Choctaw County’s Kirkwood, Maxwell move on to JUCOs
ACKERMAN – History was made at Choctaw County High School this season on the hardwood with both the girls and boys teams making it to quarterfinals of the Class 3A State Tournament for the first time in school history.
It was a special season for both the Chargers (21-10) and Lady Chargers (23-11), who would sweep the Region 4 tournament and win the first two rounds of the state tournament to advance to Jackson and the Elite 8. Right at the forefront of those two teams’ success were a couple of seniors who led the way both with their play on the court and their attitude off of it.
Akeem Kirkwood and Brysa Maxwell were the catalyst in their team’s run this season and it’s even more evident with where their career paths are now heading.
On Thursday afternoon, both players signed their Letter of Intent to play junior college basketball next season with Kirkwood choosing Itawamba Community College and Maxwell selecting Holmes CC.
Maxwell is an All-Area candidate, who averaged 17.1 points per game, 7.9 rebounds, 3.3 steals and two assists for Choctaw County. She had eight games of 20 or more points this season with a season-high 36 in a 60-56 district loss against Houston.
The year as a whole was one that she’ll never forget. Getting a chance to help make history and watch her boy counterparts do the same gave her much pride.
“It felt like a big accomplishment, especially with it being our senior year,” Maxwell said. “For both of us to be cousins and to do it together, it’s a big accomplishment, and us getting a chance to sign, it’s a blessing to have so much support from family and friends.
Cory Guyton was in his first season coaching the Lady Chargers this year and helped the girls believe that they could make history. Maxwell was one of the players that he relied on early in the process to lead his young team.
While the senior had her ups and downs getting used to Guyton’s vision, she came around and the team was better for it.
“It was rough in the beginning just trying to get her and the team to buy in, but once she got going, she saw the light at the end of the tunnel and really stepped up and was a leader for us,” Guyton said. “She can fit in any style. She’s one of those unique athletes. She can handle the ball, (and) she can post up. I think she’ll fit in any system, it’s just putting people around her that will make her better.”
Kirkwood is an All-Area and Area Player of the Year candidate after the work he put in during the 2018 season. The senior forward is likely to play on the wing on the next level, but he did it all for the Chargers. Kirkwood averaged 18 points per game in his final season in Ackerman hitting 53 percent of his shots, pulling down 9.1 rebounds, dishing out 2.8 assists and blocking a shot a game.
Though he had options from most of the instate junior colleges, Kirkwood narrowed his decision down to Northwest CC, Southwest CC and ICC. In the end, Fulton felt like the best place for him.
“They have a good program and when they showed me around campus, I felt welcome,” Kirkwood said. “It seems like a great school. I’m just ready for anything. They’re going to help be get better and hopefully get me to (Division 1).”
Choctaw County boys coach Gary Beals believes D-1 dreams are quite attainable for Kirkwood. Since the first time Beals laid eyes on his star player in eighth grade, which was shortly after consolidation of Weir and Ackerman, he knew that there was something special about him.
Kirkwood started as a freshman for the Chargers and helped the team reach new heights. He also set the standard for what’s to come. The sky is the limit, according to Beals.
“He brings the total package, Beals said. “He’s got length and he can play one, two, three or four positions on the floor. For this program, he’s been a part of an amazing run. Akeem was one of the biggest kept secrets in the state. He’s just a good player and a good kid.”