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Griffin
Humphery

THS hoops recognizes players

By Michael Butler

The 2019-20 Tallassee basketball team set the single-season record for wins with 27. There were a lot of achievements including an area title and the program's first trip to a regional since the advent of the modern playoff format.

Third-year head coach Keiven Mixson was determined to highlight his team's accomplishments despite the cancellation of the annual awards banquet due to COVID-19 restrictions.

"We're putting the finishing touches on the season," said Mixson. "This group was special. I'm blessed to have coached these guys. They have done more for me than they know."

Senior player Devan Lee was given the Team Leader Award.

"Devan has meant a lot to the turnaround for Tallassee basketball," Mixson added. "He has been with me all three years. He has been loyal, one of our hardest workers and hasn't complained. He was undersized playing in the post against bigger guys but was one of our better defenders and always seemed to have a knack for being around the ball. Devan has been a key component to our team. His contributions go way beyond the basketball court."

Tyrek Turner received the Leadership Award. He hit the thousand-point milestone in his career at THS.

"He was a four-time tournament MVP," Mixson said. "He was second-team all state, third-team all state and a top 100 prospect."

Turner will play college basketball at Southern Union.

"I'm looking forward to that next chapter in life," Turner said. "I just thank Tallassee for what they did for me, the whole community, staff, faculty. There is so much love. When I go off to college, I'm still going to be coming back."

Turner and fellow graduating senior Tavarious "Truck" Griffin will be added to the Wall of Fame this year. Griffin, a football signee with Alcorn State, was named co-MVP along with Jamicah Humphery, a junior.

"These two guys had monster years. Truck had a season to remember. He's one of the toughest guys I've ever coached. If he puts his mind to it, he can accomplish anything he wants. Jamicah can be as great of a player as I've ever coached."

There will be four players now on the "Wall" at Stumberg Gym. Turner and Griffin join honorees Travon Skipper from 2018 and Jaleel Dumas from 2019.

"Travon was an incredible point guard. He averaged 15 points and 5.3 assists per game," Mixson noted. "Jaleel was a coach's dream. He was as gritty as they come, an offensive rebounding machine."

Tae Collins was the team's Most Improved. Jalyn Daniels was the Defensive Player Award recipient. Both return next season.

LD Bell recognized his junior varsity players of the year as well. Tim Washington was named MVP. Jaquavious Lackey was the Defensive Player of the Year. Jordan May was Most Improved.

Washington
Lackey
May