MONTGOMERY — Add another star to DeAngelo Hardy’s already glowing resume.

The multi-talented junior from Cedar Bluff today was chosen by the Alabama Sportswriters Association as the Class 1A Basketball Player of the Year. Hardy was selected over senior guards LaJuan Doss and De'Marko Hall from Class 1A state champion Pickens County.

Hardy becomes the first-ever male from Cherokee County to have the prestigious player of the year designation conferred upon him.

Spring Garden’s Paige Anderson picked up the Class 1A Miss Basketball honor in 2006 while teammate Micki Garner was granted the distinction in 2005. In 1993, while playing for class 4A Cherokee County, Leah Monteith Goss garnered the state’s highest honor. Monteith Goss was tapped Alabama Miss Basketball as the top female player in all classifications. 

Hardy received his award at the Alabama Activity Center in Montgomery with Jackie Reese and Cedar Bluff assistant coach Johnny Amison in attendance. As Hardy sat in the luncheon listening to the other honorees he carefully reviewed the words he would offer if his name was called out.

“When I heard my name announced I was excited,” Hardy told The Post. “I tried to remain calm. I wanted to thank God, my coaches, my teammates and my school.”

Hardy, who averaged 19.2 points, 6.3 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 2.1 steals, led the Tigers to a 20-15 record this season. Hardy leveled plenty of praise on his coaches and teammates.

“I would not have received this honor without our coaches pushing us,” he said. “Coach (Joe) Carpenter is hard on us but it makes us better as a team.”

Carpenter has directed the Tigers to two consecutive Northeast Regional championships. Cedar Bluff has also fought Pickens County for the 1A state title the last two years. The 2011 game went into overtime. This year, Cedar Bluff pushed the Tornadoes well into the fourth quarter before settling for its second consecutive Class 1A red trophy.

Hardy recalled the changes he made to elevate his personal game.

“Last year, about area tournament time, Coach Amison told me I had to become a more complete player,” Hardy said. “Most of the time, I would just spot up and shoot. He challenged me to be more aggressive offensively.”

Hardy has one more year to continue refining his game.

“I'm definitely looking forward to next year,” Hardy said. “We've got a good team and great coaches. I can't wait.”

As far as next year is concerned the Tigers will drop Valley Head from area basketball competition due to realignment.  However, Cedar Bluff will still encounter old foes Collinsville, Spring Garden and Gayleville as well as adding Coosa Christian in the grouping that will now be known as 1A Area 13.

Craig Sword of 6A Carver-Montgomery and Jasmine Jones of 6A Bob Jones earned the 2012 ASWA Mr. and Miss Basketball Awards.  Both Sword and Jones are seniors.  Sword is a Mississippi State signee while Jones is headed to Tennessee. 

Other Mr. Basketball honorees were 5A Derunnya Wilson, Wenonah, Jr.; 4A Justin Pride, Butler, Sr.; 3A Josh Langford, Madison Academy, 8^th; and 2A Takwain Whigham, Barbour County, Sr. 

Additional Mrs. Basketball selections were 5A Shakayla Thomas, Sylacauga, Soph.; 4A Jasmine Steele, Midfield, Sr.; 3A Hayden Hamby, West Morgan, Sr.; 2A Taylor Adams, Section, Sr.; 1A Alex Gholston, R.A. Hubbard, Sr. 

The Mr. Basketball award has been presented since 1985 and the Miss Basketball honor since 1988.

The Player of the Year banquet is sponsored by the Alabama High School Athletic Directors and Coaches Association.