Paige Anderson McDonald – Athlete (2016 Inductee)

Paige Anderson McDonald

BASKETBALL
5-Time All-County Team 2004 through 2008; 3-Time MVP 2006, 2007 & 2008
5-Time County Champions 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007 & 2008
6-Time Northeast Regional All-Tournament Team 2003 through 2008; 3-Time MVP 2006, 2007 & 2008
Class 1A Northeast Regional Champions 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007 & 2008
5-Time Class 1AA AII-State First Team 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008
Class 1A State Basketball Champions 2004, 2005 & 2008
Class 1A State Tournament MVP 2008
4-Time Class 1A Player of the Year Finalist 2005, 2006, 2007 & 2008
2-Time Class 1A Player of the Year 2006 & 2008
Bryant-Jordan Overall Scholar-Athlete Winner 2008
North vs. South All-Star Game MVP 2007
Alabama vs. Mississippi All-Star Game 2008
Samford University Southern Conference Tournament Champions 2011 & 2012 Women’s NIT 2010; NCAA Tournament 2011 & 2012
Samford University women’s career top 10 in scoring (902), free throws made/attempted (217/261),
3-point FG’s made/attempted (144/379) and games played (126) Southern Conference All-Conference Team 2012

VOLLEYBALL
Class 1A State Runner-Up 2005
Class 1A State Championship 2007
Class 1A State Tournament Most Valuable Player 2007 & First Team All-State

ACADEMIC
Spring Garden High School Valedictorian (4.16 GPA) 2008
Samford University Dean’s List 2008-2012
Samford University Magna Cum Laude 2012
Jacksonville State University Masters of Business Administration (3.90 GPA) 2014

Paige Anderson was just a small- town girl driven to achieve perfection in every aspect of her life.  Anderson wanted nothing more than to turn the spotlight that so often singled her out back onto close-knit community she cherished.  Every point, every win, and every title was a chance to represent Spring Garden. The accolades are almost countless. From a youthful one-on-one encounter with NBA superstar Shaquille O’Neal to a game-winning 3-pointer that led to Samford’s first-ever NCAA women basketball appearance, Anderson’s achievements are unparalleled.

Throughout her career, Anderson collected numerous all-county, all-area and all-state accolades.  Four times she was a Class 1A Basketball Player of the Year finalist and twice (2006 and 2008) claimed the top honor.

With Anderson controlling the point, the Lady Panthers’ basketball legacy grew with three Class 1A State Championships in 2004, 2005, and 2008.  Anderson would close out her high school career as the all-time Cherokee County leader in points scored with 3,667. Her stat line also includes 1,137 rebounds, 573 assists and 484 steals.

Anderson’s talents weren’t restricted to just basketball. In volleyball, she contributed to the Spring Garden Class 1A runner-up finish in 2005. In 2007, Anderson was a first team all-state honoree and the state tournament MVP while leading the Lady Panthers to a Class 1A state title.  Academically, Anderson had few rivals.  She was SGA president and valedictorian at Spring Garden, and a magna cum laude graduate at Samford.  She would go on to Jacksonville State and excel in their MBA program.

In 2008, Anderson the perfectionist, gave a gift to the community she treasured, as the Garden Girls delivered a state basketball championship wrapped with an unblemished 36-0 bow – a flawless finale fitting for Anderson’s brilliant  career.

Paige Anderson McDonald display