Leading their respective teams to undefeated records up until the last game of the season, Mount Pleasant senior guards Paris Beard and Payton Chism were rightfully named to the Texas Association of Basketball Coaches 5A All-State Team on Wednesday. For Beard, this is her second time being named to an All-State team as she was selected last year by the Texas Girls Coaches Association. Chism is the second player in the last three years to receive the honor for the Tigers after Zaveion Chism-Okoh received the recognition in 2021.

Beard reached several milestones and earned numerous other awards over the course of her four-year career with the Lady Tigers. She was named district Newcomer of the Year her freshman season, Offensive MVP her sophomore season, and District MVP her junior and senior season. Beard was also selected for the All-Region team the last three years. The four-time Academic All-District student athlete scored 2006 points, pulled down 595 rebounds, notched 398 assists, and thieved 629 steals. Both the points scored and steals are MPHS records. This season she posted averages of 16.4 points per game, 5.4 rebounds per game, 3.8 assists per game, and 5.5 steals per game.

Chism has been a mainstay in the Tigers’ starting five since his freshmen year beginning in 2019 as he led Mount Pleasant to an overall record of 118-16 over the four-year span. Those seasons included three trips to the regional tournament, three district championships, and a playoff record of 10-4. Payton was named district Newcomer of the Year his freshman year, District MVP his sophomore season, Offensive MVP his junior year, and District MVP again in his senior season as well as three selections to the All-Region team. Over his career, Chism amassed marks of 1650 points, 418 rebounds, 452 assists (MPHS record), 325 steals (MPHS record), 56 charges taken, 31.2% from behind the arc, and a 66.7% mark at the line. This season he posted averages of 13.2 points per game, 3.8 rebounds per game, 4.1 assists per game, and 2.1 steals per game.

Both of these players have left their impression on Mount Pleasant and Texas basketball as they have not only continued the legacy of those before them but have raised the bar to new standards for those yet to come. Beard and Chism are still unsigned but have several colleges in contention to extend their playing career. Wherever the game takes them, Mount Pleasant will be represented well.