Brooke Blakely balled out for Athens Bible this past season. So, too, did Kaley McEwen for Clements.

Just look at the numbers.

Blakely did a bit of everything for the Trojans, averaging 17.7 points, 6 steals, 5.6 rebounds and 3 assists per clash en route to becoming the program’s all-time leading scorer with 1,524 points.

McEwen, meanwhile, was just as productive for the Colts, averaging 14 points, 7.5 rebounds and 3.1 assists per game and helping her team capture its third consecutive county championship.

Both seniors capped their excellent careers with All-State third-team honors in their respective classifications.

Now, they’re sharing The News Courier’s All-Area girls Player of the Year award.

“It has been a pleasure to watch Brooke play basketball,” Athens Bible coach Cory McElyea said. “She’s always played with such tenacity and discipline — you never had to worry whether she was going to bring the effort or not. She always gave us 100 percent, even on nights she may not have been feeling 100 percent. Brooke was a leader on the floor and always supportive of her teammates, no matter what grade or skill level they may have been. It truly was a pleasure to coach her.”

“Kaley is one of the most mature, coachable kids I’ve ever had,” Clements coach Brad Newton said. “She is a great practice player and a really hard worker in every aspect. Off the court, she was great with our younger kids and was very active helping with our middle school team. We were very fortunate to have the opportunity to coach her and look forward to watching her be successful in college and beyond.”

East Limestone’s Jessica Thompson took home Coach of the Year honors after guiding the Indians to 21 wins — the program’s most since 2019-20 — with a roster consisting of zero seniors and a starting five comprised of three freshmen, a sophomore and an eighth-grader.

The All-Area team was selected after accessing the 2024-25 season and speaking with local coaches. However, with a small number of spots available, it’s possible some deserving candidates were left out.

See below for The News Courier’s All-Area girls basketball team, including honorable mentions.

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Players of the Year

Brooke Blakely, Athens Bible

Kaley McEwen, Clements

 

Coach of the Year

Jessica Thompson, East Limestone

 

All-Area Team

Lexi Gray, Ardmore

Brooklyn Anderson, Athens

Asiah Malone, Clements

Kate Hovis, East Limestone

Ava Tillery, East Limestone

McKenzie Doner, Elkmont

Raelee Campbell, West Limestone

 

Honorable Mention

Alaina Grace King, Ardmore

Kinley Hargrove, Athens

Kaylee Carter, Athens Bible

Keymoni Holloway, Clements

Aria Cain, East Limestone

Ester Marcial, Elkmont

Aubrey Oliver, Tanner

Ella Yarbrough, West Limestone