By daniel schmidt
THE OBSERVER
AUBURN — Auburn High School and Lee-Scott Academy senior guards Antwane Daniels and Haiden Harper have been named to the boys’ Alabama-Mississippi All-Star Game roster.
According to an Alabama High School Athletic Association press release issued on Feb. 26, the local stars of two of just 12 players from across the entire state included on this year’s squad.
The 6-foot-5, 210-pound Daniels averaged 19 points, seven rebounds and four assists per game this season, scored 20-plus points 16 times and notched four double-doubles for the Tigers.
While currently uncommitted, he holds offers from the University of Mississippi, Mississippi State University and the University of Missouri.
In a game of this magnitude against other players of his caliber, Daniels is preparing to use the platform to increase his profile as interest from other schools heats up.
“It’s a big accomplishment because not many players from Alabama are selected, so I’m very proud to be one of them,” Daniels said. “It’s good knowing that the work I put in got recognized by other coaches around the state.”
Having coached Daniels for years, AHS boys’ head basketball coach Chris Brandt said he deserved the opportunity after leading the Tigers in virtually every stat category this year.
“It’s a huge honor that’s well-deserved because of how much time and effort he’s put into [basketball],” Brandt said. “Antwane does it all on the court and off the court. He’s a leader on the team and he’s loved in the classroom by the teachers and the students. It’s his character, and he takes a lot of pride in how he performs on the basketball court.”
Harper
Across town, the 6-foot-1, 170-pound Harper averaged 15.8 points, 4.2 rebounds and three assists per game this season, scored 20-plus points seven times and recorded one double-double for the Warriors. He is currently committed to Troy University.
After finishing his career as LSA’s all-time leading boys’ basketball scorer with 2,151 points, Harper said he was excited to make the roster and thanked the community for its support over the years.
“This is an honor to be recognized with some of the best from the state,” Harper said. “It is great to see the hard work get you to these moments. I am very appreciative to my family, my coaches, my teammates and the entire Lee-Scott family for supporting myself and our team.”
Warriors boys’ head basketball coach William Johnson thanked Harper for the leadership, passion and effort he brought to the program over his five-year career.
“We are incredibly proud of Haiden Harper for being selected to the Alabama-Mississippi All-Star basketball game,” Johnson said. “This honor reflects his hard work, leadership, and dedication to our program over the past four years. Haiden is Lee-Scott’s all-time leading scorer, and this recognition is well deserved. We can’t wait to see him represent our school, program and community on such a big stage.”
The boys’ game will tip off on March 14 at A.E. Wood Coliseum in Clinton, Mississippi, at 2 p.m. College campus in Clinton, Mississippi. The boys team will tip-off at 2 p.m.
