Gadsden area high school sports: 99 athletes to watch in 2024 across all sports
As the calendar turns over to 2024, here are 99 high school athletes to watch from around the Gadsden area.
Athletes are listed by the current class year.
Baseball
Cameron Carden, Westbrook Christian
Senior, outfield
Why chosen: A second team all-state honoree, Carden look to have a big season this year.
Blaze Gerhart, Sardis
Senior, pitcher
Why chosen: An all-state selection at designated hitter but helped lead the Lions to the state championship series at pitcher.
Gavin Lang, Collinsville
Pitcher, freshman
Why chosen: Lang earned all-state honors last year in baseball and also plays football for the Panthers.
Dylan Rainey, Westbrook Christian
Junior, Utility
Why chosen: Rainey is a transfer from Southside, earning all-state honors. He hit .385 with 24 RBIs and 17 runs scored.
Jameson Scissum, Etowah
Junior, Pitcher
Why chosen: A Mississippi State commit, Scissum was the Class 4A State Championship series MVP. He also is the starting quarterback, accounting for 2,500+ yards and 20 touchdowns and averaging 27 points a game in basketball.
Carson Tittle, Cherokee County
Junior, infield
Why chosen: Tittle earned all-state honors last year, but will miss part of the season due to an injury. He is also the Warriors starting quarterback.
Boys Bowling
Kaed Bradley, Etowah
Senior
Why chosen: The 2022 state individual champion and finished in the top 5 in 2023. He averages 235 per match.
Boys basketball
Lucas Bryant, Geraldine
Junior, forward
Why chosen: Bryant has been averaging 15.3 points points and five rebounds per game for the Bulldogs.
Levi Martin, Sardis
Senior, shooting guard
Why chosen: Martin averages 13.6 points, 3.3 rebounds and 2.5 assists for the Lions and just crossed the 1,000-career points mark.
Mica Merriman, Gaston
Junior, Point Guard
Why chosen: Merriman is averaging 24 points, eight rebounds, eight assists and five steals per game for a surging Bulldog team. He is coming off a 35-point performance to end the 2023 portion of the season.
Eli Morton, Sardis
Senior, center
Why chosen: Morton has been averaging 16.3 points, 8.5 rebounds and 1.2 blocks a game as a 6-foot-6 center for the Lions.
J.B. Potter, Ashville
Sophomore
Why chosen: Potter has averaged 18.1 points per game with 6.2 rebounds and 4.5 steals per game. He also plays for the football team and threw for 800 yards and nine touchdowns, while adding 66 tackles and two interceptions.
Cayden Reason, Southside
Junior, forward
Why chosen: Reason has been averaging 16.9 points and 1.2 rebounds per game this season.
Josh Scott, Fort Payne
Junior, Guard
Why chosen: A transfer from Sylvania after earning all-state honors, Scott has averaged 15.3 points per game.
Luke Stephens, Fort Payne
Junior, guard
Why chosen: Stephens earned all-state honors last season and has been averaging 14.1 points per game.
Jalein Walker, Etowah
Senior, small forward
Why chosen: Walker is averaging 15 points, seven rebounds and three assists a game for the Blue Devils.
John Welsh, Spring Garden
Junior, forward
Why chosen: Welsh has been averaging 16.7 points and 10.6 rebounds per game this year. Welsh is also a star on the football team, accounting for more than 1,000 yards and 14 touchdowns.
Boys cross country
Tyler Anthony, Fort Payne
Sophomore
Why chosen: Anthony finished 12th in the Class 6A state meet, and earned first team all-area honors.
Ethan Patterson, Hokes Bluff
Junior
Why chosen: Patterson earned all-area first team honors after running a personal best of 16:59.
Boys Golf
Eli Edge, Westbrook Christian
Senior
Why chosen: Edge was a selection to the North-South All-star team and helped lead the Warriors to a state championship in 2023.
Jack Kilgo, Southside
Senior
Why chosen: The Snead State signee looks to cap off his high school career with a big year.
Boys soccer
Christian Barrientos, Fort Payne
Senior, defense/midfield
Why chosen: Barrientos was selected to play in the North-South all-star game over the summer and earned all-state honors in 2023.
Aiden Cornutt, Glencoe
Senior
Why chosen: Cornutt has 109 career goals, and is coming off a 30-goal season. He also plays basketball for the Yellow Jackets.
Hayes Cosby, Southside
Junior, Goalie
Why chosen: Cosby allowed only 15 goals in 20 games last year, averaging more than five saves a game.
Caleb Ogle, Southside
Senior, defense
Why chosen: Ogle earned all-state honors in 2023 and is a vital part of the Panthers defense.
Cameron Thompson, Southside
Junior, striker
Why chosen: Thompson earned all-state honors with 18 goals and eight assists in his sophomore season.
Boys Tennis
Sam Barclift, Albertville
Senior
Why chosen: Barclift participated in the North-South all-star games this summer and is on the Aggies basketball team.
Jayden Johnson, Sardis
Junior
Why chosen: Johnson has won sections the past three seasons and was the state runner up in the No. 3 singles position.
Alexander Smith, Albertville
Senior
Why chosen: Smith participated in the North-South all-star games this summer.
Boys Wrestling
Peyton Adams, Southside
Junior, 150-pound
Why chosen: In the Dec. 11, 2023 coaches rankings, Adams was atop the 150-pound weight class in Class 5A.
Myles Bailey, Piedmont
Freshman, 106 pounds
Why chosen: In the Dec. 11, 2023 coaches rankings, Bailey was atop the 106-pound weight class in 1A-4A.
David Herrick, Cherokee County
Senior, 165 pounds
Why chosen: In the Dec. 11, 2023 coaches rankings, Herrick was the top wrestler in the 165-pound weight division in Class 1A-4A.
Nick Williamson, Ashville
Senior, 157 pounds
Why chosen: In the Dec. 11, 2023 coaches rankings, Williamson was leading the 157-pound weight division in Class 1A-4A.
Flag Football
Raegan Brooks, Gadsden City
Freshman, Wide receiver
Why chosen: While the Titans were a new team in 2023, Books lead the way with 872 receiving yards and was second in touchdowns scored. She earned Gadsden Times all-area honors.
Zoe Williams, Albertville
Sophomore
Why chosen: Williams, earning Gadsden Times all-area honors, led the way for the Aggies with six sacks and 12 tackles for a loss.
Football
Logan Anderson, Fyffe
Junior, running back/linebacker
Why chosen: Anderson was the Gadsden Times small class Player of the Year, breaking Fyffe's rushing yard and touchdown record with 2,864 yards and 45 touchdowns. He added 34 tackles, including five for a loss.
Taylor Barber, Gadsden City
Junior, defensive line
Why chosen: Barber had 15 tackles for loss and five sacks in the first 11 games of the season.
Ishmael Bethel, Piedmont
Junior, wide receiver
Why chosen: Bethel earned honorable mention honors in 2023 after first team honors in 2022. He is a multisport athlete for the Bulldogs.
Jamin Brown, Southside
Junior, offensive line
Why chosen: Brown allowed only one sack while grading out a 94%, he has been offered by Kentucky.
Tristan Brown, Cherokee County
Junior, linebacker
Why chosen: Brown had 164 tackles, including 35 for a loss and 11 sacks, earning Gadsden Times all-area honors.
Jordan Bryan, Southside
Junior, Athlete
Why chosen: Whether Bryan stays at quarterback or goes back to receiver, he is one to watch after accounting for close to 2,000 yards and 17 yards.
Clete O'Bryant, Coosa Christian
Junior, linebacker/athlete
Why chosen: O'Bryant had 124.5 tackles including 23 for a loss and assisted in seven turnovers, to earn Gadsden Times all-area honors. He was an all around athlete on offense with 800 yards and five scores.
FATHER AND SON BOND: Coosa Christian football Mark and Clete O'Bryant cherish being together for state title run
Tristan Childers, Boaz
Junior, running back
Why chosen: Childers ran for 1,243 yards and 10 touchdowns for the Pirates.
Seth Cooper, Sardis
Junior, punter
Why chosen: Cooper earned all-state honors at punter.
Enelson Delva, Guntersville
Junior, running back
Why chosen: Delva ran for 1,335 yards and 14 touchdowns, stepping up for an injured Julyon Jordan.
Tae Diamond, Cherokee County
Junior, defensive line
Why chosen: Diamond had 33 tackles for loss and 22 sacks in 2023 while helping the Warriors get back to the state title game.
Joe Garcia, Geraldine
Junior, defensive line
Why chosen: Garcia finished the 2023 with more than 20 tackles for a loss including five sacks and 118 total tackles.
Braden Holsonback, Guntersville
Junior, defensive back
Why chosen: Holsonback had seven interceptions in 2023.
Connor Hughes, Fort Payne
Junior, kicker
Why chosen: Hughes continued the long line of great kickers for the Wildcats going perfect 12 of 12 on field goals and 52 of 52 on extra points.
John David Justus, Coosa Christian
Junior, quarterback
Why chosen: Could 2024 be the season that Coosa Christian breaks through and get a state title, well if they do expect Justus to be a big part of it after accounting for 2,000 yards and 31 touchdowns in 2023, earning all-area honors. He earned all-state honors in baseball too.
Aaron Mann, Glencoe
Junior, running back
Why chosen: Mann ran for more than 1,000 yards in 2023.
Levi Martin, Sardis
Sophomore, linebacker
Why chosen: Martin had 117 tackles including eight for a loss and five sacks. He also starts in right field for the baseball team hitting five homeruns as the made a run to the state title series.
Mason McAteer, Collinsville
Freshman, quarterback
Why chosen: McAteer is a strong quarterback, throwing for 1,500 yards and 17 touchdowns in a primarily rushing offense. He earned all-state honorable mention in baseball.
Anderson Morgan, Hokes Bluff
Junior, defensive back
Why chosen: Morgan averaged seven tackles a game and had five interceptions, earning all-area honors.
Aiden Parham, Sylvania
Junior, running back
Why chosen: Parham ran for 2,532 yards and 28 touchdowns in 2023, earning all-area honors.
Quintavious Rogers, Collinsville
Freshman, running back
Why chosen: Rogers totaled 1,759 yards and 26 touchdowns on the season.
Colton Shields Jr., Hokes Bluff
Junior, defensive end
Why chosen: Shields is a two sport star for the Eagles and was the leading tackler on the football team.
Nehemiah 'Nemo' Samples, Gadsden City
Junior, defensive line
Why chosen: In his first season as a Titan, Samples had 19 tackles for a loss and seven sacks.
Bryce Whitaker, Hokes Bluff
Sophomore, quarterback
Why chosen: Whitaker accounted for 1,656 all purpose yards and is a guard on the basketball team and outfielder in baseball.
Tucker Wilks, Fyffe
Junior, offensive lineman/defensive lineman
Why chosen: Already a two-time finalist for lineman of the year, Wilks anchors a Red Devil line that paves the way for a potent ground attack.
James Woods, Gadsden City
Sophomore, offensive lineman
Why chosen: Woods helped paved the way for the Titans ground game this year.
TJ Worthy, Gadsden City
Junior, running back
Why chosen: An all-area selection after a breakout year, Worthy had 1,501 yards and 24 touchdowns, with another six receiving scores for the Titans.
Dax Varnadore, Fort Payne
Junior, quarterback
Why chosen: Varnadore threw for 2,801 yards and 22 touchdowns while leading the Wildcats to the second round.
Girls basketball
Allie Jo Amos, Glencoe
Junior, Forward
Why chosen: Amos leads the defensive focused team in most categories with 8.4 points per game, 6.5 rebounds and 2.5 steals per game.
Ace Austin, Spring Garden
Junior, guard
Why chosen: The Alabama commit earned all-state honors and is once again leading the Panthers. She also stars in volleyball, helping the Panthers win the Class 1A state title.
Molly Northam, Ashville
Senior
Why chosen: Northam has been averaging 20 points and 13 rebounds per game for the Bulldogs
Jazzy Roberts, Boaz
Senior, guard
Why chosen: Roberts plays all over for the Pirates and is the senior leader of the squad.
Grace Anne Rose, Southside
Senior, guard
Why chosen: Rose has been a star for the Panthers, averaging 15.3 points and 6.5 rebounds a game.
Lani Smallwood, Susan Moore
Sophomore, guard
Why chosen: Smallwood has taken over for her sister, and has been a star for the Bulldogs. She has been averaging 18 points per game.
Katelyn St. Clair, Sand Rock
Senior, guard
Why chosen: St. Clair earned all-state honors last year and has been one of the stars for the Wildcats again averaging 24.7 points per game, 5.6 rebounds and 3.9 assists.
Kaylen Wallace, Sardis
Senior, small forward
Why chosen: Wallace has averaged 12 points and eight rebounds per game while being a two-time all-county selection.
Girls Bowling
Kiera Phillips, Southside
Why chosen: Phillips is looking to defend her 2023 state individual title.
Girls cross country
Paten Battles, West End
Sophomore
Why chosen: The Gadsden Times girls runner of the Year finished third at the Class 1A-2A state meet with a time of 19:53.
Nevaeh Evans, Pisgah
Sophomore
Why chosen: Evans finished 12th in the state title meet with a time of 20:18.
Emma Godfrey, Hokes Bluff
8th Grade
Why chosen: Godfrey finished 23rd in the Class 3A meet with a time of 21:08.
Kyndal Hughes, Fort Payne
Freshman
Hughes ran a 19:45 to finish in 22nd place at the Class 6A meet.
Girls Golf
Mallory Brooks, Southside
Senior
Why chosen: Brooks was a selection to the North-South All-star team. She also plays for the Lady Panthers basketball team which is trying to return to the Elite Eight after a run in 2023.
Ellie Cothran, Cherokee County
Senior
Why chosen: Cothran was a selection to the North-South All-star team.
Girls soccer
Anna Klaire Ashley, Gadsden City
Senior, CB
Why chosen: Ashley was a selection to the North-South all-star game.
Kristy Cervantes, Susan Moore
Senior, forward
Why chosen: Cervantes played in the North-South all-star game this summer and looks to shine during her senior season.
Nahomi Mendoza, Albertville
Senior, CM/Forward
Why chosen: Mendoza was selected to play in the North-South all-star game over the summer.
Girls Wrestling
Anabelle Hilburn, Piedmont
Junior, 235 pounds
Why chosen: In the Dec. 11, 2023 coaches rankings, Hilburn was fourth in the state in the 235 pound division across all classes.
Softball
Josie Bunch, West End
Senior, Picher/infield
Why chosen: Bunch played in the North-South All-star game last summer.
Abi Bunt, Glencoe
Senior, Catcher
Why chosen: The Tennessee-Chattanooga signee played in the North-South all-star game last summer.
Lauren Farmer, Etowah
Senior, infield
Why chosen: A five year starter who can play multiple positions for the Blue Devils.
Savannah Smith, Piedmont
Senior, Utility
Why chosen: Smith, a Jax State signee, ended the 2023 season with an 1.43 era and 146 strikeouts with a no-hitter. As a hitter she bats .458 with 40 RBIs and six homeruns.
Anna Kate Waldrop, Sardis
Senior, outfielder
Why chosen: Waldrop signed with Southern Union and should be a leader for the softball program.
Swim and Dive
Caroline Cofield, Boaz
Freshman, 1-meter dive
Why chosen: Cofield finished third in class 1A-5A in the 1-meter diving state competition.
Jonathan Giddens, Boaz
8th Grade
Why chosen: Giddens is the state champ in the 500-yard freestyle and 200-yard medley in Class 1A-5A. He finished fifth in the 100-yard freestyle and helped the team to a second place finish in the 400-yard freestyle relay.
Karsyn Walker, Boaz
8th grade
Why chosen: Walker finished second in the 100-yard butterfly state race.
Track and Field
Mary Hayes Johnson, Cherokee County
Senior
Why chosen: Johnson is a South Alabama signee and is a dual sport athlete also playing basketball for the Warriors.
Volleyball
Nevaeh Gaidurgis, Cherokee County
Sophomore, Middle Hitter
Why chosen: Helping lead the Warriors to the Elite Eight, Gaidurgis had 501 kills. She earned volleyball all-area first team honors.
Macy Lea, Cherokee County
Sophomore, setter
Why chosen: Lea had more than 1,000 assists as the Warriors made the Elite Eight and earned all-area honors. Lea also plays basketball for the Warriors.
Molly Morrison, Albertville
Junior, outside hitter
Why chosen: A three sport athlete (volleyball, basketball and softball) who was a major reason the Aggies made it to Super Regionals. She had 348 digs and 295 kills.
Raylee Neal, Westbrook Christian
Sophomore, setter
Why chosen: Neal had 785 assists to go with 60 aces to help the Warriors get to the Elite Eight in 2023.
Lydia Northam, Ashville
Sophomore
Why chosen: Northam earned Gadsden Times first team honors with 96 aces, 478 kills and 325 digs.
Faith Odom, Plainview
Sophomore, Outside hitter
Why chosen: Odom helped lead the Bears to a state championship with 408 kills. She earned volleyball all-area first team honors.
Lydie Varnadore, Fort Payne
Freshman, Outside Hitter/setter
Why chosen: Varnadore was a versatile player with 680 assists, 385 digs, 276 kills and 78 aces earning all-area honors.
Vada Willmoore, Sardis
Sophomore, Utility
Why chosen: Willmoore had 286 kills and 213 digs to go with 48 aces and plays for the Lady Lions basketball team.
Maxwell Donaldson covers high school sports and Jacksonville State athletics for the Gadsden Times. Find him on Twitter/X @_Max_Donaldson and contact him at MDonaldson@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on The Gadsden Times: Gadsden area high school sports: 99 athletes to watch in 2024
