The Times' All-Area Boys Basketball Second Team.

There’s something to be said about greatness.

It doesn’t, as most know, just happen. Nor does it come easily for those striving to achieve it.

No, greatness is an attribute chased by many and reached by a select few.

Consider Cole Maddox a member of the latter group.

The Good Hope senior standout put up incredible numbers this past season, guiding the Raiders to impressive heights while providing one terrific performance after another en route to becoming the program’s all-time leading scorer with 1,821 career points.

Maddox also averaged 22.6 points, 8.5 rebounds and 3.0 assists per game, helping Good Hope capture its second straight Cullman County Tournament crown and advance to the Sweet 16 for the first time since 2008 — tying the school record for single-season wins (26) in the process.

He also registered 95 steals and 28 blocks, netted 30 or more points eight different times, landed a spot on the Class 4A Northeast Regional All-Tournament Team and earned All-State accolades — Maddox was a second-team selection — for the third consecutive campaign.

Sometimes, choices are rather easy.

Maddox is The Times’ 2019-20 All-Area boys Player of the Year.

And that comes as no surprise to Good Hope coach Drew Adams, who over the past few years has watched Maddox transform himself — through a relentless drive and unmatched work ethic — into one of the best players Cullman County has seen in recent memory.

“The majority of really, really good players … they are obsessed with getting better,” Adams said. “And Cole was always obsessed with getting better. He was always a gym rat, but that grew more and more the older he got. He fell in love with the weight room, because he saw results and how it made him better. He was obsessed with greatness. You can just look at his numbers. What our team was able to accomplish this season — Cole was a big reason for that.”

But what stood out most to Adams came during the Raiders’ sub-regional matchup against DAR.

The Patriots ended Good Hope’s 2018-19 campaign in heartbreaking fashion, but the two teams found themselves in the same position a year later.

Adams’ squad won the rematch 84-76, but the score doesn’t tell the whole story.

“Obviously, the loss to DAR was a heartbreaker,” the coach said. “And Cole happened to miss a pair of free throws late in that game, and he never really forgave himself. The team did, and I did, but he didn’t. And he had that chip on his shoulder this entire season. He kept reminding himself this year would be different. And it was. He was unstoppable that night. He had an edge, and he wasn’t going to allow us to lose that game. As a coach, that stuff gives you chill bumps.

“I think that game, that memory and how he followed through encapsulates his entire career.”

Maddox finished the outing with a career-high 40 points.

Here’s what some other area coaches had to say regarding Maddox:

“One of the best players we’ve faced the past couple of years. We didn’t have an answer for him. We couldn’t stop him. We couldn’t contain him getting to the rim. And I think that was the case for a lot of teams. He was a great player.” — Fairview’s David Martin

“With him, he’s got a lot of shake. He may not be the best 3-point shooter or the fastest guy, but he was the hardest player we played against to stop. We’d try to close gaps on him, but he’d give it up to guys who could hit 3’s. Unless you have a great athlete, you almost had to commit three players to defend him, especially in transition. It made him very tough. If you just commit one guy, he’ll go right by him.” — Cold Springs’ Tim Willoughby

Hanceville’s Stephen Chandler captured All-Area Coach of the Year accolades after leading the Bulldogs to their first Final Four appearance since 1999.

Chandler, who was also selected 3A boys Coach of the Year by the Alabama Sports Writers Association, captained a Purple and Gold group that won 18 games as well as the 3A Northeast Regional Tournament.

Holly Pond’s Kyler Chaney highlights the All-Area first team following a fantastic senior season with the Broncos. Joining him on the honorary squad is Cullman’s Jayden Sullins, Good Hope’s Drew Maddox, Hanceville’s Raiden Morgan and West Point’s Will Cochran.

Cullman’s Tucker Gambrill, Good Hope’s Michael Lowe, Hanceville’s Brodie Malcom, Vinemont’s Katch Johnson and West Point’s Kobe Bowers comprise this year’s second team.

The All-Area Team was handpicked by myself after going over the 2019-20 season and speaking with our local basketball coaches. However, with a limited number of spots available, it’s possible some deserving candidates were left out.

See below for The Times’ complete 2019-20 All-Area Boys Basketball Team.

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Player of the Year

Cole Maddox, Good Hope

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Coach of the Year

Stephen Chandler, Hanceville

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First Team

Jayden Sullins, Cullman

Drew Maddox, Good Hope

Raiden Morgan, Hanceville

Kyler Chaney, Holly Pond

Will Cochran, West Point

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Second Team

Tucker Gambrill, Cullman

Michael Lowe, Good Hope

Brodie Malcom, Hanceville

Katch Johnson, Vinemont

Kobe Bowers, West Point

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Honorable Mention

Addison: Eli Howse and Logan Wilkins

Cold Springs: Micah Calvert, Adam Hill and Brody Peppers

Cullman: Noah Bussman, Max Gambrill and Kaleb Heatherly

Fairview: Austin Jackson, Dow Nichols and Austin Turner

Good Hope: Tanner Malin and Eli Phares

Hanceville: Tyson Bellmon, Zach Campbell and Cainon Moore

Holly Pond: Jordan Allbright and Levi Boatright

St. Bernard: Caleb Guthery and John Christian Rose

Vinemont: Jordan Hall and Collin Teichmiller

West Point: Aubry Cleghorn and Tyler White