseason Classic at MRA in Madison.
Eva Young, Ridgeland, 5-4, Senior, Guard
Young averaged 14.8 points, 4.0 rebounds, 3.4 steals and 2.3 assists and led Ridgeland to a 10-16 record and the MHSAA Class 6A Region 2 tournament last year as a junior.
She was a member of the Tatum and Wade/MSB Metro Jackson third team last season as a junior.
Young has offers from Itawamba Community College, Meridian CC, Mississippi Delta CC, Northwest Mississippi CC, Southwest Mississippi CC and Chicago State.
“Eva is a top contributor on both offense and defense,” Ridgeland coach Erica Stringfellow Smith said. “She is a scoring point guard that is the engine to our team. Going into her senior year I have seen her make great strides in her work ethic, versatility in the game and leadership. She is competitive and gives 100 percent in practice, which makes everyone around her better. I am glad to have had the opportunity to coach her four years at Ridgeland.”
Ridgeland opens the season against Forest Hill Nov. 4 at Forest Hill in Jackson.
