By CHRISSY SMITH
Slidell Sports Editor
SLIDELL — Salmen High School was presented with the Army National Guard national ranking trophy on Tuesday at Salmen High?School.
The Army National Guard is the presenting partner of the MaxPreps Tour of Champions, which is in its eighth year of recognizing some of the best basketball teams throughout the country. Salmen, which finished No. 74 in the final rankings, is one of 10 schools to be honored. The team received its trophy during a spring awards assembly on Tuesday.
Salmen (33-1) defeated Warren Easton, 56-48, on March 8 to win its second straight Louisiana Class 4A state championship and the fourth in the school’s history. Salmen is one of 10 girls basketball teams being honored on the MaxPreps Tour of Champions presented by the Army National Guard. MaxPreps ranks more than 20,000 varsity high school girls basketball teams.
The MaxPreps Tour of Champions recognizes the finest high school football teams in the country through various celebrations and formal ceremonies. The Tour was inaugurated in 2005 and honored 10 premier football programs. In 2007, boys’ basketball was added. Girls’ basketball became a part of the award program the following year. Girls’ volleyball joined the mix in 2010 and in 2011 girls’ soccer joined the program. Boys’ soccer became the newest addition this season.
While at the ceremony, Salmen guard Megan Brown received two scholarships and she will be attending the University of Southern Mississippi in the fall to play basketball.
Salmen center Kalani Brown was presented her trophy for being named Gatorade Player of the Year. Salmen Athletic Director Jerry Leonard presented that award. Brown is a junior and is being recruited by LSU, Baylor, Texas A&M and more.
Also at the event, Salmen soccer player Samantha Leonard received the Matthew Hilker scholarship, which is awarded to the top soccer player in the Slidell and Pearl River area. Leonard plans on attending the University of Southern Mississippi to play soccer in the fall.