Two Lady Cougars & Coach Participate in All Star Game

Piedmont Academy seniors Marissa Holder and Kylee Keck took to the basketball court one more time as high school athletes earlier this month.

The pair competed in the annual GIAA Girls All Star basketball game in Macon played at Tattnall Square Academy. Michael Wilson, mentor of the Lady Cougars program, was selected as Coach.

“Coaching the all star game was a lot of fun,” Wilson said. “I wish the GIAA would go back to having a two-day event and giving teams time to practice. I think it would make a much more enjoyable event. I think I had a great team with Ashley Hill and Leila Mathis of George Walton, Jenna DeBary of Terrell Academy, Caylah Foston of John Milledge and Hillary Fowler of Westfield to go along with Marissa and Kylee.”

Wilson’s All Star team was down 14 points to start the fourth and the five that went out in the fourth got back in the game in a hurry but ultimately fell a little short on the scoreboard, 58-54. “Ultimately, this game is not about winning or losing as much as it is to celebrate seniors and thank them for all they’ve done for their schools and this league,” Wilson said. “I think the biggest travesty is girls being selected and not showing up, which occurred this year in our game. They are taking spots from other girls who’d love to be there and for whatever reason don’t show up. When it’s the same schools year after year doing this, it makes it more frustrating.”

Wilson said it was great to be able to coach Holder and Keck one last time.

“In the end, it provides all the coaches and players one last chance to play and for most it’s their last basketball game and it’s special to be a part of something like that in a person’s life and you just hope you do it enough justice for it to be a positive experience,” he said. “For me personally, it was awesome. Getting to know girls you’ve competed against and seeing each others’ guard down provides an insight you don’t get. I was so pleased with the personalities and maturity of these girls. It speaks volumes for the kids who participate in sports and how it creates such well rounded people. Their parents, schools and the GIAA should be proud of all those that showed and participated.”

Holder is now Piedmont’s all-time leading scorer (for boys and girls). Keck broke the 1,000-point mark for her career during her senior season.