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Brittany Simmons finalist for 1A 'Player of the year' Back-to-back state titles can create a certain amount of pressure, no matter who you are, but McIntosh High School's Brittney Simmons never really felt anything extra as she started her junior season. "I thought we could have a good year even though we lost so much experience," Simmons said. "I knew everyone was going to step and play their best." Turns out their best was pretty good as the Lady Demons ran through the regular season as the top ranked team in Class 1A before falling to Spring Garden in the title game. "We are already getting ready for next year because we have some unfinished business in Birmingham," Simmons added. The junior guard did her part in getting her team into the finals as she averaged an incredible tripledouble with 20 points, 12 rebounds and 11 assists per game. "As a three-year starter, Brittney is the kind of player every coach wants and needs," coach Renard Davis said. "Her contributions and work ethic helped make the team better." Four times this season she had a quadruple-double as she added double digits in steals. "I did whatever was needed," Simmons said. "On the defensive side I played on top or down low, just anything I could to help the team." It is that team mind-set that helped propel the Lady Demons to the region championship. "I am comfortable handling the ball in pressure situations," Simmons stated. "But I give the ball up whenever I need to." Xavier (Barnes) told me she wanted the ball," Simmons said, referring to her teammate who hit the buzzer-beater that sent McIntosh to Birmingham. "Everyone just knew I was gonna take that shot, but she said she would hit and I had confidence in her." "If she stays healthy, with all of the experience coming back, we should be right there in the end," Davis said. Simmons was one three finalist for the Class 1A Player of the Year as voted on by the Alabama Sports Writers Association prep committee. Spring Garden's Paige Anderson was the winner in the Class.
Shafontaye Myers from Sunshine High School was the other finalist.
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