Bailey, Spikes earn honors for Jasper
By GEORGIA PURDY Newsboy Correspondent

Newsboy photo/Georgia Purdy JASPER SOPHOMORE DOMINIQUE BAILEY has been selected to play with the Reebock Elite AAU team this summer.

Sophomore Dominique Bailey and junior Kwame Spikes were selected to the District 21-3A All-District basketball team by coaches in the district.

Bailey has also been selected to play on the Reebock Elite AAU team this summer, sponsored by Rashard Lewis of the Orlando Magic.

"I feel very fortunate to be coaching two players of this caliber and having them return to next year's squad," Coach Terry Young said.

Young said that both his brother, who coached in the Little Dribbler's progam, and former Jasper High School basketball coach Jerry Gilbert told him about Bailey when he first took over as head coach.

"Both of them told me that I had a special player to work with and when they first pointed him out to me, I thought, 'Is this the guy they're talking about? He is so small.' Needless to say, after coaching him for two years, I certainly understand what they meant. He's a special talent."

JASPER JUNIOR KWAME SPIKES was named to the District 21-3A all-district squad for his play on the basketball court this year. Newsboy photo/Georgia Purdy

Bailey is a sophomore and Spikes is a junior. Young once described Kwame as 'a gym rat'. He, too, is of slight build, but his talent was evident on the court this season.

"Kwame's progress this year allowed us to compete for a playoff spot as his offensive production made it difficult for teams to double team Bailey," Young said. " Kwame's commitment to being a better basketball player has been evident since a very young age as he has played Little Dribbler's basketball,and has acquired solid fundamental skills over the years. He will be a senior next year and we're going to depend on his leadership to help us get to the next level."

The combination of Bailey and Spikes should continue to be a factor in next year's contests.

"Both players will greatly impact the immediate future of our program ," Young said. "Their challenge is to continue to improve while making the other players around them better."

The Lady Bulldogs had two picks for the girls second team: senior Anna Nation and sophomore Courtney Baker.