Ruston’s McWain honored as league MVP
Ruston guard Jaliyah McWain (2) maneuvers around a Ouachita triple team for a score during a District 2-5A battle this season. Photo by Josh McDaniel
Jaliyah McWain can officially take the title as the best player in District 2-5A.
McWain, the leading scorer and point guard for the Ruston Lady Bearcats, was named the District 2-5A Most Valuable Player Wednesday after averaging 20 points, 8 rebounds, 3.6 steals and 2.6 assists in district action.
RHS head coach Meredith Graf sung the praises of her junior guard all season, and Wednesday’s news was just another reminder of how important McWain was for Ruston in her mind.
“I believe Jaliyah has earned the privilege to be the MVP of our district,” Graf said in a text to reporters. “Each game, she showed up and proved to the opposing teams and coaches that she was going to be a factor. It’s a big deal to be selected amongst your competitors as one of the best.”
McWain improved in her scoring output and rebounding as well, solidifying herself as the leader for a Lady Bearcats squad that went 14-14 overall and made the LHSAA Division I Non-select playoffs.
Along with McWain, Ruston had three more athletes receive recognition from district coaches, with freshman guard Ella Kate Jones, junior Kiersynce McNeal and senior Marcy Parker earning honorable mention All-District.
Jones averaged 4 points and 5 rebounds in district play, while Parker – the lone senior for Ruston this season – averaged 4.1 points, 3 rebounds and nearly 2 blocks a game.
Before tearing her ACL in late January, McNeal averaged 9.8 points per game, 3 steals and 3 rebounds in five district games. In another statement to the media, Graf said the All-District selections prove the Lady Cats needed a full team effort this season and thankfully got it.
“I’m very proud of what our team accomplished over the course of the season and district,” Graf said. “We took hit after hit from the injury bug but continued to persevere and play hard. It speaks so much to the character of my players. I’m glad for everyone that was recognized on the list, but this year took every single player in our program for us to have success.”
