Not only are Cold Springs’ Ella Dickerson and Good Hope’s Ava McSwain two of Cullman County’s best, but they’re also now two of the state’s best.

Both Dickerson (Class 2A) and McSwain (Class 4A) were selected as Player of the Year finalists by the Alabama Sports Writers Association on Wednesday, just a few days after each took home first-team All-State honors.

As finalists, they received invitations to the ASWA’s annual basketball awards banquet set for Thursday, April 17, at the Montgomery Renaissance. Players of the Year for all seven classifications — as well as the AISA — will be announced at the banquet, as will Super All-State teams and Mr. and Miss Basketball.

Dickerson averaged 17.3 points, 5.1 rebounds and 1.8 assists for the Eagles, who reached the Elite Eight. The junior standout, who netted first-team All-State honors for a third straight season, also collected All-Regional accolades.

McSwain, meanwhile, averaged 18.9 points, 6.6 rebounds and 2.5 assists for the Raiders, who advanced to the state championship game for a second straight year. The talented senior and UAH signee also secured All-Regional (MVP) and All-State Tournament team honors and recently competed in the Alabama-Mississippi All-Star Classic.

The Bill Shelton Award winner capped a tremendous prep career with 2,529 points and a second consecutive first-team All-State selection.

McSwain’s former teammate, Ivey Maddox, was named Class 4A Player of the Year last season after leading Good Hope to a state championship.

See below for Player of the Year finalists for all classifications.

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CLASS 7A GIRLS

Sarah Gordon, Vestavia Hills

Jabria Lindsey, Central-Phenix City

Lani Smallwood, Albertville

 

CLASS 6A GIRLS

Saniya Jackson, Park Crossing

Kristen Johnson, Hazel Green

Haley Trotter, Chelsea

 

CLASS 5A GIRLS

Jamonica Chambers, Vigor

Leah Childress, Priceville

Samarian Franklin, Wenonah

 

CLASS 4A GIRLS

Ava McSwain, Good Hope

Maddie Smith, Trinity

Kaylee Yarbrough, New Hope

 

CLASS 3A GIRLS

Natalie Barton, St. James

Belle Hill, Mars Hill Bible

Shila Marks, Lauderdale Co.

 

CLASS 2A GIRLS

Campbell Barron, Pisgah

Ella Dickerson, Cold Springs

Leslie Hames, Decatur Heritage

 

CLASS 1A GIRLS

Ace Austin, Spring Garden

Sarah Davis, Shoals Christian

Hadlee Sanderson, Brilliant

 

AISA GIRLS

Diamond Chankio, North River

Shalexia Little, Springwood

Lexie Smith, Edgewood

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CLASS 7A BOYS

DeWayne Brown, Hoover

J.D. Gossett, Huntsville

Jacoby Hill, Central-Phenix City

 

CLASS 6A BOYS

Jaylen Alexander, Oxford

Devin Barksdale, Gadsden City

Austin Coner, Pinson Valley

 

CLASS 5A BOYS

Zak Cain, East Limestone

EJ King, Russellville

Jayden Williams, Ramsay

 

CLASS 4A BOYS

Keeyun Chapman, Jackson

Milton Jones Jr., Fairfield

Junior Smith, Dale Co.

 

CLASS 3A BOYS

Emmanuel Clarton, Sumter Central

Eli Pounders, Mars Hill Bible

Skyler Stovall, Montgomery Academy

 

CLASS 2A BOYS

Pearce Boone, Providence Christian

Mica Merriman, Gaston

Danilo Stojakovic, Tuscaloosa Academy

 

CLASS 1A BOYS

Jayden Parks, Brantley

Isiah Thomas, R.C. Hatch

John Welsh, Spring Garden

 

AISA BOYS

Nolan Cole, Hooper

Deshawn Hall, Valiant Cross

Tylon Shine, Evangel-Montgomery