By Mike London
mike.london@salisburypost.com

SALISBURY —  The All-Rowan County girls basketball team includes one of the most successful senior classes in county history and several two-time state champions.

Six 1,000-point scorers, three from state champion West Rowan, are seniors, and some younger players will reach that milestone in the future.

A committee of former players announced on Friday evening that the Shayla Fields Award for Rowan County Player of the Year will go to West Rowan senior Lauren Arnold.

All-County girls

First team

• Lauren Arnold, West, Sr. — Mars Hill recruit was twice voted MVP of the 3A state championship game, put up a double-double in the Carolinas All-Star Classic, averaged 16.3 points and scored 1,593 career points.

• MaKayla Noble, Salisbury, Sr. — Albany recruit was the county’s only Division I girls basketball signee. She averaged 19.7 points and scored 1,154 career points.

• Brittany Ellis, North, Sr. — Averaged 20.7 points for a team that set the program record with 25 wins. A state champion track and field performer, she scored 1,354 career points. The only Rowan girl voted player of the year in her league, she was the Central Carolina Conference Player of the Year.

• Bailee Goodlett, North, Sr. — Catawba recruit led the county in scoring three straight seasons, averaged 25.9 points as a senior, including a school-record 45. Scored 2,026 career points, second all-time at North and fifth all-time in Rowan County.

• Emma Clarke, West, Sr. — The Tennessee softball recruit averaged 13.5 points and dominated the boards in the postseason. She scored 1,106 career points. Voted Most Outstanding Player in 3A state championship game for the 31-1 Falcons.

Second team

• Tiara Thompson, West, Soph. — Averaged 12.3 points while providing steady ball-handling and great passing for the 3A state champs. Will take 770 career points into her junior year.

• Jamyrah Cherry, Salisbury, Jr. — A transfer from Cannon School, she was a well-rounded player who gave the Hornets 13.3 points per game while handling the ball and hitting the boards.

• Mary Church, East, Jr. — Her intensity and competitiveness coming back from a serious injury made East a pretty tough team. She was the primary ball-handler while averaging 12.6 points and defending like her sneakers were on fire. She willed the Mustangs to some wins.

• De’Mya Phifer, West, Sr. — Her quickness changed games for the Falcons. She averaged 10.2 points and scored 1,186 in her career.

• Mya Edwards, West, Sr. – One of the county’s most improved players, she was a high-percentage mid-range scorer and averaged 10.6 points for the state champs.

Third team

• Kynlee Dextraze, South, Jr. — South’s most consistent player, she averaged 10.3 points per game and had quite a few double-doubles.

• Dasia Elder, North, Jr. — Became a lethal 3-point shooter for the Cavaliers and averaged 10.7 points per game.

• Hannah Waddell, East, Sr. — An excellent shooter, she averaged 8.3 points and scored 782 in her career.

• Shamya Arnold, Salisbury, Sr. — Averaged 8.0 points and was a heady player for a Salisbury team that won 20.

• Makaylah Tenor, Sr. — Accepted her role and was a difference-maker for two state championship teams.

• Unsung heroes — North’s Krisstyle Stockton and East’s Kady Collins

• Best defender  — North’s Bloom Goodlett

• Best scorer — North’s Bailee Goodlett

• Best passer — West’s Thompson

• Beet rebounder — West’s Arnold

• Best shooter — North’s Elder/East’s Waddell

• Best glue person — Salisbury’s Arnold

• Best shot-blocker — West’s Clarke

• Best junior — Salisbury’s Cherry

• Best sophomore — West’s Thompson

• Best freshman — Carson’s Rylee Hedrick

• Best comeback — East’s Church from a broken knee cap

• Coach of the Year – West’s Ashley Poole and North’s Darra Walker