Area basketball teams tip off on new season

MADISON – Girls basketball is the fourth most popular high school sport in America among girls attending high schools with 367,284 players in 18,090 schools. Among the national statistics are the student- athletes from the four local schools of Bob Jones, James Clemens, Sparkman and Madison Academy.

Girls basketball is always one of the most exciting and highly competitive events each school year and the current 2025-2026 new season is no different as the girls are now in the midst of doing battle on the hardwoods all with their sights at winning a State Championship.

Here’s a look at the local teams in girls action for 2025-2026:

Bob Jones

Bob Jones head coach Sherell Robertson, in her second season as top Lady Patriot, is very confident of her newest team. She said of her latest team, “I believe this team has the ability to rise to the occasion and compete at the very top.”

Most others would agree with Robertson’s assessment of what could be the best varsity team in North Alabama. Bob Jones will bring back four starters from last year’s squad, three of which are seniors along with a sophomore. Plus, two of those starting seniors have already signed Div. I school scholarships while others are being heavily recruited and could easy join the club of Div. I signees.

Senior starters are Ja’Kyah Smith (G/F, 5-10, Sr.) a Tulane signee is a four-year player and has unlimited potential according to Robertson. She is considered one of the top three players in Alabama as she averaged 12 points per game a season ago. With her height and experience, she should dominate her opponents; Elise McClain (G, 5-11, Sr.) led the Patriots in scoring a season ago with 13.5 points per outing and is widely regarded as one of the top players among the senior class in Alabama. She recently signed with the Div. I Spartans of Norfolk State; Jael Robinson (Post, 6-2, Sr.) provides a strong inside presence with the ability to score in the paint and stretch the floor. A versatile forward is primed for a big senior season. She, too, is a hot Div. I prospect and is undecided of her choice of college.

Also as returning starter is a sophomore who has already received numerous Div. I offers including those schools in the Southeastern Con- ference. Ella Watts (F, 6-0, So.) is turning heads in the college recruiting wars and is looking to have another banner year after scoring 10.9 points per game as a freshman. She reportedly performed well at the Adidas All-American Camp held in Los Angeles.

“We had a tough pre-season and emphasized discipline and accountability every step of the way,” added Robertson. “Our focus this years is on the three C’s: confidence, consistency and character. If we hold ourselves to those standards, I believe we can rise to the challenge.”

James Clemens

Off-season team bonding and summer physical workouts, which consisted of road work, weights and skill drills, have been the glue needed to band together the James Clemens 2025-2026 girls basketball team. Head coach Monica Maxwell, in her fifth season with the Lady Jets, knows her squad this season will be young and needed the off-season to get acclimated with one another, but also knows the squad is a little more mature than at first glance.

“This team has played together and matured from last year so hopefully we will be able to come out into this year’s schedule ahead of the pack and continue to learn and grow,” said Maxwell.

The Jets are made up of two seniors Kay Drionna Davis (F, 5-11, Sr.) and Karla de la Cruz (G, 5-7, Sr.) and two juniors, Jaslyn Ragan (G, 5-7, Jr.) and Layla Duncan (F, 5-6, Jr.). The sophomore class of Lady Jets makes up the majority of the roster as five from the class 2028 are set to go. Those include Raja Reber (F, 5-10, So.), Anne Younanian (G, 5-6, So.), Isabella Carrasquel (F, 5-9, So.), Breonn Holmes (G, 5-4, So.) and Lorin Eso (F, 5-8, So.). Add two freshmen, Peyton Peoples (G, 5-5, Fr.) and Blaise Dixon (F, 5-10, Fr.) you can see this squad is young, but Maxwell is up for the challenge.

“We don’t have a lot of size, especially within our upper classes, but we will win off of our quickness and speed as we have that type of talent,” added Maxwell.

Sparkman

The Lady Senators’ season team motto is: “All In…All Together.”

With leadership from five seniors, second- year head coach Emily Flanigan said, “I expect this team to play with confidence, composure and grit. Each player understands their role, and together, can continue to improve every day.”

The 2024-2025 season ended with an appearance in the Sweet 16. The post-season play came from finishing runner-up in both the Area regular season and a 4240 loss to Albertville in the tournament finals. The Lady Patriots had a 13-15 overall record.

Leading the returnees this year are the five seniors: Khloe Bradley (G/SF, 6-1, Sr.)- Averaged 18.5 points, 10 rebounds and 4 blocks per game. The versatile scorer and defensive leader played in the AHSAA North-South All-Star Game in July.

Hannah Horton (G, 5-7, Sr.)- Provides perimeter scoring and leadership and averaged 13.7 points per game while shooting 45.8-percent from three-point range a season ago. She hit eight three-pointers against Grissom and six versus Albertville.

Carmen Rice (PG, 5-4, Sr.)- Brings leadership and ball-handling skills set. She is returning after an ACL injury.

Jayden Gracie (G, 5-6, Sr.)- Adds depth and defensive intensity.

Trinity Dixon (PG, 5-4, Sr.)- She, too, is returning from an ACL injury and Flanigan feels she contributed toughness and playmaking to the court.

Juniors on the squad include: Mady Beasley (SF, 5-8, Jr.)- Hit for 9 points and 6 rebounds per outing last season. A returning starter, she is known to be very athletic and tough on defense.

Samiya Brown (SF, 6-0, Jr.)- Developing inside presence through hard work as she contributes defensively and hit the boards in strong fashion.

Sophomores will add plenty. They include Gerren Wallace (PG, 5-7, So.), Savanna Peek (SF, 5-7, So.), Lauryn Burton (PG, 5-6, So.) and Cailyn Yeldell (F, 6-0, So.). The lone freshman on the team is Deonna Spears (G, 5-9, Fr.) who played numerous minutes as an eighth grader a season ago and averaged 7 points per game. She’s expected to grow into a twoway player for Flanigan.

“I am excited for another season and am confident that this group of student- athletes will represent Sparkman with dedication, heart and perseverance,” added Flanigan.

Madison Academy

The off-season for the Class 4A Lady Mustangs of Madison Academy was just as busy as the pre-season workouts and practice sessions that led up to the start of the 2025-2026 season.

Unceremoniously during the off-season, Madison Academy 44-year old Adam Walker to replace five-year head coach Krista Baldwin, who chose to retire her coaching whistle to focus on her family after she posted a 78-42 overall record, which included a 31-3 record and an Elite 8 run last season where she was named the 2025 AHSAA Class 4A Coach of the Year.

For Walker, he’s familiar with his 10-player roster after he served as assistant coach and associate head coach for Baldwin last season where he played a key role in player development, game planning and scouting. He held various coaching roles with the Madison Academy boys program 2003-2007 and was assistant coach for the Mustangs during the 2017-2018 season.

Walker takes over the sport on the sidelines for Madison Academy and has six returning players from last year’s team which posted a fabulous 31-3 record. Two of those sizzling six were starters a year ago. Those include 5-11 senior Marlee Hedgepeth (C, 5-11, 8.1 points-5.2 rebounds per game, Sr.) and Kenzie Privett (G, 5-7, 6.5-1.5, Jr.), daughter of Madison Academy school Principal Brian Privett.

Joining those two starters as returnees are Dejah Hyter (PG, 5-7, 3.3-1.4, Sr.), Sienna Brown (F, 5-5, 1.0-1.0, Sr.), Hailey Bellomy (G-5-9, 2.5-1.9, Jr.) and Maggie Boyd (G, 5-7, 1.1-0.6, Jr.).

Walker is excited to have additional players moving up from their play from last season’s junior varsity team. Those include Macy Curtis (G, 5-6, Fr.), Blakely Beddingfield (F, 5-8, Fr.) and Lucy Irby (G, 5-5, So.). Also on board this season as a returnee from her play with the Mustangs two years ago, before taking a break last season, Memphis Houston (G/F, 5-5, Jr.).

“I really like this team as we have a tremendous amount of potential,” added Walker.

The 2025-2026 season schedule includes a trip to Gulf Shores to tipoff the season and an interesting matchup to complete the regular season versus Class 7A usual powerhouse Bob Jones.