By Robert Wilson
Jackson Prep’s Meg Barbour is one of the most versatile girls basketball players in Mississippi.
The 6-foot-1 junior can defend down low, block shots, and rebound, but can also score from all three levels, down low, mid-range and from 3-point range. In addition, Barbour can handle the ball and has great court vision to make pinpoint passes.
And last week, Barbour averaged 18 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 4 blocked shots to lead Prep to two wins and its second straight MAIS Class 6A state championship.
For her outstanding performance, Barbour has been named the Junction Deli/Mississippi Scoreboard Metro Jackson Girls Basketball Player of the Week.
Barbour had 23 points, 9 rebounds, 7 blocked shots, 3 assists and 2 steals in a 44-38 victory over Jackson Academy Friday in the 6A state semifinals and 13 points, 6 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 blocked shot and 1 steal in a 37-29 victory over Presbyterian Christian School Saturday in in the 6A state championship.
“Meg really elevated her game this weekend,” Prep coach Michael McAnally said. “Her stat line on Friday doesn’t really indicate the impact she had for us on the defensive end. On Saturday, she hit a huge 3-pointer in a tie game in the fourth quarter to give our team a lead that we would not relinquish. She has a great even keel about her, no matter how the game is going, that I really appreciate.”
Barbour is averaging 11.1 points, 9 rebounds, 1.6 steals and 1.6 blocked shots this season for 25-6 Prep, which is ranked No. 9 in Mississippi by MaxPreps.
“Meg has been terrific for us all year,” McAnally said. “I refer to her as our unicorn because she is so unique. Her size makes her a logical post option, but she has guard skills to where she can break you down off the dribble or knock down the three. Her success can certainly be attributed to having good players around her, but good players find a way to make a play at the biggest moments and Meg has done that for us time after time this season. It’s been a joy to watch her steady improvement from her sophomore season to her junior season, and her improvement throughout this season.”
Barbour was also a starter on Prep’s state championship soccer team this fall.
Barbour is the daughter of Charles and Laura Barbour. Charles was an all-star in basketball, football and baseball at Manchester Academy and played baseball at Ole Miss. Laura was on the Pacer dance team at Prep. Barbour’s sister, Jane Gray, was the captain of the equestrian team for Prep and is now a student at Ole Miss. Her brother, Charlie, played football, basketball, and baseball for Prep, and is now a student at Ole Miss. Barbour’s grandfather, the late Rickey Koon, was an all-star basketball player at Noxubee County High and played at East Mississippi Junior College. Barbour’s other grandfather, the late Judge William Barbour, Jr., played football at Princeton. Her great uncle, Gaylon Koon, played football at Ole Miss.
Prep plays Pillow Academy, the third-place team from Class 5A, Monday at 10 a.m. in the quarterfinals of the Overall Tournament at Mississippi College in Clinton.
Mississippi Scoreboard selects a girls basketball player from Hinds, Madison, or Rankin counties each week. Coaches can nominate a player by text or call to Robert Wilson at 601.506.2276.
WEEK ONE: Shamira Morton, Canton
WEEK TWO: Alya Benson, Germantown
WEEK THREE: Karley Robinson, Madison Central
WEEK FOUR: Anna Morgan Anderson, MRA
WEEK FIVE: Jayden Rhymes, Jackson Academy
WEEK SIX: Shamira Morton, Canton
WEEK SEVEN: Liz Stevens, East Rankin Academy
WEEK EIGHT: Madison Jones, Terry
WEEK NINE: Jahanna “JoJo” Wilson, Callaway
WEEK TEN: Malia McCelleis, Northwest Rankin
