Tuesday, April 16, 2013 12:37 pm
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By TONY STINNETT/Courier Sports Editor
Cannon County junior standout Abbey Sissom has been named to the Tennessee Sports Writers Association (TSWA) Class AA Girls Basketball All-State team for the second straight year.
Sissom capped a sensational junior campaign with a second trip to the TSSAA Class AA State Tournament for the second time in three years in 2013.
Sissom led the Lionettes in scoring with more than 20 points per game and also led the squad in assists.
Sissom moved into sixth on the program’s all-time scoring list surpassing Gloria Parker’s 1,625 points. She is set to become just the fourth player in program history to score 2,000 or more points in 2013-14.
“It’s an honor to be named All-State by the Tennessee Sports Writers,” Sissom said. “The sports writers across the state see all of the players so for them to name you to the All-State team is quite an honor. I’m very appreciative, but I couldn’t have the success I’ve had without my teammates and coaches. We all put in a lot of time and effort.”
Sissom was named a Class AA Miss Basketball finalist for the second time in 2013. She joins Julie Powell as the only Miss Basketball finalist in program history.
With Sissom leading the way, Cannon County debuted at No. 1 in the Associated Press Class AA Top 10 state poll in 2012-13. The Lionettes remained ranked throughout the season and shared the District 8-AA regular-season championship. Cannon County earned the top seed in the district tournament by defeating Livingston Academy twice during the regular season.
The Lionettes went on the road to beat McMinn Central in the Substate and reached the Class AA Girls State Tournament for the second time in three years and the 11th time in program history.
“Abbey had a lot to do with our success but she’s such a team player,” Cannon County Head Coach Michael Dodgen said. “She led our team in scoring and also led our team in assists so that tells you something about her unselfish nature. Abbey draws the toughest defensive assignments game after game and she still puts up the numbers she does. She is very deserving of all-state status.”