Dabbs, Allen area's best

By By Todd Thompson, Hartselle Enquirer
Emily Dabbs’ offensive numbers were more than impressive this season.
The sophomore guard averaged almost 17 points a game for the Brewer Lady Patriots, even though she rarely played in the second half of games. In fact, Dabbs probably averaged less than 20 minutes of playing time in games for the Lady Patriots, who reached the finals of the Northwest Regional in Hanceville.
Dabbs is the 2007-08 All-Area Player of the Year, an honor voted on by area coaches. Her coach, Ricky Allen, was chosen as the Coach of the Year by his peers after leading Brewer to the county championship.
Dabbs’ season came to an end with a knee injury in the Lady Patriots’ final regular season game.
An incredible shooter from outside, Dabbs made 66 percent of her shots from the field and 42 percent from the 3-point line.
Joining Dabbs on the first team are Hartselle’s Jessi Smith and Alex Holmes; Danville’s Alaina Fitzgerald; and Brewer’s Megan Hormel.
Smith, a senior forward, led Hartselle with 14.3 points and 5.9 rebounds per game. She will play at the University of North Alabama next season.
Holmes, just a sophomore, stepped into Hartselle’s lineup and became a solid player for the Lady Tigers.
She averaged 11.6 points and 7.8 rebounds per game this year despite playing against much-bigger players inside, especially in the playoffs.
Fitzgerald, a senior, averaged 15.4 points and 10.6 rebounds a game for the Lady Hawks from a wing/post position and helped lead Danville to an area championship and a regional appearance.
Hormel was a solid inside player for the Lady Patriots despite being outsized in most games. She averaged 9.6 points and seven rebounds per game, but her offensive production grew when Dabbs was injured before the playoffs.