2024 Girls Basketball Co-Player of the Year: Malia Graham

***ICYMI: Girls Swimmer of the Year: Kelsey Stuck***

***ICYMI: Boys Co-Swimmer of the Year: Sean Setzer***

***ICYMI: Boys Co-Swimmer of the Year: Cole Witmer***

***ICYMI: Boys Wrestler of the Year: Ian Fritz***

***ICYMI: Girls Co-Wrestler of the Year: Lauren Hall***

***ICYMI: Girls Co-Wrestler of the Year: Lily Prendergast***

Now that the winter sports season has come to a close, it’s time to reveal the All-Coastal Preps teams. Over the next few days, you will get to know more about the players of the year while also seeing who made first and second team in swimming & diving, wrestling and basketball.

The Coastal Preps Girls Co-Basketball Player of the Year is sophomore forward Malia Graham from East Columbus.

Malia’s Accomplishments

The East Columbus girls basketball team recently completed the best season in school history, and the play of sophomore Malia Graham was a a big reason why. 

Graham averaged 17.6 points, 10.7 rebounds, 2.7 steals and 1.6 blocks to guide the Gators to a 26-2 record and a first-ever berth in the NCHSAA 1A State Championship game. 

The 6-foot forward shot an impressive 55.5 percent (202 of 364) from the field. Graham surpassed the 20-point mark on nine occasions, including a career-high 36 points in a victory over West Columbus in the regular season finale. She also recorded 15 double-doubles. 

Graham was at her best in the postseason, averaging 23.2 points and 12.8 rebounds in six games.

She finished with 31 points and a career-high 19 rebounds against Pamlico County in the fourth round, and followed that up with 29 points and 11 rebounds in a 76-66 victory over rival East Bladen in the East final.

More about Malia

Favorite Restaurant(s): Chipotle

Favorite TV Show(s): The 100 (Netflix)

Favorite Athlete(s): Cameron Brink & Kiki Iriafen

Favorite memory from this season: Defeating East Bladen at the state regional finals at Wake Forest University.

Favorite memory from your career: Anytime I win at sports is a great memory. When I start thinking about games, especially basketball, I pick out all of my flaws and start thinking I wish I had done this or I should have done that.

Favorite thing about your school or team: My new principal. He’s encouraging me to take on things I never thought about doing. My teachers, especially Mr. Royal. He teaches about real life situations. Dr. Smith, she gives assignments that make you think and write about your thoughts, and Coach Furlow, who helped me with math.

Do you have any superstitions or pre-game rituals? If so, what are they?: Nope. None at all. I just want to do my best, and of course I always want to win the game. 

What is your dream job?: I don’t know what I want to be yet. I just know whatever I choose I will be great. One time, I wanted to be a sports commentator, but spelling is not my strongest subject. If I could team up with my sister and brother, I think we could do really good on a sports podcast.

Which would you choose – a vacation at the beach or the mountains?: Vacation at the mountains. Don’t like the sand at the beach.

What is your go to order at Starbucks?: A Dragonfruit Refresher with lemonade and light ice.

If you could have any animal as a pet, what would it be?: I’m not much of an animal person. So maybe a duck. I don’t know why. My dad has dogs, my sister has a dog and my mom has chickens. In thinking about that duck though, at times my mind can race like a duck kicking under water but my outward appearance remains calm. Just like the duck in water. And when obstacles occur, I let it roll just like water off a duck’s back.

Which three things can’t you live without?: My cell phone because I love scrolling through TikTok. Not sure why, but my bed. It’s like a loft and I like sleeping up high I guess. My family at home and my church family.

What is your favorite snack to get at the movie theater? Popcorn and root beer to drink.

If you could travel back in time to any moment in your life, which would you choose?: I would replay my 8th grade year of sports. We went undefeated in basketball, volleyball and softball.

Have you ever been out of the country? If so, which country is your favorite?: Never been out of the country per say, but I’ve been to the Bahamas on a cruise. My favorite part was the food.

If you are hungry for a donut, where are you going to get it?: Krispy Kreme