North blows out South girls by 50 to 22 margin in 2nd half:
GDW Analysis:
MONTGOMERY: For what she is on the basketball floor, Ava McSwain has earned the nickname of "Awesome Ava" by Gameday Weekly.
Her presence last season in moving to Good Hope High School joined the talent the team had. She helped them get over the obstacle of the Northwest Regional and a first time AHSAA state championship.
Tuesday, McSwain was at a great display by leading the North All Stars in an 87 to 46 runaway of the South in the All Star game from the Cramton Bowl Multiplex.
The summer has been slightly rough for McSwain. She suffered an ankle injury in early June and was not able to be involved in any of the playdays with her Lady Raiders.
McSwain worked hard to get herself ready for this moment in being a part of a very talented lineup the North had for the 2024 edition.
Team North got a 20 to 11 lead through the first period and managed to extend it to 37 to 24 by halftime.
Through the first half, McSwain was very sharp with 5 of 6 FGs and three for three from long distance.
Others got into a shooting flow in the 2nd half for the North. It was a 23 to 9 surge in the 3rd and a 27 to 13 romp on the scoreboard in the final 8:00.
Late in the game, McSwain made a great pass that led to a layup by Sarah Gordon from Vestavia. The score was 80 to 43 at the time.
McSwain contributed 18 points to the winning side in being selected the team's MVP.
Saniya Jackson of Park Crossing claimed the MVP honors for the South.
A year ago, the North dominated the game in whipping the South 80 to 44. On the team representing the county were Iva Maddox of Good Hope and Maci Brown from Cold Springs.
With McSwain and her group showing superior play on Tuesday evening, the North leads the all time series 24 to 3.
Coaching the North in 2024 was Justin Bowen from Southside Gadsden and Amber Deline of Hartselle.
The administrative coach was Brant Llewellyn from Lauderdale County.
Llewellyn announced last Wednesday he is retiring from coaching the school in Rogersville for 25 years and 8 state championships.
His first of two losses in his final season at Lauderdale was to Good Hope with McSwain and company in a regular game played at Wallace State's Tom Drake Coliseum.
McSwain has her final season for Good Hope coming up. She has committed to play at the University of Alabama Huntsville with the Lady Chargers now led by former Wallace State coach Allen Sharpe.
Maddox will be with UAH as a freshman when she reports to the program in the fall.
Photo of the AHSAA North girls basketball team Tuesday in the all star game from Montgomery.
Ava McSwain of Good Hope (2) is first on the bottom row.
The coaches are Amber Deline of Hartselle (left back) and Justin Bowen of Southside Gadsden.
Photo courtesy of the AHSAA.
