Barnes, Autrey named All-Region
Published 8:24 pm Friday, March 2, 2018
Kayla Barnes and Briana Autrey have been named to the All-Region teams for their outstanding individual seasons in girls’ basketball.
Barnes was selected Class 3 Region A second team, while Autrey was selected to the Class 5 Region A All-Region team. Both players had also been selected to the Southeastern District teams.
Neither Lakeland High School’s nor Nansemond River High School’s team had much success from a win-loss perspective, but both players were instrumental to the success their teams did have. Barnes was the primary scorer on her Lakeland team and accomplished some very good individual accolades. She reached 1,000 career points this season.
“I kind of knew what to expect this season, so I prepared myself accordingly,” Barnes said. “This season was not easy, but I was glad to be a part of it and receive these accolades.”
Autrey came in as the focal point for a Nansemond River team that had lost an abundance of talent the season prior. She averaged more than 15 points per game and felt like this season pushed her to do things she may not have on any other team or prior seasons playing at Nansemond River. On some teams, she may have been the primary defender, or on others, she may have been asked to be a pure point guard.
“For this team, they needed me to score and be a leader,” Autrey said. “I have always wanted to become a better leader while also helping my teammates get better.”
An injury late in the season slowed Autrey down, but to that point, she had already done enough to be considered all-region and all-district. The Air Force Academy signee could also be in line to make either of the Class 5 all-state teams as well.