MONTGOMERY, Ala. — Hazel Green’s Samiya Steele and McGill-Toolen’s Barry Dunning Jr. won the state of Alabama’s top high school basketball awards Thursday.
Dunning was named Mr. Basketball and Steele was named Miss Basketball by the Alabama Sports Writers Association.
They were honored at a banquet presented by ALFA Insurance and the Alabama High School Athletic Directors and Coaches Association.
Steele averaged 17.3 points, 4.8 rebounds and 5.5 assists with 65 steals for Class 6A champion Hazel Green, which finished undefeated with a 35-0 record while winning its fifth straight title. The Trojans also ended with the AHSAA’s current longest winning streak (59) still intact. The Alabama State signee who participated in the recent Alabama-Mississippi All-Star Game won by Alabama 89-81, finished her prep career with more than 1,000 points and 500 rebounds. She was selected the state’s Gatorade Player of the Year and earned Class 6A Final Four MVP for the second straight season. Hazel Green was 141-5 during her final four years in high school with four state titles.
She became the fifth Huntsville area player to earn Miss Basketball honors in the 35-year history of the award. Other past recipients include: Shaquera Wade, Huntsville (2025); Jasmine Jones, Bob Jones (2012); Jala Harris, Bob Jones (2009); Tasheika Morris, Butler (1999); and April Nance, Butler (1997).
MISS BASKETBALL
Samiya Steele, Hazel Green
SUPER ALL-STATE
(top 5 players regardless of classification)
Samiya Steele, Hazel Green
Reniya Kelly, Hoover
Molly Heard, Pisgah
Emma Kate Tittle, Deshler
Aniya Hubbard, Hoover
CLASS PLAYERS OF THE YEAR
7A: Reniya Kelly, Hoover
6A: Samiya Steele, Hazel Green
5A: Olivia Vandergriff, Guntersville
4A: Emma Kate Tittle, Deshler
3A: Ella Jane Connell, Prattville Christian
2A: Molly Heard, Pisgah
1A: Timya Thurman, Linden
AISA: Jasmyn Burts, Glenwood
The ASWA’s Boys’ Class Players of the Year included:
(Class 7A) Labaron Philon, Baker
(Class 6A) Barry Dunning Jr., McGill-Toolen Catholic
(Class 5A) Martavious Russell, Sipsey Valley
(Class 4A) Antonio Kite, Anniston
(Class 3A) Cole Millican, Plainview
(Class 2A) Anthony Johnson, Midfield
(Class 1A) Will Bonner, Belgreen
(AISA) Robert Rose, Autauga Academy.