ALL-STATE BASKETBALL: East Limestone’s Cain headlines local picks with 1st-team honors; Four other standouts recognized by ASWA
Published 5:00 am Saturday, March 15, 2025
East Limestone’s Zak Cain picked up first-team honors to cap an outstanding prep career when the Alabama Sports Writers Association released this year’s All-State basketball teams on Saturday.
The senior was one of five standouts in The News Courier’s coverage area to secure ASWA recognition following the 2024-25 season, joining Tanner’s Elyjah Jones, Clements’ Kaley McEwen, Athen Bible’s Noah Hester and Athens Bible’s Brooke Blakely.
The All-State basketball teams are handpicked by the ASWA’s prep committee, which chooses from a list of deserving — and nominated — athletes spanning seven classifications across the Alabama High School Athletic Association (AHSAA) and of which The News Courier is a voting member.
The Alabama Independent School Association (AISA) is also part of the selection process.
Player of the Year finalists from each classification will be announced next week.
See below for capsules of local players spotlighted by the ASWA and the complete All-State teams.
VARSITY BOYS
Name: Zak Cain
School: East Limestone
Class: Senior
All-State Status: Class 5A First Team
Highlights: Averaged 18.2 points, 7.8 rebounds and 4.1 assists per game … Had 72 steals and 10 blocks … Helped Indians reach Sweet 16.
Name: Elyjah Jones
School: Tanner
Class: Senior
All-State Status: Class 2A Second Team
Highlights: Averaged 14.8 points, 8.3 rebounds and 1.4 assists per game … Had 48 steals and 12 blocks … Helped Rattlers reach Elite Eight.
Name: Noah Hester
School: Athens Bible
Class: Senior
All-State Status: Class 1A Honorable Mention
Highlights: Averaged 14.4 points, 9.0 rebounds and 1.5 assists per game … Had 26 steals and 14 blocks … Helped Trojans reach Sweet 16 for the first time since 1997.
VARSITY GIRLS
Name: Brooke Blakely
School: Athens Bible
Class: Senior
All-State Status: Class 1A Third Team
Highlights: Averaged 17.7 points, 5.6 rebounds and 3.0 assists per game … Had 137 steals and five blocks … Program’s all-time leading scorer with 1,524 career points.
Name: Kaley McEwen
School: Clements
Class: Senior
All-State Status: Class 3A Third Team
Highlights: Averaged 14.0 points, 7.5 rebounds and 3.1 assists per game … Had 60 steals and 49 blocks … Helped Colts win third straight county title.
CLASS 7A GIRLS
FIRST-TEAM ALL-STATE
Aaliyah Blanchard, Hoover, Jr., G, 5-11
Sarah Gordon, Vestavia Hills, Sr., G, 5-11
Jabria Lindsey, Central-Phenix City, Jr., G, 5-9
Blakeley Nixon, Hillcrest-Tuscaloosa, Jr., G, 5-8
Lani Smallwood, Albertville, Jr., G, 5-8
SECOND-TEAM ALL-STATE
Jareah Branch, Hillcrest-Tuscaloosa, Sr., G, 6-1
Kaitlyn Gipson, Hoover, Sr., G, 5-5
Abby J. Johnson, Daphne, Jr., G, 5-5
Elise McClain, Bob Jones, Jr., G, 5-10
Braylee Winfrey, Auburn, Jr., G, 5-10
THIRD-TEAM ALL-STATE
Mylie Butler, Albertville, So., G, 5-7
Madi-Marie Grayson, Alma Bryant, Jr., G, 5-6
Brooke Hallman, Auburn, Sr., G, 5-9
Abby Grace Johnson, Huntsville, Sr., F, 5-9
Keiyonla Knight, Foley, Sr., G, 5-6
HONORABLE MENTION
Ashlyn Howard, Hewitt-Trussville, Sr., C, 6-2
Ja’Kyah Smith, Bob Jones, Jr., G, 5-9
Jayla West-Young, Prattville, Sr., G, 5-7
Kristen Winston, Hoover, 8th, G, 5-10
COACH OF THE YEAR
Natasha Smallwood, Albertville
CLASS 7A BOYS
FIRST-TEAM ALL-STATE
DeWayne Brown, Hoover, Sr., C, 6-9
J.D. Gossett, Huntsville, Sr., G, 6-5
Jacoby Hill, Central-Phenix City, Sr., G, 6-4
Bryant James, Florence, Sr., G, 6-2
Salim London, Hoover, Sr., G, 6-5
SECOND-TEAM ALL-STATE
Jalen Chandler, Florence, Sr., F/C, 6-7
Jackson Gulley, Fairhope, Jr., F, 6-7
Kaden Rickard, Bob Jones, Sr., G, 6-6
Caiden Ricks, Austin, Jr., F, 6-7
Brayden Rivers, Huntsville, Sr., G/F, 6-7
THIRD-TEAM ALL-STATE
Osa Alohan, Hillcrest-Tuscaloosa, Sr., G, 6-0
Adam Barksdale, Vestavia Hills, Sr., G, 6-5
Dejiah Coleman, Dothan, Jr., G, 6-5
Antwane Daniels, Auburn, Jr., F, 6-5
Jarett Fairley, Hoover, Sr., G, 6-2
HONORABLE MENTION
Javion Dailey, Daphne, Sr., G, 6-1
Tucker Wadsworth, Enterprise, Jr., G, 6-5
Simon Walker, Huntsville, Sr., G, 6-5
Desmond Williams, Baker, Sr., G, 6-2
COACH OF THE YEAR
Dylan Burleson, Florence
CLASS 6A GIRLS
FIRST-TEAM ALL-STATE
Hannah Burks, Hartselle, So., G, 5-10
Saniya Jackson, Park Crossing, Sr., G, 5-9
Kristen Johnson, Hazel Green, Jr., G, 5-8
Tiauna King, Pelham, Jr., G, 5-7
Haley Trotter, Chelsea, Sr., F, 6-0
SECOND-TEAM ALL-STATE
Layla Berry, Gardendale, So., G, 5-10
Zimri Craig, Fort Payne, So., G, 5-10
Ellis McCool, Homewood, Jr., F, 6-2
Maliyah Meeks, Park Crossing, Jr., C, 6-2
Maddie Walter, Mountain Brook, So., F, 6-1
THIRD-TEAM ALL-STATE
Adrienne Hunt, Paul Bryant, Jr., G, 6-1
Mackenzie Sears, Muscle Shoals, Jr., G, 5-9
Taniya Smith, McAdory, Jr., G, 5-6
Ava Thomas, Oxford, So., G, 5-10
Kam Wright, McGill-Toolen, So., G, 5-9
HONORABLE MENTION
Isia Anderson, Benjamin Russell, Sr., G, 5-6
Brett Douglas, Hazel Green, Sr., F, 6-0
Zoey Little, Shades Valley, Jr., G, 5-11
Molly Wilson, Cullman, So., F, 6-1
COACH OF THE YEAR
Jason Harlow, Chelsea
CLASS 6A BOYS
FIRST-TEAM ALL-STATE
Jaylen Alexander, Oxford, Jr., G, 6-0
Devin Barksdale, Gadsden City, Sr., G, 6-1
Austin Coner, Pinson Valley, Sr., G, 6-0
Jacobe Whitted, McAdory, Sr., F, 6-7
Peyton Wiggins, Huffman, Sr., G, 6-2
SECOND-TEAM ALL-STATE
King Larkin, Paul Bryant, Sr., F, 6-4
Devon McKinnon, Clay-Chalkville, Sr., G, 6-5
Aiden Owens, Chelsea, Sr., F, 6-4
Braylon Patton, Hueytown, Sr., G, 6-1
Jakobi Sharp, Gadsden City, Jr., G, 6-3
THIRD-TEAM ALL-STATE
Tanner Chandler, Mortimer Jordan, Sr., F, 6-3
Jake Dorough, Cullman, Sr., G, 6-2
Lucca Nelson, Spanish Fort, Sr., G, 6-0
Ethan Stokes, McGill-Toolen, Sr., F, 6-7
Anderson Wilkin, Northridge, Sr., G, 6-2
HONORABLE MENTION
Da’Karion Bryant, Jemison-Huntsville, Sr., G, 6-6
Kaleb Carson, Homewood, Jr., G, 6-0
Houston Cunningham, Theodore, Sr., G, 6-1
Ty Odom, Hartselle, Sr., G, 6-1
COACH OF THE YEAR
Darrell Barber, Pinson Valley
CLASS 5A GIRLS
FIRST-TEAM ALL-STATE
Jamonica Chambers, Vigor, Jr., C, 6-4
Leah Childress, Priceville, Sr., G, 5-8
Samarian Franklin, Wenonah, Sr., G, 5-2
Camilyah Rowe, Ramsay, So., F, 5-10
Bree Sexton, Scottsboro, Sr., F, 5-10
SECOND-TEAM ALL-STATE
Bennett Boulo, St. Paul’s, Jr., G, 5-10
Kenna’D Buie, Shelby Co., 7th, G/F, 5-7
NuNu Jernigan, Marbury, Sr., G, 5-7
Kennedi McGhee, Brewbaker Tech, Sr., C, 6-1
Izzy Nelson, Scottsboro, So., F, 6-0
THIRD-TEAM ALL-STATE
Jaelyn Faulkner, West Point, Jr., G, 5-5
Emma Kerley, Briarwood, Jr., F, 6-0
Kamryn Knowles, Northside, Fr., G, 5-7
Ellie Mostellar, UMS-Wright, Sr., G, 5-9
Nayla Wesley, Ramsay, Sr., F, 5-9
HONORABLE MENTION
Ella Copeland, Russellville, So., G, 5-9
Alexis Phillips, Jacksonville, Sr., G, 5-7
Laklin Shadix, West Point, So., F, 5-11
Emily Williams, John Carroll, Jr., F, 6-1
COACH OF THE YEAR
Andrea Powell, Vigor
CLASS 5A BOYS
FIRST-TEAM ALL-STATE
Zak Cain, East Limestone, Sr., G, 6-3
Brendon Davis, Wenonah, So., G, 6-4
Aslan Jones, Vigor, Sr., F, 6-2
EJ King, Russellville, Sr., G, 6-2
Jayden Williams, Ramsay, Sr., G, 6-6
SECOND-TEAM ALL-STATE
Braylon Dame, Lawrence Co., Sr., G, 6-3
Kobe Johnson, St. Paul’s, Jr., F, 6-5
Jake Jones, Scottsboro, Sr., G, 6-2
Drew Mears, Briarwood, Jr., G, 5-9
CJ Scott, Guntersville, Sr., G, 6-4
THIRD-TEAM ALL-STATE
Kameron Christian, Charles Henderson, Sr., G, 5-10
Corien Coleman, Williamson, Jr., G, 6-4
Michael Culver, Carroll-Ozark, So., G, 6-3
Jay Green, Ramsay, Jr., G, 6-1
Jay Lamar, West Point, Sr., G, 5-10
HONORABLE MENTION
Dee Cutts, Montevallo, Sr., F, 6-4
Jackson Dunn, Brewer, Sr., F, 6-2
Dimitri Howard, Carver-Birmingham, Sr., G, 5-10
Tucker Hyatt, Hayden, Jr., G, 6-7
COACH OF THE YEAR
Matthew Crowe, Brewer
CLASS 4A GIRLS
FIRST-TEAM ALL-STATE
Reece Davis, Deshler, So., G, 5-7
Sawyer Kate Hulgan, Plainview, So., G, 5-9
Ava McSwain, Good Hope, Sr., G, 5-10
Maddie Smith, Trinity, Sr., G, 5-8
Kaylee Yarbrough, New Hope, Sr., G, 5-9
SECOND-TEAM ALL-STATE
Lauren Jimmerson, Plainview, Sr., G, 5-10
Jenna McClendon, Prattville Christian, Sr., C, 6-4
Francie Morris, Trinity, Sr., G, 5-8
Emily Mouser, Madison Academy, Sr., G, 5-6
Hannah Smith, Catholic-Montgomery, Jr., F, 6-0
THIRD-TEAM ALL-STATE
Kayden Carr, Prattville Christian, So., G, 5-10
Samantha Kokoszka, St. Michael, Jr., G, 5-11
Mya Moskowitz, Trinity, Sr., F, 5-10
Bella Reese, Dora, Jr., G, 5-9
Jaslyn Smith, Dale Co., So., F, 6-0
HONORABLE MENTION
Ellisan Givens, Cherokee Co., Jr., G, 5-7
Keyarria Stokes, Pleasant Grove, Sr., F, 5-11
Brooklynn Tucker, Madison Academy, Sr., G, 5-8
Kaden Ward, Geneva, Sr., F, 5-10
COACH OF THE YEAR
Krista Baldwin, Madison Academy
CLASS 4A BOYS
FIRST-TEAM ALL-STATE
Keeyun Chapman, Jackson, Jr., C, 6-5
Milton Jones Jr., Fairfield, Jr., F, 6-6
Tucker Malin, Good Hope, Sr., G, 6-3
Quendavion McDowell, Alexandria, Sr., F, 6-2
Junior Smith, Dale Co., Jr., F, 6-6
SECOND-TEAM ALL-STATE
Caleb Ackles, Anniston, Sr., F, 6-3
Grant Enfinger, Randolph, Jr., G, 6-4
RJ Gourley, Brooks, Sr., F, 6-3
Landon Henderson, West Morgan, So., G, 6-0
Sawyer Wilborn, Plainview, Jr., G, 6-0
THIRD-TEAM ALL-STATE
Cleo Bolar IV, Escambia Co., Jr., G, 6-0
John Morris, Trinity, Sr., F, 6-4
Joseph Taylor, Jackson, Jr., G, 6-3
Cy Traylor, Plainview, Jr., G, 5-8
Demarcus Williams, Fairfield, Sr., G, 6-0
HONORABLE MENTION
Kel Battle, Hamilton, Sr., G, 6-1
Andrew Dudley, New Hope, Sr., F, 6-4
Reid Jacoway, Cherokee Co., Sr., G, 6-0
Elijah Stegall, Handley, Fr., G, 6-0
COACH OF THE YEAR
Rusty Murks, Brooks
CLASS 3A GIRLS
FIRST-TEAM ALL-STATE
Natalie Barton, St. James, So., G, 5-8
Belle Hill, Mars Hill Bible, Fr., G/F, 6-1
Shila Marks, Lauderdale Co., Sr., G, 5-9
Morgan Lilly, St. James, 8th, G, 5-7
Kamiya Webb, Midfield, So., C, 6-2
SECOND-TEAM ALL-STATE
Meg Fountain, T.R. Miller, Sr., G, 5-5
Lailah Hill, Hale Co., Sr., G, 5-8
Kennah Beth Lacy, Winfield, Sr., C, 6-0
Kinlee Montgomery, Glencoe, So., G, 5-6
Reagan Robinson, Vinemont, Jr., G, 5-6
THIRD-TEAM ALL-STATE
Clarke Ivatt, Lee-Scott, Fr., G, 5-10
Hadley Kelly, Mobile Christian, So., C, 6-1
Kaley McEwen, Clements, Sr., F, 6-0
Mary Helen Mendheim, Houston Academy, Sr., G, 5-9
Ava Thomas, Holly Pond, Jr., G, 5-9
HONORABLE MENTION
Sania Angel, Saks, Jr., G, 5-7
Savannah Bookout, Whitesburg Christian, Fr., C, 6-2
Dana Cool, Northside Methodist, Sr., F, 5-4
TyKasia Williams, Beulah, Sr., G, 5-11
COACH OF THE YEAR
Carla Clemons, Lauderdale Co.
CLASS 3A BOYS
FIRST-TEAM ALL-STATE
Emmanuel Clarton, Sumter Central, Sr., G, 6-6
Braden Gordon, Montgomery Academy, So., G, 6-4
Kadyn Mitchell, Houston Academy, Sr., G, 6-1
Eli Pounders, Mars Hill Bible, Sr., G, 6-6
Skyler Stovall, Montgomery Academy, Sr., G, 6-4
SECOND-TEAM ALL-STATE
Armonie Franklin, Midfield, Sr., G, 5-11
Haiden Harper, Lee-Scott, Jr., G, 6-1
Gage Mayfield, Hale Co., Jr., F, 6-8
Garrett Morgan, Glencoe, Sr., G, 6-2
Grant Smith, Glencoe, So., F, 6-5
THIRD-TEAM ALL-STATE
Slate Gilbert, Winfield, Jr., G, 6-7
Jake Middlebrooks, Collinsville, Sr., C, 6-2
Rollie Pinto, Piedmont, Jr., G, 6-0
Kaden Ragland-Morris, Whitesburg Christian, So., F, 6-5
Blaq Taylor, Colbert Co., Fr., G, 5-11
HONORABLE MENTION
KeShawn Allen, Weaver, Sr., F, 6-3
Tyshawn Bowers, Wilcox Central, Sr., F, 6-5
Cooper Cox, Fyffe, Sr., G, 6-2
Gabe Glover, Houston Academy, Sr., G, 6-1
COACH OF THE YEAR
Ryan Chambless, Glencoe
CLASS 2A GIRLS
FIRST-TEAM ALL-STATE
Campbell Barron, Pisgah, Jr., G, 5-9
Ella Dickerson, Cold Springs, Jr., G, 5-10
Leslie Hames, Decatur Heritage, Sr., G, 5-11
Kayden Reyes, North Sand Mountain, Jr., G, 5-5
Ella Wheeler, Sulligent, Sr., G, 5-11
SECOND-TEAM ALL-STATE
Maddie Clanton, Sand Rock, So., G, 5-7
Lynleigh Cobb, Winston Co., Jr., F, 5-10
JaNya Foster, Highland Home, Sr., G, 5-8
Genie McGhee, Decatur Heritage, Sr., G, 5-9
Annabeth Townsend, Providence Christian, Sr., G, 5-4
THIRD-TEAM ALL-STATE
Keisha Anglin, Cottonwood, So., G, 5-6
Brylee Bailey, Ranburne, Sr., F, 6-1
Ny’Diqua Hardamon, Abbeville, Sr., G, 5-3
Kylie Vadon, Cedar Bluff, Jr., G, 5-5
MaKiah White, Lanett, Sr., F, 6-1
HONORABLE MENTION
Alyssa Freeman, Southeastern-Blount, Sr., G, 5-9
Ja’Kalynn McGinnis, Vincent, Sr., C, 5-11
Paisley Patalas, Pisgah, Jr., G, 5-7
Leah Pierce, Falkville, Fr., G, 5-7
COACH OF THE YEAR
Carey Ellison, Pisgah
CLASS 2A BOYS
FIRST-TEAM ALL-STATE
Brady Wilson, Decatur Heritage, Sr., F, 6-7
Mica Merriman, Gaston, Sr., G, 6-5
Luke Gilbert, Pisgah, Sr., F, 6-2
Pearce Boone, Providence Christian, Jr., F, 6-5
Danilo Stojakovic, Tuscaloosa Academy, Sr., F, 6-5
SECOND-TEAM ALL-STATE
Jordan Johnson, LaFayette, Sr., G, 6-1
Elyjah Jones, Tanner, Sr., F, 6-2
Khalil Luster, Red Bay, Fr., F, 6-7
Brodie Overdear, Section, Jr., G/F, 6-4
Luke Strickland, Providence Christian, Sr., G, 6-2
THIRD-TEAM ALL-STATE
Will Allen Chism, Sulligent, Sr., F, 6-5
Ellis Hamiter, Tuscaloosa Academy, Sr., G, 5-11
Quintavious Lloyd, LaFayette, Sr., G/F, 6-0
Lennox Myers, Barbour Co., Sr., C, 6-8
Tyde Traffanstedt, Sand Rock, So., G, 5-11
HONORABLE MENTION
Ahmod Billins, Abbeville, Jr., G, 6-2
Finn Henderson, Reeltown, Sr., G, 6-3
Braycen Johnson, Belgreen, Jr., G, 6-0
Jackson Mitchell, Pike Liberal Arts, Jr., G, 5-10
COACH OF THE YEAR
Luke Hutcheson, Tuscaloosa Academy
CLASS 1A GIRLS
FIRST-TEAM ALL-STATE
Ace Austin, Spring Garden, Sr., G, 5-8
Sarah Davis, Shoals Christian, Sr., G/F, 5-10
Chauncey Dixon, McIntosh, Sr., C, 6-2
Hadlee Sanderson, Brilliant, Jr., C, 5-11
A’lyric Whitfield, Elba, Sr., G, 5-8
SECOND-TEAM ALL-STATE
Sarah Allen, Waterloo, Sr., C, 5-10
Lillie Boggan, Georgiana, Sr., G, 5-6
Maggie Jarrett, Spring Garden, Sr., G/F, 5-8
Makinley Traylor, Ider, Jr., G, 5-4
Allyx Williamson, Kinston, So., F, 5-11
THIRD-TEAM ALL-STATE
Brooke Blakely, Athens Bible, Sr., G, 5-8
Katelyn Brown, Winterboro, Jr., G, 5-6
Ella Davis, St. Bernard, Fr., G, 5-8
Macy Moore, Brilliant, Sr., G, 5-11
Breoynce Myers, R.C. Hatch, Sr., C, 5-9
HONORABLE MENTION
Georgia Gardner, Hubbertville, Jr., G, 5-4
Amelia Haney, Victory Christian, Jr., G, 5-0
Myia Mount, Brantley, Sr., C, 5-11
Jordin Ware, Hackleburg, Jr., F, 5-10
COACH OF THE YEAR
Ryan Sanderson, Brilliant
CLASS 1A BOYS
FIRST-TEAM ALL-STATE
Nasir Cheatham, Georgiana, Sr., F/C, 6-4
Austin Germono, Oakwood Adventist, Sr., G, 5-11
Jayden Parks, Brantley, Sr., G, 6-0
Isiah Thomas, R.C. Hatch, Jr., F, 6-6
John Welsh, Spring Garden, Sr., F, 6-4
SECOND-TEAM ALL-STATE
Will Avans, Skyline, Sr., F, 6-3
Jesse Gannaway, Jacksonville Christian, Sr., G, 6-2
Merion Jones, R.C. Hatch, Sr., G, 6-3
Kane Rushing, Hubbertville, So., G, 6-0
Jacob Welsh, Spring Garden, Sr., C, 6-7
THIRD-TEAM ALL-STATE
Rayshon Coleman, Florala, Sr., G, 6-1
Jordan Jackson, Berry, Jr., C, 6-5
Jon Harper Kilcrease, Brantley, Sr., F, 6-2
Jaquan Reeder, Hackleburg, Sr., G, 6-0
Christopher Thompson, Holy Spirit, Sr., G, 5-10
HONORABLE MENTION
Nehemiah McCary, Maplesville, Fr., F, 6-3
Noah Hester, Athens Bible, Sr., F, 6-4
Noah Lee, Jacksonville Christian, Jr., F, 6-3
Frisco Robertson, Wadley, Jr., G, 5-11
COACH OF THE YEAR
Kris Hood, R.C. Hatch