All-Area: Andrews, Rogers share boys’ basketball player of the year honors; Rivers is top girl

To pick between Indian Land’s Darnell Rogers and York’s Deshaw Andrews for The Herald’s All-Area player of the year is a matter of taste, and perhaps size preference.

One of the smallest players in the area, Rogers torched opponents for nearly 29 points per game. Belying his 5-foot-2 stature, the Indian Land junior, and 2013-14 All-Area player of the year, scored in double digits in every contest and had eight games with at least 30 points, and three outings of 40 or more. He also dished out nearly seven assists a game and made five steals per contest thanks in part to his quickness.

At the other end of the size spectrum, Andrews wasn’t just a big football quarterback, he was a big hooper too. At 6-foot-4, 250 pounds, Andrews’ game showed surprising grace, whether it was his feathery shooting touch, or his nimbleness around the basket. Whether he was inside or out, Andrews was scoring, finishing the season with an average of 26.3 points and 5.4 rebounds per outing.

On the girls’ side, there was not near as much discussion. No player was more important to her team in the York, Chester and Lancaster county areas than Lancaster’s Malia Rivers. She helped the Bruins to a 27-0 state championship season, steering the ship as the team’s point guard, despite only transferring in from Central the previous summer.

Rivers’ coach, Ronnie Robinson, is an obvious girls’ basketball coach of the year for doing something that many coaches only dream about: leading his team to an undefeated state championship. Robinson handled his team’s chemistry perfectly, and also kept any ongoing discussion about an undefeated season muted within his team.

And Lewisville’s Michael McCray takes top coaching honors for the boys after helping the Lions bounce back from a 4-20 season. In his first year, McCray led Lewisville to a 17-7 record and the second round of the state playoffs.

Boys All-Area

Co-players of the year: Darnell Rogers, Indian Land, and Deshaw Andrews, York

Coach of the year: Michael McCray, Lewisville

First team

Deshaw Andrews, York- senior averaged over 26 points and five rebounds per game and was named Region 3-4A player of the year. Andrews, a football standout, made All-Region, All-State and played in the North-South all-star game.

Darnell Rogers, Indian Land- diminutive scorer poured in 28.2 points per game, 6.9 assists, 5.1 steals and shot 80 percent from the foul line. Rogers was named 2A All-State and was the Region 4-2A player of the year.

Nigel Simpson, Great Falls- slinky Red Devils point guard averaged 22.8 points and 3.6 assists per game and made 1A All-State.

Tommy Sanders, Chester- senior guard was named 3A All-State and Region 3-3A player of the year following a season in which he averaged 23 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists per game.

Marveon Mobley, South Pointe- senior was named 3A All-State, All-Region and was named to the North-South All-Star game after averaging 19.3 points, 4 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 1.9 steals per game for the Stallions.

Second team

Cody Montgomery, Lewisville- senior post player helped drive Lewisville’s rebound season by averaging 18 points, 14.4 rebounds and 2.1 blocks per game for coach Michael McCray and the Lions.

Bryce Allen, Clover - Senior did it all for Clover, averaging 13 points, 4.1 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 2.1 steals and 1.5 blocks per game for the Blue Eagles. Allen was a 4A All-State selection and also All-Region 3-4A.

Malik Williams, Chester- sophomore made All-Region 3-3A thanks to averages of 19 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists per game for Sebastian Hopkins’ squad.

Tracus Chisholm, York Prep- sophomore averaged 21.9 points per game and shot nearly 50 percent from the field for Frank Hamrick’s team. Chisholm also made 70 3-pointers and averaged 4.5 assists per contest.

Manzi Hill, Northwestern- sharp-passing, All-Region 3-4A big man averaged 14 points, 8 rebounds and 5 assists per game for Northwestern.

Honorable mention

Daurice Simpson, York; Japree Perry, Rock Hill; Evan Sisk, Lewisville; Nehemiah McGriff, Lancaster; Cameron Holmes, Nation Ford.

Girls All-Area

Player of the year: Malia Rivers, Lancaster

Coach of the year: Ronnie Robinson, Lancaster

First team

Alixis Roccia, Nation Ford- senior point guard averaged 19.7 points per game for the Falcons, to go with 3.3 assists, 2.7 steals and 33 percent shooting from beyond the arc. Roccia was an All-Region 3-4A and 4A All-State selection.

Malia Rivers, Lancaster- All-State junior scored 15.8 points per game, and added 3 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 2.3 steals per contest for the undefeated, state champion Bruins. Rivers was also named Region 3-3A player of the year.

Izzy Clark, South Pointe- junior did a little of everything for the Stallions, averaging 13.1 points, 5.7 rebounds and an assist and steal per game. Clark was named 3A All-State and All-Region.

Nia Pressley, Indian Land- sophomore averaged 17.7 points and 9.6 rebounds per game and was an All-Region 4-2A selection for the Warriors.

Madison Hendrix, Rock Hill- point guard stuffed the stat sheet for Rock Hill, averaging 11.6 points, 8.1 assists, 5.5 rebounds and 3.7 steals per game. Hendrix made All-Region 3-4A.

Second team

Elizabeth Edmunds, Clover- senior averaged 12.8 points, 4.7 rebounds, 2.2 steals and 1.8 assists per game, and was selected All-Region 3-4A for the third year running.

Deja Marshall, Chester- junior scored 15.5 points and grabbed 5 rebounds per game for the Cyclones. Marshall made All-Region and also hit 38 3-pointers this season.

Alexis Loney, Northwestern- Loney was a very skilled post player for John Bramlett’s Trojans, a good passer out of the post and a presence on defense with her size, alongside fellow senior Lauren Reese. Loney averaged 10 points, 9 rebounds and 2 blocked shots per contest.

Kelly Foster, South Pointe- freshman showed flashes of real potential while averaging 10.2 points and 3.9 rebounds per game. Foster made All-Region 3-3A and also averaged nearly 2 steals per contest for the Stallions.

Honorable mention

Jessica Reynolds, Indian Land; Porcelain Goldsborough, Chester; Jordan Green, Lewisville; Davina Patrick, Great Falls; Modesty Fobbs, Rock Hill.

This story was originally published March 28, 2015 at 3:00 PM with the headline "All-Area: Andrews, Rogers share boys’ basketball player of the year honors; Rivers is top girl."