By CURTIS ROCKWELL/Sports Director

PASCAGOULA — The inaugural SouthMiss6 Sports Boys Prep Basketball Player of the Year is Pascagoula senior standout Dorian McMillian.
The sensational six-foot-3 sharpshooter has been a mainstay for the Panthers from his guard spot in what has turned into an historical and record-breaking season as Pascagoula has won 27 consecutive games and stands 27-1 entering the Class 6A South State playoffs this Saturday.
“Dorian is an example of what I would like a basketball player to be,” Pascagoula seventh-year head coach Lorenzo Wright said. “He is dedicated both on and off the court. He puts in extra time in the gym to perfect his craft all while working a job. He’s a student that I’ve never had to worry about having grade issues, he gives 100% on and off the floor.”

McMillian sits atop a talented senior class for the Panther program this season, as all five starters are in their final campaigns at PHS and most have started for the past two years as Pascagoula prepares to host West Jones this weekend in the opening game of the Class 6A South State playoffs.
But McMillian has been making his mark on the Panther program for longer than just the past two seasons.
“He is a four-year starter and has a chance to be one of the most decorated players ever to come through Pascagoula,” Wright added.
And rightfully so. McMillan was named to the prestigious Dandy Dozen list selected by The Clarion-Ledger of Jackson before the season started, and he has continually been at the forefront of a balanced Panther offensive attack. He was recently named as the Most Valuable Player in Region 4-6A at the league tournament in Picayune last week.
He is averaging right at 20 points per game, and poured in a season-high 33 points in January in a home win over Williamson High of Mobile, Ala., in his last appearance in the annual Panthers Rasing Canes Classic.
It didn’t take long for Wright to notice how special of a player McMillian could be several years back.
“His eighth grade year I thought he would be special, and in hiis ninth grade year we had a hole to fill at that position and he was a great fit,” Wright continued. “His sophomore he hit a slump, but last year in his junior year playing Gulfport for the first time he broke out. That’s when I knew he turned the corner, all his hard work and dedication was starting to pay off.”

In addition to his 33-point outburst against Williamson, McMillian tallied a game-high 26 points in the regular season finale a 78-41 win in the only meeting of the year with arch-rival Moss Point. He also was named the MVP at the inaugural Madison County Invitational Christmas Tournament after he guided the Panthers to three straight wins in three days in the event including 67-65 over Canton in the title tilt.
In addition to impressing his own head coach and teammates this season, McMillan has had the same effect on opposing coaches as well.
“I think everyone knows how good of a player he is,” first-year Hancock head coach Conner Entrekin said.
And Entrekin should know, as he has had a front seat for several of McMillian’s performances as the Panthers knocked off the Hawks three times this season in while they were going 12-0 in Region 4-6A games.
“There just aren’t many weaknesses, if any at all, in his game,” Entrekin added. “But what I think really separates him is you that can tell that everything he asks and expects from his teammates he does it himself and then some. When your best player is also your leader and hardest worker, it elevates the rest of your team.”
Just as McMillian’s play on the hardwood has helped pace Pascagoula to historical heights this season, he also celebrated an individual milestone in December when he eclipsed the magical 1,000 point mark in his high school career in a 44-40 win at home over perennial state power Biloxi.
The SouthMiss6 Sports Boys Player of the Year Award is sponsored by Vertical Raise.