E.A. Sports Today

Britt close to decision

Prep notebook: Oxford LB to announce commitment on grandparents’ birthday; Wood, Rogers named finalists for Class 1A’s best

DIANTE WOOD

DIANTE WOOD

TYKEAH ROGERS (Photos by Kristen Stringer/Krisp Pics Photography)

TYKEAH ROGERS (Photos by Kristen Stringer/Krisp Pics Photography)

By Al Muskewitz
East Alabama Sports Today

Oxford linebacker Kenney Britt Jr. is about to make the most important decision of his athletics life later this summer and he wants to be sure some of his most beloved influences are remembered in the process.

Britt, expected to be the most recruited football player in Calhoun County this coming season, took to social media to announce he planned to make his college commitment Aug. 8 – the date of his late great-grandparents’ mutual birthdays.

“After talking with my parents and prayer I will commit to the college of my choice on my late grandparents’ birthday on Aug. 8,” Britt posted on his Facebook page.

Britt said Wednesday he had been considering that specific date for a while. He spent every summer with his great-grandparents when he was younger.

“They were a big influence – not just on me, but all the children,” he said. “They had 10 children. They had an impact on all of us.”

Response on social media to Britt’s heartfelt declaration has been overwhelmingly positive.

Britt’s collection of letters from college suitors has grown from a shoebox to a crate in recent weeks. He said he would post his top 12 choices on April 11.

Without divulging any choices, Britt said the key elements in the process at this point are finding “a place to call home” and the availability of playing time.

The grandparents would be so proud.

WOOD, ROGERS FINALISTS: Sacred Heart sophomore Diante Wood and Spring Garden senior Tykeah Rogers, post players and MVPs of their respective Class 1A state championships, are finalists for their respective Class 1A Players of the Year.

Wood was one of two Sacred Heart players on the Class 1A boys all-state first team and three on the first two teams. He averaged 20.9 points, 11.5 rebounds and had 119 blocked shots this past season. Rogers was a first-team all-state selection and one of two Spring Garden players on the first two girls teams.

Rogers was a 1A girls finalist last year. Wood’s teammate, D.J. Heath, was a 1A boys finalist.

The winners, along with Mr. and Miss Basketball, will be announced at the Alabama Sports Writers Association awards banquet April 6 in Montgomery.

Here is the complete list of finalists:

CLASS 1A BOYS
Diante Wood, Sacred Heart, So., F-G, 6-5
Jacquez Payton, Georgiana, Sr., G, 6-0
John Pettway, Keith, Sr., G, 6-2

CLASS 1A GIRLS
Harriet Winchester, Keith, Sr., G, 5-9
River Baldwin, Pleasant Home, Fr., C, 6-5
Tykeah Rogers, Spring Garden, Sr. F, 5-9

CLASS 7A GIRLS
Haley Troup, Gadsden City
Jasmine Walker, Jeff Davis
Tykeria Williams, Lee-Montgomery

CLASS 6A GIRLS
Cierra Johnson, Blount
Japonica James, LeFlore
Tyra Johnson, Austin

CLASS 5A GIRLS
Kaitlyn Rodgers, Wenonah
Rachael Childress, Lawrence Co.
Unique Thompson, Faith Academy

CLASS 4A GIRLS
Ashley Scott, UMS-Wright
Charity Brown, Sipsey Valley
Karleigh Sledge, Deshler

CLASS 3A GIRLS
Allie Craig Cruce, Lauderdale Co.
Emma Wallen, Lauderdale Co.
Presley Johnson, Pisgah

CLASS 2A GIRLS
Ataiya Bridges, Lanett
Kirstin Brown, Tanner
Lacy Stafford, Geneva Co.

AISA GIRLS
Emily Quattlebaum, Northside Methodist
Tazsa Garrett-Hammett, Springwood
Tyler Armistead, Patrician

CLASS 7A BOYS
Austin Wiley, Spain Park
Kalin Johnson, Gadsden City
Tevin Brown, Fairhope

CLASS 6A BOYS
Alex Reese, Pelham
Javien Williams, Woodlawn
Reginald Todd, Blount

CLASS 5A BOYS
Cortez Gibbs, BTW-Tuskegee
John Petty, J.O. Johnson
Rod Williams, Faith Academy

CLASS 4A BOYS
Brandon Rutledge, Bibb Co.
Isaac Chatman, Cordova
Trey Petty, Westminster Christian

CLASS 3A BOYS
Chase Conley, Brindlee Mountain
Joshua Langford, Madison Academy
Spencer Newman, Bayside Academy

CLASS 2A BOYS
Anquavious Pollard, Lanett
JaTarvious Whitlow, LaFayette
Triston Chambers, Cold Springs

AISA BOYS
Reggie Gee, Edgewood
Stephen Burgess, Restoration Academy
Xavier Heidelberg, Russell Christian (Miss.)

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