Four senior basketball players from Marion County recently played in All-Star games, and while the exhibitions may have been their last high school action they all will likely be playing in college next season.
Columbia Academy’s Lauren Rowley, Gabby Sullivan and Morgan Jones all played in the MAIS All-Star Game March 8 at Mississippi College, and Rowley was named Most Valuable Player of the winning side.
CA head coach Dale Watts said Rowley is in discussions with both Mississippi College and William Carey about extending her career, and Sullivan is being considered by Belhaven University in Jackson. Jones, meanwhile, signed with Southern Miss before the season began.
East Marion center John Rawls, who recently helped lead the Eagles to their first-ever state championship, participated in the Alabama-Mississippi All-Star game at Alabama State Friday. Alabama defeated Mississippi for the first time in four years, but Rawls scored eight points, grabbed nine rebounds, had two steals and blocked a shot.
Rawls said it was a great experience to represent his state on the court and compete with and against familiar faces.
“Most of the guys on the teams I played with in AAU, and it was a great experience because everybody that played was good,” he said.
He added playing against similarly talented players was a bonus because he knows that’s what is waiting for him at the next level. The 6-foot-9 big man is currently deciding between more than 10 collegiate offers ranging from Division I to junior college schools, with the signing period beginning April 17.
Rawls said that while he hasn’t narrowed his list down yet, he mentioned Southern Miss, Troy, Jackson State, Pearl River Community College and Jones Junior College as some of his potential options.
“I might stay close to home,” he said.
Pictured Above: Columbia Academy's Lauren Rowley, Morgan Jones and Gabby Sullivan played in the MAIS All-Star game March 8 at Mississippi College. | Photo Submitted
