The Selma Times-Journal has selected its All-County Boys Basketball team for the 2017-2018 season. Players from four different schools in the Selma/ Dallas County area were selected to this year’s All-County team.

Dallas County’s Kendall Thomas, Keith’s Arayvion Jones, Southside’s Keshawn Arrington and Ellwood Christian Academy’s Loveless Craig and Justin Bufford make up the 2017-2018 All-County team.

Thomas, a junior guard, averaged 16 points per game and five assists per game for the Hornets this season. Dallas County often depended on his shooting ability to get ahead in games, stay close in games and cut down leads when they trailed. In a high-scoring shootout against Keith this past January, Thomas made seven 3-pointers and scored 34 points to help Dallas County get the win. He was the primary scorer for the Hornets and one of the top guards in the county this year.

Jones, a sophomore guard, was the primary scorer for the Keith Bears this season. He averaged 16 points per game and 6 rebounds per game. Jones had 17 points on the opening game of the season against Southside, and maintained that scoring pace throughout the year. He made most of his shots near the rim, and made a habit of finishing through contact inside the paint. Jones and the Bears also made the deepest run in the playoffs out of the other schools from the Selma/ Dallas County Area. The team was just one game away from making it to the Final Four in Birmingham. Keith is fortunate to have one of its best offensive threats returning next season.

Arrington, who was an All-County selection at wide receiver during football season, also had a strong year on the hardwood. He averaged 14 points per game, eight rebounds per game and four assists per game for the Southside Panthers. Arrington was a good all-around forward this season. He could shoot 3-pointers, get to the basket and finish second chance opportunities near the rim after a miss. The senior was a consistent player for the Panthers each night.

Craig and Bufford from Ellwood Christian earned the final two slots on the All-County team. Both of them averaged a double-double for the season, and played at nearly every position for ECA. They dominated their Class 1A area and kept their game at a high-level when facing tougher opponents as well. Craig averaged nearly 20 points per game, 10 rebounds per game and five steals per game. Craig didn’t take many jump shots this season, but few could stop him from driving to the basket. He also seemed to be ready to rebound and put back any missed shot. Craig could pad the stat sheet on second chance scores alone if he wanted to.

Bufford’s game has a bit more finesse to it, but he also took advantage of his length by beating his opponent to the rim. Bufford’s length also helped him rack up points underneath the basket. Even though he could pull up from mid-range, Bufford was at his best getting to the rim. The sophomore averaged 15 points per game and 12 rebounds per game. On the defensive end, Bufford also served as a rim protector.  Whether it was a chase down block from behind or a leaping swat from across the paint, Bufford’s blocking ability was a big part of the teams’ defense.

Congratulations to the Times-Journal’s 2017-2018 All-County Boys Basketball team.