Gwinnett Daily Post

Meadowcreek's Devonte Carter

MEADOWCREEK MUSTANGS

BOYS

Region: 7-AAAAA

Coach: Billy Davis

2010-11 record: 10-15

Returning regulars:

None

Others to watch:

Daniel Assibey-Mensah, Sr., 6-3

Devonte Carter, Jr., 6-5

Brandon Banks, Jr., 6-3

Quinton McBride, Jr., 6-3

Jonathan Jones, Soph., 6-5

Anthony Hall, Soph., 6-6

Christopher Herndon, Soph., 6-5

Outlook: Meadowcreek's six-year run of making the state tournament under coach Billy Davis came to an end last season, the Mustangs losing to North Gwinnett in the region quarterfinals. Making it back this season wasn't made easier when leading scorer and rebounder Tevin Glass, a first-team all-region pick, transferred to Milton and Jordan Capps left for Peachtree Ridge. The Mustangs have just one senior and two returning varsity players -- Daniel Assibey-Mensah and Devonte Carter. But Davis thinks his team will be a surprise. "We are excited about this group of players," he said. "They are coachable, and really care about the game of basketball and each other."

Worth noting: The Mustangs, which moved from Region 8-AAAAA to Region 7-AAAAA last year, were 113-26 during their state tournament steak and reached the quarterfinals in 2006.

Roster

No. Name Ht. Class

12 Brandon Banks 6-3 Jr.

20 Josh Sellars 5-9 Jr.

22 Anthony Hall 6-6 Soph.

30 Quinton McBride 6-3 Jr.

33 Ezetris Reed 6-1 Jr.

34 Jonathan Jones 6-5 Soph.

40 Detrix Mayes 5-11 Jr.

42 Kane Gumaohumuze 5-10 Jr.

44 Terrance Snelling 6-2 Jr.

50 Devonte Carter 6-5 Jr.

52 Daniel Assibey-Mensah 6-3 Sr.

54 Christopher Herndon 6-5 Soph.GIRLS

Region: 7-AAAAA

Coach: Dr. Adrianne Long

2010-11 record: 6-18

Returning regulars:

Freddie Danielle Banks, Sr., 5-11

Angel Alexander, Jr., 5-10

Courtney Fields, Jr., 5-8

Aysha Martin, Jr., 6-0

Others to watch:

Jessica Ramirez-Castro, Jr., 5-0

Marian Mensah-Assibey, Sr., 6-0

Outlook: Meadowcreek doubled its win total from the previous year last season and hopes to make further strides this season. Freddie Danielle Banks, entering her fourth year as a starter, averaged 12.7 points last season and was named to the all-region second team. Angel Alexander was right behind her in scoring, averaging 11.3 points as a sophomore. Banks also led the team with 9.7 rebounds per game.

Worth noting: The Mustangs have suffered through some difficult seasons since making the state tournament three straight years in the early 2000s and finishing as state runner-up in 2002. But Dr. Adrianne Long has been able to bring some stability to the program since taking over as coach. After going winless in her first season, Meadowcreek won five games in her second year and have been competitive each season. Six seniors were on last season's team and the Mustangs have four this year.

Roster

No. Name Ht. Class

3 Jessica Ramirez-Castro 5-0 Jr.

12 Courtney Fields 5-6 Jr.

15 Julissa Aguirre-Lara 5-0 Fr.

20 Tamela Hawkins 5-6 Sr.

24 Angel Alexander 5-9 Jr.

32 Freddie Danielle Banks 5-11 Sr.

34 Ciaja Anthony 5-5 Sr.

40 Marian Mensah-Assibey 6-0 Sr.

44 Aysha Martin 6-0 Jr.

45 McKayla McPhail 5-11 Jr.

SCHEDULE

Nov. 18 Dacula

Nov. 19 Walton at Campbell (girls)

Dec. 2 Shaw

Dec. 3 CentennialDec. 6 at Duluth

Dec. 9 Mountain View

Dec. 16 Berkmar

Dec. 26-30 at Columbia tourney (boys)

Dec. 27-29 at Macon tourney (girls)

Jan. 3 at Peachtree Ridge

Jan. 6 Collins Hill

Jan. 13 at N. Gwinnett

Jan. 14 MLK Classic at Salem (boys)

Jan. 17 Mill Creek

Jan. 20 Duluth

Jan. 24 at Mountain View

Jan. 27 Peachtree Ridge

Jan. 28 Norcross

Jan. 31 at Collins Hill

Feb. 3 at Norcross

Feb. 4 at Berkmar

Feb. 7 N. Gwinnett

Feb. 10 at Mill Creek