After helping Natchez High School to 67 wins in his three years as a starter, Jamal Bouldin is getting the type of recognition he deserves. The 6-0, 180 lbs. guard was recently named to the 5A First-Team All-State squad as selected by the Mississippi Association of Coaches.

&uot;Jamal is very deserving of this honor,&uot; Natchez Head Basketball Coach Mike Martin said. &uot;He is one of the best shooters we have ever had at Natchez High School, and he has worked hard to improve his defense. He has really done it all for us in the past three years, and there has been many nights when he just simply carried us on his shoulders.&uot;

During his senior year Bouldin averaged better than 20 points and 5 assists as he led the Bulldogs to a 24-5 record. He also shot 85 percent from the free throw line and hit 287 3-pointers in his career.

While his high school career is over, Bouldin fully expects to be playing basketball next year.

&uot;I’m looking at three schools right now, and I want to stay pretty close to home,&uot; he said. &uot;I will probably decide between Mississippi State, Southern Miss or Tougaloo College in Jackson.&uot;

The sharp-shooting guard said he will make his decision within the next month.

Despite the outstanding senior campaign he put together, Bouldin said the selection to the All-State team caught him off guard.

&uot;I thought I had a chance (to make the team), but it was really a surprise when I found out I had been selected,&uot; Bouldin said.

Joining Bouldin on the first team is Maurice Williams of Murrah High School in Jackson; Chey Christie of Biloxi; Keesler Johnson of Hattisburg; and Jerekus Singleton of Clinton.

The second team consists of Travis Outlaw of Starkville; Hosea Butler of Columbus; Roman Henderson of South Panola; Mario Jointer of Jim Hill; Derrick Powe of Pascagola; and James Ball of Hattisburg.