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.

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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