Needles standouts Kidd, Russell share Class 2A all-state basketball Player of the Year award

Stevie Kidd and Darra Russell took turns all season leading the Needles (Calif.) boys basketball team to the Class 2A state championship.

And when 2A coaches met recently to vote on their all-state team, the pair of seniors shared Player of the Year, too.

“It is very fitting for both of them to get that award,” Needles coach Jeff Plank said. “If one person didn’t get it, they both would be proud of each other.”

Plank took Coach of the Year for guiding the Mustangs to a 31-6 record and their first state title since 2002. Needles won 21 of its final 22 games.

“It was actually a shocker,” Plank said of winning Coach of the Year. “There are so many great coaches out there.”

Kidd averaged 22.7 points, 5.5 rebounds and four assists this season. Russell averaged 18.4 points, 11.4 rebounds and 5.7 assists.

The two combined for 52 points in their 81-78 win over Agassi Prep in the state title game, but Plank emphasized the award spoke for the two seniors’ entire season.

“The all-state awards are based on a full season,” he said. “It’s not just an all-tourney team.”

Agassi Prep swingman DeShawn Battle and point guard Aerontay Shepherd were named to the first team.

The two seniors led the Stars to a 17-11 record — including 10-4 in league — and second place in the state in their first season at the 2A level.

Battle led Agassi Prep with 20.3 points per game.

“DeShawn Battle was as good an all-around player as there was in the conference this year, and maybe in the state,” Agassi Prep coach David Claerbaut said. “What people don’t understand is, he was also an outstanding defender.”

Shepherd averaged 14.3 points and 4.1 assists.

“Aerontay Shepherd was the backbone of the 2009 team,” Claerbaut said. “He was my mind on the court. I could communicate with him at all times.”

The first team was rounded out by Silver Stage’s Jared Roberts, Pershing County’s Jayce Montes, Incline’s Jonathan Chang and Rite of Passage’s Deonta Robinson.

Despite leading the 2A Southern League in scoring at 26.4 points per game, Lincoln County sophomore guard Dantley Walker was named to the second team.

Walker was joined by Mountain View’s Justyn Anderson, Calvary Chapel’s Dario Rahming, Pershing County’s Miguel Salgado, Battle Mountain’s Mike Miller, Mineral County’s Kyle Hofer and Silver Stage’s Jesse Fisher.