A pair of sophomores represented Cumberland County High School’s varsity girls basketball team among the 2017-18 All-Region 1B honorees, helping illustrate that the future is bright for the Lady Dukes.

Sophomore guard Nikki Hurt was named to the all-region first team, and sophomore forward Sade’ Gregory made the second team.

Lady Dukes Head Coach Omar Liggins was pleased with the recognition the team received at the regional level.

“It was good,” he said, “especially for those young girls because they’re only sophomores, so I think … them getting recognized through the all-region (honors) will be motivation to come back next year and want to get to that same point.”

After a strong 2016-17 season in which Cumberland advanced to the state tournament, the Lady Dukes struggled during the 2017-18 campaign, finishing 6-15. But Hurt’s and Gregory’s honors help provide a highlight at the end of the year.

“For me, it’s a good feeling,” Liggins said, “because the type of a season that we had wasn’t a great one, and then for us to turn around in the region and have to play probably the best girl in the state, and then for those girls to still get recognized, it’s a good feeling for me, and I know it’s a good feeling for those girls.”

The coach noted that throughout the season, Hurt had been facing box-and-one defenses, efforts specifically designed to limit her.

He said he thought regional coaches voted her to the first team “by her numbers throughout the regular season and then the one game we did play in the region — she still put up the same numbers.”

Hurt averaged 13 points, four rebounds and four steals per game. She also made the All- James River District first team.

Gregory, who Liggins said stands at approximately 5 feet 8 inches, was a key presence on the boards for Cumberland, averaging 10 rebounds a game.

“For her size, she’s an excellent rebounder,” Liggins.

She was also named to the all-district second team.