Newman senior Chris Lockett and coach Randy Livingston, along with Rosepine’s Addison Fruge, earned top Class 2A basketball honors after a vote of sports writers from across the state.
The Louisiana Sports Writers Association selected Lockett and Fruge for its Outstanding Player awards after each won a state championship. Livingston, one of the most decorated high school players in Louisiana history, was selected as boys Coach of the Year.
Oakdale’s Renotta Edwards, the coach of another state title-winning team, was selected as Class 2A Girls Coach of the Year.
Lockett earned the Class 2A Outstanding Player honor for a second year in a row as he averaged 16 points, six rebounds, four assists and 1.5 steals and the Greenies won a second consecutive state championship.
In the Division III select final, Lockett and fellow first-team all-state selection Canin Jefferson combined for 34 points as Newman defeated Calvary Baptist 52-42. Lockett, a Boise State signee, finished with 16 points and was selected as the outstanding player.
Livingston, a former Newman star in his fourth season as coach at his alma mater, earned the top coaching honor for the first time. Under Livingston, Newman reached the state final three years in a row and won twice.
Fruge, along with fellow first-team all-state selection Kelly Norris, led Rosepine to the Division III nonselect state championship. Fruge averaged 17 points with five rebounds, three assists and two steals as her team defeated Amite in the state final. Fruge was selected as the outstanding player for the title game.
Edwards, the coach, guided Oakdale as a No. 9 seed to the Division IV nonselect championship. Oakdale defeated Rosepine in the final regular season game and won all five playoff games, the last five against higher-seeded opponents, including No. 2 Lakeview in the state final.
LSWA CLASS 2A BASKETBALL TEAMS
BOYS
FIRST TEAM
Jayshaun Johnson, Franklin
Trey’Dez Green, East Feliciana
Chris Lockett, Newman
Canin Jefferson, Newman
Rondae Hill, Calvary
SECOND TEAM
Keithan Hamilton, Winnfield
Shad Levy, Dunham
Jordan Trahan, Country Day
Draven Smith, French Settlement
Kendrell Perry, St. Thomas Aquinas
OUTSTANDING PLAYER: CHRIS LOCKETT, NEWMAN
COACH OF THE YEAR: RANDY LIVINGSTON, NEWMAN
HONORABLE MENTION: Derrick Green, Oakdale; Alonzo Driver, Lakeview; Dalyn Bell, Franklin; Malaki Thomas, Calvary; Cooper Chase, Lakeside; Laketric Robinson, Mansfield; Cameron Smith, Rayville; Troy Pattum, Welsh; D.J. Adams, Houma Christian; Lantavious Murphy, Rayville; Aubry Nash, General Trass; Jaiden Mitchell, Catholic-NI; Darunce Allen, M.L. King; Darmon Williams, South Plaquemines; Brian Duncan, Northeast.
GIRLS
FIRST TEAM
Vivian Sketoe, Lake Arthur
Addison Fruge, Rosepine
Kelly Norris, Rosepine
Timberlyn Washington, Lakeview
Blair Smith, Episcopal
SECOND TEAM
Marilyn Seeling, Menard
Emari Evans, Winnfield
Destiny Pierce, Houma Christian
Anaya Yunusah, Newman
Nevaeh Kimmie, Dunham
OUTSTANDING PLAYER: ADDISON FRUGE, ROSEPINE
COACH OF THE YEAR: RENOTTA EDWARDS, OAKDALE
HONORABLE MENTION: Jaedynn French Solton, Red River; Sanaa Bean, Newman; Nyla Lyons, Houma Christian; Akeelah Hobson, Oakdale; Myla Harbor, Ferriday; Caroline Watson, Episcopal.
Written for the LSWA