FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE | February 18, 2023
MR & MISS BASKETBALL 3A: GRAHAM, COOK SCORE MORE HONORS
CLINTON, Miss. – The Mr. and Miss Basketball Awards, given by the Mississippi High School Activities Association (MHSAA) alongside the Mississippi Association of Coaches (MAC) and presented by C Spire, recognize Demondre Graham from Southeast Lauderdale and Sa’niyah Cook from Booneville as recipients of the inaugural honors in Class 3A.
The MHSAA and MAC have teamed up with C Spire to recognize one Mr. Basketball and one Miss Basketball in each of the MHSAA’s six classifications. The winners in each class will be released in consecutive days, continuing with 4A on Sunday (Feb. 19) and concluding with 6A on Tuesday (Feb. 21).
A sophomore for the Booneville Blue Devils, Cook averages 18 points, eight rebounds, and four blocks this season. She has helped her squad to a 27-3 mark and the Region 1 top playoff seed. Booneville claimed a spot in the state quarterfinals after convincing wins over Winona in the first round and Nettleton in round two. Cook and the Blue Devils will face Yazoo County at Itawamba Community College on Friday (Feb. 24) as they look to advance to the Mississippi Coliseum to defend their state title.
Graham nets more than 22 points per game with 4.4 assists and five rebounds. The senior has led the Tigers to a 21-4 season record. He was named Region 5-3A MVP and selected to the MS/AL All-Star team. Graham will be looking to push his squad to a state quarterfinal appearance tonight, taking on Tylertown – the top seed from Region 8.
All Mr. Basketball and Miss Basketball winners will be recognized during the 2023 MHSAA State Championships in the Mississippi Coliseum (March 2-4). Recipients will also be honored at a special awards luncheon, which will also be live streamed on the NFHS Network, in the MHSAA Conference Center on March 7.
