To label Ava McSwain modest might not do the term justice.

The low-key senior often let her stellar play on the basketball court speak for itself throughout her accomplished career, going about her business in a reserved, yet effective, manner.

When McSwain chose to make her voice heard, those words typically encouraged teammates or uplifted a younger generation that could do far worse than follow in the footsteps of a humble heart.

In fact, if not for her overstuffed résumé, one might not know how superb McSwain could be.

However, the Alabama Sports Writers Association had no such issues reaching that conclusion.

McSwain was named the Class 4A Girls Player of the Year at Thursday’s annual ASWA banquet ceremony in Montgomery, edging New Hope’s Kaylee Yarbrough and Trinity’s Maddie Smith for the prestigious award and becoming the second straight Raider — joining former teammate Ivey Maddox — to earn the honor.

And while her God-given talent may have put her in a position to shine, McSwain credited others for allowing her reach her true potential.

“This means a lot to me, but I want to give all thanks to my family, coaches and teammates,” McSwain said. “Without them, I wouldn’t be here, so it’s as much theirs as it is mine. Their faith in me throughout the season helped me to where I am today.”

Considering McSwain’s impactful season, her recognition was well-deserved.

The UAH signee averaged 18.9 points, 6.6 rebounds and 2.5 assists per contest for Good Hope, helping the Raiders notch 28 wins, collect area, regional and county titles, and reach back-to-back state championship games.

Additionally, she took home All-Regional (MVP) and All-State tournament team accolades, picked up first-team honors on the 4A All-State team for the second consecutive year and represented her state in the Alabama-Mississippi All-Star Classic in March.

McSwain registered 2,529 points for her career, making her the second-highest scorer in Cullman County history, just behind Maddox’s mark of 2,792. She was also named The Times’ All-Area Girls Player of the Year and received the Bill Shelton Award.

Not too shabby.

Good Hope coach Justin Aby had a front-row seat to McSwain’s effortless play the past two seasons — and he couldn’t be happier with her accolades.

“Ava is more than deserving of this award,” he said. “She’s accomplished just about everything a high school athlete can — MVP of multiple regional tournaments, MVP of the North-South All-Star game, a state champion. The list goes on and on. It’s only fitting she’s recognized as the Class 4A Player of the Year. She’s been a true leader for us and is an outstanding young woman on and off the court. She will be deeply missed at Good Hope.”

McSwain, meanwhile, could only reflect on the wonderful memories crafted along the journey.

And though she and the Raiders won the ultimate prize in a state title in 2024, the mild-mannered McSwain will ultimately look back on much more than what transpired on the court.

“I’m really going to miss all of this,” she said. “My teammates are some of the best friends I’ll have forever. Moving to Good Hope two years was probably the best move I could have made — not just for basketball but for the friendships and memories we made.”

Cold Springs’ Ella Dickerson, meanwhile, was a finalist for Class 2A Girls Player of the Year, which was awarded to Pisgah’s Campbell Barron.

Dickerson averaged 17.3 points, 5.1 rebounds and 1.8 assists for the Eagles this past season, who advanced the Elite Eight. The junior standout also earned first-team All-State honors for a third straight year.

Spring Garden’s Ace Austin and Hoover’s DeWayne Brown were named Miss and Mr. Basketball, respectively.

See Players of the Year from each classification as well as Super-All State selections below.

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SUPER ALL-STATE

(top 5 players regardless of classification)

Girls

Ace Austin, Spring Garden (Miss Basketball)

Saniya Jackson, Park Crossing

Lani Smallwood, Albertville

Belle Hill, Mars Hill Bible

Shila Marks, Lauderdale Co.

 

Boys

DeWayne Brown, Hoover (Mr. Basketball)

J.D. Gossett, Huntsville

Salim London, Hoover

Jacoby Hill, Central-Phenix City

Austin Coner, Pinson Valley

 

GIRLS PLAYERS OF THE YEAR

7A: Lani Smallwood, Albertville

6A: Saniya Jackson, Park Crossing

5A: Samarian Franklin, Wenonah

4A: Ava McSwain, Good Hope

3A: Belle Hill, Mars Hill Bible

2A: Campbell Barron, Pisgah

1A: Ace Austin, Spring Garden

AISA: Shalexia Little, Springwood

 

BOYS PLAYERS OF THE YEAR

7A: DeWayne Brown, Hoover

6A: Austin Coner, Pinson Valley

5A: EJ King, Russellville

4A: Milton Jones Jr., Fairfield

3A: Skyler Stovall, Montgomery Academy

2A: Danilo Stojakovic, Tuscaloosa Academy

1A: Jayden Parks, Brantley

AISA: Deshawn Hall, Valiant Cross