Riverdale's Aislynn Hayes tops DNJ's 2018-19 all-area girls basketball team

Cecil Joyce
Murfreesboro Daily News Journal

It didn't end the way she or her teammates wanted, but the success Aislynn Hayes enjoyed in her four years at Riverdale was nearly unmatched.

Three state championships, two national titles and a state semifinals appearance are what Hayes accomplished during her career with the Lady Warriors.

The 2018 Class AAA state tournament MVP led her squad to the state semifinals in 2019 and in the process earned The Daily News Journal's all-area player of the year honor.

Riverdale guard Aislynn Hayes (11) is introduced before their semifinal game against Houston in the Division I Class AAA Girls TSSAA Girls State Championships at Murphy Center Friday, March 8, 2019 in Murfreesboro, Tenn.

Hayes averaged more than 14 points and almost five rebounds and four assists during her senior season.

Following is the DNJ's 2018-19 all-area girls basketball team:

First team

Yaubryon Chambers

PCA's Yaubryon Chambers (23) goes up for a shot as Knoxville Webb's Megan Gilbert (24) guards her, on Friday, Feb. 22, 2019.

Providence Christian, Sr.

Position: Forward

Why chosen: The Vanderbilt signee and DII-A state tournament MVP averaged 13.2 points and 7.8 rebounds for the state champion Lady Lions.

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Aislynn Hayes

Riverdale's Aislynn Hayes (11) goes up for a shot as Arlington's Karlee Bates (21) guards her during the quarterfinal round of the TSSAA Div. 1 Class AAA Girls State Tournament, on Wednesday, March 6, 2019, at Murphy Center in Murfreesboro, Tenn.

Riverdale, Sr.

Position: Guard

Why chosen: The 7-AAA MVP and MTSU signee averaged 14.3 points, 4.7 rebounds and 3.8 assists in leading the Lady Warriors to the Class AAA state semifinals.

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Alasia Hayes

Riverdale's Alasia Hayes (1) drives to the basket around Arlington's Karlee Bates (21) during the quarterfinal round of the TSSAA Div. 1 Class AAA Girls State Tournament, on Wednesday, March 6, 2019, at Murphy Center in Murfreesboro, Tenn.

Riverdale, Jr.

Position: Forward

Why chosen: Averaged 13.5 points, 6.8 rebounds and 3.3 assists in leading Riverdale to the Class AAA state semifinals.

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Makayla Moates

Eagleville's Makayla Moates (15) shoots the ball as Midway's Paige Bacon (5) guards her during the quarterfinal round of the TSSAA Div. 1 Class A Girls State Tournament, on Thursday, March 7, 2019, at Murphy Center in Murfreesboro, Tenn.

Eagleville, Jr.

Position: Guard

Why chosen: Led Eagleville to its first state tournament appearance in 37 years, averaging 15.6 points, 5.5 rebounds and 2.9 assists.

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Nia Vanzant

Blackman's Nia Vanzant (12) goes up for a shot during the Region 4-AAA Semifinal game against Oakland, on Tuesday, Feb. 26, 2019.

Blackman, Sr.

Position: Guard

Why chosen: Averaged 14.2 points, 4.4 rebounds and 1.4 assists as the Lady Blaze reached the Region 4-AAA semifinals.

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Second team

Jaida Bond, Blackman, Sr., Forward

Lauren Flowers, Stewarts Creek, Sr., Forward

Acacia Hayes, Riverdale, Fr., Guard

Jalyn Holcomb, Riverdale, Sr., Guard

Claira McGowan, Oakland, So., Guard

Third team

Nicole Egeruoh, Oakland, So., Forward

A.C. Markham, Providence Christian, So., Guard

Iyana Moore, Blackman, So., Guard

Taylor Patterson, Siegel, Sr., Forward

Lizzy Thompson, Eagleville, Jr., Forward

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Coach of the Year

Providence Christian coach Tara James guides her team during the DII-A state tournament.

Tara James, Providence Christian

Why chosen: Led the Lady Lions to the program's first TSSAA state championship, winning the DII-A title after losing one of the team's top players to an injury midway through the season.