All-region basketball: Craven, O'Connell are players of year in 5-AAAAAAA

M.E. Craven of Lambert and Alex O’Connell are the basketball players of the year in Region 5-AAAAAAA, as chosen by the league’s coaches.

Craven led Lambert’s girls to the regular-season and tournament titles. She is committed to Auburn as a soccer player.

O’Connell led Milton to the tournament championship. He has signed with Duke basketball.

GIRLS

Player of the year: M.E. Craven, Lambert

Coach of the year: Jaime Fisher, Lambert

First team

Jaleah Greene, Lambert

Molly Williams, Lambert

Mari Jonassen, South Forsyth

Zoe Maisel, South Forsyth

Emily Dreslinski, South Forsyth

Cassie Markle, North Forsyth

Caroline Martin, North Forsyth

Abby Quincy, West Forsyth

Kalie Schlegel, West Forsyth

Honorable mention: Amber Jones, North Forsyth; Summer Edwards, Lambert; Grace Armfield, Milton; Sara Idris, South Forsyth; Ella Madson, West Forsyth

BOYS

Player of the year: Alex O’Connell, Milton

Coach of the year: Scott Bracco, Lambert

First team

Alex, O’Connell, Milton

Evan Cole, South Forsyth

C.J. Smith, Forsyth Central

Andrew Melms, Lambert

Christian Wright, Milton

Second team

Jordan McIlwan,Lambert

Austin Deckard, Lambert

Connor Stephenson, North Forsyth

Michael Zabetakis, West Forsyth

Matt Ganote, Lambert

Santhosh Saravanan, South Forsyth

Honorable mention: Damon Stoudamire, Lambert; Musa Thompson, Lambert; Donoven Hairston, Milton; Jordan Yates, Milton, Ethan Hester, Forsyth Central

About the Author

Todd Holcomb

Sports