Latta girls basketball team reaches quarterfinals of Class A state tournament
Kaliyah Herman selected as Region 6 Offensive Player of the Year
Latta – Things could have gone better for the Latta High School gitls basketball team in its first season under head coach Bobby Richardson, but not by a whole lot.
The Vikings finished the year with a 19-7 overall record and finished second in Region 6-Class A with a 10-2 mark. They made it to the quarterfinals of the state playoffs as well.
“The season as a whole was a great success being that I came in with a different identity for the team,” Richardson said. “It took a while before they bought in, but once it clicked we were off and running.”
Latta was led by Kaliyah Herman, who was selected as the Region 6 Offensive Player of the Year. A junior, Herman led the team in scoring by averaging 18.5 points per game. She also led the team in steals at 5.7 to go with 2.6 assists and 5.3 rebounds.
She was joined on the All-Region team by sophomore Jeziyah Page, who was selected as the region’s Sixth Man of the Year. She averaged 11.6 points, 3.0 rebounds, a team high 2.7 assists and 3.7 steals.
Seniors Kardae McFadden and Azarriona McRae were also selected to the All-Region team. McRae was the leading rebounder at 8.8 while averaging 7.6 points 3.9 steals and 1.0 blocked shots. McFadden averaged 6.9 points, 4.9 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 3.2 steals.
Latta’s only region losses were to Carvers Bay, which went undefeated in claiming the region crown. The Vikings defeated Cross 66-36 in the first round of the playoffs and followed that with a 64-43 win over Ridgeland in the second round. Their season came to an end with a 77-34 loss to eventual state champion Military Magnet.
SHAYON MCGRUDER BOYS BASKETBALL ALL-REGION PICK
Sophomore Shayon McGruder was Latta’s lone selection to the All-Region 6 boys basketball team.
McGruder averaged 11.7 points to go with 2.6 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 1.5 steals for the Vikings, who were 11-14 overall.
They finished 8-4 in region play for second place. Latta beat Baptist Hill 62-55 in the first round of the playoffs before falling to Hannah-Pamplico 75-63 in the second round.
Second-year head coach Chris Page said his team got off to a slow start as it was hindered by injuries.
“Once we regained our health, we began to improve and understand our roles,” he said. “That marked the beginning of our winning streak. However, we still have a long way to go to achieve our desired goal.”
Junior Isaiah McRae led in rebounding at 6.3 while scoring at a 7.5 clip. Junior Adrian McDonald led in assists at 3.1 with a 4.5 scoring average. Junior Xymari Bethea averaged 8.3 points and 5.1 rebounds.
