After leading his team to a perfect 6-0 record, Quitman head girls basketball coach Kyle Leach, has been named the District 2B Coach of the Year. The honor was the second consecutive award for the Leach, the longest tenured coach in Jackson Parish, who has now guided Quitman to two consecutive undefeated district seasons and 17 straight, regular season district contests over a three year period.
“It is a great honor and I am very appreciative of being selected,” said Leach. “The award though is really more of a reflection of the girls I have been fortunate to coach, as well as our administration who backs us and the parents of the players who are so very supportive.”
Players from Jackson Parish claimed three of the five first team All-District spots with Briley Peterson from Weston and both Cali Deal and Bethany Leach of Quitman receiving top votes. Ikeia Brown of Simsboro and Kylee Portilloz of Choudrant, who was named the 2B Most Valuable Player, rounded out the top vote getters.
Quitman’s Brayli Stewart and Emma Kate McBride were named to the second team and Lainee Trosclair and Mary Catherine Hay from Weston along with Emma Carter of QHS earning Honorable Mention designation.
With the local first and second teamers being juniors or younger, it leads credence to the belief that the future is bright for both schools programs. The thought was not lost on Leach, giving him cause to echo the sentiment.
“There is a lot of young talent in our parish. We didn’t have a senior on the team this year and Weston has several really good players coming back as well.”
While Leach made the point that he is proud of all of his girls, he also recognizes that he and his daughter were put in rare company by being able to share in their accolades.
“Sure, it is special to me and for our family. This is something we will always remember,” reflected Leach. “I may be biased but I think Bethany is one of the top guards in the state. She has worked hard to become the player she is and I think is very deserving of being recognized as a first teamer. Hopefully we will get to do it again next year.”
Girls 2B All-District First Team
| NAME | SCHOOL | PPG | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG |
| Cali Deal | Quitman | 15.3 | 7.3 | 1.3 | 1.4 | 0.4 |
| Bethany Leach | Quitman | 10.6 | 2.3 | 5.5 | 2.1 | 0.1 |
| Briley Peterson | Weston | 12.3 | 6.3 | 1.7 | 3.0 | 0.3 |
| Kylee Portilloz – MVP | Choudrant | 17.0 | 14.5 | 0.8 | 2.2 | 0.7 |
| Ikeia Brown | Simsboro | 32.8 | 8.2 | 4.0 | 6.0 | 2.0 |
Second Team
| Emma Kate McBride | Weston | 12.8 | 6.3 | 1.7 | 3.0 | 0.3 |
| Brayli Stewart | Quitman | 11.3 | 5.8 | 1.4 | 1.2 | 1.0 |
| Mattie Johnson | Choudrant | 11.3 | 4.5 | 2.7 | 2 | |
| Aly Thomas | Choudrant | 9.5 | 7.0 | |||
| Amani Dean | Simsboro | 18.4 | 11.2 | 3.0 | 0.9 |
Honorable Mention
| Emma Carter | Quitman | 3.5 | 4.1 | 1.3 | 1.3 | 0.3 |
| Lainee Trosclair | Weston | 8.7 | 3.3 | 1.1 | 2.2 | 0.2 |
| Mary Catherine Hay | Weston | 4.7 | 3.3 | 0.9 | 0.5 | 0.2 |
| Zoey Smith | Choudrant | 5.2 | 3.3 | 0.8 | 1.0 |