ALL-AISA BOYS: Valiant Cross duo leads all-state team
Sophomore Deshawn Hall of Valiant Cross was chosen as the AISA Player of the Year but the league’s coaches. (Tim Gayle)
By TIM GAYLE
The return of Letwan Hall and Deshawn Hall gave the Valiant Cross Warriors a foundation to build on.
The Warriors’ athletic program, now in its fifth year, had four boys’ basketball coaches in its first four years, but returned Letwan Hall after reaching the semifinals of the state tournament in 2024. Hall’s coaching, and the play of his son Deshawn, helped the Warriors win the school its first-ever state championship with a 51-42 win over Springwood School in the finals.
Alabama Independent School Association coaches voted Deshawn, the top performer in the state tournament, as the AISA Player of the Year. Letwan Hall was selected by the coaches as the Coach of the Year, beating out Lisa Sampson of Class AA runner-up Springwood School.
Hall, a 6-foot-5 sophomore guard for the Warriors, is one of four AISA players who averaged a double double this past season. Hall ranked fifth in the league in scoring at 20.5 points per game and also averaged 12.5 rebounds per game for a team that lost just two games on the court to in-state teams this past season.
Joining Hall on the first team were Nolan Cole, Jayden Buckhannon, Tylon Shine and Ronta Watson.
Cole, a 6-1 guard for Hooper Academy, ranked eighth in the league in scoring at 18.2 points per game and also averaged 4.2 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game. He helped lead the Colts to the semifinals of the state tournament before losing to area rival Valiant Cross.
Buckhannon, a 6-foot guard for Abbeville Christian, led the league in scoring at 24 points per game, averaging six rebounds, three assists and four steals per game as well. He led the Generals to the Class A finals where they lost to Escambia.
Shine, a 6-4 small forward for Evangel Christian, averaged 15.4 points, 5.7 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 1.4 steals for the Lions. Evangel reached the AA semifinals before losing 54-53 to Springwood.
Watson, a 5-10 guard for Escambia, led the league in scoring at 24 points per game, along with three rebounds, four assists and three steals per game. He led Escambia to the Class A championship with a win over Buckhannon’s Generals.
Letwan Hall led his team to the finals for the third time in his career. He also coached in the championship game in 2017 and 2018 with East Memorial, winning in 2018.
Making the second team were Banks guard Tavarus Robinson, Cornerstone guard Zeke Adams, The Oaks guard Joey Allen, Wilcox guard Julian Curry and Springwood guard CJ Johnson.
The coaches selected a first team and second team, along with honorable mention selections, based on their voting of players submitted by the coaches for consideration.
AISA COACHES FIRST TEAM
Deshawn Hall 6-5 G So. Valiant Cross Academy
Nolan Cole 6-1 G Sr. Hooper Academy
Jayden Buckhannon 6-0 G Jr. Abbeville Christian Academy
Tylon Shine 6-4 F Sr. Evangel Christian Academy
Ronta Watson 5-10 G Jr. Escambia Academy
AISA COACHES SECOND TEAM
Tavarus Robinson 6-0 G Sr. Banks Academy
Zeke Adams 6-1 G Sr. Cornerstone Christian
Joey Allen 6-0 G Sr. The Oaks
Julian Curry 5-10 G Jr. Wilcox Academy
CJ Johnson 6-0 G Jr. Springwood School
PLAYER OF THE YEAR -- Deshawn Hall, Valiant Cross Academy
COACH OF THE YEAR -- Letwan Hall, Valiant Cross Academy
HONORABLE MENTION: Abe Crosswhite, 6-4, F, Sr., Wilcox Academy; Kayson Dennison, 6-3, G, Jr., North River Christian; Reid House, 6-1, F, So., Trinity Christian; Greg Johnson, 6-3, G/F, Sr., Springwood School; Luke Moseley, 6-5, F, Sr., Hooper Academy; Israel Paul, 6-0, G, Jr., The Oaks; Bryce Stevens, 6-5, G, Sr., Escambia Academy; Brock Whitt, 6-4, F, Jr., Edgewood Academy.