It’s hard to say for certain when Emme Willoughby had her breakout moment of the season.

Some might think the Cold Springs junior doled it out during a 64-59 victory versus Class 5A Lawrence County back in November, when Willoughby torched the nets for 33 points to outshine UAB signee Rachael Childress (29) en route to the upset win.

Others — more specifically, Scott Adams and Michael Oldacre — would likely opine that Willoughby’s brightest outings came during the highly competitive Cullman County Basketball Tournament, in which the talented Eagle almost single-handedly led her squad back from second-half deficits against Holly Pond and Good Hope to help the Blue and Gold notch their first title at Tom Drake Coliseum since 2010.

For Cold Springs girls coach Tammy West, however, nearly every single one of the 32 games Willoughby suited up for this past season could just about make the list.

Having said that, it’s hardly a wonder the soon-to-be senior was easily named The Times’ 2015-16 All-Area Girls Basketball Player of the Year.

“Anybody who watched her play in those big games, they know she showed out,” West said. “That’s why she made All-State, and that’s why we won the county tournament. That’s Emme. It’s just who she is and how she plays. She doesn’t want to let anybody down, either, including me or her teammates.”

Willoughby amassed 559 points, 190 rebounds and 98 assists during the season to go along with 54 blocks and 47 steals. She shot 48 percent from the field and 74 percent at the free throw line to help the Blue and Gold secure 19 victories.

Although those numbers are quite remarkable, Willoughby’s largest leap as a player didn’t come from anything found within a stat book.

Known by coach and teammates as “Sweet Em,” the 5-10 guard shed just enough of her sunny disposition on the court and replaced it with a killer instinct that had — for all intents and purposes — been somewhat lacking so far throughout her prep career.

Not that West is complaining.

“She’s probably one of the nicest girls I’ve ever been around,” the longtime coach said. “She really came out of her shell this year. Back in 2014 or 2015, she was one or two words. This year, she joked and cut up and really changed. I think it had a lot to do with how strong she played. Her confidence level soared. She knew people were counting on her.

“But I’d have to say the biggest thing was her whole demeanor. I saw the fire. I’d love to know what Emme could do if she played that way the whole season. I guess I’m really looking forward to that next year.”

West, meanwhile, captured her second consecutive All-Area Coach of the Year honor after leading Cold Springs, which lost three talented seniors to graduation, to a 19-win season and the program’s first county championship in six years.

Willoughby is joined on the first team by Hanceville’s Taylor Hollingsworth, Holly Pond’s Ruth Horton, Fairview’s Taylor Ann Yeager, Cold Springs’ Bailey West and Good Hope’s Kaylee Maddox.

Hollingsworth, Yeager and West were first-team performers in 2015 as well. Horton (second team) and Maddox (honorable mention) each received bumps from a season ago.

The All-Area second team consists of Fairview’s Abbi Taylor, Holly Pond’s Melissa Clingman, Cullman’s Christina Skinner, Cold Springs’ Camryn Crider and Good Hope’s Kelly Pickett.

See below for The Times’ complete 2015-16 All-Area Girls Basketball Team, including honorable mentions:

Player of the Year: Emme Willoughby, Cold Springs

Coach of the Year: Tammy West, Cold Springs

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First Team

Taylor Hollingsworth, Hanceville

Ruth Horton, Holly Pond

Taylor Ann Yeager, Fairview

Bailey West, Cold Springs

Kaylee Maddox, Good Hope

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Second Team

Abbi Taylor, Fairview

Melissa Clingman, Holly Pond

Christina Skinner, Cullman

Camryn Crider, Cold Springs

Kelly Pickett, Good Hope

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Honorable Mention

Cold Springs: Kaleigh Merring, Rilee White

Cullman: Taiya Ponder, Anna Evans

Fairview: Jada Golden, McKinna Yearwood, Dalys Mullican

Good Hope: Kate Kent, Miriam Oldacre

Hanceville: Karmen Johnson

Holly Pond: Taylor Tankersley

St. Bernard: Zana Wilson

Vinemont: Kelsey Rogers

West Point: Jeri Beasley, Bailee Yearwood