Postseason hoop honors rolling in for Cooter, others

The boy’s basketball season may have ended for all MSHSAA Class 2 programs, however, the postseason recognition has just begun for Cooter High School senior Luke Barnes.

The 6-foot-4 athlete was recently named the Tri-County Conference Player of the Year for the second consecutive season.

“Lukas can go inside or out,” veteran Wildcat coach David Mathis said of how Barnes scores the ball. “That is the thing with him, he is a mismatch.”

Barnes became the first Wildcat basketball player to ever be named MBCA Class 1 All-State a year ago, and very well may get the honor again in Class 2 this season.

He was recently named, along with teammates, Rhoads Lynn and Carson Swan to the 2023 MBCA Class 2 District 1 honor squad.

“He can shoot the (3-pointer),” Mathis continued on Barnes, “and he can shoot mid-range, and he can post you up. He is one of the tougher kids to guard because he could be my point guard, too.”

Barnes averaged 22 points per game and led Cooter to its most successful season (26 wins) ever.

Mathis was recently named as the Coach of the Year in both the conference and the District.

“I can’t thank (the players) enough for taking my confrontational and demanding coaching approach,” Mathis said recently when reflecting on this season. “It’s not for everyone, but I think with what all of these boys went through, they will be so much stronger in life.”

Lynn was also named to the Tri-County Conference First Team, along with Sammy Smith (Risco, sophomore), Owen Morgan (Clarkton, senior), and Max Harmon (Holcomb, senior).

Second Team honors went to CJ Wallace (Delta C-7, freshman), Braiden Burk (Holcomb, senior), Swan, Jacob Reeves Crittendon (Holcomb, junior), and Cooter senior Hayden Nazerenus.

Honorable Mention recognition went to Bryce Manley (Delta C-7, junior), Noah Kenner (Holcomb, sophomore), Amauri Gorman (Clarkton, junior), Layden Kellum (Risco, sophomore), and Bailey Huber (Southland, freshman).

Bernie senior guard Tristan Johnson was named as the MBCA Class 2 District 1 Player of the Year.

“Don’t get me wrong,” Bernie coach Jason Long said of Johnson’s game this season, “we certainly talk about (Johnson sharing the basketball). We will show him things on film. We talk about making the extra pass and seeing the open man when you penetrate, but it is just him.

“He’s just pretty good.”

Johnson was joined by Mule teammate Michia Schooley (senior), Harmon, Cason Stephens (Neelyville, sophomore), Brock Davis (Neelyville, senior), Robert Farmer (South Pemiscot, freshman), and Treven Shuburte (South Peniscot, senior) on the All-District squad.