BY MATT VINES

North DeSoto’s Aja Douglas and Morgan Bates were selected to the girls basketball District 1-4A team, released this past week.

Makayla Butler was honorably mentioned.

The duo led the Lady Griffins to a 19-9 record and the first round of the playoffs as a No. 17 seed.

The season was North DeSoto’s best in quite some time as first-year coach Jalena Sanders accelerated the turnaround started under former coach Patrece Carter.

The Griffins went 4-3 in district play, which included a win against Booker T. Washington.

Huntington’s Kyndal Graham and coach Brian Shyne won the district’s Player and Coach of the Year, respectively.

Other first-team members include Huntington’s Carley Hamilton, Northwood’s Hannah Mouton, BTW’s Younique Jackson and Minden’s Brooklyn Jefferson.

Joining Bates and Douglas on the second team was Northwood’s A’Leiya Brewer, Huntington’s Jalia Marshall and Minden’s Kierra Harrison.

Mansfield represented on All-Defensive Team

Mansfield senior Darrien Kelly was selected to the District 3-2A All-Defensive team.

The Wolverines (9-18) finished fourth in a loaded district that had Lakeview and Red River play for state championships in their respective divisions.

DeSoto Parish represented on LHSAA All-Academic Team

Three senior basketball players from DeSoto Parish qualified for the LHSAA All-Academic Team, which requires at least a 3.5 GPA.

North DeSoto seniors Adrieunna Williams and Lexi Garza along with Mansfield’s Zaria Pullen earned the hoor.