Spring Garden and Alabama women's basketball committ Ace Austin wins Gatorade Player of the Year

Alabama women's basketball commit and Spring Garden standout Ace Austin was selected as the Gatorade Alabama girls basketball Player of the Year.

Austin helped the Panthers go 33-1 and repeat as the AHSAA Class 1A state champions, and win their third title in five seasons. Austin averaged 20.2 points per game to go with 7.2 rebounds and 7.1 assists during her junior season. For her career, she sits at 2,958 points to go with 1,188 assists and 1,076 rebounds, being a five year varsity player for the Panthers.

Austin capped her junior year with 57 points in the AHSAA Final Four, including 35 points in the championship game, to outscore Marion County. She also took home regional and state tournament MVP honors.

Austin committed to the Crimson Tide ahead of her 2023-24 season, a week after Crimson Tide coach Kristy Curry was at the Class 1A volleyball state title. Curry and other members of the Crimson Tide were in attendance during the Final Four.

The Gatorade player of the year award is the latest for Austin this year. She was the MaxPreps player of the year and the Gadsden Times small-class Player of the Year. She is the first basketball player from Spring Garden to win the award. She also recently was named to the AHSAA North-South all-star team in volleyball, with the basketball teams still to be announced.

ALL AREA BOYS BASKETBALL:2024 Gadsden Times boys basketball all-area team, including player and coach of the year

ALL AREA GIRLS BASKETBALL:2024 Gadsden Times girls basketball all-area team, including player and coach of the year