By Donald Heath
Special for the Effingham Herald
South Effingham point guard Elena Hairston had to adjust this basketball season. Seven seniors graduated from a 20-win, state playoff team during the 2022-23 season.
So, Hairston had to be a scorer and defender. More importantly, she had to be a leader on a squad that started two freshmen, a sophomore and a junior.
“She knew this team would have a different look and she approached her role with an open mind,” Mustangs coach Alexus Parker said. “She became more mature. She learned how to be a good teammate and embraced leadership. (Your teammates) have to see you as an example to see you as a leader.”
Hairston did what was asked and often more – averaging 15 points, 7 rebounds, 4.9 assists and 2.9 steals – while directing SEHS to a second straight trip to the Class 6A state tournament.
Recently, her efforts were rewarded when the Region 2-6A coaches named her the league’s Player of the Year.
Effingham County’s Kyjana Jordan made the region’s first-team. South’s Hayden Johanson received second-team honors.
Mustangs Kailyn Chapman, Justine Nevels, Tyra Guyton and Olivia Collins and Rebels Nakera Hawkins, Taniya Proctor and Nia Blanchet were honorable mentions.
Effingham County’s Jordan Goldwire led local boys with a first-team, all-region selection. Rebel teammate Hayden Eason made the second team and Joe Polite was an honorable mention.
SEHS’ Will Harlin and Corbin McGuire captured second-team honors and Chase Seyler and Aiden Harris were honorable mentions.
The past few weeks have been a whirlwind of good fortune for the 5-foot-7 Hairston, who committed to Daytona State College, which plays in Florida’s competitive junior college Central Conference.
Daytona State is coached by Tron Griffin, who was an assistant at Prairie View A&M when Parker played for the Panthers.
Hairston turned heads with a 29-point effort in South’s 48-42 victory over Grovetown in the quarterfinals of the region tournament to propel the Mustangs to the state tournament.
She also assisted on four of her team’s other six field goals.
Parker said Grovetown coach Antwann Glover was a strong advocate for Hairston’s honor.
“He said they threw every option (defensively) at her but nothing worked,” Parker said.
Although Hairston was a pass-first point guard, she finished her high school career with more than 1,000 points, 500 rebounds and 500 assists.
“She is one of those who is first in the gym and the last to leave,” Parker said. “She would be in the gym before school started the day after a game to work on something she wanted to improve. She watched hours of film.
“As a coach, I was proud to see her rewarded.”
It was the second consecutive year a Mustang earned a top region honor. Last season, Kay’Mar Griffin, now at South Carolina-Beaufort, was the region’s Offensive Player of the Year.
