Warriors’ Wester earns another First-Team honor by Shannon Fagan, Sports Editor
Posted: Saturday, March 19, 2016 11:13 pm
CENTRE – Cherokee County senior shooting guard Joel Wester was a marked man when the 2015-16 basketball season began. That’s because of all the clutch shots he made and the honors he received for an outstanding junior year.
But despite the added attention, and a more challenging schedule, Wester was still a force to be reckoned with.
He finished this season averaging 14.7 points, three rebounds and 2.8 assists in leading the Warriors to a 25-8 record and a Class 4A Northeast Regional final appearance.
The Alabama Sports Writers Association took notice of Wester’s season again. For the second consecutive year, they chose Wester as a First-Team selection on its Class 4A Boys All-State Teams.
“It’s an honor to make it twice in a row,” Wester said. “Going into the season, you don’t really think about making all-state, but then it’s just kind of an extra reward. It kind of shows your hard work pays off, during the summer, the spring, the whole year around.”
Wester’s father and head coach Neal Wester said his son earned the honor.
“He was our first option, and that was what other teams planned on stopping,” Coach Wester said. “He found other ways (to be effective). His assist-to-turnover ratio was really good. He rebounded the basketball more. He was a coach on the floor. He still had several games where he hit clutch shots. He was an all-around player this year. He’s really worked at it. He played on a good team that helped him be successful. He spent a lot of hours in the gym. It’s just nice to see his hard work rewarded.”
The younger Wester admitted things were tougher for him this season, but he didn’t let the way teams were playing him get him down.
“I just tried to develop in other ways other than just the three, like using the mid-range game and attacking the basket,” he said. “When they do throw extra guys at you, if you’re not getting your shots, you’ve got to be willing to pass it up. Everybody wants to get their shots, but you’ve got to be patient. When it’s not there, you’ve got to pass it up and trust your teammates to get it done. If they’re keying in on you, you’ve just got to be willing to be all right with that. Just be about the team and worry about winning.”
Winning hasn’t been a problem the past two seasons for the Warriors. They’ve won 53 games in that span, and took things one step further from last year by making the regional finals this season.
The younger Wester was a big part of that success, and there’s no doubting he’s left a legacy for others to follow.
“It’s easy to pull for him,” Coach Wester said. “He hustled and left it all out on the floor. He’s showed a lot of class and integrity on the court. His legacy is being a winner. He’s helped our program get back to a high level.”
Even though he’s disappointed the Warriors didn’t accomplish their goal of winning a state championship, Joel Wester is content with what his teammates did the past two seasons.
“I think this team, even though it didn’t win a state championship, will be remembered as one of the best Cherokee County basketball teams,” he said. “We all played together. It’s not really about the end. The journey is the most fun.”
Two other county boys basketball players received all-state recognition: Sand Rock senior forward Joel Brock and Spring Garden sophomore point guard Riley Austin. Both received an honorable mention in their respective classes.
Brock averaged 12.7 points, nine rebounds and 1.2 assists per game for the Class 3A Wildcats (16-13). Austin averaged 14.1 points, 5.4 boards and three assists for the Class 1A Panthers (17-14).
The complete ASWA All-State Boys Basketball Teams are listed below, beginning with Class 7A.
CLASS 7A
First team
Tevin Brown, Fairhope, Jr., G, 6-4
Kalin Johnson, Gadsden City, Sr., G, 6-1
Rene Scott, McGill-Toolen, Sr., PG, 5-8
Tre Todd, Central-Phenix City, Sr., G, 5-11
Austin Wiley, Spain Park, Jr., C, 6-10
Second team
Garrison Brooks, Auburn, Jr., C, 6-10
Jamal Johnson, Spain Park, Jr., G-F, 6-4
Kira Lewis, Hazel Green, Fr., G, 6-2
Rod Scott, Lee-Montgomery, Sr., G, 6-1
Trendon Watford, Mountain Brook, Fr., F, 6-7
Third team
T.J. Howard, McGill-Toolen, Sr., F, 6-6
J.J. Kaplan, Grissom, Sr., G-F, 6-4
Shond Kidd-McKinney, Gadsden City, Sr., G, 6-1
Jack Kline, Mountain Brook, Sr., F, 6-5
Payton Youngblood, Oak Mountain, Sr., F, 6-4
Honorable mention
Kevy Eason, Hoover, Sr., G-F, 6-0
Brandon Miller, Sparkman, Sr., G, 6-0
Henry Ruggs III, Lee-Montgomery, Jr., G, 6-1
Coach of the year
Phillip Murphy, McGill-Toolen
CLASS 6A
First team
Tracey Burnett, Lee-Huntsville, Sr., F, 6-4
Kevin Morris, Dothan, Sr., C, 6-7
Alex Reese, Pelham, Jr., F, 6-9
Reginald Todd, Blount, Sr., G, 6-5
Javien Williams, Woodlawn, Sr., G, 6-4
Second team
Micah Fuller, Bessemer City, Sr., G, 6-0
Wayna King, Fort Payne, Jr., PG, 6-0
Seth Swalve, Cullman, Sr., G, 5-10
Luke Touliatos, Homewood, Jr., G, 6-4
Braxton Winston, Muscle Shoals, Sr., F, 6-1
Third team
Darian Adams, Carver-Montgomery, Sr., G, 6-3
Myreon Jones, Huffman, So., G, 6-3
Jovante Lee, Northview, Sr., G, 6-0
Austin Patterson, Homewood, Sr., PG, 5-10
Deric Patton, Carroll, Sr., G, 6-0
Honorable mention
Carlos Bell, Bessemer City, Sr., F, 6-3
Jamani Glover, LeFlore, Sr., G, 6-2
Coach of the year
Neal Barker, Muscle Shoals
CLASS 5A
First team
Quinterious Croft, Anniston, Sr., G, 6-0
Cortez Gibbs, BTW-Tuskegee, Sr., C, 6-4
Justin Hopkins, J.O. Johnson, Sr., F, 6-3
John Petty, J.O. Johnson, Jr., G, 6-6
Rod Williams, Faith Academy, Sr., G, 6-0
Second team
Travion Hardin, Columbia, Sr., G, 6-0
Josh Hill, Faith Academy, Sr., F, 6-4
Tony Johnson, Eufaula, So., G, 6-2
David Law, Sumter Central, Sr., G, 6-0
Austin Rogers, Brewbaker Tech, Sr., G-F, 6-3
Third team
Mikel Davis, Sidney Lanier, Sr., F-C, 6-7
Ryan Hufford, Randolph, Sr., G, 5-11
Albert Luke, Ramsay, Sr., F, 6-6
Josh Moore, Demopolis, Sr., F, 6-5
Tanner Rusk, West Point, Sr., F, 6-3
Honorable mention
Ladarius Carter, Sumter Central, Jr., G, 6-1
Davyn Flenord, Central-Clay Co., Jr., F, 6-2
Marques Rhymes, Vigor, Jr., G, 5-5
Coach of the year
Jazmin Mitchell, Sumter Central
CLASS 4A
First team
Isaac Chatman, Cordova, So., F, 6-6
Cam Horton, Jacksonville, Sr., G, 6-2
Trey Petty, Westminster Christian, Sr., G, 6-3
Brandon Rutledge, Bibb Co., Sr., F, 6-8
Joel Wester, Cherokee Co., Sr., G, 6-2
Second team
EJ Card, St. James, Sr., G, 6-3
Mykelti Chatman, Cordova, Sr., C, 6-6
LaDarius Knight, Ashford, So., G-F, 6-5
Da’Shaunte Smith, Montevallo, Jr., G, 6-5
Syheem Young, Childersburg, Jr., PG, 6-1
Third team
Ryan Calhoun, Thomasville, Sr., G, 5-10
Logan Dye, Haleyville, So., C, 6-7
Antonio Johnson, Headland, Jr., G, 6-2
John Kendall, Westminster Christian, Sr., G, 6-0
Tyler Stallworth, Monroe Co., So., G, 6-4
Honorable mention
Charvez Hobson, BTW Magnet, Sr., G-F, 6-3
Michael McGuirk, White Plains, Sr., F, 6-3
Kaden Moore, Hokes Bluff, Sr., F, 6-3
Coach of the year
Ronnie Stapler, Westminster Christian
CLASS 3A
First team
Chase Conley, Brindlee Mountain, Sr., SF, 6-3
Ahmad Isaac, Midfield, Sr., PG, 6-0
Omar Jolly, New Hope, Jr., G, 5-10
Joshua Langford, Madison Academy, Sr., G, 6-6
Spencer Newman, Bayside Academy, Sr., G, 6-3
Second team
Deshon Cowling, Pike Co., Sr., G, 6-0
Herbert Jones, Hale Co., Jr., G, 6-7
Xavier Malcom, Hanceville, Sr., G, 5-10
Myles Parker, Madison Academy, Jr., F, 6-7
Keandre Swopes, West Morgan, Sr., F, 6-5
Third team
Malik Arnold, Weaver, Sr., F-C, 6-4
Shy’im Cunningham, Midfield, Jr., F-G, 6-4
Donavon Goodwin, Sheffield, Jr., C, 6-3
Chardian Johnson, T.R. Miller, Sr., G, 6-0
Payton Stovall, Winfield, Jr., G, 6-1
Honorable mention
Joel Brock, Sand Rock, Sr., F, 6-4
Jaylyn Hinton, Daleville, Sr., F, 6-3
Garrett Sanderson, Montgomery Academy, Jr., G, 6-2
Coach of the year
Joey Parker, New Hope
CLASS 2A
First team
Triston Chambers, Cold Springs, Sr., G, 6-2
EJ Datcher, Vincent, Sr., C, 6-9
Anquavious Pollard, Lanett, So., F, 6-6
JaTarvious Whitlow, LaFayette, Jr., G, 6-1
CJ Yarbrough, Tanner, Fr., F, 6-3
Second team
Zach Garcia, Samson, Jr., G, 5-11
Khalil Johnson, Cleveland, Jr., F, 6-8
Markel Mull, Tanner, Sr., G, 5-11
Max Nolen, Tharptown, Sr., G, 6-3
Mark Wilson Jr., St. Luke’s, So., F, 6-4
Third team
Kennon Casey, G.W. Long, Sr., G, 6-4
Brosnan Cooks, Elba, Sr., F, 6-4
Josh Freeman, Cold Springs, Sr., F, 6-5
Tavaris Geiger, Lanett, Sr., G, 5-11
Dustin Summerville, Sulligent, Sr., G, 6-3
Honorable mention
Hunter Grant, West End-Walnut Grove, Sr., G, 6-0
Ashton Klein, Houston Academy, Sr., G, 6-3
Darion Means, Highland Home, Sr., G, 5-8
Coach of the year
Richard Carter, Lanett
CLASS 1A
First team
D.J. Heath, Sacred Heart, Jr., G, 6-1
Desmond Hill, Fruitdale, Sr., G, 6-1
Jacquez Payton, Georgiana, Sr., G, 6-0
John Pettway, Keith, Sr., G, 6-2
Diante Wood, Sacred Heart, So., F-G, 6-5
Second team
Richard Boggan, Georgiana, Sr., F, 6-1
Taquavian Drake, Wadley, So., G, 6-0
Kevion Nolan, Sacred Heart, Jr., G, 6-0
Will Stanford, Cornerstone, Sr., G-F, 6-3
Jonathan Thomas, Berry, Sr., G-F, 6-3
Third team
Evan Aldridge, St. Bernard, Sr., F, 6-2
Jake Bonner, Phillips, Sr., G, 6-1
Sam Griffin, Covenant Christian, Sr., SG, 5-10
Desmond Mair, A.L. Johnson, Sr., C, 6-0
Adrian Person Jr., Brantley, So., G, 6-3
Honorable mention
Riley Austin, Spring Garden, So., PG, 5-9
Caden Davidson, Coosa Christian, Jr., G, 6-2
Skyler McFall, Waterloo, Sr., PF, 6-2
Coach of the year
Kirk Norris, Georgiana
AISA
First team
Ty Bolton, Hooper, Sr., G, 6-0
Stephen Burgess, Restoration Academy, Sr., G/F, 5-11
Ja’Marques Darien, Tuscaloosa Academy, So., PG, 5-10
Reggie Gee, Edgewood, Sr., G, 6-3
Xavier Heidelberg, Russell Christian (Miss.), Jr., PG, 5-10
Second team
James Beck, Glenwood, Jr., G, 5-10
David Hussey, Lowndes Academy, Sr., G, 6-2
Heath Huff, Lee-Scott, Sr., F, 6-10
Devon McCree, Abbeville Christian, Jr., G-F, 6-2
Reid Potthoff, Lakeside, Jr., G, 6-1
Third team
Mason Blackwell, Macon-East, Sr., F, 6-3
Nick McLeod, Northside Methodist, Jr., F, 6-3
Michael Murry, Autauga Academy, 8th, G, 6-0
Taylor Thomas, Fort Dale Academy, Sr., G, 6-0
Milos Zeradjanin, Crenshaw Christian, Sr., G, 5-10
Honorable mention
Trip Day, Glenwood, Jr., F, 6-7
Jeremiah Hall, Russell Christian (Miss.), Jr., PF, 6-3
Marcus Moody, Bessemer Academy, Sr., G/F, 6-0
Davis Thompson, Lee-Scott, Jr., G, 6-3
Coach of the year
Larry Chapman, Macon-East