This year’s All-Messenger Basketball Teams feature a number of talented athletes from across The Messenger’s coverage area, including a pair of All-State representatives. 

The boys team is headlined by Player of the Year Kameron Christian and Coach of the Year Tim Fayson of Charles Henderson High School. The Trojans won their fourth straight area championship this season and Christian, a senior, played a big part in that. Christian, who also earned All-State honors this season, averaged 12 points, five rebounds and two steals per game for the Trojans. He was also selected to Area Tournament MVP and earned All-Tournament honors. 

Fayson has not only led CHHS to two Elite 8 appearances and a state runner-up finish in the last four seasons, but he’s also led CHHS to four straight area crowns and four straight undefeated records in area play. 

Joining Christian on the All-Messenger team from CHHS is junior guard Jydarien Burney, who averaged 11 points, seven rebounds and two blocks per game this season. 

Representing Pike County High School is freshman Tra Davenport and senior Khalil Foster. Foster averaged 10.5 points, five steals, seven rebounds and three assists per game, while Davenport averaged 12 points, six rebounds, five steals and three assists. 

Pike Lib is represented by senior Sawyer Keck and junior Jackson Mitchell. Keck surpassed 1,000 career points this season as he averaged 15.7 points, 6.4 rebounds, 2.5 steals, one block and 1.8 steals per game. Mitchell also averaged 16.5 points, 3.8 rebounds, 4.1 assists and 2.5 steals per game along with taking an eye-popping 29 charges during the season. Mitchell also earned All-State honorable mention, becoming the first PLAS player to earn All-State recognition as a part of the AHSAA. 

Representing Ariton on the All-Messenger is sophomore Addison Senn, who averaged 12.6 points, 5.8 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 1.3 steals per game, while Zion Chapel is represented by senior Brodie Stinson averaging 13.2 points, 5.2 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 2.6 steals per game). 

Representing the girls are All-Messenger Player of the Year senior Nya Allen from Ariton and Coach of the Year Jonny Mitchell of Pike Liberal Arts School. Mitchell led the Lady Patriots to their first ever postseason appearance as a part of the AHSAA this season, while Allen surpassed 1,000 career points averaging 13.5 points, five rebounds, one assist and 2.7 steals per game. She will play college softball and volleyball at Enterprise State Community College. 

For Pike Lib, both freshmen Mary Holland Stephens and Shelly Stephens were named to the All-Messenger Team. Mary Holland Stephens averaged 11.2 points, 9.2 rebounds, 1.1 assists, 1.7 blocks and two steals per game, while Shelly Stephens averaged 10.4 points, 5.2 rebounds, 3.1 assists and 2.2 steals per game.

Representing Pike County High School is junior Tamieja Taylor, who averaged 6.8 points, 5.4 rebounds and 1.2 steals per game. Charles Henderson is also represented by junior Harmony Hubbard, who averaged 9.9 points, 7.1 rebounds and 3.1 assists per game. 

Freshman Karmen Wilson represents New Life Christian Academy rounding out the All-Messenger after she averaged 18 points, 14 rebounds and 10 blocks per game, becoming the first player in ACAA history to average a triple double and leading the Eagles to their first ever postseason appearance. 

All-Messenger Boys Team 

-Kameron Christian, Charles Henderson, Sr. 

-Jydarien Burney, Charles Henderson, Jr.

-Tra Davenport, Pike County, Fr. 

-Khalil Foster, Pike County, Sr.

-Sawyer Keck, Pike Liberal Arts, Sr.

-Jackson Mitchell, Pike Liberal Arts, Jr. 

-Addison Senn, Ariton, So.

-Brodie Stinson, Zion Chapel, Sr. 

Player of the Year: Kameron Christian, Charles Henderson 

Coach of the Year: Tim Fayson, Charles Henderson 

All-Messenger Girls Team 

-Karmen Wilson, New Life Christian Academy, Fr. 

-Tamieja Taylor, Pike County, Jr. 

-Nya Allen, Ariton, Sr. 

-Mary Holland Stephens, Pike Lib, Fr.

-Shelly Stephens, Pike Lib, Fr.

-Harmony Hubbard, Charles Henderson, Jr.

Player of the Year: Nya Allen, Ariton

Coach of the Year: Jonny Mitchell, Pike Liberal Arts School