'SOMETHING I'LL NEVER FORGET': Good Hope's Maddox caps postseason accolades with Class 4A Player of the Year, Super All-State honors
Apr. 16—MONTGOMERY — Ivey Maddox isn't one to boast.
Look no further than this past basketball season, when time and time again the Good Hope senior went out of her way to acknowledge those around her when discussing any sort of personal achievement.
When Maddox became Cullman County's all-time leading girls scorer in December, she quickly credited her teammates for working well together and thus providing her easy scoring opportunities.
When asked to reflect on her impressive career shortly after helping the Raiders win their first Class 4A state title in March, a "blessed" Maddox wasted no time at all before thanking her family for supporting her along the way — as well as instilling in her a belief that paid off handsomely down the road.
So when Maddox earned Class 4A Girls Player of the Year honors — as decided by the Alabama Sports Writers Association — at Tuesday's annual banquet sponsored by the Alabama High School Athletic Directors & Coaches Association, it came as no surprise to those who've known and watched her grow over the years when she immediately waved away the well-deserved recognition.
"I've got to start with my mom and dad for all the sacrifices they had to make and money they spent on me to be able to play basketball," she said. "My brother (Drew) and sister (Kaylee) ... I looked up to them my whole life growing up and playing. Coach (Justin) Aby and coach (Nina) Moss put so much time and effort into me throughout the years. I wouldn't be the player I am or where I am today without them.
"But none of this would be possible without my teammates. I'm just very thankful for them as well as the Good Hope community and all my friends who supported me throughout my entire career."
Despite her modesty, Maddox couldn't have been a more deserving recipient for this year's award.
In her final season at Good Hope, the UAH signee averaged 20.3 points and 6.1 rebounds per game en route to recording her third straight All-State first-team selection and finishing her prep tenure at 2,792 career points — good for 27th all-time in Alabama High School Athletic Association history.
Maddox also tallied 101 steals, 67 assists and 30 blocks, secured All-Regional and All-State Tournament Team accolades and received this year's prestigious Bill Shelton Award. She even earned on a spot in the Alabama-Mississippi All-Star Classic, where she racked up 15 points to help lead her team to a win in the annual showdown between the two state's top seniors.
That stocked résumé led to her claiming The Times' Player of the Year honor for a third straight season.
Aby has been with Maddox from the very beginning, both embarking on a journey that began ahead of the 2019-20 season and ended with a 134-31 record.
And though there's no doubt he'll miss No. 20 next season, the coach couldn't be more proud of his pupil.
"I can't imagine a more fitting ending to Ivey's unmatched high school career," Aby said. "She's a fierce competitor whose talent and work ethic have helped set her apart from all other athletes in 4A. She has also accomplished things no other high school player in Cullman County has accomplished — and she's done so with a humble attitude and appreciative heart. Her legacy is special because it encompasses not just her on-court abilities, but her off-the-court values."
As for Maddox, there's no denying her love for Good Hope.
She showcased it over and over in effortless big-time performances on the court, exuding a passion for the game and a dedication to her squad — perhaps the only two attributes that could ever outshine her God-given talent. She also displayed leadership skills that can oftentimes be rare for someone her age.
But while the wins are great and the hardware even better, Maddox knows the legacy she — and don't forget her teammates, because she won't — leaves behind is far more than what happens on the floor.
"I'll definitely look back on all the relationships and bonds I made," she said. "But the one thing I'll always remember is the support and how much people cared about us and how many came to watch us play. The memories that I've made, especially this season, with all these girls is something I'll never forget."
Maddox also carved out a spot on the Super All-State Team, which is comprised of the Top 5 players in the state regardless of classification. It, too, is picked by the ASWA — of which The Times is a voting member.
See below for all award recipients. Winners in bold. The awards are sponsored by ALFA.
------
MR. BASKETBALL
Caleb Holt, Buckhorn
------
MISS BASKETBALL
Ace Austin, Spring Garden
------
SUPER ALL-STATE BOYS
Caleb Holt, Buckhorn
DeWayne Brown, Hoover
Caleb Harrison, Huntsville
Ty Davis, Mountain Brook
Cam Dooley, Valley
------
SUPER ALL-STATE GIRLS
Ace Austin, Spring Garden
Leah Brooks, Hazel Green
Jordan Hunter, Hewitt-Trussville
Ivey Maddox, Good Hope
Belle Hill, Mars Hill Bible
------
CLASS 7A GIRLS
Syriah Daniels, Auburn
Jordan Hunter, Hewitt-Trussville
Jabria Lindsey, Central-Phenix City
------
CLASS 7A BOYS
DeWayne Brown, Hoover
Caleb Harrison, Huntsville
Jacoby Hill, Central-Phenix City
------
CLASS 6A GIRLS
Jareah Branch, Hillcrest-Tuscaloosa
Leah Brooks, Hazel Green
Tamiria Jones, Huffman
------
CLASS 6A BOYS
Ty Davis, Mountain Brook
Caleb Holt, Buckhorn
Peyton Wiggins, Huffman
------
CLASS 5A GIRLS
Mia Hollingsworth, Jasper
Missy Odom, Jasper
Tamya Smith, Pleasant Grove
------
CLASS 5A BOYS
Cam Dooley, Valley
Terrel Johnson, Vigor
Joshia Jones, Fairfield
------
CLASS 4A GIRLS
Kayden Carr, Prattville Christian
Reece Davis, Deshler
Ivey Maddox, Good Hope
------
CLASS 4A BOYS
Micah Caster, Jackson
Davis Dare, American Christian
Evan Griffin, Geneva
------
CLASS 3A GIRLS
Ava Card, St. James
Sawyer Kate Hulgan, Plainview
Maddie Smith, Trinity
------
CLASS 3A BOYS
Emmanuel Clarton, Sumter Central
Jonathan Fitch, Sumter Central
Trey Simpson, Hillcrest-Evergreen
------
CLASS 2A GIRLS
Belle Hill, Mars Hill Bible
Katelyn St.Clair, Sand Rock
Ella Wheeler, Sulligent
------
CLASS 2A BOYS
Jakaleb Faulk, Highland Home
Vederrian Story, LaFayette
Carson Thrasher, Mars Hill Bible
------
CLASS 1A GIRLS
Ace Austin, Spring Garden
Sarah Davis, Shoals Christian
Kaina King, Skyline
------
CLASS 1A BOYS
Nasir Cheatham, Georgiana
Trey Kellogg, Covenant Christian
Javen Poindexter, Red Level
------
AISA GIRLS
Lindsey Brown, Edgewood
Madison Davis, Lee-Scott
Takayla Davis, Glenwood
------
AISA BOYS
Deshawn Hall, Valiant Cross
Haiden Harper, Lee-Scott
Clayton Hussey, Lowndes Academy
