Montgomery-area boys and girls: 99 high school athletes to watch for in 2024

As we close the door on 2023 and start the new year, here is 99 high school athletes to watch for in 2024:

Baseball

Drey Barrett, Holtville

Senior, IF/P

Why Chosen: Barrett struck out six batters and allowed four hits to claim the Class 5A State Championship in his junior season. He was also selected to the All-Area and AHSAA All-Star team in 2023.

Clay Duncan, Lowndes Academy

Senior, OF

Why Chosen: Duncan led Lowndes Academy to its first AISA Class A championship since 2007 last season. He finished with a batting average of .667 with seven RBI.

Fleming Hall, Trinity

Junior, 1B

Why Chosen: Hall led Trinity with 20 stolen bases in 2023 with 26 total runs. He finished with an on-base percentage of .463.

Jaxon Milam, Glenwood

Junior, 2B

Why Chosen: Milam led Glenwood with 19 home runs and 50 RBI en route to the AISA Class AAA state championship.

Boys Basketball

Jamicah Adair, JAG

Senior, Guard

Why Chosen: Despite being sidelined the start of his senior season, Adair was selected to the second-team All-state in 2023 and won the MVP honors in the AHSAA All-Star game.

Trey Berry, Sidney Lanier

Senior, Guard

Why Chosen: A dual-sport athlete, who also plays football, Berry averaged 22 points and eight rebounds leading Lanier to an area tournament title last season.

Ladarius Givan, JAG

Sophomore, Forward

Why Chosen: Givan currently leads JAG with 15.5 points and 7.5 rebounds per game.

Haiden Harper, Lee-Scott Academy

Sophomore, Guard

Why Chosen: Harper currently leads Lee-Scott with 21 points per game shooting a team high 64% from the floor.

Jayden Parks, Brantley

Senior, Guard

Why Chosen: Parks, who also is the football team captain at quarterback, Is the leading scorer on the basketball team averaging around 20 points per game.

Deshawn Hall, Valiant Cross

Freshman, Forward

Why Chosen: The anchor for the Valiant Crossing basketball leads the team in points and rebounds.

Conor McPherson, Carver

Senior, Forward

Why Chosen: The star linebacker on one of the best River Region defenses last fall, McPherson leads the Wolverines averaging 17.4 points and 2.3 steals per game.

Skylar Stoval, Montgomery Academy

Senior, Guard

Why Chosen: Is the leading scorer and second in assist for the Eagles team in 2024.

Cade Segars, Prattville Christian

Junior, Guard

Why Chosen: The leading scorer on the Panthers basketball team for the last two seasons. Segars also stars on the Prattville Christian soccer team.

Jonathan Williams, Brewbaker Tech

Senior, Forward

Why Chosen: Willliams was selected to all-area and AHSAA all-star team last season in 2023.

Boys Cross Country

Matt Cone, Montgomery Academy

Junior

Why Chosen: Cone placed in the top 25 in the Class 3A state championship with a time of 17:37.10 last season.

Samuel Holmes, LAMP

Junior

Why Chosen: Holmes placed in the top 25 in the Class 4A state championships with a time of 17:31.83 last season.

Price Mclemore, Montgomery Academy

Junior

Why Chosen: Mclemore placed in the top 25 in the Class 3A state championship with a time of 17:50.53 last season.

John Thomas Mathison, Trinity

Junior

Why Chosen: Mathison sixth in the Class 3A finals with a time of 16:41.15 last season.

Frank Williford, Montgomery Academy

Junior

Why Chosen: Williford finished eighth in the Class 3A state championships with a time of 17:09.87 last season.

Boys Soccer

John Allen Lachney, Montgomery Academy

Senior, Midfielder

Brewer Welch, Montgomery Academy

Sophomore, Forward

Atticus Clements, St. James

Midfielder, Freshman

Viggo Jeppsson, St. James

8th Grade, Defender

Joe Reeves, Montgomery Catholic

Senior, Defender

Lawson Roth, Trinity

Junior, Midfielder

Matt Russo, Montgomery Catholic

Junior, Midfielder

Tyson Summers, Alabama Christian

Sophomore, Forward

Boys Tennis

James Treadwell, Trinity

Junior

Why Chosen: James was undefeated last season, which was his fourth consecutive undefeated singles regular season. He was the 2023 6A Section 2 tournament champion in both singles and doubles, along with 6A state runner-up in No. 3 singles.

Samuel Treadwell, Trinity

Senior

Why Chosen: Samuel and his brother James were the 2023 6A state runner-up team in No. 1 doubles, and Samuel was selected to the 2023 AHSAA North-South All-Star Team.

Boys Wrestling

Braylen Corley, St. James

126-pound division, Junior

Why Chosen: Corley is a four-time state qualifier.

Pruitt Conner

175-pound division, Junior

Noah Rains, St. James

113-pound division, Freshman

Cameron Chappelle, Montgomery Catholic

167-pound division

Andrew Gueret, Montgomery Catholic

127-pound division

Joshua Parker, Montgomery Catholic

97-pound division

Patrick Sikes, Montgomery Catholic

77-pound division

Football

Josh Griffin, Montgomery Catholic

Rising Senior, Running Back

Why Chosen: Griffin averaged 12.8 yards per carry, stamping him as one of the best backs in his class. He finished with 1,570 rushing yards and 22 total touchdowns in his last season with the Knights.

Derrick Vinson Jr., Montgomery Academy

Rising Senior, Wide Receiver

Why Chosen: Playing in 11 games for the Eagles, Vinson was the offensive anchor for Montgomery Academy. He led the River Region with 66 receptions for 1,461 yards and 14 touchdowns this year.

Tabor Offord, St. James

Rising Senior, Wide Receiver

Why Chosen: Offord broke the Saint James single season school record for most touchdown receptions with 18 TDs. He finished with 34 receptions and 991 receiving yards.

Aaron Taylor, Montgomery Catholic

Rising Senior, OL

Why Chosen: Part of an offensive line unit that totaled 34 knockdowns, 24 pancakes and zero sacks allowed all season.

Ashton Yelder, Lowndes Academy

Rising Senior, OL

Why Chosen: Graded in the 90 percentiles with more than 11 pancakes, led Lowndes Academy to their third straight AISA State championship.

Kj Washington, Montgomery Catholic

Rising Senior, DL

Why Chosen: Washington was a part of a defensive unit that gave up 3.1 points per game. He finished with 60 solo tackles, 35 assisted tackles, 24 tackles for loss and five sacks.

Garrett Sanford, Montgomery Catholic

Rising Senior, DL

Why Chosen: Sanford was a part of a defensive unit that gave up 3.1 points per game. He finished with 71 solo tackles, 35 assisted tackles, 23 tackles for loss and seven sacks.

Kam Miller, Montgomery Catholic

Junior, LB

Why Chosen: Miller finished with 91 solo tackles, 42 assisted tackles, 17 tackles for loss and three sacks.

Cason Myers, Pike Road

Sophomore, Quarterback

Why Chosen: Myers finished with 2,140 yards through the air for 15 touchdowns and only five interceptions last year as a freshman. He completed 177 total passes and help lead Pike Road to a semifinal playoff berth.

Ja’Micheal Jones, Pike Road

Junior, Running Back

Why Chosen: In his first season, the four-star racked up 1,080 yards and 18 total touchdowns for the Pike Road offense.

Tristian Norman, Carver

Rising Senior, Wide Receiver

Why Chosen: Norman finished with 44 receptions for 845 yards and 10 touchdowns.

Jordan King, Pike Road

Rising Senior, Athlete

Why Chosen: King finished with 1,330 all-purpose yards and 13 total touchdowns. On defense, he finished with 11 solo tackles, 19 assisted tackles, one tackle for loss and three interceptions.

Donjavian Brown, Carver

Rising Senior, Linebacker

Why Chosen: Brown finished with 91 solo tackles, 42 assisted tackles, 31 tackles for loss, and six sacks for the Wolverine defense.

Jordan Holmes, Pike Road

Junior, Defensive Back

Why Chosen: Holmes finished with 307 all-purpose yards and a touchdown. On defense, he finished with 28 solo tackles, 26 assisted tackles, two tackles for loss and four interceptions.

Carlder Datilus, Park Crossing

Junior, Defensive Back

Why Chosen: Despite missing five games last season, Datilus finished with 30 total tackles, three interceptions, four pass breakups, five tackles for loss and a forced fumble.

JoTavion Pierce, Montgomery Catholic

Rising Senior, Defensive Back

Why Chosen: Pierce finished with 91 solo tackles, 41 assisted tackles, five tackles for loss, one sack and one interception. On offense, he tallied 464 all-purpose yards and five touchdowns.

Rickie Williams, Montgomery Catholic

Rising Senior, Defensive Back

Why Chosen: Williams finished with 85 solo tackles, 41 assisted tackles, five tackles for loss, one sack and two interceptions.

Terrell Russell Jr.

Rising Senior, Quarterback

Why Chosen: Russell finished the 2023 season with more than 2,400 passing yards and 25 touchdowns for Carver.

Ryan Basile, Trinity

Punter, Junior

Why Chosen: Basile hit 93% of his extra point attempts and averaged 4.9 points per game.

Knox Wingate, Montgomery Academy

Sophomore, LB

Why Chosen: Wingate finished with 35 solo tackles, 48 assists, 13 tackles for loss, and two sacks for the Eagles.

Girls Basketball

Heaven Bailey, Montgomery Catholic

Freshman, Guard

Why Chosen: Bailey is one of the top players in the class of 2027 as she ranks top 5 in the state in steals and assists. Last season, she averaged 10.1 points, 5.2 assists, 6.5 steals and 4.0 rebounds.

Ava Card, Sr.

Saint James, Forward

Analysis: Card averaged 21 points, 7.2 rebounds and 2.3 steals per game last season after leading St. James to a 23-10 record and the regional final. She won the North/South All-star game MVP this past summer.

Erin Martin, Sr.

Brewbaker Tech, Guard

Analysis: Martin averaged 14.0 points, 7.9 rebounds, 2.9 assists, 4.7 steals and 2.5 blocks while leading Brewbaker Tech to the state semifinals and a 22-10 record last season.

KeLeigh Mullins, Prattville

Sophomore, Guard

Why Chosen: Mullens led Prattville to the state semifinals with a 25-5 record and earned 7A All-State third-team honors last season. She averaged 13.4 points, 5.4 rebounds, 5.4 steals and 3.2 assists per game as a freshman.

Mya Moskowitz, Trinity

Junior, Guard

Why Chosen: Moskowitz surpassed 1000 career points at Trinity this year. She currently leads the team in scoring.

Hannah Smith, Montgomery Catholic

Sophomore, Forward

Why Chosen: Smith averaged 20.1 points, 10.6 rebounds and 3.2 steals per game, while leading Catholic to a 25-8 record winning the district regular season and tournament championships.

Kennedi McGhee, Brewbaker Tech

Junior, Forward

Natalie Barton, Saint James

Freshman, Guard

Kaylin Corley, Saint James

Sophomore, Guard

Saniya Jackson, Park Crossing

Junior, Guard

Maddie Smith, Trinity Presbyterian

Junior, Guard

Jenna McClendon, Prattville Christian

Junior, Center

Girls Cross Country

Elley Goff, St. James

Freshman

Why Chosen: She finished second in the Class 3A state championships with a time of 18:46.61 leading St. James to a top 10 overall finish.

Elle Ingram, Montgomery Academy

Freshman

Why Chosen: Moving up from her second team selection last year, Ingram placed in the top 10 in the Class 3A state championships with a time of 19:43.98.

Molly Phillips, St. James, 7th.

Ava Cain, LAMP, Fr.

Bea Farley, Montgomery Academy, Fr.

Girls Soccer

Katie Brightwell

Saint James, Senior.

Why chosen: Brightwell finished 2023 with 58 goals scored and 10 assists in leading Saint James to the Class 1A-3A runner-up.

Sophia Cho

Montgomery Academy, Junior.

Why chosen: Cho finished the 2023 season leading Montgomery Academy with 28 goals scored and 11 assists. She averaged 1.4 goals per match, helping lead MA to Class 6A state runner-up.

Ellis O'Conner

Montgomery Catholic, Sophomore

Why chosen: O'Conner scored 21 goals and 16 assists in 2023, averaging 1.1 goals per match. She led the team both in goals scored and assists.

Mary Elizabeth Cole

Montgomery Academy, Junior.

Why chosen: Cole finished 2023 with 23 goals scored and 11 assist. In a 9-0 victory against Pike Road this season she scored a season high five goals.

Heather Walski

Montgomery Catholic, Junior.

Why chosen: After averaging 5.2 saves per match in 2023, Walski finished the season with 103 saves and 12 shutouts. Her final goals-against average was 1.376.

Hope McCain, Sr., Saint James

Hannah McCain, Sr., Saint James

Hastings Avant, Jr., Trinity

Presley Lewis, Sr., Alabama Christian

Kerstin Daniel, Jr., Montgomery Academy

Mary Grace Hixon, Sr., Saint James

Madison Yi, Sr., Montgomery Academy

Girls Softball

Mya Holt

Wetumpka, Sr.

Why chosen: Mya Holt won the Class 6A Tournament MVP award after finishing the playoffs with 20 strikeouts and four RBIs to lead Wetumpka to the program’s first 6A state championship since 2015.

Reese Cauley

Opp, Sr.

Why chosen: Cauley dominated 2023 with 271 total strikeouts and 68 RBIs batting .464 on top of seven home runs leading the Opp team to the Class 3A state runner-up.

Emily Needham

Saint James, So.

Why chosen: Needham struck out 211 batters in 2023 with a total of five no-hitters. Three of those no-hitters were in the postseason with one in a crucial regional final round.

Ava Milton

Trinity, Fr.

Why chosen: Milton finished the season with a batting average of .591 with 14 total RBIs and three home runs in 2023.

Ella Watson

Wetumpka, Sr.

Why chosen: Watson finished with 47 total RBIs in 2023 with two coming in the 6A state championship win over Spanish Fort.

Chole Hollon

Prattville Christian Academy, Jr.

Why chosen: Hollon led PCA with 11 home runs in 2023 and finished with a total of 58 RBIs and a .451 batting average.

Anna Free

Brantley, Fr.

Why chosen: Free finished 2023 with 56 RBIs and five home runs while leading the Brantley team with 11 total triples on the season.

Saniyah Weaver

Prattvile Christian Academy, So.

Why chosen: Weaver led PCA in both batting average (.530) and on base percentage (.618) as she finished the 2023 season with 19 total RBIs.

Kennedy Cuthbert

Pike Road, 8th

Why chosen: Cuthbert finished the season with 14 home runs and 41 RBIs. She led Pike Road with a batting average of .433 and on base percentage of .586.

Girls Tennis

Gabby Barrera

Montgomery Academy, Jr.

Why Chosen: She won 23 of her 24 singles matches and 19 of her 21 doubles matches this past season as she was crowned No. 1 singles state champion in Class 7A.

Mae Mae Voltz

Montgomery Academy, Sr.

Why Chosen: Voltz won the 7A No. 3 singles state championship and helped lead Montgomery Academy to a third-place overall finish in the 7A state tournament.

Stella Sponsellar

Saint James, Sr.

Why Chosen: Sponsellar won the #2 singles Class 1A-3A state championship and was selected to the 2023 AHSAA North-South All-Star Team.

Kingsley Johns/Kensley Williamson

Trinity, Sr. & Jr.

Why Chosen: Both Johns and Williamson represented Trinity at the 2023 AHSAA North-South All-Star week as they were chosen for the girls tennis South team.

Girls Volleyball

Baylee Rogers

Prattville Christian, So.

Position: Setter

Why Chosen: Climbing up from last year's third team, Rogers led the Panthers with 929 assists, 282 digs and 90 kills in 2023.

Elle McBride

Montgomery Academy, Jr.

Position: OH

Why Chosen: McBride climbed up from last year's second team selection after finishing the year with 573 kills, 321 digs, 42 blocks and 26 assist.

Maria Schwarz

Montgomery Catholic, Jr.

Position: Setter

Why Chosen: Schwarz, who was a second team selection in 2023, was awarded Class 4A tournament MVP honors. She finished with 27 assists, nine digs, and four aces on the way to leading the knights to the state title victory.

Addi Vinson, Setter

Montgomery Academy, Jr.

Why Chosen: Vinson finished the year with 1,461 assists, 400 digs, 88 aces, 59 kills and 53 blocks for the Eagles. She helped lead Montgomery Academy to the program's eighth Class 5A state championship after finishing with 51 assists in the state match.

Emma Cate Carter

Prattville Christian, Jr.

Position: OH

Why Chosen: Carter finished with 393 kills, 24 blocks, 280 digs, and 17 assists for the Panthers.

S: Kyra Sims, Prattville Christian, Jr.

S: Madie Smith, Trinity, Jr.

OH: Madie Wilson, Opp, Jr.

OH: Caroline McDaniel, Montgomery Academy, So.

OH: Anna Moore, Trinity, Jr.

MH: Grace Levanda, Montgomery Catholic, Jr.

This article originally appeared on Montgomery Advertiser: Montgomery Advertiser: 99 high school athletes to watch in the new year