After helping lead the Simmons High School girls basketball team to the MHSAA Class 1A quarterfinals, Devilette sophomore Taylor Lucas-Howard has been named the Planters Bank Player of the Week.
The Devilettes, coached by Bernita Alexander, lost a lot of talented players from last year’s squad which advanced all the way to the state championship game. But, thanks in large part to the proficient scoring of Lucas-Howard, the team seemingly did not miss a beat and even finished this season with a better overall record.
Lucas-Howard averaged 17 points a game this season to help the Devilettes finish the 2019-2020 campaign with a 24-5 record. Simmons’ season came to an end in the state quarterfinals last Thursday with a 66-49 loss to West Lowndes in the state quarterfinals at Pearl River Community College in Poplarville.
Like she has for most games this year, Lucas-Howard once again led the Devilettes in scoring with 10 points.
“She is just a natural scorer, and it seems scoring has always come easily for her,” Coach Alexander said.
While she was impressed with her star sophomores play this season, Coach Alexander said she expects even more from Lucas-Howard for her junior year.
“She just has a drive to get better, and I am sure that she will continue to improve,” Coach Alexander said. “Towards the end of the season, a lot of teams were double and triple teaming her. She can improve by understanding that she does not have to do everything by herself.”
Along with Lucas-Howard, the Devilettes also had the senior leadership of Ja’Nicia Brady, Nikkia Douglas and Vereisha Robinson to help them win many games. Players like junior Nicole Maybell and Na’Riah Robinson also played a pivotal role in Simmons’ success in 2019-2020.
“We have a lot to look forward to for next season,” Coach Alexander said. “I am eager for us to get back to work.”
