By Erik Harris, sports editor
TRUSSVILLE — Hewitt-Trussville girls basketball standout Amiya Payne has been selected to represent her state in the 31st Alabama-Mississippi All-Star Classic later this month.
Payne, a senior wing for head coach Tonya Hunter, is one of 12 players named to the Alabama roster. The selections came from nominations from coaches.
The annual all-star contest is scheduled for March 12 in Montgomery’s Cramton Bowl.
But first, Payne and her No. 3-ranked Huskies have a date in the Class 7A Final 4 in Birmingham. After an emotional win over second-ranked Vestavia Hills in the Northeast Regional finals last week, Hewitt-Trussville will take on No. 10 Theodore on Tuesday with a spot in the state championship game on the line.
Payne rattled in the game-winning shot at the buzzer last week, breaking a 46-all tie and advancing the Huskies into the Final 4 for the second time in her career. She also starred on the 2019 group that finished as the 7A runner-up behind Hoover.
As a senior, Payne has shouldered much of her team’s offensive attack as Hewitt enters the semifinal round with a record of 28-4. She eclipsed the career 2,000-point mark in December, more than a month after signing with Middle Tennessee State.
See the complete 2021 Alabama All-Star girls roster below.
Maya Cunningham, Pleasant Grove, G
Allasha Dudley, Anniston, G
Saniah Parker, Mae Jemison, G
Amiya Payne, Hewitt-Trussville, G
Kaitlin Peterson, Eufaula, PG
Sara Puckett, Muscle Shoals, G
Jirah Rogers, East Limestone, P
Karoline Striplin, Geneva County, C
Nya Valentine, McGill-Toolen, PG
Jenna Walker, Priceville, PG
Grace Watson, Hazel Green, F
Randrea Wright, Carver-Birmingham, G