AISA ALL-STATE TEAMS: Pair of pitchers lead top players for 2025

Clarke Prep pitcher Katy Thomas earned the AISA Softball Player of the Year for 2025. (File Photo)

By TIM GAYLE

A pair of dominating pitchers grabbed the spotlight as Alabama Independent School Association players of the year, with Lakeside’s Demetrius Hardnett winning the baseball award and Clarke Prep’s Katy Thomas earning the softball award.

The organization’s coaches selected the top players in both sports as well as coaches of the year. The Clarke Prep husband-and-wife team of Taylor Clemmons (baseball) and Haley Clemmons (softball) were selected by the AISA coaches.

Thomas, who pitched her team to a runner-up finish in the state tournament a year ago and the state championship in May, played both in the field and in the circle, batting .353 at the plate with 36 hits and 45 RBIs in 37 games.

The junior compiled a 15-1 record in the circle, allowing just 22 earned runs in 85.1 innings for a 1.81 earned-run average. Thomas struck out 147 batters this season while walking just 36. She edged out Hooper catcher Kaylee Midkiff for the player of the year award.

Midkiff was one of six seniors selected to the all-state softball team, while Thomas was one of four juniors. In addition, Thomas was one of four players from the Class AA state champions, along with pitcher and first baseman Addie Hicks, catcher Drue Flint and shortstop Brooke Brasell.

Hardnett played third base and outfield for the Chiefs, but was dominating on the mound this season. He went 64 for 140 (.457) at the plate with 57 runs and 56 RBIs in 55 games. Of his 64 hits, nearly half were extra-base hits, including 23 doubles, one triple and six home runs.

On the mound, he was a perfect 14-0 in 16 games this season, allowing just seven earned runs in 93 innings for a 0.53 earned-run average. He had four no-hitters this season, surrendering just 15 walks while striking out 184.

Hardnett was one of eight seniors selected to the all-state team and one of five Lakeside players, along with Tyler Mark Bullock, a catcher who also played first base and third base; center fielder Conner Britton; pitcher Carson Scott, who also played first base, third base and catcher; and pitcher Boston Brown, who also played first base.

2025 AISA ALL-STATE SOFTBALL TEAM

1B -- Carson Cox, Jr., Bessemer Academy

2B -- Miya Tatum, Sr., Macon East Academy

SS -- Brooke Brasell, So., Clarke Prep School

3B -- Caroline Rhea, Jr., Bessemer Academy

C -- Kaylee Midkiff, Sr., Hooper Academy

OF -- Avery White, Sr., Edgewood Academy

OF -- Cassie Brady, So., Abbeville Christian

OF -- Haylee Coleman, So., Edgewood Academy

Util -- Olivia Brackner, Sr., Bessemer Academy

DH -- Drue Flint, Jr., Clarke Prep School

P -- Kady Thomas, Jr., Clarke Prep School

P -- K.G. Taylor, Sr., Hooper Academy

P -- Lily Stubbs, Sr., Edgewood Academy

P -- Addie Hicks, So., Clarke Prep School

AISA PLAYER OF THE YEAR -- Katy Thomas, Clarke Prep School

AISA COACH OF THE YEAR -- Haley Clemmons, Clarke Prep School

Honorable mention: Anniston Brady, P, Sr., Abbeville Christian; Lillie Burt, P, So., Bessemer Academy; AliKate Causey, SS, Fr., Abbeville Christian; Bethany Cole, P, 7th, Jackson Academy; Mallory Coody, C, Jr., Patrician Academy; Reese Cornett, P, So., Patrician Academy; Presley Hamilton, 1B, Sr., Lowndes Academy; Bradford Harrell, OF, Jr., Jackson Academy; Hope Kennedy, C, Jr., Abbeville Christian; Reagan Moye, OF, Fr., Patrician Academy; Alice Murchison, OF, Sr., Lowndes Academy; Jamya Powell, 3B, Jr., Macon East Academy; Catie Wallace Self, SS, So., Lowndes Academy; Lexie Smith, SS, So., Edgewood Academy.

2025 AISA ALL-STATE BASEBALL TEAM

1B -- Cooper Clemmons, Sr., Clarke Prep School

2B -- Alex Reynolds, Sr., Bessemer Academy

SS -- Jayden Buckhannon, Jr., Abbeville Christian

3B -- Ashton Yelder, Sr., Lowndes Academy

C -- Tyler Mark Bullock, Jr., Lakeside School

OF -- Carter Hopson, Sr., Macon East Academy

OF -- Ethan Carr, So., Patrician Academy

OF -- Conner Britton, Sr., Lakeside School

Util -- BoBraeden Agee, So., Southern Academy

DH -- Matthew Mize, Sr., Patrician Academy

P -- Demetrius Hardnett, Sr., Lakeside School

P -- Carson Scott, Sr., Lakeside School

P -- Boston Brown, So., Lakeside School

P -- Jake McArthur, Jr., Coosa Valley Academy

AISA PLAYER OF THE YEAR -- Demetrius Hardnett, Lakeside School

AISA COACH OF THE YEAR -- Taylor Clemmons, Clarke Prep School

Honorable mention: Tanner Bayles, SS, Sr., Clarke Prep School; Taylor Bower, 1B, Sr., Abbeville Christian; Eli Bozeman, P, Sr., Hope Christian; Jackson Carmichael , SS, Jr., Bessemer Academy; Barron Frazer, 1B, Sr., Morgan Academy; Wallis Gilmore, OF, Jr., Morgan Academy; Bryant Grimes, P, Jr., Macon East Academy; Brett Hackett, C, Sr., Coosa Valley Academy; Trent Hayes, SS, So., Lakeside School; Cade Henderson, 2B, Sr., Morgan Academy; Brayden Hennigan, P, Jr., Southern Academy; Wyatt Martin, 2B, Fr., Southern Academy; Thad McKinney, 3B, Sr., Macon East Academy; Bryant Morrison, 1B, Sr., Macon East Academy; Quamarion Pernell, OF, Jr., Morgan Academy; John Allen Powell, OF, So., Clarke Prep School; Drew Rogers, SS, Fr., Southern Academy; Sam Setzer, SS, Jr., Coosa Valley Academy; Jackson Todd, P, Jr., Macon East Academy; Brayden Vachon, 2B, So., Lakeside School.