More than 300 local athletes, coaches and family members gathered at MSU-Meridian’s Kahlmus Auditorium for the second-annual Premier Preps of East Mississippi, presented by Mississippi Power, awards banquet Monday evening. 

Former Meridian and Alabama standout and current Georgia women’s head basketball coach Joni Taylor served as guest speaker for the evening. 

“Anytime I can come back, it’s great for me because I’m only doing what was done for me when I was in their shoes,” Taylor said. “There were so many people who poured into me, from Meridian, from the surrounding areas, so anything that I can do to help, I jump at the opportunity. And then to come here tonight and see so many student-athletes who have excelled and are at the top of their sport, just makes me feel good. It’s exciting. So it was just a great night. It’s always good to come home and see familiar faces, and meet new ones.”

Choctaw Central seniors Kyarrah and Kyannah Grant shared girls basketball player of the year honors. The twin sisters will play at the University of Tennessee-Martin next season, but not before capping their high school careers with Monday’s event. 

“It was really nice — I liked it,” Kyannah Grant said. “It was amazing to see the support of everyone who came to watch us athletes receive our awards and get noticed and everything. Just to know it’s our last year, it’s kind of hitting me right now.”

Said Kyarrah Grant of Monday’s event, and sharing girls basketball player of the year honors with her sister: “To me, I’m really blessed that my sister and I, both of us, received that prestigious award. I know we have really good players (in the area), and I know everyone deserved it just as much as we do. They all worked hard, and they are talented.”