PREP BASKETBALL: Cold Springs’ Willoughby selected to Class 2A All-State 2nd Team; 3 other locals also earn honors

Published 11:00 pm Friday, March 17, 2017

Emme Willoughby has been one of the most gifted basketball players to come through Cullman County in recent memory.

And, for a third straight season, she’ll go down as one of Alabama’s brightest stars as well.

The Cold Springs standout garnered second-team status in Class 2A when the Alabama Sports Writers Association released this year’s All-State Girls Basketball Teams late Friday night. Willoughby’s latest accolade comes just a year after nabbing her second straight spot on the second team and two years after earning a coveted position on the third team.

Addison’s Maison Evans (1A), Cold Springs’ Camryn Crider (2A) and Fairview’s Taylor Ann Yeager (5A) were named honorable mentions in their respective classifications. Yeager was also a 5A honorable mention in 2015 and 2016. It was the first such honor for Evans and Crider.

Willoughby showed out during her final campaign with the Blue and Gold, averaging 16.4 points, 5.3 rebounds and 3.6 assists per outing to help propel the Lady Eagles to a 28-5 record, an area crown and the program’s second Northwest Regional Tournament victory since 2014.

The oft-smiling talent also finished with 55 steals, 44 blocks and 1,798 career points. She’ll head to UAH this fall to continue her playing career.

“Emme’s just so well-rounded,” said longtime Cold Springs coach Tammy West. “She’s a great student, a great basketball player and really a great person, which is most important. That is what will carry her most moving forward. I think she’s one of the best players I’ve seen all year, in my opinion. Definitely in Class 2A, but I think also in a lot of classifications.”

Though Willoughby isn’t the most vocal player on the floor, West was pleased with how much her leadership role grew, especially on a squad that started two sophomores and two freshmen most of the season.

“She really evolved as a leader,” West said. “More so that I actually thought she would. Her actions, the way she presented herself, the poise she possessed, the way she kept everybody calm … the team just gathered around her all year. They trusted her so much. When we needed something to happen, she delivered.”

Evans couldn’t have had a better overall season for the Lady Bulldogs.

The senior guard amassed 14.2 points, 7.3 rebounds and 3.9 assists per contest for Addison, which capped off a solid campaign with a 24-6 record. She also eclipsed 1,000 career points while adding 73 steals and 11 blocks.

According to coach Bryan Woods, Evans was the player who “made our group go.”

“We needed her on the floor all the time,” he said. “She really became a leader and someone we could lean on. She had a terrific basketball mind and IQ. We relied on her ball handling to get out of traps and presses. She helped the young girls out. She just did so much for us as a team this season. She was a starter since the eighth grade, and she’s always just loved basketball.”

Crider picked up a reputation as one of the state’s top 3-pointer shooters this past season.

And she has the stats to back it up, too.

The sophomore made 102 shots from behind the arc — second only to Spring Garden’s Savannah Dempsey (107) among all classifications — en route to a superb campaign for the Blue and Gold.

She averaged 13.9 points, 2.9 rebounds and 1.8 assists per game, while securing a team-high 81 steals, serving as the Eagles’ primary ball handler and rarely sitting down for rest in close contests.

“Camryn is such a great shooter,” West said. “The child worked so hard before the season started. She’s in the gym all the time. To me, it’s testament to how good she wants to be. She never took a play off. You never had to ask her to hustle. If she continues to improve that way moving forward, I can’t wait to she what she does next season.”

Last, but certainly not least, is Yeager, who aided Fairview’s girls to their best season in program history.

She cashed in 15.2 points, 2.8 rebounds and 4.4 assists per matchup for the Lady Aggies — who finished 28-7, won county and area crowns and advanced to the Elite Eight for the first time ever. Yeager also came away with 138 steals — one of the top marks in 5A — to go along with 1,533 career points entering her final season with the Purple and Gold.

And coach Mary Hartline loved every minute of it.

“She’s just such a super athlete, and it’s natural,” she said. “She never got wrapped up or overwhelmed by the big moments. Offensively, I think her percentages were as high as they’ve ever been … by a lot. She’s a great teammate, she makes great passes, and she can really handle the basketball and get it to other people. Taylor showed a lot of maturity for us this year.”

See complete All-State teams below:

Class 7A 

First Team

Shauntai Battle, McGill-Toolen, Sr., G, 5-9

Zipporah Broughton, Lee-Montgomery, Jr., G, 5-9

Claire Holt, Spain Park, Jr., G, 5-7

Haley Troup, Gadsden City, Sr., G-F, 5-10

Eboni Williams, Hoover, Jr., F, 6-0

Second Team

Brooke Burns, Gadsden City, Sr., G, 5-10

Tiyah Johnson, Central-Phenix City, Sr., G, 5-9

Tamia Knight, Tuscaloosa Co., Jr., G, 5-8

Nautika Philpot, Auburn, Sr., G, 5-1

Terri Smith, Sparkman, Sr., G, 5-7

Third Team

London Coleman, Hewitt-Trussville, Jr., G, 5-8

Ashana Crawford, Baker, Sr., G, 5-6

Minnie Kemp, Murphy, Jr., F, 5-7

Joiya Maddox, Hoover, So., G, 5-11

Alexis Tate, Auburn, Sr., G, 5-10

Coach of the Year

Mike Chase, Spain Park

Class 6A Girls

First Team

Hannah Barber, Homewood, Jr., G, 5-6

Brooke Hampel, Hazel Green, Jr., F, 5-10

Moriah Taylor, Hartselle, So., G, 5-6

Ajah Wayne, Homewood, Jr., G, 5-9

Alexis Woods, Athens, Jr., F, 5-9

Second Team

Daisha Bradford, LeFlore, Jr., G, 5-7

Cierria Cunningham, Hillcrest-Tuscaloosa, Jr., G, 5-9

Michaella Edwards, Chelsea, So., G-F, 5-8

Caitlin Hose, Hazel Green, Jr., G, 5-10

Kelsey Patterson, Southside-Gadsden, Sr., F, 5-9

Third Team

Mia Creech, Northview, Jr., F, 5-9

Courtney Lee, Ramsay, Sr., G, 5-8

Mary Denman Luker, Pell City, So., G, 5-7

Nykeia McElrath, Fort Payne, Sr., F, 5-8

Adasia Rudolph, Carver-Montgomery, Sr., G, 5-6

Honorable Mention

Breanna Harris, Blount, Jr., F-C, 6-1

Shyan Flack, Brewer, Jr., F, 5-11

Coach of the Year

Steven Sims, Hillcrest-Tuscaloosa

Class 5A Girls

First Team

Jirah Ards, Eufaula, Sr., G, 5-7

Maori Davenport, Charles Henderson, So., C, 6-4

Alexus Dye, Wenonah, Sr., F, 6-0

Bianca Jackson, Brewbaker Tech, Sr., G, 5-11

Unique Thompson, Faith Academy, Sr., C-F, 6-2

Second Team

Camille Buckhanon, Talladega, Jr., C, 6-2

Tierra Dark, Sylacauga, Sr., G, 5-8

Khyli Rankins, Faith Academy, Sr., G, 5-4

Faith Reynolds, Wenonah, Jr., G, 5-8

Lauren Watson, Arab, Jr., G, 5-9

Third Team

Amaz Carmichael, Lincoln, Jr., C, 6-2

Rachel Johnson, Eufaula, Jr., F, 5-8

Tiara McLeod, Carroll, Jr., F, 6-0

Jayla Morrow, Wenonah, Sr., G, 5-7

Shunterius Stephens, Central-Tuscaloosa, Sr., C, 5-8

Honorable Mention

Gabby Johnson, Talladega, Sr., G, 5-3

Niaira Jones, Charles Henderson, Fr., G, 5-7

Taylor Ann Yeager, Fairview, Jr., G, 5-4

Coach of the Year

Emanuel Bell, Wenonah

Class 4A Girls

First Team

Miajah Bullock, Anniston, Sr., G, 5-9

Elexis Evans, Greensboro, Sr., C, 6-3

Queen Ford, Sipsey Valley, Sr., F-C, 6-3

Destinee McGhee, Madison Academy, Fr., C, 6-2

Karleigh Sledge, Deshler, Jr., C, 6-1

Second Team

Tangie Crews, Hale Co., Sr., G, 5-2

Kendall Johnson, Hokes Bluff, Sr., C, 6-0

Jaden Langford, Madison Academy, Fr., G, 5-8

Nicole Shirley, Deshler, Sr., G, 5-8

Iyana Tate, Catholic-Montgomery, Sr., C, 6-0

Third Team

Taylor Aikerson, Deshler, Jr., G, 5-8

Micala Fisanick, St. James, Jr., G, 5-8

Taylor Jennings, Madison Co., Sr., G, 5-6

Kathleen Wheeler, Priceville, So., G, 5-10

Kyra Williams, Jacksonville, Jr., G, 5-8

Honorable Mention

Caroline Bachus, West Limestone, 7th, F, 6-1

Coach of the Year

Jason Shields, Hokes Bluff

Class 3A Girls

First Team

Ashlyn Adkins, Locust Fork, Sr., G, 5-7

Allie Craig Cruce, Lauderdale Co., Jr., F, 6-1

Darby Hamm, J.B. Pennington, Sr., F, 6-0

Annie Hughes, Pisgah, So., G-F, 5-10

Lauryn Lilly, Montevallo, Jr., F, 5-7

Second Team

Vanessa Carter, Walter Wellborn, So., G, 5-5

Kimberly Horton, Locust Fork, Sr., G, 5-5

Chelsea Leach, Colbert Co., Jr., C, 5-11

Jemeriah Moore, Midfield, Fr., G, 5/9

Anna Kate Segars, East Lawrence, Jr., F, 5-9

Third Team

Jade Brooks, Montgomery Academy, Sr., G, 5-8

Channing Gafford, Lauderdale Co., Sr., G, 5-9

Kinsley Hanback, Lexington, Jr., F, 5-10

Aleecea Harris, Daleville, Sr., C, 6-0

Daniya Jordan, Midfield, So., G, 5-3

Honorable Mention

Avery Nance, Geneva, Jr., F, 5-11

Kayla White, Montgomery Academy, Sr., G-F, 5-8

Coach of the Year

Barbara Roy, Locust Fork

Class 2A Girls

First Team

Alexa Boutwell, Geneva Co., Sr., G, 5-6

Ataiya Bridges, Lanett, Sr., G, 5-5

Kirstin Brown, Tanner, Sr., F, 5-10

Darby Madden, Red Bay, Sr., F, 5-10

Jesse Ralston, Ranburne, Jr., G-F, 5-7

Second Team

LaTora Duff, Samson, Jr., G, 5-7

Brooklyn Dutton, Fyffe, Sr., C, 6-1

Ty’’Quajah Griffin, Goshen, So., G, 5-6

Nakia Kincey, Abbeville, Sr., G, 5-5

Emme Willoughby, Cold Springs, Sr., G, 5-10

Third Team

Patiniqia Collins, R.C. Hatch, Jr., G-F, 5-8

LaTascya Duff, Samson, Jr., G, 5-7

TaMyya Hilliard, Geneva Co., Jr., F-C, 6-1

Allie Kennedy, Red Bay, Sr., G, 5-9

Shatavia Moore, Keith, Jr., G, 5-8

Honorable Mention

Jasmine Pitts, LaFayette, Jr., G, 5-7

Camryn Crider, Cold Springs, So., G, 5-4

Coach of the Year

Karrie Striplin, Geneva Co.

Class 1A Girls

First Team

River Baldwin, Pleasant Home, So., F, 6-5

KeeUndria Bolden, R.A. Hubbard, So., C, 6-0

Kaitlin Hill, Loachapoka, So., G, 5-7

Amber Richardson, Linden, Jr., F-C, 5-8

Tiyonna Rogers, Spring Garden, Jr., C, 5-11

Second Team

A’Nautica Bibbs, R.A. Hubbard, So., G, 5-6

Aniya Burroughs, Winterboro, Sr., F, 5-10

Savannah Dempsey, Spring Garden, Sr., G, 5-6

Abby Hester, Vina, Sr., G, 5-1

Ayana Tyree, Holy Spirit, Sr., G, 5-2

Third Team

Tomysha Boykin, Linden, Sr., G, 5-3

Paula Camp, Hackleburg, Sr., F, 5-10

Claire Davidson, Coosa Christian, So., G, 5-8

Mya Riley, Georgiana, Sr., G, 5-8

Desiree Tyner, Loachapoka, Sr., F, 5-11

Honorable Mention

J’Mya Hall, Marengo, Fr., G, 5-7

Olivia Jones, Brantley, So., G, 5-7

Maison Evans, Addison, Sr., G, 5-5

Morgan White, Westminster-Oak Mountain, Fr., G, 5-8

Coach of the Year

Candace Byrd, R.A. Hubbard

AISA Girls

First Team

Tyler Armistead, Patrician, Sr., F, 5-9

Tazsa Garrett-Hammett, Springwood, Sr., G, 5-11

Quan Holton, Glenwood, Jr., G, 5-8

LaDajia Jones, Glenwood, Sr., G, 5-9

Claudia Tucker, Lee-Scott, Sr., G, 5-10

Second Team

Lucy Bates, Fort Dale Academy, Jr., F, 6-3

Audrey Crowe, Glenwood, Sr., F, 6-0

Madisyn Kennedy, Macon-East, So., G-F, 5-10

Lauren Johnson, Pike Liberal Arts, Sr., G-F, 5-9

Margaret Rhodes, Eastwood, Sr., F-C, 5-11

Third Team

Shelby Wood, Abbeville Christian, Sr., C, 5-9

Abby Ray, Lowndes Academy, Sr., G, 5-8

Kelsey Curry, Tuscaloosa Academy, So., G-F, 5-10

Faith Copeland, South Choctaw Academy, So., C, 6-1

Sydney Sessions, Wilcox Academy, Sr., C, 6-0

Honorable Mention

Joiner Hughes, Lakeside, So., G, 5-5

Chloe Johnson, Tuscaloosa Academy, 7th, G, 5-8

Anna Blake Langford, Fort Dale Academy, So., G, 5-6

Kacy Noland, Pickens Academy, Sr., G, 5-7

Coach of the Year

Corye Ivatt, Lee-Scott