GDW Analysis:
MOBILE: A year ago, Good Hope's Ivey Maddox got to enjoy the thrill of victory for the Alabama All Stars in their annual encounter with the best from Mississippi.
In 2025, Lady Raider Ava McSwain was selected as a participant.
The numbers were not normal for McSwain, but she was able to perform with intensity and Alabama extended its winning streak over the Magnolia State Saturday afternoon.
From the Mitchell Center at the University of South Alabama, the Alabama stars were victors by an 81 to 71 final. Team Alabama went on a 23 to 12 run in the 3rd to snap a 32 to 32 halftime tie.
The final 20:00 was Alabama on top, scoring wise, 49 to 39.
Neither team showed a good touch from shooting. Alabama was 32 of 95 total for 33 percent, Mississippi 25 of 78 for 32 percent.
Alabama made only 4 of 28 treys, Mississippi much worse at 2 of 10.
From the line, both showed inconsistency with Alabama 13 of 21 and Mississippi 19 of 28.
The Bama stars dominated the offensive glass with 30 rebounds, accounting for 21 second chance points.
Well known standout Ace Austin from 1A champion Spring Garden, scored 17 points as did Hoover's Kaitlyn Gipson.
Austin finished just 6 of 20 from the floor and only 5 of 9 at the line. Gipson was 7 of 19 in shooting and 2 of 2 in FTs.
McSwain played 14:00 and did not convert a FG in six attempts. She had 5 rebounds, 3 on the offensive side.
Joining McSwain on the bench was Cold Springs' Tammy West, serving as the administrative coach.
Spring Garden's Ricky Austin directed Alabama, now with 8 consecutive wins in this classic and an overall record of 21 & 14.
West will be returning back to Cullman County later this weekend and looking ahead to her future.
West is being considered to be the next girls coach at Cullman High School.
Gameday Weekly has learned the Cullman High administration has made an offer to West, who has been at Cold Springs for 33 years with 754 victories and 4 AHSAA championships.
McSwain will graduate from Good Hope in May, then head to the University of Alabama Huntsville and play for Allen Sharpe, the former coach at Wallace State in Hanceville.
Photo of Alabama All Star Ava McSwain (2) shooting in Saturday's All Star game vs. Mississippi at the Mitchell Center in Mobile.
Photo courtesy of the AHSAA.
