Here are 99 high school athletes to watch in the Tuscaloosa area in 2024 for all high school sports fans.

Henry Livingston

Northside, Jr.

Sport: Cross Country

Why chosen: Livingston is coming off a 2023 cross country season where he finished in 11 place at the Class 4A state meet with a time of 17:07.28.

Anglin Young

Northridge, Jr.

Sport: Cross county

Why chosen: Young finished his sophomore cross country season with a fifth place finish in the Class 6A state meet with a time of 15:54.09. He was the fastest runner for the Northridge squad in the state meet.

MORE: Tuscaloosa News All-Area high school boys and girls cross country teams for 2023

Jackson Fikes

Northridge, Sr.

Sport: Soccer

Why chosen: The goalie finished his sophomore season with 74 saves and five shutouts for Northridge.

Anna Pezent

University Charter School, So.

Sport: Cross country

Why chosen: Pezent came in 10th place in the Class 1A-2A state meet and finished with a time of 21:01.20.

Matthew Cash

Bibb County, Sr.

Sport: Baseball

Why chosen: The reigning Tuscaloosa News' 2023 player of the year is committed to Jacksonville State. He finished his 2023 season with a .432 batting average.

Lucy Guthrie

American Christian Academy, Jr.

Sport: Cross county

Why chosen: Guthrie came in ninth place at the Class 5A state meet, finishing with a time of 19:29.09.

Spencer Nicholas

Tuscaloosa County, Sr.

Sport: Baseball

Why chosen: The pitcher finished the 2023 season with a 2.15 ERA, along with 62 strikeouts and seven walks.

Dorians Herrera

Holt, Jr.

Sport: Soccer

Why chosen: Herrera dominated Holt's back line during the 2023 season, along with scoring 10 goals and recording seven assists.

Amelya Grace Russell

Sipsey Valley, Jr.

Sport: Volleyball

Why chosen: Russell leads Sipsey Valley in volleyball and basketball. She was the Bears' offensive player of the year for volleyball in 2023.

MORE: Tuscaloosa News All-area high school volleyball team, highlighted by Megan Fairburn

Christian Richey

Hillcrest, Fr.

Sport: Football

Why chosen: Richey made quite the name for himself during his freshman season. He had 56 carries for 360 yards and five touchdowns.

MORE: Tuscaloosa News Class 4A-7A All-Area high school football team for 2023

Ellis Dykes

Northridge, Sr.

Sport: Soccer

Why chosen: Dykes was an instrumental part of Northridge's 6A state tournament run in 2023, scoring 27 goals along with 11 assists.

Preston Lancaster

Tuscaloosa Academy, Jr.

Sport: Football

Why chosen: Lancaster was a passing yards leader across all classification during his junior season, going 254-of-365 for 3,941 yards and 46 touchdowns.

MORE: Preston Lancaster adds to impressive 2023 campaign in TA's 42-20 win over UCS

Jordan Leverette

Bibb County, Jr.

Sport: Football

Why chosen: Leverette went 85-of-152 passing for 1,514 yards and 20 touchdowns in 2023. He also ran the ball 86 times for 568 yards and five touchdowns.

Brooks Bozeman

Sulligent, Jr.

Sport: Football

Why chosen: Bozeman had 46 solo tackles, 15 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks and two interceptions in 2023.

Sky Latham

Gordo, Fr.

Sport: Basketball

Why chosen: Latham has been playing on the Gordo varsity team since 7th grade. She has had a great start to her freshman basketball season, having multiple games with more than 20 points.

Blakeley Nixon

Hillcrest, So.

Sport: Basketball

Why chosen: After an impressive freshman season, Nixon has gotten off to a hot start for her sophomore campaign, helping lead the Lady Patriots to a 13-5 start.

Jareah Branch

Hillcrest, Jr.

Sport: Basketball

Why chosen: Branch is a reigning all-state and all-area team member. She averaged 8.6 points, six rebounds and 3.2 assists per game last season.

Brody Martin

West Blocton, Sr.

Sport: Basketball

Why chosen: Martin, a senior leader for the Tigers, entered the season averaging 7.2 points per game last season. He also scored a season-high 29 points in West Blocton's win over Holt.

DJ Hamlett

Hillcrest, Sr.

Sport: Basketball

Why chosen: Hamlett, a reigning member of The Tuscaloosa News' all-area honorable mention team, entered this season averaging 15.5 points and 3.8 assists in 2023.

Javion Taylor

Central, Sr.

Sport: Basketball

Why chosen: Taylor is a reigning third team All-State Selection and a member of The Tuscaloosa News Super 5 first-team all-area. He has scored more than 1,000 points during his career with the Falcons.

CJ Thompson

Holy Spirit, Jr.

Sport: Basketball

Why chosen: Thompson plays a huge role for Holy Spirit, coming off his sophomore season where he averaged 16 points per game.

Alvin Edwards

Hale County, Sr.

Sport: Basketball

Why chosen: Edwards had a stellar season for Hale County last year, helping it reach the Class 4A semifinals. He is a reigning The Tuscaloosa News Super 5 first-team all-area member.

Savannah Gibson

Bibb County, So.

Sport: Cross country

Why chosen: Gibson ran a 23:24.96 at the Class 4A state meet, finishing in 69th place to cap off her freshman season.

Emmanuel Clarton

Sumter Central, Jr.

Sport: Basketball

Why chosen: Clarton is a big part of the Sumter Central squad, coming into this season holding offers from Troy and Tennessee Tech. He also is a reigning member of The Tuscaloosa News' Super 5 honorable mention team in 2022.

Ben Richardson

Sipsey Valley, Sr.

Sport: Basketball

Why chosen: Richardson averaged 11.1 points, 4.7 assists and 4.9 rebounds per game during his junior year. He is having a good start this season for the Bears.

Mackenzie Harper

Hillcrest, Sr.

Sport: Softball

Why chosen: The Shelton State commit is a reigning Class 6A all-state and The Tuscaloosa News' Super 9 all-area team member. She finished her junior season with a .346 batting average to go with 26 RBIs and one home run. She also had 167 strikeouts and a 2.61 ERA on the mound.

Brooke Mathewson

Hillcrest, Sr.

Sport: Softball

Why chosen: Mathewson, a dual-threat player for Hillcrest, is committed to play at Snead State.

Jewel Brooks

Hillcrest, Sr.

Sport: Softball

Why chosen: The Northeast Alabama commit had a 2.98 ERA along with 57 strikeouts last season. She also batted .329 with 15 RBIs and 16 runs.

Nichole Dockery

Hillcrest, Sr.

Sport: Softball

Why chosen: Dockery is committed to play at Marion Military Institute.

Emily Rice

Hillcrest, Sr.

Sport: Softball

Why chosen: The Marion Military Institute commit is preparing for her final season at Hillcrest.

Tamaris Harris

Holt, Jr.

Sport: Football

Why chosen: Harris, who started on every unit for the Ironmen in 2023, finished the season with 105 tackles, 15 of those being for loss, and two sacks.

Adrian Wooley

Paul W. Bryant, Sr.

Sport: Basketball

Why chosen: The reigning The Tuscaloosa News player of the year and Kennesaw State basketball commit finished his junior year averaging 18 points, seven rebounds and five assists per game.

Reshawn Charleston

South Lamar, Sr.

Sport: Basketball

Why chosen: Charleston, who is an instrumental part of the South Lamar squad, finished his junior season averaging 15 points along with eight rebounds per game.

Chartavia Conwell

Bibb County, Sr.

Sport: Basketball

Why chosen: The reigning Tuscaloosa News Super 5 all-area second team member has near 1,400 career points and 800 rebounds, along with more than 300 career steals and blocks.

Jakyler Smith

Sumter Central, Sr.

Sport: Basketball

Why chosen: Smith entered her senior season averaging 12 points, five assists and three steals per game.

Adrienne Hunt

Paul W. Bryant, So.

Sport: Basketball

Why chosen: Hunt was a member of The Tuscaloosa News Super 5 all-area honorable mention after her freshman year. She has had a good start to the season for the Stampede, scoring in double digits in multiple games.

Kyree Patrick

Tuscaloosa County, Jr.

Sport: Basketball

Why chosen: The junior averaged 12 points and four rebounds per game during her sophomore season.

Jack Sanderson

Northridge, Sr.

Sport: Baseball

Why chosen: Sanderson is an Auburn baseball commit, being named to The Tuscaloosa News' all-area second team in 2023. He also plays basketball for the Jaguars.

Jake Rickman

Fayette County, Fr.

Sport: Football and basketball

Why chosen: During his freshman season, Rickman went 145-of-259 passing for 1,631 yards and 15 touchdowns.

MORE: Full circle moment: From coach and player to now watching sons compete 30 years later

Rowdy Christensen

Northridge, Jr.

Sport: Football

Why chosen: Despite being able to play four games in 2023 due to injury, Christensen went 97-of-136 passing for 1,569 yards and 15 touchdowns.

Shawn Stephenson

Northridge, So.

Sport: Cross country

Why chosen: Stephenson is coming off a 17th place finish at the Class 6A state meet in 2023 with a time of 16:15.07.

Alexander Haefner

Tuscaloosa Academy, Fr.

Sport: Cross country

Why chosen: Haefner was the lone Tuscaloosa Academy runner to qualify for the state meet in 2023 with a time of 19:45.

Keilyn Edwards

Linden, So.

Sport: Football

Why chosen: Edwards finished the 2023 season with 857 yards rushing and 11 touchdowns along with 357 yards receiving and three scores.

Jace Neel

Gordo, Jr.

Sport: Football

Why chosen: Neel went 79-of-121 for 1,481 yards passing and 18 touchdowns along with rushing for 540 yards and 10 scores in 2023.

MORE: Tuscaloosa News AISA-Class 3A All-Area high school football team for 2023

Bryson Kimbrough

Hillcrest, Jr.

Sport: Football

Why chosen: Kimbrough went 72-of-131 for 1,280 yards and 15 touchdowns during his first season starting for the Patriots.

CJ Hutchins

Tuscaloosa County, So.

Sport: Football

Why chosen: Hutchins led the Wildcats rushing game in 2023, rushing for 820 yards and seven touchdowns on 120 carries.

Drew Keller

Tuscaloosa County, Jr.

Sport: Football

Why chosen: Keller finished his junior season with 17 solo tackles, 36 assisted tackles, two tackles for loss and four interceptions. He also scored a defensive touchdown.

Sarah Lee

Northside, Sr.

Sport: Softball

Why chosen: The Mississippi College commit who is a catcher and utility player is preparing to play her final high school season at Northside.

Holly Beth Brooks

Tuscaloosa County, Jr.

Sport: Softball

Why chosen: Brooks, an Alabama softball commit, is coming off her sophomore season where she helped lead the Wildcats to an area championship after finishing the season with a 99.8% fielding percentage and one error and one passed ball through 259 total innings played.

Jesiah Rainer

Central, So.

Sport: Football

Why chosen: Rainer recorded 65 solo tackles, 23 assisted, five for loss and one sack in 2023.

Miles Madden

Paul W. Bryant, Fr.

Sport: Football

Why chosen: Madden starred during his freshman year for the Stampede. He had 21 receptions for 278 yards and five touchdowns along with 48 tackles, three sacks and one interception.

Kai Young

American Christian Academy, Jr.

Sport: Football

Why chosen: During his junior season, Young went 128-of-206 for 1,826 yards passing and 22 touchdowns.

Keishawn Rowser

Demopolis, Jr.

Sport: Football

Why chosen: Rowser ran the ball 159 carries for 1,208 yards and 13 touchdowns in 2023.

Maggie Mauldin

Berry, Jr.

Sport: Basketball

Why chosen: Mauldin comes into her junior season after leading the team in scoring and free throw percentage last season.

Abbie Downs

Bibb County, Fr.

Sport: Cross country

Why chosen: Downs ran a 23:24.82 at the Class 4A state meet, finishing in 68th place during her freshman season.

Lillie Gould

Northridge, So.

Sport: Cross country

Why chosen: Gould finished in 43rd place in the Class 6A state meet, with a time of 20:46.69.

Levi Carey

West Blocton, So.

Sport: Football

Why chosen: Carey had 85 solo tackles in 2023, one interception and one forced fumble.

Xavier Rhine

Bibb County, Jr.

Sport: Football

Why chosen: Rhine had 76 solo tackles, 33 tackles for loss along with seven sacks and two interceptions.

Lance Cormier

Sipsey Valley, Jr.

Sport: Football

Why chosen: Cormier went 181-of-324 passing for 2,666 yards and 27 touchdowns.

CJ Lark

Gordo, Jr.

Sport: Football

Why chosen: Lark had 103 carries for 990 yards and 13 touchdowns in 2023. He also had 18 receptions for 401 yards and four touchdowns.

Audrey Spillers

Winfield, eighth grade

Sport: Cross country

Why chosen: As an eighth grader, Spillers qualified for the Class 3A state meet, finishing in 35th place with a time of 21:51.87.

AJ Lowe

Sulligent, Jr.

Sport: Football

Why chosen: Lowe had 191 carries for 1,786 yards and 31 touchdowns in 2023.

Amarii Johnson

Hillcrest, Jr.

Sport: Soccer

Why chosen: Johnson was a leader for Hillcrest in 2023 recording 43 goals and one assist.

Kenley Myers

Northridge, Sr.

Sport: Soccer

Why chosen: Myers was a huge part of a Northridge state runner-up squad and she recorded 19 assists and nine goals in 2023.

John Walker

Northridge, Sr.

Sport: Basketball

Why chosen: The dual-threat player in an instrumental part of a Northridge team that is off to a hot 15-2 start and was previously on a nine-game win streak.

Cole Brand

Hubbertville, Fr.

Sport: Football

Why chosen: Brand had 25 carries for 157 yards and one touchdown in 2023, along with 27 receptions for 408 yards and four touchdowns.

Katelyn Patton

Northside, Fr.

Sport: Cross country

Why chosen: The freshman came in 36th place in the Class 4A state meet with a time of 22:20.70.

Reagan Lightsey

American Christian Academy, eighth grade

Sport: Cross country

Why chosen: The eighth grader ran a 22:18.29 at the Class 5A state meet, earning her a 60th overall finish.

Anna Robbins

American Christian Academy, Jr.

Sport: Soccer

Why chosen: Robbins tallied up 32 goals and 19 assists during her sophomore season at ACA, setting a school record for goals scored.

Nate Barron

West Blocton, Jr.

Sport: Football

Why chosen: Barron rushed for 1,023 yards and 20 touchdowns in 2023.

Ava Lacoste

University Charter School, Jr.

Sport: Volleyball

Why chosen: Lacoste was a big part of the UCS volleyball team that made it to the Class 1A semifinals. She finished the 2023 season with 85 aces, 11 kills, 379 digs and 38 assists.

Brinkli Wood

University Charter School, Jr.

Sport: Volleyball

Why chosen: As a captain of the UCS team in 2023, Wood racked up 143 aces, 331 kills, 271 digs and 10 assists.

Kemara Thomas

Paul W. Bryant, Fr.

Sport: Volleyball

Why chosen: The freshman started every game during 2023 for the Stampede and tallied up 35 aces, 127 kills, 59 blocks and 112 digs. She also had a 93.6% serve rating.

Sarah Helms

Demopolis, Jr.

Sport: Volleyball

Why chosen: During her junior season, Helms racked up 236 kills, 85 aces and 19 solo blocks.

Nigel Senkbeil

Holy Spirit, Fr.

Sport: Cross country

Why chosen: The freshman had a top time of 17:32 and qualified for the Class 1A/2A state meet where he finished with a time of 17:36.1

Lolo Coma

Holy Spirit, 7th grade

Sport: Cross country

Why chosen: As a seventh grader, Coma ran a personal best time of 17:32 along with finishing with a time of 18:27.1 at the Class 1/2A state meet.

Ciel Coma

Holy Spirit, Fr.

Sport: Cross country

Why chosen: Coma finished with a time of 23:05.7 at the Class 1/2A state meet, her fastest time of the season.

Chloe Moore

Holy Spirit, Fr.

Sport: Cross country

Why chosen: Moore finished her freshman season with a personal best time of 23:08 and ran a 23:45.4 at the Class 1/2A state meet.

Harley McNeal

Northridge, Sr.

Sport: Track and field

Reason chosen: The University of North Carolina track and field commit came in second place in the girls Class 6A 400-meter dash last season with a time of 58.23.

Davis Dare

American Christian Academy, Sr.

Sport: Basketball

Why chosen: Dare wrapped up his final football season at ACA and jumped right into basketball season. He is one of the Patriots leading scorers, putting up a career-high 38 points earlier in the season.

Charli Kyzer

American Christian Academy, Sr.

Sport: Softball

Why chosen: The senior is committed to play softball at Samford University.

Elijah Benton

Fayette County, So.

Sport: Cross country

Why chosen: Benton was a leader on the Tigers cross country squad in 2023 and ran a personal best time of 18:11 at the Class 3A state meet.

Shaniah Jones

Hale County, Sr.

Sport: Basketball

Why chosen: Jones helped lead the Wildcats to a Class 4A state tournament semifinal appearance in 2023, averaging 11.2 points, four rebounds and 2.6 steals per game.

Alaysha Jones

Demopolis, Sr.

Sport: Basketball

Why chosen: Jones returns to the court for Demopolis as one of the team's leading blockers last season.

Justin Walker

Sipsey Valley, So.

Sport: Cross country

Why chosen: Walker ran a personal best time of 20:09.82 during the 2023 season.

Jonni Kneer

Tuscaloosa Academy, So.

Sport: Tennis

Why chosen: Kneer is a reigning AISA state champion in singles and doubles from the 2023 season. He is also rated as one of the top college prospects in the sophomore class in Alabama.

Yasmine Jackson

Hale County, Sr.

Sport: Basketball

Why chosen: Jackson is coming off her junior season where she averaged 14 points, 4.9 rebounds and 3.6 steals per game. She also is a reigning Tuscaloosa News Super 5 all-area second team member.

Anderson Wilken

Northridge, Jr.

Sport: Basketball

Why chosen: The junior returns to the court for the Jaguars this season after averaging 12 points and four assists during his sophomore season.

Ella Wheeler

Sulligent, Jr.

Sport: Basketball

Why chosen: Wheeler, a key part of the Sulligent squad, recently eclipsed her 1,000-career point mark earlier this season.

Ryan Bardenwerper

Northridge, So.

Sport: Basketball

Why chosen: The sophomore was a scoring leader for Northridge during her freshman season. She has started her sophomore season off strong, helping lead the Jaguars to a 12-5 start.

Jakeya Horton

Northridge, So.

Sport: Basketball

Why chosen: Horton has already hit 300 career points as a sophomore. She was averaging a double-double per game last season.

Kameryn Brown

Hillcrest, Sr.

Sport: Tennis

Why chosen: Brown, who also plays volleyball, is coming off of a 2023 season where she became the leader in Hillcrest school history for match wins. She is committed to play volleyball and tennis at Coastal Alabama Community College South.

Ava Thomason

American Christian Academy, Sr.

Sport: Tennis

Why chosen: The three-time all-area selection made it to round three of the Class 4A/5A singles state championships in 2023.

Emily Huang

Fayette County, Sr.

Sport: Tennis

Why chosen: Huang returns for her senior season as one of the Tigers' top veterans.

Griffin Armstrong

Hillcrest, So.

Sport: Tennis

Why chosen: Armstrong is entering his fourth year of playing varsity at Hillcrest. He made it to the third round of the Class 6A singles state championships in 2023.

Grayson McCafferty

American Christian Academy, Fr.

Sport: Tennis

Why chosen: The freshman will be entering his third season of playing varsity at ACA. He will be returning as one of the Patriots No. 1 singles players.

Kayori Ryan

Central, Jr.

Sport: Flag football

Why chosen: The leader of the Central squad in touchdowns, total yards and yardage per game in 2023, Ryan will be the only Falcon to play all four years of flag football. She is a versatile player, able to play all positions.

Cynia Spraggins

Brookwood, Fr.

Sport: Flag football

Why chosen: Spraggins had six interceptions and five total touchdowns in 2023, along with leading the team in pass breakups.

Haley Templeton

Northside, Jr.

Sport: Flag football

Why chosen: As the Rams team captain in 2023, Templeton recorded 78 tackles and one interception on defense in 2023 along with 91 receptions for 11 scores.

Anna Snyder covers high school sports and University of Alabama recruiting for The Tuscaloosa News. Reach her at asnyder@gannett.com. Follow her on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter, @annaesnyder2

This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: 99 Tuscaloosa area high school athletes to watch for in 2024