Photo: Coosa Christian senior Chloe Davidson speaks during her basketball scholarship signing ceremony with Gadsden State on April 16. Pictured, from left: Coosa Christian girls basketball coach Jayme Hollingsworth, Chloe, Chloe’s dad Lee Davidson. (Chris McCarthy/Messenger)
By Chris McCarthy, Publisher/Editor
Chloe Davidson will continue her basketball career just four miles away from her high school campus.
The Coosa Christian senior signed a scholarship with Gadsden State on April 16, capping a successful prep career that included three area titles and two trips to the Northeast Regional Tournament.
“I’ve had a few bumps in the road, which makes this even more special,” said Davidson. “I’m not just going for athletics; I’m going to pursue a career in nursing, so I’m very excited for what Gadsden State has in store for me.”
After missing all of her sophomore year and half her junior season due to a broken arm,
Davidson averaged 18.8 points, 7.2 rebounds and 4.1 steals in 27 games this past season while helping the Lady Conquerors go 23-4, finish the regular season as the fifth-ranked team in Class 1A, win the area tournament and make it to the Northeast Regional Tournament semifinals. As an eighth grader, she was a member of Coosa Christian’s 2016-2017 regional semifinal team.
Following the 2020-21 season, Davison was named to the All-Messenger basketball and all-area and all-area tournament first teams.
“I first saw Chloe play at a camp when she was a seventh grader,” said Coosa girls basketball coach Jayme Hollingsworth. “I immediately knew that she was going to be a big, big, big part of the future of Coosa Christian girls basketball. Chloe is the last of the first players that [assistant] coach [Tommie] Carr and I had when we started here. When I think of Chloe, the first word that comes to mind is “toughness.” When we first took over, we were using the word “delicate” when it came to describe our players. I don’t think that’s the case anymore, and Chloe had a lot to do with establishing that culture. Chloe’s probably the most athletic kid I’ve ever coached. She’s an aggressive offensive player who can shoot the ball, run fast jump high and is a great defender. Chloe is also as phenomenal teammate and leader, and all of those things combined will serve her well at the next level.”
Gadsden State womens head basketball coach Bryan Phillips is excited about what Davidson will bring to the table for the 2021-22 season.
“From what I’ve seen from the game film, Chloe plays with a little bit of grit, and I wanted someone like that. She’s also got a smooth-looking stroke, and I think she can come in and be one of my best shooters. When she’s open, she can knock down shots. She’ll be in our top rotation next season, for sure.”
Phillips has signed several other players during spring recruiting, including Kylie Neal from Fort Payne, Kamie Kirk from Hatton, Tashanti Watkins from Austin, Brooke Hill from Berry, Emma Martin from Curry, Alysse Madden from Lanett and Montana Moats from Rome, Ga.
“We like to spread out the floor, and I feel that Chloe and the other freshmen will fit in with the group we have returning,” said Phillips. “If we can stay healthy and keep some depth, the sky’s the limit for us.”