Port Arthur Memorial senior Darion Chatman has been named District 22-5A boys basketball most valuable player, almost three weeks after he led the Titans to the UIL 5A state championship.

Chatman’s 17 points in the 75-69 title-game victory over Justin Northwest helped the combo guard earn MVP honors for the 5A state tournament. It was Memorial’s first team state title and the first basketball title for a Port Arthur ISD school since Lincoln won the 1995 4A crown.

Memorial won three of the other four superlative honors from the district. Senior forward Thailan Wesley was named the offensive player of the year, sophomore center Nate Clover earned defensive player of the year, and Kenneth Coleman was cited coach of the year.

Ozen sophomore Tyrese Baker was named newcomer of the year.

Memorial placed two more seniors, point guard Jamyus Jones and forward Jomard Valsin, on the first team, along with senior Jonathan Rayford and sophomore Hayden Hefner, both of Nederland. Beaumont Central’s Byron Arceneaux, Anthony Green and Kason Harrison, Ozen’s Kevin Dotson and Jakia Oliver and Lumberton’s Gavin Whitmire complete the first team.

Second-team all-district members include: From Memorial, Jyson Butler and Tyler Guidry; from Nederland, Shafin Momin and Cade Smith, from PNG, Edsel Damo, from Central, Jaylen Subject and Jacolby Veazie, from Ozen, Darius Rubin and Taj Mason, from Livingston, Josh Staples; from Lumberton, Reagan Koch; and from Vidor, William Fawcett and Ashur Fondren.

Honorable mention players: From Memorial, Jaden Conner and Reao Keller; from PNG, Hunter Curtis and Brandon Petix; from Central, Mason Senigaur; from Ozen, Glenn Bibbins and Justin Pleasant; from Livingston, Kyler Franklin and Chris Randolph; from Lumberton, Dylan Bridgers and Gabe Sonnier; and from Vidor, L.J. Deroche, Seth LaPray and Jordan Smith.

— I.C. Murrell