Synia Chattman and Kiara Ford do nearly everything together, so it is no surprise that the two were named The Clanton Advertiser’s Co-players of the Year in girls basketball for 2017.

The cousins have a family connection and a close relationship that exists both on and off the basketball court.

“They like to compete against each other and just try to out do each other in a friendly way,” Isabella head coach Jared Day said.

They both started playing basketball at Isabella in the seventh grade.

“They can both handle the ball well and make good decisions,” Day said. “We’ve always got another point guard on the floor.”

Together, the two guards averaged 30.4 points per game. It was rare when both had an off night in the same game, as one would fill the void when the other experienced early foul trouble.

“You can’t let one shot determine how your night is going to go,” Ford said.

Chattman relied on fast breaks for the majority of her points, while Ford proved a threat from beyond the arc and showed a knack for providing room service assists for her teammates.

“I’ve always seen that my job is to get the ball down the court and attack in order to draw defenders and get others open,” Chattman said. “That’s how you make something happen.”

However, they both also excel on the defense to create quite the tandem at forcing turnovers in Isabella’s pressure defense.

Chattman led the Mustangs with an average of 6.1 steals per game, while Ford was second on the team with 3.5.

“To stop them before they even get across half court is my favorite,” Ford said.

 

All-County Girls Basketball Team

 

First Team

Lilly Barnett, Thorsby, Sr., Guard

Lexis Blackmon, Chilton County, Jr., Guard

Synia Chattman, Isabella, Jr., Guard

Kiara Ford, Isabella, So., Guard

Cassani Steele, Jemison, Sr. Center

 

Second Team

Adi Argent, Chilton County, So., Guard

Karmen Mims, Jemison, Sr., Guard

Kerri Robinson, Thorsby, Sr., Guard

JaNiya White, Verbena, So., Guard

Kaley Lucas, Chilton County, Sr., Center