Ethel Athletic Director Corey Parish recently reflected on the trials and triumphs of the school year.
“The 2020-21 school year was a difficult one for everyone, not just at Ethel High School, but across the world. The COVID-19 pandemic changed the way we as a school had to conduct our day-to-day activities. The extra precautions and protocols that were put in place were at times strenuous, but necessary. The biggest roadblocks for us were the uncertainty,” he told The Star-Herald. “As coaches, we like to be prepared and in control of every situation. We like to plan ahead, but with COVID- 19 that was impossible. We didn’t know from day to day who would be able to play due to virus protocols. So, uncertainty was definitely the biggest challenge. I think our entire staff handled the situation as best we could have. Our coaches had a positive outlook throughout the entire year and were ready for any situation.”
Despite the uncertainty, Parish said it was a successful year athletically, with some major accomplishments.
“Football made the playoffs with a much-improved team,” he said. “Despite the pandemic, we were able to continue with our inaugural season of volleyball and girls' powerlifting.”
Both basketball teams made the playoffs. Baseball won Region 5-1A and reached the third round of the playoffs. The girls’ track team won 5-1A for the fourth year in a row and finished seventh at the state meet.
“So, despite all the struggles of the COVID-19 pandemic, we managed to have a very successful year,” said the AD. “We certainly would have liked to have won more games and advanced further, but overall, we had a successful season.”
Two coaches have recently left the school. Boys basketball coach Mitchell McCurry left to become girls’ coach at Louisville and Lavontis Smith, assistant football and boys basketball coach, accepted a position as head junior high and assistant high school football coach at Leake Central.
“They were both wonderful assets to the Tiger family and they will truly be missed,” said Parish, who will take over as boys basketball coach while continuing as the girls coach. He previously coached boys prior to McCurry becoming the coach in 2019.
Awards and Honors
Football
Coach’s Award – Cyrus Rone
Offensive Player of the Year – Marcus Jones
Defensive Player of the Year – Anton Clark
Most Improved – Jerid Sumners
First Team All State Kicker – Reeves Threadgill
Girls Basketball
Region 5-1A Defensive Player of the Year
-- Zakiya Dotson
Region 5-1A All Division Team
-- Dejah Merritt, Jaterika Merritt
Region 5-1A Al Tournament Team
-- Destiny Felton, Brooke Mitchell,
Abbie Ellington
Lady Tiger All Academic Team
– Destiny Felton, Jalynn Black,
Katy Jo Newman, Abbie Ellington,
Mollie Sisson, Tearshanae Mallett
Sportsmanship Award – Katy Jo Newman
Most Improved – Jaterika Merritt
All Hustle Team
– Brooke Mitchell, Zakiya Dotson
Team Leaders
Points – Dejah Merritt
Three pointers – Dejah Merritt
Rebounds – Zakiya Dotson
Steals – Zakiya Dotson
Assists – Zakiya Dotson
Blocks – Jasmine Johnson
Free throw percentage – Abbe Ellington
Boys Basketball
Region 5-1A Most Valuable Player
-- Saccario Merritt
Region 5-1A All District Team
– Anton Clark, Doniguez Clark
Baseball
Region 5-1A Most Valuable Player
– Alex Schuster
Region 5-1A Defensive Player of the Year
– Hayden Graves
Region 5-1A First Team
– Alex Schuster, Cyrus Rone, Reeves Threadgill,
Hayden Graves, J.B. McBride
MHSAA All Star Game Selections
– Alex Schuster, Reeves Threadgill,
Hayden Graves
Softball
Region 5-1A First Team
– Jasmine Johnson, Jaidyn Sims
Region 5-1A Second Team
– Brailyn Rone, Elena White
Golden Bat – Jasmine Johnson
Golden Arm – Elena White
Best Defensive Player – Brailyn Rone
Most Improved – Aril Albia
Girls Track
1A State Champion 200 meters (back to back) – Zakiya Dotson
1A State Runnerup shot put – Jasmine Johnson
1A State Runnerup 400 meter relay
– Jaterika Merritt, Shelby Schuster,
Dejah Merritt, Zakiya Dotson
1A State Runnerup 800 meter relay
– Jaterika Merritt, Shelby Schuster,
Dejah Merritt, Zakiya Dotson
1A State Qualifier 100 meters
– Shelby Schuster
Boys Powerlifting
1A South State Champion – Anton Clark
1A State Qualifiers
Anton Cark – 198
Ladarris Hubbert -- 220
Devin Granger 242
Kesus Collins – Super Heavyweight
Girls Powerlifting
Class I State Third Place – Zakiya Dotson
Class I State Qualifiers
Zakiya Dotson – 123
Jessi Martin - 148
Jada Lambert – Super Heavyweight
Cheerleading
Senior Captains
Hannah Callahan
Chloe Cloninger
Lexi Sanders
Participants
Jasmine Johnson
Abbie Ellington
Megan Johnson
Jayia Johnson
Semaija Wingo
Kaylyn Barrett
Macee Sisson
Lotus Edwards
Shelby Schuster
Autumn Pender
Lexi Davis
Katie Grace Chunn
Karlee Barrett
Brooklyn Arnold
