Numbers never lie, so the saying goes. And Kasi McMillan’s numbers were the best around these parts — though not by a lot.

The junior guard/forward averaged 11.2 rebounds and 10.2 points per game, and led a Locust Fork team that was the only local squad to spend significant time in the statewide top-10 rankings in their class.

We’ve selected McMillan as our North Jefferson News Player of the Year, in what was admittedly a very close call.

McMillan beat out three other candidates, one of them on her own team, to take our top honor. But if the award were a horse race, she would have won by a nose in a photo finish.

Hornets guard Kristen Cox had more points per contest (12.2), but was well back on the boards. Hayden junior Katie Parr was more dominant on the glass, but not quite as good in putting up the points consistently. Likewise for Gardendale senior center Chelsey Deloney. And Mortimer Jordan center Megan Snow had eye-popping numbers for blocks, but not so much in other stats.

All had excellent years, and three of them will be back next season to try again. It was a year that saw all seven local AHSAA teams make it to the sub-regional playoff round, but all went no further.

The NJN All-Star Girls basketball team is selected by Sports Editor Robert Carter, in consultation with local coaches.

2013 NJN ALL-STAR GIRLS BASKETBALL TEAM

PLAYER OF THE YEAR:

KASI McMILLAN, Junior, Locust Fork

Pinson Valley

Destini McKinney

Alex Lowery

Gardendale

Chelsey Deloney

Mallorie Corbin

Corner

Carissa Reeves

Hayden

Katie Parr

Grayson Taylor

Mortimer Jordan

Alysa Amberson

Megan Snow

Locust Fork

Kristen Cox

Fultondale

Katrina Hubbard

Tabernacle Christian

Elizabeth Osborne