NATCHEZ — The Vidalia boys’ basketball team was young this season. That youth led to a disappointing year for the Vikings in terms of wins and losses.

But youth also led to several underclassmen being recognized with postseason honors in LHSAA District 3-3A, which is something that the young Vikings team can use for confidence heading toward next season, Vidalia head coach Robert Sanders said.

Vidalia sophomore Michael Whitley received the highest honor for the Vikings’ this season by being named to the District 3-3A second team. Three other Vidalia players — Isiah Thompson, Dee Whitley and Deion Brown — were named honorable mention, and Trashone Mayes was named to the district defensive team.

“(Having young guys get all-district recognition) is something to build on,” Sanders said. “Last year we had 12 seniors, and we had just four this year. It’s good for us, and something we need to build on and get better. It’s an honor (for the players).”

Although Whitley was just a sophomore this season, he played the role of team leader at times at the point guard position. He was also led the team in points and assists.

“I actually thought (Whitley) should have been first team,” Sanders said.

“He was the one who made our team go. I think (second-team) is a good honor for him, and it’s something to build on.”

Whitley missing out on first team ended a streak that Sanders had kept for two decades, Sanders said.

“It’s the first year in 21 years that we’ve not had a first team (player),” he said.

Whitley said he was proud of his accomplishment but felt that he and his Viking teammates could have done more this year.

Whitley said he was glad some of his young teammates received honorable mention as well.

“We were a young team, and it just didn’t come together this year,” he said. “But we have individuals that are very good. I feel like a lot more should have made it, but we just didn’t have a good season.”

Whitley said he felt his role on the team was to put the ball in the basket.

“My teammates wanted me to score the ball,” he said. “I just thought I did well trying to score the ball and just playing and not being timid.”

Whitley said he needs to improve his jump shot and cut down on his mistakes before next season. He said he hopes he and his teammates can keep building on what they accomplished this season.

“I want to make the playoffs and get Vidalia back as a winning team,” he said.

Brown, a freshman, was the youngest Vidalia player to be named honorable mention all-district, and Sanders said Brown provided a presence inside for Vidalia.

“He’s a rebounder,” Sanders said. “He gets in there and can get after it.”

Brown said his ability to jump helps him out in the paint, and he works a lot on strengthening his lower body.

He said his individual goal this offseason is to start dunking, and he hopes the Vikings can win district next season.

Thompson was a sophomore for Vidalia this season, and Sanders said his responsibility was to knock down outside shots.

“Basically, he was our outside threat,” Sanders said. “When teams packed us in with a zone, he was the man outside.”

Dee Whitley was also an outside shooter for the Vikings, but Sanders said the junior guard provided more balance on the perimeter.

“(Dee) is another outside shooter that came on during district-play,” Sanders said. “He started slow but picked it up. He provided another ball handler.”

Sanders nominated Mayes as the top defensive player for the Vikings, and Mayes, a junior, was listed on the all-district defensive team.

“He is the quickest person on the team, and whoever the team we’re playing has bringing the ball up we assign (Mayes) on him.”

Michael Whitley said he is excited about the potential Vidalia has for his junior and senior seasons.

“It’s going to be good for a couple more years,” he said. “Hopefully we can keep building and have good seasons.”

Vidalia girls

The Vidalia girls’ basketball team dealt with inexperience and injuries this season and those issues led to just two wins for the Lady Vikings.

But like the boys’ team, the Vidalia girls were represented by youth in the All-District honors.

The Lady Vikings did not have any players selected to the first- or second-team All-District, but three players were named honorable mention and one player make the defensive team.

“(Having those players named) was an honor, because we played mostly ninth- and 10th-graders all year,” head coach Fred Marsalis said.

Sophomore Fran Duson was the youngest Lady Viking to make the list, and Marsalis said Duson improved a great deal throughout the season.

“This was Fran’s second year,” Marsalis said. “She developed quite a bit over the year.”

Junior Nyishia Randall was named honorable mention despite having a leg injury shorten her season.

“She tore up her leg at the end of the season,” Marsalis said. “But she’s rehabilitating and she’ll be able to rehab and start off next season.”

Kisha Swanson was the only senior that represented Vidalia as an honorable mention player, and Marsalis said she was a leader for the team this year.

“Kisha did an excellent job for us,” Marsalis said. “She was the only senior we had that played a real significant starter’s role for us this season.”

Toni Swanson was another senior that got minutes for the Lady Vikings, but she came off the bench as the team’s sixth player. Marsalis said she was the team’s defensive specialist, which led her to make the All-District defensive team.

“She did an excellent job for us,” Marsalis said.

Marsalis said he is excited about the players the Lady Vikings have returning this season, and he expects the underclassmen to have a successful summer workout program.