Jefferson County girls coach Flora McKnight and Tiger senior center Shaquita Smith lead the 1999-2000 Natchez Democrat All-Metro Basketball Team.

The team is chosen by the Democrat staff and observers from local high schools which regularly called in their games.

Smith averaged 30 points and 15 rebounds a game to earn the honor of All-Metro Player of the Year.

Jefferson County finished 29-7, advancing to the Class 3A semifinals for the second straight year. The Lady Tigers fell to Forest High in a bid to reach the championship game.

&uot;That was our goal, to get back there,&uot;&160;said McKnight, the All-Metro Coach of the Year.

McKnight, who was named All-Metro coach last year, said it was in December that she realized the Lady Tigers had a chance to get back to the Big House.

&uot;After we won the Natchez tournament, I felt we were playing good enough to reach the state tournament,&uot;&160;she said. &uot;Winning district for the first time ever was a big highlight as well as getting back to the Big House.&uot;

McKnight loses seven seniors from this year’s team.

&uot;Our goal is to get back, but we have to think positive,&uot;&160;she said.

Also named to the All-Metro first team were senior forwards Laurie Ann Davis and Bethany Gamberi of Adams County Christian School.

Davis averaged 13 points and 10 rebounds a game, while Gamberi averaged 10 points a game.

Junior center Angel Taylor of Natchez High was named to the team.

Taylor averaged 15 points a game and 9 rebounds for the Lady Bulldogs.

Trinity junior guard Sara Greer and Tensas senior forward Robin Rae Burns represent MPSA District 6A.

Greer averaged 13.79 points a game, 11 rebounds and 3.4 steals.

Vidalia is represented by junior guard Natalie McGraw and Brendy Ellis.

McGraw averaged 17.5 points a game, while Ellis averaged 16.5 points per game.

Ferriday center Monique Jones is one of two freshmen on the team.

Jones averaged 21.3 point and 9.5 rebounds.

Huntington is represented by freshman Emily Hazlip.

Hazlip averaged 12.7 points per game.

Tensas Academy is represented by senior guard Robin Rae Burns, who signed with Southeastern Louisiana.

Burns averaged 24 points a game for the Lady Chiefs.

Honorable mentions are Trinity senior Sarah Kirby, and Lady Saint sophomores Becky Bass, Ashley Kingsafer and Lauren Tanner.

From Huntington is freshman Sarah Ashmore and Tiffany Ferguson.

Vidalia is represented on the honorable mention squad by juniors Wendy Paul, Sharonda Anderson,&160;Brittnay Williams and Tiyree Riley.

Named as honorable mentions from Natchez are Christen West, Christal Sylvester and JaKeisha Hawkins.

Honorable mentions from ACCS are Amanda Walker and Katie Anders.

From Cathedral, senior Betsi McGraw and sophomore Kate Prescott.

Ferriday honorable mentions are sophomor Torisheka Taylor and freshman LaShonda Pryor.

From Jefferson County, honorable mentions are seniors Memorie Tenner and Cotoya Winston.

Tensas honorable mentions are Beth Waters and Shelby Alford.