Jessica McBrayer gets hired by 7A program Hillcrest Tuscaloosa:
Former WSCC & Cullman coach takes her skills to Tuscaloosa:
GDW Analysis:
TUSCALOOA: One of the top 7A girls basketball programs in the AHSAA has hired a former standout coach from the Alabama Community Collage Conference.
Hillcrest Tuscaloosa reported via its Facebook page, the school will be led by former Wallace Statt and Cullman coach Jessica McBrayer next year.
The school reported the positive of hiring a new coach with a proven track record, unshakeable passion and vision for greatness.
McBrayer is ready to carry on the tradition of winning, the segment said.
McBrayer heads to T-town after Nick Browder led the Lady Patriots for 5 seasons with the last three ending up in playing in the AHSAA Final Four in Birmingham.
McBrayer has been a head coach for 8 years. Her first six was at Wallace State Community College. She replaced Ron Burdette and the Lady Lions stayed among the elite in the conference.
Her collegiate record was 125 & 41, a winning percentage around .750.
In 2023, McBrayer stepped down and accepted the role of coaching the Cullman Lady Bearcats.
Cullman was a competitive team as McBrayer had to encounter situations such as inexperience in the backcourt and a few injuries to key personnel.
Never the less, the Lady 'Cats had a respectable run in the 6A playoffs, defeating Jasper in the 6A, Area 13 semifinal that qualified them for the sub regional.
Having to play at Clay Chalkville, the Lady 'Cats put out a solid effort in scoring a 61 to 57 upset of the Lady Cougars in overtime.
Her two years with Cullman hoops was 30 wins & 32 losses.
Her eight years on the sidelines has resulted in 155 wins and 73 losses.
Hillcrest was seen by Gameday Weekly back in February during the Northwest Regional from Wallace State.
The Lady Patriots compiled a 6 game winning streak from the area to the sub regional and the regional round. Hillcrest outlasted Bob Jones in the title game from Tom Drake Coliseum 51 to 44.
Hillcrest was a winner in the Final Four 57 to 40 over Daphne before Hoover got them in the 7A championship from Legacy Arena 51 to 44.
Key people expected to be back for Hillcrest in 2025/26 include Skylynn Latham, Jaiden Hines, Michal Steward, all heading into their junior year.
Blakely Nixon was solid last season and will be in her senior season for the 7A school.
McBrayer will have something interesting once she lands in Tuscaloosa. She will be sharing the game in the same city with University of Alabama women's coach Kristy Curry and Shelton State Lady Bucs coach Madonna Thompson.
Thompson and McBrayer had numerous battles with their squads the best for a long time in the ACCC.
Photo of Jessica McBrayer, the new coach at Hillcrest Tuscaloosa High School.
Photo courtesy of Hillcrest Tuscaloosa basketball.
