PREP BASKETBALL: East Limestone’s Cain named Class 5A Player of the Year finalist
Published 5:00 am Wednesday, March 19, 2025
Zak Cain’s run of superb performances caught the eye of the Alabama Sports Writers Association, which announced Wednesday the East Limestone senior as a Class 5A Player of the Year finalist.
Cain, who averaged 18.2 points, 7.8 rebounds and 4.1 assists per game this past season, helped lead the Indians to the Sweet 16 en route to securing first-team All-State honors.
As a finalist, Cain earned an invitation 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.
See below for Player of the Year finalists for all classifications.
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
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