JACKSON'S KOEPER NAMED TO 4A ALL-STATE FIRST TEAM

Jackson's Andrea Koeper may have not been on the best team, but ask about any coach who has played against Jackson and he or she will tell you there were no finer players in this part of the state this past high school basketball season.

Koeper was recognized for her outstanding season by being named to the Class 4A all-state first team, which was released today.

Also named to the first team in 4A were Sikeston's Bryan Ellitt, a 6-foot-5 senior post player, and Poplar Bluff's Ashley Williams, a 5-7 sophomore point guard

In 3A, Dexter's Brett Hale, New Madrid County Central's Ricky Smith and Arcadia Valley's Chris Foster were named to the first team, while Doniphan's Adam Crader and New Madrid's Dereke Tipler made the second team. Bethany Orendorff from Doniphan and Mikaela Scott from Dexter each made the 3A first team on the girls side.

Koeper, a 5-9 junior, played all five positions at one point or another during the season and averaged about 16 points per game with six rebounds, two assists and two steals.

"She's certainly deserving," said Jackson coach Ron Cook. "She's a hard worker. She drew a lot of attention. When she didn't have a good game, we didn't do well because there was so much attention on her. She's more of a two or three guard and we had her playing the point sometimes and the post sometimes."

Koeper, also an outstanding volleyball player, has drawn basketball interest from some Division I schools including Missouri, Arkansas State and Indiana State.

The Class 1A-2A all-state list was released Wednesday.