By By BRIAN HAINES, Sports Writer
The boys 2010 prep basketball season was certainly an exciting one, especially in the Four Rivers Conference where any team could seemingly beat any opponent on any given night.
Williamston, under first-year coach Bobby Williams, raised its level of play to finish third in one of the toughest 1-A conferences in the state. Plymouth, also led by a first-year coach in Marvin Davenport, got hot late as it ironed out some regular season inconsistencies to win the conference tournament.
Davenport, the WDN Basketball Coach of the Year, and his Vikings rode a seven-game winning streak all the way to the Sectional Round, where they got edged out by Weldon.
Despite fielding two of the most talented players in the area in Aaron Baker and Aaron Oden, Roanoke got tripped up during its playoff run.
Baker, who led the Redskins with 22 points per game while averaging 8.6 rebounds and 1.8 steals a night, was crowned the WDN Player of the Year as well as the Four Rivers Conference Player of the Year.
In between the highs and lows of the 2010 season were some brilliant performances by some spectacular athletes. The ones who were able to summon their brilliance on a consistent basis where the ones who rose to the top of the Washington Daily News All-Area team.
K.J. Brown, PG, Williamston
One most clutch players around, K.J. Brown built up his reputation for hitting big shots in the postseason last year. This year the junior kept at it, sinking a last-second shot to tie and eventually beat Perquimans in OT. Brown, who is a two-time WDN all-area selection averaged 15.6 points, 4 assists and 3.3 steals a game this season to lead the Tigers.
Taraja Langley, SG, Washington
One of the best scorers in the area, Taraja Langley posted points in bunches, and when he did it usually meant good things for the Pam Pack. Langley led his team in scoring, assists and steals with a 16.3, 2.9, respectively, while handing out 4.6 assists a night.
Aaron Oden, F, Roanoke
Perhaps the most versatile players in the area, Roanoke forward Aaron Oden excelled at all phases of the game.
Oden’s 16.4 points per game was the second-highest average on his team, while he led the Redskins in rebounds with 10.7 a night, assists with 5.6 a game and blocks with 3.1 per contest.
Ronnell Blount, SF, Plymouth
The driving force behind Plymouth’s late run at a state title, Ronnell Blount scored a game-high 21 points during the Vikings’ 86-72 loss to Weldon in the Sectional Round of the Playoffs.
Blount, a 6-1, 200-pound guard, was a team-leader as well as a great athlete.
Curtis Myers, PF/C, Southside
The most active player in the area, Southside forward Curtis Myers led his team in scoring, rebounds, steals and desire. Though he transferred out of Southside near the end of the season, that doesn’t diminish what the chiseled 6-3 Meyers did for his team. A fantastic athlete, Myers posted 12 points, 10 rebounds and 2.5 steals a night and played with an enthusiastic intensity which was missed when he transferred.
All-area second team
Willie Ruffin, SG, Southside
Kiyon Coffield, F/C, Williamston
Isaiah McCullor, G, Northside
George Norfleet, SG, Plymouth
David Gray, Mattamuskeet
WDN Coach of the Year
Marvin Davenport, Plymouth
WDN Player of the Year
Aaron Baker, G, Roanoke
Honorable mention:
Creswell
Danvonte Phelps
Justin Phelps
Gary Blount
Xavier Owens
Northside
Isaiah McCullor
Damount Harvey
Nathan Cahoon
Calvin Cox
Taylor Woolard
Mattamuskeet
Saquon Cunningham
Davonte Green
Plymouth
Akeem Cooper
Carl McCary
Jeremy Purvis
Pungo
Zach Credle
Joseph Braddy
Tyler Mann
Roanoke
Tavin Sheppard
Southside
Jordan Benston
Lonnie Williams
Tre’shon Blount
Teon Aaron
Terra Ceia
Kiam Boerema
Justin Lilley
Derek Chesson
Washington
Chris Albritton
Lindsey Harris
Brandon Tripp
Ridge Hodges
William Chance
Williamston
Ranalle Lanier
Tremayne Rodgers