This year’s Premier Preps Presented by Mississippi Power boys basketball team is represented by a mix of Lauderdale County talent and standouts from the surrounding counties. Eleven new faces debut on a Premier Preps basketball team for the first time. 

Each member was instrumental in their team’s success, and their numbers accumulated throughout the year highlight their impact. 

Two members played in their third straight MHSAA state championship game, and another two have officially committed to play athletics at the collegiate level.

Here are six numbers that help define this year’s team:

13.7: Points per game for the team

The 11 members of the Premier Preps of East Mississippi basketball team combined for a group average of 13.7 points per game. Neshoba Central’s Jacob McMillan boasts a team-best 21 points per game, followed by Northeast Lauderdale’s Akiva Jay Burton, who tallied 18 points per game.

11: Number of upperclassmen

While the Premier Preps of East Mississippi girls basketball team featured three underclassmen, the boys’ squad is a veteran-heavy group that includes eight seniors. MaKeem Roberts (Meridian), JT Vance (Union) and Jacob McMillan (Neshoba Central) are the only juniors. 

4: Players who averaged a double-double

Dillon Farmer (Choctaw Central), Joseph Hutchinson (Lamar School), Timothy McElroy (Kemper County) and Zabin Hunter (Philadelphia) averaged double-doubles this past season. Hutchinson tallied 16 points and 13 rebounds; McElroy finished the season with 13.8 points and 13.7 rebounds; Hunter posted 12.9 points and 12 rebounds; Farmer ended with 10.4 points and 10.7 rebounds.

2: Selections who will play in college

Joseph Hutchinson (Lamar School) and Timothy McElroy (Kemper County) have signed to play at the next level. McElroy is headed to Decatur to play at East Central Community College, while Hutchinson — who is also a Premier Preps of East Mississippi football selection — will play football at Princeton University.

185: Team wins by selections

The nine schools that comprise this year’s team won 185 games. Six programs won 20-plus games. Meridian led the way with 26 wins, Choctaw Central and Newton each won 24 games, Northeast Lauderdale and Philadelphia accumulated 22 wins apiece and Union finished with 20 victories.

2: Heads of their class

Akiva Jay Burton (Northeast Lauderdale) and Zabin Hunter (Philadelphia) were recognized as the elite in the respective regions. Burton (18 points per game) was honored as Region 5-4A’s MVP, while Hunter (12.9 points per game and 12 rebounds per game) was selected Region 5-2A’s player of the year.

 

Akiva Jay Burton

Senior

Point Guard

Northeast Lauderdale

Why he’s here: After putting together a senior season that included 18 points, five assists and four steals per game, Burton was named Region 5-4A’s MVP. He was also 38 percent from 3-point territory. Although he’s undecided on where he will play in college next year, Burton holds several offers. 

 

 

 

  

De’Shaun Watts

Senior

Guard

Newton

Why he’s here: Watts concluded his senior season averaging 11 points and seven rebounds per game. He also tallied six assists per contest for the 24-8 Tigers. The 6-foot-3 guard garnered All-Region 4-2A honors and plans to play at the next level.   

 

 

 

 

Jamarion Pace

Senior

Guard

Newton

Why he’s here: Pace posted a team-high 14 points per game to propel Newton to the MHSAA Class 2A quarterfinals. Additionally, he added five assists and four rebounds per contest. Pace was named to the All-Region 4-2A team for his contributions. 

 

 

 

 

 

JT Vance

Junior

Forward

Union

Why he’s here: Union rattled off 20 wins this season, and Vance’s stellar play on the court had much to with that success. He finished his junior season averaging 13 points per game and eight rebounds per game and was rewarded with a selection as a member of the All-Region 4-2A team. 

 

 

 

 

 

Zabin Hunter

Senior

Center

Philadelphia

Why he’s here: Hunter, Region 5-2A’s player of the year, was a stalwart for the Tornadoes. Another double-double designee, Hunter accumulated 12.9 points and 12 rebounds per game. He also added 2.5 blocks and 2.5 assists per contest. The All-Region 5-2A selection is being recruited by East Central Community College. 

 

 

   

 

Timothy McElroy

Senior

Forward

Kemper County

Why he’s here: At 6-foot-4, McElroy was a dominant force inside. McElroy ended the year with a double-double average, as he tallied 13.8 points and 13.7 rebounds per contest. He also finished with 3.4 blocks and 1.5 assists per game. McElroy, who will play at East Central Community College in the fall, earned a spot of the All-Region 5-3A team.

 

 

 

 

 

Jacob McMillan

Junior

Guard

Neshoba Central

Why he’s here: McMillan ended the season with an eye-raising 21 points-per-game average for 19-win Neshoba Central. To no one’s surprise, he was named as a first-team All-Region 5-3A selection. McMillan led all Premier Preps players in scoring average.

 

 

 

 

 

Vontrell Pringle

Senior

Forward

Meridian

Why he’s here: Pringle menaced opponents all year with a beautiful shot that helped him to an 11 points-per-game average to finish the season and helped Meridian reach the MHSAA Class 6A championship game for the third-consecutive year. Pringle was named to the All-Region 5-6A and All-State teams. Pringle is still undecided as to where he will play in college.

 

 

 

 

Joseph Hutchinson 

Senior

Forward

Lamar School

Why he’s here: A double-double machine, Hutchison posted 16 points and 13 rebounds per game for the Raiders. For good measure, he also added three blocks per contest. Hutchinson, who was named a MAIS All-Star selection, has signed to play football for Princeton University in the fall. 

 

 

 

 

Dillon Farmer

Senior

Forward/Center

Choctaw Central

Why he’s here: Farmer capped his final year at Choctaw Central with outstanding numbers. He achieved a double-double behind 10.4 points per game and 10.7 rebounds per game, while also tallying 3.2 assists, 1.4 steals and 1.1 blocks per contest. Farmer landed on the All-Region 5-3A team for a third-straight year. He’s still mulling over his options as to where to play in college next fall.

 

 

   

MaKeem Roberts

Junior

Guard

Meridian

Why he’s here: Roberts was a constant source of energy for the 26-win Wildcats. He garnered recognition as an All-Region 5-6A and All-State tournament selection. Roberts finished his junior season by posting 10 points, three rebounds and two assists per game.