By Bobby Mathews, Sports Editor
TRUSSVILLE — Hewitt-Trussville’s April Hooks’ deadly aim from beyond the three-point arc is a thing of beauty. Time and again during the 2021-2022 season, she found her range and made Huskies’ opponents pay.
The sharp-shooting guard will take her game to the next level, too, as she recently committed to play college basketball at Alabama State once her days as a Husky are over. The Hornets program felt like home for Hooks, she said.
“I chose the Hornets because they made it known from the day they offered me that they were serious about me committing to them,” Hooks said, adding that it was important to her to attend a university that qualifies as a Historically Black College & University. “My mom went to a HBCU and my brother currently goes to a HBCU so I know that the experience is like no other.”
Hooks has played a tremendous part in the Huskies’ success over the past two seasons, said Hewitt-Trussville head coach Tonya Hunter. Her commitment to Alabama State is part of the ongoing process as she comes into the player Hunter expects her to be.
“It’s such a blessing to see a kid who played as an eighth grader on a 7A varsity level mature into the player she has become,” Hunter said. “All of her hard work and dedication is definitely rewarded, and it will definitely show up this upcoming season.”
Seeing Hooks commit to play college ball is a great moment for her, for her coach, and for the Huskies’ program.
“We are so excited for April’s commitment to Alabama State University to play basketball at the Division I level,” Hunter said. “We emphasize to our kids to set goals, and April set a goal to play on the Division I level, and she reached it. Now that’s a win for her, and our Hewitt-Trussville girls’ basketball program.”
Hooks is looking forward to her senior season and beyond. She’ll remain a dangerous scorer, whether as a Husky or a Hornet.
“Coach Freda Freeman-Jackson made it clear that she recruited me because of my shooting ability,” Hooks said. “With that being said, I see my role as being a knock down shooter and a consistent scorer.”