By Chris McCarthy/Editor
A pair of local players are officially among the cream of the crop in high school basketball across the state.
Gadsden City High guards Kalin Johnson and Haley Troup were among 42 student-athletes recently selected by the Alabama Sports Writers Association as finalists for 2015-16 Player of the Year honors.
The players will be recognized at a banquet on April 6 in Montgomery,
Both Johnson and Troup were named to the Class 7A All-State first team earlier this month.
Listed below are the finalists for each class.
Girls
Class 7A: Haley Troup, Gadsden City; Jasmine Walker, Jeff Davis; Tykeria Williams, Lee-Montgomery
Class 6A: Cierra Johnson, Blount; Japonica James, LeFlore; Tyra Johnson, Austin
Class 5A: Kaitlyn Rodgers, Wenonah; Rachael Childress, Lawrence Co.; Unique Thompson, Faith Academy
Class 4A: Ashley Scott, UMS-Wright; Charity Brown, Sipsey Valley; Karleigh Sledge, Deshler
Class 3A: Allie Craig Cruce, Lauderdale Co.; Emma Wallen, Lauderdale Co.; Presley Johnson, Pisgah
Class 2A: Ataiya Bridges; Kirstin Brown, Tanner; Lacy Stafford, Geneva Co.
Class 1A: Harriet Winchester, Keith; River Baldwin, Pleasant Home; Tykeah Rogers, Spring Garden
Boys
Class 7A: Kalin Johnson, Gadsden City; Austin Wiley, Spain Park; Tevin Brown, Fairhope
Class 6A: Alex Reese, Pelham; Javien Williams, Woodlawn; Reginald Todd, Blount
Class 5A: Cortez Gibbs, BTW-Tuskegee; John Petty, J.O. Johnson; Rod Williams, Faith Academy
Class 4A: Brandon Rut-ledge, Bibb Co.; Isaac Chatman, Cordova; Trey Petty, Westminster Christian
Class 3A: Chase Conley, Brindlee Mountain; Joshua Langford, Madison Academy; Spencer Newman, Bayside Academy
Class 2A: Anquavious Pollard, Lanett; JaTarvious Whitlow, LaFayette; Triston Chambers, Cold Springs
Class 1A: Diante Wood, Sacred Heart; Jacquez Payton, Georgiana; John Pettway, Keith
