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Aeraeonna Manuel always understood the high expectations of playing girls basketball at Selma High School.

Manuel made her mark and earned The Selma Times-Journal’s girls’ basketball player of the year.  She averaged 20 points and nine rebounds a game for the Lady Saints.

“It’s a big accomplishment especially that I’m a senior,” Manuel said. “It’s a great honor because I’ve worked so hard to get where I am.”

Manuel keeps the girls’ basketball honor at Selma High. Guard Rodericka Parker earned The Selma Times-Journal player of the year for the last two seasons.

Before Parker graduated last spring, she advised her former teammate.

“I accomplished my goal of being the county’s top player because Rodericka Parker expected that from me,” Manuel said. “I accomplished it.”

Selma High girls basketball coach Wil Morgan saw growth from last year to this season for Manuel, an All Dallas County selection last year.

“Aeraeonna deserved to be named player of the year, she worked hard,” Morgan said. “She was able to get on the boards and pushed the ball down the floor. If I wasn’t able to be at the start of practice, Aeraeonna would lead practice.”

The 5-foot-10 Manuel said she enjoyed playing two years for Morgan, who succeeded Anthony Harris in 2019.

Playing collegiately is the next step for Manuel. Mississippi Delta Community College, Stillman College and Birmingham Southern are among the schools that has expressed interest in Manuel, an All Southwest Regional selection last year.