Spring Garden’s Austin earns Class 1A Coach of the Year by Shannon Fagan, Sports Editor
Posted: Saturday, March 19, 2016 1:01 am
It’s not easy playing for Spring Garden basketball coach Ricky Austin. Just ask senior post player Tykeah Rogers.
To hear her tell it, he’s very demanding, sort of like a drill sergeant at boot camp.
“You’re going to get called everything in the book,” she said. “He’s going to test you with everything he’s got.”
There have been times when Rogers has been frustrated with Austin on the court, but she wouldn’t trade those moments of frustration for anything in the world. That’s because he’s brought out her potential. And, in return, Rogers’ potential has helped bring Spring Garden its latest Class 1A girls state championship.
The Lady Panthers (31-4) clinched their latest title on March 3 with a 64-38 win over Linden in Birmingham. They avenged last year’s title loss to Keith in the state semifinals with a 50-34 victory.
Spring Garden closed out the season winning its last 22 games. Along the way, Austin earned his 500th win coaching the girls program.
The Alabama Sports Writers Association recently recognized Austin as their Class 1A Girls Coach of the Year on its All-State Girls Basketball Teams. The teams were revealed late Friday evening.
“He’s one of the best,” said Rogers, who was selected on the First Team for the second consecutive year. “He’s done a lot for me and for all the other girls on the team, now and in the past. He works hard for us. If he works hard for us, then we know we can work hard for him. He’s taught me a lot. He’s the reason I’m the player I am today. I’m just glad to be able to learn from him and his coaching.”
Austin said the honor represents a lot of people and not just him.
“It’s just like the 500 wins. There are a lot of people, a lot of things attached to that that makes stuff like this happen – from the players, the assistant coaches and our administration. It’s a lot more than just me,” Austin said.
Austin has now guided Spring Garden to four of its five state championships in his 20 years as head coach. He also guided the Lady Panthers to state titles in 2004, 2005 and 2008.
“Those years represent what these girls’ teams have done here, not just that win that secured the championship, but all the work and the belief in the coach, the belief in each other and the dedication,” Austin said. “When I look at those banners, it puts everything into perspective. I know how much work these kids have put into it, and that’s the result. All of our girls have done the same amount of work. There are a lot of girls who haven’t gotten represented with a state championship banner in their years, but that doesn’t mean they worked any less. It just means everything lined up just right.
“When I look up there and see those banners, I think ‘Wow, how fortunate I am to be part of it.’ That’s all I am. I’m just a part.”
For a time, Austin didn’t know if this year’s championship would even be possible. Senior guard Madison Sides, a second-team all-state selection, was recovering from her second knee surgery before the season started. Rogers had also suffered a foot injury early in the season, but both returned to the lineup to help guide Spring Garden back to Birmingham.
Austin credits the relationship Rogers and Sides have as their will to return and finish what they started as state runners-up last season.
“They don’t like pats on the back,” Austin said. “They’d rather be the underdog. They’d rather have a goal hanging out in front of them. They’d rather have something they’re always looking forward to. They’ve never said ‘Wow, I’ve made it.’ They’ve never had that mentality since I’ve had them.
“For them two to have the same mentality like that, that’s made their relationship stronger, which directly affected me and the way I’ve coached. It’s motivated me, and it’s directly affected our team. It’s affected this school and this community, all because of a relationship. I think there’s a lot there to be learned from everybody. If we can all learn to get along and be so driven and not be lazy, we’d get a lot more accomplished in everything.”
Rogers averaged 17 points, 10 rebounds and an assist per game this season. Sides contributed 11 points, four rebounds and two assists.
Both players are honored to be chosen among the state’s best, and both players credit each other for their success.
“I think ever since Tykeah moved here, we’ve had in our minds that we want to win state before we leave,” Sides said. “We knew we could do it. We had a dominant post player. We had outside shooting. Our outside shooters could get to the basket too. I think from the day she got here, we’ve been pushing each other to be the best we could possibly be. I think when you have that other person who can help you become what you want to be, it’ll help you out in the long run.”
Added Rogers: “For us to both be honored on all-state, it’s just a great feeling. It’s a great feeling to do something with someone you’ve been with since the seventh grade. You know you’re going to be friends with them the rest of your life. I’m just glad we’re both able to do that.”
Two other county girls basketball players received all-state recognition in Cedar Bluff senior guard Delilah Price and Sand Rock senior guard Madison McCullough.
Price, a Class 1A third-team selection, averaged 13 points, five rebounds and four assists for the Lady Tigers (19-11) this season. McCullough earned an honorable mention on the Class 3A team. She averaged 11 points, five boards and a pair of assists for the Lady Wildcats (21-10).
The ASWA All-State Girls Basketball Teams are listed below, beginning with Class 7A.
CLASS 7A
First team
Ahyiona Vason, Jeff Davis, Sr., G, 5-4
Haley Troup, Gadsden City, Jr., G, 5-10
Jasmine Walker, Jeff Davis, Sr., F, 6-3
Katie Krout, Tuscaloosa Co., Sr., F, 6-1
Tykeria Williams, Lee-Montgomery, Sr., G, 5-6
Second team
Brooke Hampel, Hazel Green, So., F, 5-10
Dana Echols, Auburn, Sr., G, 5-6
Jailyn Maddox, Hoover, Sr., G, 5-10
Ryann Sylvester, McGill-Toolen, Sr., G-F, 5-9
Sara Carr, Mountain Brook, Sr., F, 5-10
Third team
Brooke Burns, Gadsden City, Jr., G, 5-10
Caitlin Hose, Hazel Green, So., G, 5-9
Kaitlyn Hadley, Buckhorn, Sr., C, 5-11
Quan Holton, Smiths Station, So., G, 5-7
Zipporah Broughton, Lee-Montgomery, So., G, 5-9
Honorable mention
Jordan LeNoir, Thompson, Sr., C, 5-9
Shauntai Battle, McGill-Toolen, Jr., G-F, 5-9
Coach of the year
Steve Clemons, Buckhorn
CLASS 6A
First team
Cierra Johnson, Blount, Sr., PG, 5-10
Hannah Barber, Homewood, So., G, 5-5
Japonica James, LeFlore, Sr., F, 5-9
Jas Hill, LeFlore, Sr., G, 5-7
Tyra Johnson, Austin, Sr., G, 5-7
Second team
Ajah Wayne, Homewood, So., F, 5-10
Daisha Bradford, LeFlore, So., G, 5-7
Katie Allen, Albertville, Sr., G-F, 5-11
Kenysha Coulson, Lee-Huntsville, Sr., G, 5-9
Moriah Taylor, Hartselle, Fr., G, 5-4
Third team
Alexis Woods, Athens, So., C, 5-10
Amber Rivers, Center Point, Sr., F, 6-2
Camyrn London, Shades Valley , Sr., G, 5-7
Daja Woodard, Blount, So., G-F-C, 6-2
Shaforia Kines, Huffman, Sr., PG, 5-6
Honorable mention
Amanda Ford, Paul Bryant, Sr., F-C, 6-2
Janeen Johnson, Williamson, Sr., PG, 5-8
Tiara McLeod, Carroll, So., F, 5-11
Coach of the year
Darrell Walton, LeFlore
CLASS 5A
First team
Bianca Jackson, Brewbaker Tech, Jr., G, 5-1
Kaitlyn Rodgers, Wenonah, Sr., F, 6-2
Maori Davenport, Charles Henderson, Fr., F, 6-4
Rachael Childress, Lawrence Co., Sr., G-F, 5-10
Unique Thompson, Faith Academy, Jr., C, 6-3
Second team
Alexus Dye, Wenonah, Jr., F, 6-0
India Blakely, Charles Henderson, Sr., G, 5-7
Lakashia Hill, Eufaula, Sr., F, 6-0
Madison Baggett, Madison Co., Sr., PG, 5-6
Tyesha Haynes, Calera, Sr., G, 5-6
Third team
Daja Walker, BTW-Tuskegee, Sr., G, 5-7
Faith Reynolds, Wenonah, So., G, 5-8
Lakhlian Rankins, Faith Academy, So., G, 5-4
Raven Cooley, Anniston, Sr., G, 5-5
Traniya Pitts, Central-Tuscaloosa, Sr., G, 5-7
Honorable mention
Antiyocka Howard, Central-Tuscaloosa, Jr., F, 5-7
Hannah Williams, Douglas, Sr., F-G, 5-9
Ivery Moore, Demopolis, Sr., F, 5-8
Taylor Ann Yeager, Fairview, So., G, 5-2
Coach of the year
Jarvis Wilson, Carver-Birmingham
CLASS 4A
First team
Ashley Scott, UMS-Wright, Sr., C, 6-2
Ashlyn Adkins, Locust Fork, Jr., G, 5-7
Charity Brown, Sipsey Valley, Sr., G, 5-7
Karleigh Sledge, Deshler, So., C, 5-10
Lauryn Lilly, Montevallo, So., G, 5-7
Second team
Elissa Brown, Elmore Co., Sr., G, 5-3
Jaime Gail Hudson, Locust Fork, Sr., F, 5-9
Jasmine Finley-Kimble, Handley, Sr., F-C, 6-0
Queen Ford, Sipsey Valley, Jr., F, 6-3
Taylor Aikerson, Deshler, So., G, 5-7
Third team
Alexis Cooper, Cordova, Sr., G, 5-7
Erin Bowman, BTW Magnet, Sr., F, 5-10
Iyana Tate, Catholic-Montgomery, Jr., C, 6-0
Kendall Johnson, Hokes Bluff, Jr., C, 6-1
Shanda Pugh, Clarke Co., Sr., G, 5-8
Honorable mention
Kathleen Wheeler, Priceville, Fr., G, 5-10
Kaylee Maddox, Good Hope, Sr., F, 5-8
Coach of the year
Barbara Roy, Locust Fork
CLASS 3A
First team
Abby Lockridge, Westbrook Christian, Sr., G, 5-8
Allie Craig Cruce, Lauderdale Co., So., F, 6-1
Emma Wallen, Lauderdale Co., Sr., G, 5-7
Jade Brooks, Montgomery Academy, Jr., G, 5-8
Presley Johnson, Pisgah, Sr., C, 5-11
Second team
Chelsea Leach, Colbert Co., So., F-C, 5-8
Courtney Yarbrough, Brindlee Mountain, Sr., F, 5-10
Destinee McGhee, Madison Academy, 8th, G, 6-1
Elexis Evans, Greensboro, Jr., C, 6-3
Jasonie Guice, Barbour Co., Sr., PG, 5-1
Third team
Kayla White, Montgomery Academy, Jr., F, 5-7
Mia Creech, Dale Co., So., F, 5-8
Nakia Kincey, Abbeville, Jr., PG, 5-5
Rebekah Hambright, Lexington, Sr., SF, 5-10
Taylor Hollingsworth, Hanceville, Sr., G, 5-10
Honorable mention
Haleigh Howell, American Christian, Sr., F, 5-11
Madison McCullough, Sand Rock, Sr., G, 5-6
Ruth Horton, Holly Pond, Jr., G, 5-5
Coach of the year
Barry Fencher, Montgomery Academy
CLASS 2A
First team
Ataiya Bridges, Lanett, Jr., G, 5-5
Darby Madden, Red Bay, Jr., F, 5-11
Janesha Green, Samson, Sr., G, 5-5
Kirstin Brown, Tanner, Jr., F, 5-11
Lacy Stafford, Geneva Co., Sr., G, 5-8
Second team
Ashley Chapman, St. Luke’s, Sr., PF, 6-0
Emme Willoughby, Cold Springs, Jr., G, 5-10
Kortney Barnes, Mobile Christian, Jr., C, 6-0
LaTascya Duff, Samson, So., G, 5-7
Ty’Quajah Griffin, Goshen, Fr., PG, 5-6
Third team
Allie Kennedy, Red Bay, Jr., G, 5-9
Hannah Culpepper, Ider, Jr., G, 5-6
Ka’Lasha Patterson, R.C. Hatch, Sr., F, 5-9
LaTora Duff, Samson, So., G, 5-7
Victoria Lavender, Holy Spirit, Sr., G-F, 5-5
Honorable mention
Abby Stutts, Mars Hill Bible, Sr., G
Bailey West, Cold Springs, Sr., G, 5-5
Coach of the year
Chad McKnight, Samson
CLASS 1A
First team
Amber Richardson, Linden, So., G-F, 5-5
Harriet Winchester, Keith, Sr., G, 5-9
River Baldwin, Pleasant Home, Fr., C, 6-5
Taylor Jones, Berry, Sr., F-C, 5-10
Tykeah Rogers, Spring Garden, Sr., F, 5-9
Second team
Karlie Milligan, Berry, Sr., SG, 5-8
Madison Sides, Spring Garden, Sr., G, 5-10
Normesha Pitts, Loachapoka, Sr., G, 5-8
Savanna Naylor, Decatur Heritage, Sr., G, 5-10
Zykia Pettway, Keith, Sr., F, 5-10
Third team
Anslea Twymon, Winterboro, Sr., G, 5-8
Chandler Sparkman, Decatur Heritage, Jr., C, 5-11
Delilah Price, Cedar Bluff, Sr., PG, 5-7
Kayla Pruitt, Lynn, Sr., F, 5-10
Tiffany Barber, A.L. Johnson, Sr., SG, 5-8
Honorable mention
Lexie Gann, Covenant Christian, So., G, 5-7
Olivia Jones, Brantley, Fr., G, 5-6
Coach of the year
Ricky Austin, Spring Garden
AISA
First team
Audrey Crowe, Glenwood, Sr., F, 6-0
Emily Quattlebaum, Northside Methodist, Sr., G, 5-7
Mackenzie Smelley, Tuscaloosa Academy, Sr., F, 5-11
Tazsa Garrett-Hammett, Springwood, Jr., C, 5-11
Tyler Armistead, Patrician, Jr., F, 5-10
Second team
Abby Ray, Lowndes Academy, Jr., F, 5-6
Claudia Tucker, Lee-Scott, Jr., G, 5-7
Fannasy Garrett-Hammett, Springwood, Sr., PG, 5-7
Joiner Hughes, Lakeside, Fr., G, 5-4
Logan Dees, South Choctaw Academy, Fr., G, 5-8
Third team
Jesi Garrett, Macon-East, Sr., F, 5-11
Kevi Hansen, Edgewood, Jr., F, 5-10
Lauren Johnson, Pike Liberal Arts, Jr., G-F, 5-8
Madison Ann Gaston, Fort Dale Academy, Jr., F, 5-7
Morgan Grant, Glenwood, Fr., F, 5-9
Honorable mention
Mary Giles, Abbeville Christian, Sr., G, 5-7
Paige McCord, Autauga Academy, Sr., G, 5-6
Sydney Sessions, Wilcox Academy, Jr., F-C, 6-0
Coach of the year
David Ingram, Patrician