By Chuck Livingston
Sports Editor
Basketball season is on its way out in Crittenden County.
This has been a very special season for me, as it was my first as The Evening Times’ sports editor.
In the fall, I put together an All-County football team that people absolutely loved to talk about, debate over and pick apart.
So I figured, why not do it for basketball too?
First team: Glen Burns, West Memphis Christian; Jaben Garrett, Marion; Dannie Gatewood, West Memphis; Dontae Garrett, Earle; Laquan Davie, Marion; Jevon Bernard, West Memphis.
If these kids got together to play three-on-three, wild horses couldn’t drag me away from the gym.
Burns has been phenomenal for the Black Knights all season, topping 30 points five times, as well as showing an underrated passing ability.
Gatewood started the year slowly, as did the rest of the Blue Devils, but once he found his stride, so did West Memphis. He was fearless in a number of big games and became a Marion killer for his two performances against the Patriots this year.
Jaben Garrett has recorded eight double-doubles by my count, and very possibly more. His ability to get Marion second-chance opportunities was a big part of the Patriots’ success this year.
Davie fought through a mid-season slump to continue to run the point for Marion efficiently. From now on, hitting a three-pointer to beat the third quarter buzzer will always be known as “pulling a Davie” after the junior’s signature move.
Bernard was a rock for the Blue Devils when he was able to avoid foul trouble. He can score inside, hit the mid-range jumper and keep West Memphis in the game with second-chance opportunities.
Earle’s Dontae Garrett is just a sophomore, but he scores like he’s much older. The reason for the Bulldogs’ hot streak has been his consistency from the floor and his sneaky ability to come up with turnovers.
Second team: Scooter Eason, West Memphis Christian; Tevin Scott, Earle; Vakemeyus Davis, West Memphis; Dequarius Brigham, Marion; CJ Garrett, Earle; Taylor Turnage, West Memphis Christian.
Eason was probably West Memphis Christian’s most consistent presence this season. He didn’t score in bunches like Burns, but he ran the offense and played world-class defense as well. He’s the secret weapon for the Black Knights.
Turnage is a guy that would likely not have made the team as recently as three weeks ago. Without Burns in the north state and Class A Tournaments, Turnage picked up the slack and then some, averaging over 25 points during West Memphis Christian’s run. Without Turnage’s sudden offensive onslaught, the Black Knights would not still be alive for an overall state title.
Earle’s Tevin Scott made some history this winter. After making the football All-County team as a wide receiver, he became the first player to make it in two sports when he was named to the second team. Only a junior, he has a chance to do it again next year as well.
Davis impacted West Memphis’ season almost as much as Bernard but was relegated to the second team. He’s still a great player and his presence has been crucial to the Blue Devils’ recent hot streak.
Brigham’s versatility has been big when Marion saw one of its bigs get into foul trouble as he can play the 3 or the 4. The senior has worn a number of hats this season for the Patriots and has competed hard whether he starts or comes off of the bench.
CJ Garrett had to see his brother make the first team, but Earle’s season transformed when he showed up to become the Bulldogs’ de facto post presence. His 16 rebounds against Rivercrest and 22 against Manila last weekend speaks to his hard-nosed mentality on the hardwood.
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