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MONTGOMERY — At almost every turn, Ace Austin's Spring Garden girls basketball career as made history in some way.
Before heading to Alabama women's basketball, Austin had one last piece of history to make. She became the first girl to win the ASWA Miss. Basketball in back-to-back years on Thursday during the Miss. Basketball banquet. She also earned the Class 1A girls basketball Player of the Year award and led the Super All-State team.
Austin earned three player of the year honors in her career, the 17th athlete to do so in ASWA history and she earned all state honors in all six years playing varsity basketball. She was a second team honoree as a seventh grader and earned five straight first team honors.
"It means more than a lot, its very special," Austin said. "There's been some great players that could have won it back-to-back, I'm juet blessed to be where I am. Like I said, I wouldn't be able to do this without my tremendous teammates that I've had in the last years and coaches. This one really isn't just mine, its the whole Spring Garden community and all the teammates that I've had."
Austin averaged 26 points, eight rebounds and six assists last year as she helped the Panthers to a third straight title. She was joined by Lani Smallwood of Alberville in Class 7A and Campbell Barron of Pisgah in Class 2A as player of the year winners. On the boys side Devin Barksdale and Mica Merriman were finalist but did not win.
Smallwood, who moved into Albertville following her mother, Natasha's hiring as the head coach, became the first girl from Albertville to win player of the year honors. She averaged 23 points with 9.5 rebounds and three assists per game.
"I felt great, overwhelmed a little bit," Smallwood said. "I'm so in shocked. ...I was like so in shock this is not real. I obviousl was so grateful in that moment because all the adversity that I faced before moving and just how amazing this year has been. God's blessed me so much."
ALL WINNERS: Alabama high school basketball: Player of the Year Award winners and Mr. and Miss.Basketball
HOKES BLUFF: 'Complete game changer': Hokes Bluff girls golf ready for journey to states in Class 4A-5A
Barron averaged 19.8 points, six rebounds, two steals and 1.6 assists per game earning regional MVP honors and state tournament team honors.
"It means a lot," Barron said. "I want to thank God for giving me this ability. I really didn't think I was going to get this award but I'm really grateful that I got it.
This article originally appeared on The Gadsden Times: Spring Garden's Ace Austin first to win two Miss. Basketball awards
Continue reading...
Before heading to Alabama women's basketball, Austin had one last piece of history to make. She became the first girl to win the ASWA Miss. Basketball in back-to-back years on Thursday during the Miss. Basketball banquet. She also earned the Class 1A girls basketball Player of the Year award and led the Super All-State team.
Austin earned three player of the year honors in her career, the 17th athlete to do so in ASWA history and she earned all state honors in all six years playing varsity basketball. She was a second team honoree as a seventh grader and earned five straight first team honors.
"It means more than a lot, its very special," Austin said. "There's been some great players that could have won it back-to-back, I'm juet blessed to be where I am. Like I said, I wouldn't be able to do this without my tremendous teammates that I've had in the last years and coaches. This one really isn't just mine, its the whole Spring Garden community and all the teammates that I've had."
Austin averaged 26 points, eight rebounds and six assists last year as she helped the Panthers to a third straight title. She was joined by Lani Smallwood of Alberville in Class 7A and Campbell Barron of Pisgah in Class 2A as player of the year winners. On the boys side Devin Barksdale and Mica Merriman were finalist but did not win.
Smallwood, who moved into Albertville following her mother, Natasha's hiring as the head coach, became the first girl from Albertville to win player of the year honors. She averaged 23 points with 9.5 rebounds and three assists per game.
"I felt great, overwhelmed a little bit," Smallwood said. "I'm so in shocked. ...I was like so in shock this is not real. I obviousl was so grateful in that moment because all the adversity that I faced before moving and just how amazing this year has been. God's blessed me so much."
ALL WINNERS: Alabama high school basketball: Player of the Year Award winners and Mr. and Miss.Basketball
HOKES BLUFF: 'Complete game changer': Hokes Bluff girls golf ready for journey to states in Class 4A-5A
Barron averaged 19.8 points, six rebounds, two steals and 1.6 assists per game earning regional MVP honors and state tournament team honors.
"It means a lot," Barron said. "I want to thank God for giving me this ability. I really didn't think I was going to get this award but I'm really grateful that I got it.
This article originally appeared on The Gadsden Times: Spring Garden's Ace Austin first to win two Miss. Basketball awards
Continue reading...
