O’Neill three times, Jones first all-county
Posted at 15:55, Thursday, March 9, 2023
1 with 2
Northside junior Mariah Jones is an All District selection for the first time. (Steve Barnes/Washington Daily News)
Southside senior Ka’Nya O’Neal and Northside’s Maria Jones were named to the North Carolina All-District One basketball coaches’ first team.
The coaches select 15 players from each of the state’s 12 regions from east to west and divide them into five first-, second- and third-team players regardless of classification.
This is the third year in a row that O’Neill has been named in the first team, while Jones’ name appears for the first time.
O’Neill was the district player of the year as a sophomore, but finished second in this year’s voting to Northeastern junior Jasmine Felton, who averaged 30.3 points per game and led her team to the fourth round of the 2A playoffs, where they lost to North Pitt.
O’Neill averaged 29.3 points and 12.1 rebounds for the 25-7 Seahawks, who lost at Chatham Charter in the fourth round of the 1A playoffs.
“It’s a great honor for her and Southside High School,” coach Milton Ruffin said. “It’s nice that other coaches see her talent and how hard she works.”
Jones averaged over 20 points per game for Northside and helped the Panthers to an 18-7 record and advance to the second round of the 1A playoffs.
“I think she’s improved her leadership on and off the court,” coach Michelle Leathers said. “She’s been more proactive in talking to me about what she thinks can work during games, and she’s improved her ability to drive to the basket with power as well as pass the ball to other players.”
Northeastern senior Anya Rainey and Perquimans sophomore Lailana Harris rounded out the first team.
On the boys side, Southside senior Manvonte DeLoach was selected to the third team.
