CARROLLTON, Ala. — Anna Cockrell didn’t realize she had been attracting attention for several years.
But frequent trips to Huntingdon College for the Alabama Independent School Association State tournament as a member of the Pickens Academy girls basketball team can create a lasting impression.
That’s why Huntingdon College women’s basketball coach Buzz Phillips approached Cockrell after the AISA All-Star game and told her he had been watching her play ever since her seventh-grade year. Phillips then asked Cockrell if she would be interested in visiting the school in Montgomery, Alabama, to consider an opportunity to play on the school’s women’s basketball team.
Until then, Cockrell thought she was on her way to Alabama and that her athletic career was almost over. But Phillips’ offer proved to be the catalyst that changed Cockrell’s thinking. On Thursday, Cockrell completed the process when she signed a letter of intent to play basketball at Division III Huntingdon College.
“I didn’t think about going to play (basketball in college),” Cockrell said. “I didn’t know if that is what I wanted to do. When the decision came up, I decided that is what I wanted and that it was a great opportunity.”
Cockrell said she initially didn’t consider playing basketball in college because she wanted to go to Alabama to say she went to that school. Meeting Phillips changed her plan, though, because Cockrell said she always believed she could play basketball at the next level.
As a junior, Cockrell recorded a career-high 35 points in a game against Restoration Academy. This season, Cockrell said she was proud of herself for the way she handled being the only senior on the team. She said she knew she had to step up and be a senior leader, so she prayed about her position on the team and tackled the role really well.
“I knew what I had to get done, and I am the kind of person that I put goals out there and I achieve them,” Cockrell said. “I achieved that goal. I did surprise myself with what I accomplished.”
Pickens Academy girls basketball coach Charli Parker said Cockrell played a crucial role in helping the team get back to the state tournament.
Last season, Pickens Academy lost to Lowndes Academy in the state championship game. This season, Pickens Academy (19-5) lost to eventual champion Evangel Christian 60-51 in the semifinals of the Class AA State tournament. Cockrell had a team-high 20 points in the loss.
“She stepped up huge,” Parker said. “She had a double-double just about every night. I think there were only two games she didn’t score in double digits. She was always our leading scorer and our leader on the floor, on and off the floor. I have big shoes to fill next year.”
Cockrell earned second-team AISA All-State honors from the Alabama Sports Writers Association. She also was named to the all-tournament team at the state tournament.
Parker said Cockrell knew she had to take on a bigger role for the team as a senior. Even though she is only 5-foot-8, Cockrell is the tallest player on the team, so she played center. Earlier in her career, though, Cockrell played guard. She said that experience in middle school through her sophomore year in high school gives her the confidence she will be able to transition back to that position in college.
Cockrell also played volleyball and competed in power lifting at Pickens Academy. She is a member of the school’s fast-pitch softball team, which will return to action next week for the region tournament at Clarke Prep.
Cockrell said she is excited about the next step in her athletic and academic life. She said she plans to study communications at Huntingdon College in hopes of becoming a sports broadcaster. A self-described “sports fanatic,” Cockrell served as water girl, videographer, and statistician for the Pickens Academy football team, so she feels she will be ready for any number of challenges when she goes to college.
Parker believes Cockrell will be able to play multiple roles on the basketball team and that she will excel in college.
“I know she loves basketball, and I think she is going to do really well at Huntingdon,” Parker said. “She is very coachable and she has the talent to get where she needs to be at that level. I am very excited for her.”
Follow Dispatch sports editor Adam Minichino @ctsportseditor
The Dispatch Editorial Board is made up of publisher Peter Imes, columnist Slim Smith, managing editor Zack Plair and senior newsroom staff.
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