ASWA POY: Several players from River Region up for top hoops honors

Local players elected as finalists for the Alabama Sports Writers Player of the Year include Valiant Cross Academy’s Deshawn Hall, Lowndes Academy’s Clayton Hussey, Trinity’s Maddie Smith, St. James’ Ava Card, Prattville Christian’s Kayden Carr and Lee Scott’s Haiden Harper. (File photos)

By TIM GAYLE

Six area players are finalists for player of the year honors in their respective classifications, including two of the city’s top girls basketball players in Class 3A.

The Alabama Sports Writers Association released their finalists on Wednesday for high school basketball players of the year in their respective classifications, including Trinity’s Maddie Smith and St. James’ Ava Card in Class 3A.

ASWA voters select three finalists for player of the year in each of the Alabama High School Athletic Association’s seven classifications as well as an Alabama Independent School Association player of the year in boys and girls basketball.  

Winners, Mr. and Miss Basketball and the Super All-State team will be announced at a luncheon banquet on Tuesday, April 16 at the Montgomery Renaissance.

In addition to Smith and Card, other area players eligible for awards includes Prattville Christian’s Kayden Carr in 4A, Edgewood Academy’s Lindsey Brown, Valiant Cross Academy’s Deshawn Hall and Lowndes Academy’s Clayton Hussey.

In Class 7A, the girls finalists are Auburn High’s Syriah Daniels, Hewitt-Trussville’s Jordan Hunter and Central-Phenix City’s Jabria Lindsey. The boys finalists are Hoover’s DeWayne Brown, Huntsville’s Caleb Harrison and Central-Phenix City’s Jacoby Hill.

In Class 6A, the girls finalists are Hillcrest’s Jareah Branch, Hazel Green’s Leah Brooks and Huffman’s Tamiria Jones. The boys finalists are Mountain Brook’s Ty Davis, Buckhorn’s Caleb Holt and Huffman’s Peyton Wiggins.

In Class 5A, the girls finalists are Jasper’s Mia Hollingsworth, Jasper’s Missy Odom and Pleasant Grove’s Tamya Smith. The boys finalists are Valley’s Cam Dooley, Vigor’s Terrel Johnson and Fairfield’s Joshia Jones.

In Class 4A, PCA’s Carr is one of three finalists along with Deshler’s Reece Davis and Good Hope’s Ivey Maddox. The boys finalists are Jackson’s Micah Caster, American Christian’s Davis Dare and Geneva’s Evan Griffin.

In Class 3A, Card, Smith and Plainview’s Sawyer Kate Hulgan are vying for player of the year honors, while the boys finalists include Hillcrest’s Trey Simpson and a pair of Sumter Central players, Emmanuel Clarton and Jonathan Fitch.

In Class 2A, the girls finalists are Mars Hill Bible’s Belle Hill, Sand Rock’s Katelyn St.Clair and Sulligent’s Ella Wheeler. The boys finalists are Highland Home’s Jakaleb Faulk, LaFayette’s Vederrian Story and Mars Hill Bible’s Carson Thrasher.

In Class 1A, the boys finalists are Georgiana’s Nasir Cheatham, Covenant Christian’s Trey Kellogg and Red Level’s Javen Poindexter, while the girls finalists are Spring Garden’s Ace Austin, Shoals Christian’s Sarah Davis and Skyline’s Kaina King.

Edgewood’s Brown is up for AISA player of the year honors against Lee-Scott Academy’s Madison Davis and Glenwood’s Takayla Davis. Hussey, Hall and Lee-Scott’s Haiden Harper are the three boys players vying for AISA player of the year honors.