Pee Dee Academy students make All-Star teams

In 2009, Pee Dee Academy Golden Eagles basketball teams had six players garner postseason awards or invites to the end-of-the-year All-Star Games.

Leading the way for the girls was junior Katelyn Browne. Browne averaged 12.5 points and nearly eight rebounds per game. In doing so, she received All-Conference and All-Tournament recognition, as well as an invitation to play in the North-South All-Star Game. “I thought it was a blast just getting to play with other girls in our region and the state, just getting to know them and all,“ Browne said. “Plus it was a game just for fun, no pressure. And I hit my first career three-pointer ever during the game, which was pretty sweet.“

Katherine Rogers went against her neighboring state rivals in the SCISA-GISA All-Star clash. “The game was just for seniors. We had to go up friday for practice. Everyone had to stay in a room with two or three other teammates and it allowed us to get to know each other better,“ Rogers said. “I only scored two points in the game, but it was a really great experience and I got a lot of friendships out of it.“

Junior C.C. Causey also got into the All-Star action, joining Browne in the North-South Game. Causey also won All-Region honors for her play in the regular season, where she played exceptional at the guard spot and was a terror to the opponents on the defensive end. Causey turned it up a notch in crunch time, saving her best game for the playoffs as she netted 17 in a second-round win over Spartanburg.

Jeffre Rogers, the floor leader at the point position, also reaped All-Region honors for her play in the regular season. While being a leader on the offensive end, the younger Rogers led the team in assists. However, she also showed the same leadership qualities on the defensive end, finishing second on the team in steals.

Ginni Reaves McMillan was the final Lady Golden Eagle to bring home postseason hardware, notching All-Tournament for her play in the region playoff. McMillan always found herself in the right place at the right time for the big basket or key rebound when Pee Dee needed it. She especially played big in the latter stages on the championship versus Trinity.

The lone member of the boy’s team to bring in postseason accolades was senior Charlie Fincannon. Fincannon was Jerry Coleman’s do-everything guard as he led the team in points, assists, steals and was near the top in rebounds. His ability, speed, athleticism and smarts on the court allowed him to take in All-Conference, All-Tournament and All-Star Game honors this year.

“I am very proud of all of these kids and of their accomplishments,“ Coleman said. “They have done so much for Pee Dee Academy and for Golden Eagles basketball. The seniors will definitely be missed next year.“ Coleman added that he is optimistic about the team’s future and is excited about what may lie in store for next year.

“I am proud of both boy’s and girl’s teams for this year’s success and am looking for even better things next year. We have a good group here and a good group coming up next year, especially with girl’s. We are going to do everything to try to make an other run at state next year.“