Published: March 10, 2007 10:43 pm      

Hornets dominate all-district team

Fuller named defensive player of the year, Anderson tabbed top coach

All five of Huntsville’s starters were voted to the All-District 18-4A boys basketball team, and three of the Hornets’ key reserves received honorable mention.

Mike Williams, Drae Murray and Kyedrick Fuller landed spots on the first team, while teammates Rayshadrick Johnson and Broderick Purvis were named to the second team. Huntsville sophomores Kirby Ennis, Howard Brown and Justin Ennis were named to the honorable mention team.

Fuller, who averaged 10 rebounds and four blocks to go along with his 14 points per game, was also chosen as the district’s defensive player of the year.

After guiding the Hornets to the 18-4A title and a memorable 30-4 season, Huntsville’s Doug Anderson earned the coach of the year award from the district.

Voting was done at the end of the regular season by the seven coaches in 18-4A.

“I think we got what we wanted,” Anderson said late last week before he drove to Austin for the state tournament. “I think all five of our starters definitely deserved to be on there. I thought Broderick could have been defensive player of the year just like Kyedrick, but you’ve got to be careful not to put your kids up there and split the votes.

“Overall, I’m pleased with who got what. Mike, Drae and Kyedrick definitely deserve to be on the first team. I thought Broderick and Shaq were second-teamers. They just didn’t have the numbers to be on the first team. And our three sophomores — Kirby, Roo and Justin — all got honorable mention. Eight of our 10 guys got something, so the only thing I can be disappointed about is the MVP.”

Brenham senior Eric Lewis was voted most valuable in 18-4A this season. Lewis returned to action from an early season foot injury and did not dominate the district like he did a year ago, but he was still solid, helping the Cubs to a runner-up finish behind Huntsville.

Anderson said he nominated Murray for the MVP award, but the coaches selected the Cubs’ leader Lewis.

“Lewis is a good player. He was an all-state player last year,” Anderson said. “Was he the MVP this season? I don’t know about that, and I didn’t get a vote because one of our guys was up for the award.”

Livingston sophomore Dustin Harris was named newcomer of the year in 18-4A.

Other first-teamers were Brenham’s Bennie Cloud and Landon Wright, Jonathan Roberts of Waller, Tyler Case and Zach Huie of Montgomery and Garcia Lewis of Livingston.

Second-teamers were Brenham’s Jaron Cloud, Adam Kaliszweski and Michael Bibbs of Willis, Waller’s Quinton Colston, Keaton Parker and Darius Garrett of Livingston, Jerry Brooks and Brad Koenig of Montgomery, Johnson and Purvis.

“Those awards mean a lot to some of our guys,” Anderson said. “I think Shaq (Johnson) was a little disappointed that he got second team after being newcomer of the year as a sophomore and a first-team pick last year (in District 14-5A).

“A lot of people were impressed with Fuller’s defense. When guys would get past our guards, they had to deal with Fuller. He was a big play maker for us defensively.”