Each year since 2006, MaxPreps has recognized outstanding performers in prep girls basketball. America's source for high school sports continues the tradition to close out the 2023-24 season by naming the top player in each state. Selections are based on team success and individual excellence in addition to local and state accolades.
Tootie Lockett of
Starkville is the 2023-24 Mississippi MaxPreps Player of the Year. The 5-foot-7 senior point guard helped the Yellowjackets to a 24-7 record and Class 7A quarterfinal appearance.
For the season Lockett averaged 15.4 points, 5.0 rebounds, 4.2 assists and 2.7 steals. She scored a season-high 30 points to go with five rebounds and five assists in a 64-46 win over Madison Central (Germantown) in January.
Lockett, who will continue her career at Itawamba Community College next year, was named Class 7A Miss Basketball by the MHSAA and Mississippi Association of Coaches.
Each state's MaxPreps Player of the Year will be considered for inclusion in the MaxPreps All-America Team, which is scheduled to be released April 11. Past selections include 2023 WNBA Most Valuable Player Breanna Stewart (2012) as well as 2023 All-WNBA first team picks Napheesa Collier (2015), Alyssa Thomas (2010) and A'ja Wilson (2014).
Past Mississippi MaxPreps Players of the Year2021-22 – Debreasha Powe, Meridian
2022-23 – Madison Booker, Germantown (Madison)
