Ariana DeLaSalle of ACCS and Charles Moore of Franklin County are the 2007 Natchez Democrat All-Metro Player and Coach of the Year.

DeLaSalle averaged 14.9 points per game in leading the Lady Rebels to the MPSA Class AA state tournament, and Moore took a team with four new starters to 23 wins and the second round of the MHSAA Class 3A South State tournament.

Coming into the season with a new head coach and new philosophy in Chuck Bauerle, DeLaSalle said she was helped by a new face.

“I think he kept me on my toes,” she said. “He kept me in check a little bit.”

The Lady Rebels finished the season 31-11 after a loss to Delta Academy in the opening round of the Class AA championship.

DeLaSalle said her team’s win over Silliman at South State that qualified ACCS for the state tournament was the highlight of her season.

“Going to South State and beating Silliman was nice,” she said. “Everyone said they’d beat us like they did in the regular season, but we were able to come together and get the win.

“Having eight seniors on the team was really fun, too. We were really close.”

After a slow start, the Lady Bulldogs took off midway through the season to reach South State, and Moore said it was credited to plenty of hard work by his staff and his players.

“We worked more on Xs and Os than on getting plays this season,” Moore said. “It was necessary. We work hard in the offseason. We played 50 games over the summer. We do that every summer.

“Those four new starters slowed us down in the beginning. The beginning of the year we were trying to find ourselves. We had two new guards. They were working to find a way to lead the team. Once we got to district we stepped up. I had a senior that had played some for us decide to step up and play well inside and out. That relieved a lot of pressure on our guards.”

With a third consecutive 20-win season, Moore said he felt like he and his staff were building for the long haul.

“Winning district is always the goal,” he said. “The last three years we’ve had 20 win seasons, and I feel like we’ve been able to establish a program. My assistant coaches Chris Jordan and Ricky O’Quinn have worked hard with the girls.”

With college now in her sights, DeLaSalle said she had plenty to look back fondly on during her career at ACCS.

“Me and Katie Anne (Swinny) working together is something I’ll remember,” she said, referring to her teammate who averaged 12.1 points per game this season. “Our senior class was really close. There was never a dull moment. And of course, playing for Mr. (John) Gray (now ACCS’s headmaster). He’s one of the best coaches in the MPSA.”