Pair of local seniors in finalist for Mr. Basketball, Miss Basketball

Published 1:20 pm Tuesday, February 14, 2023

STAR CORRESPONDENT

Seniors Cadon Buckles and Lyndie Ramsey are both finalists for the most prestigious award the TSSAA can offer as finalists for Mr. Basketball and Miss Basketball. For Ramsey, it is her second consecutive bid to take home the hardware and she said, “Sometimes they look at a team’s record when deciding and our record isn’t that good. But I have had to work twice as hard this year to get back. I always put the work in and I hope they don’t decide it by our record. I think a lot of them look down on us.”

Ramsey surpassed Tennessee High’s Courtney McDaniel on Monday in the D1A play-in game against University High, whose record stood for more than 20 years. McDaniel finished with 2,772 points. Ramsey is averaging 29 plus points per game and double-digit rebounds and runs the Unaka offense despite little scoring help and hopes that this accomplishment might put her over the edge.

“My dad asked me if I had accomplished everything I wanted to and I said no, I want the 5-on-5 boys and girls area scoring record,” Ramsey said. “I am hoping for 3,000 and my team being there for me has helped a lot.”

Of the Miss Basketball award, Lady Rangers head coach Kenneth Chambers said, “Lyndie is a special player; she refuses to lay down. Sometimes though people look at a team’s record when making the decision but I hope they don’t. She has had to fight through a lot this season and has come through.”

Senior guard Cadon Buckles of Hampton is averaging 24.6 points per game with 3.8 rebounds and 3.1 assists on the season thus far. Buckles surpassed 1,000 career points earlier in the season after putting up 509 points as a junior.

“I give it all to God, my family, teammates and coaching staff,” Buckles said. “I appreciate all the support I have been given and this is a close-knit team. We are all friends and support each other.”

Hampton head coach Ned Smith said of Buckles, “Cadon is a great role model, is a hard worker and a leader on the floor. He is also a Christian kid who has a strong belief in team and family. He is a gym rat and an equally good student as he will graduate Hampton with an associate degree.”