Russellville High School sophomore Ella Copeland was named as an Honorable Mention on the 2024-25 Alabama Sports Writers Association All-State Girls’ Basketball Team last week.
Despite missing the opening eight games of the Lady Golden Tigers’ campaign due to injury, Copeland, a Franklin Free Press All-County First Team selection, caught the eye of the sports writers’ committee.
“When you talk about preparation for the game—preparation for the 30 minutes or so she’s gonna put in on the court—she definitely puts in the work,” RHS varsity girls’ basketball coach Jermaine Groce told the Franklin Free Press. “This year it’s even more special with her coming off ACL surgery and only coming back in December. For her to be considered for all-state is an amazing achievement.”
Copeland underwent surgery on her left knee in mid-August, but she recovered in less than four months, appearing in her first game for the Lady Golden Tigers on December 13. Copeland, who has contributed to the varsity program since middle school, recorded her 1,000th career point in her first game of the season against Phil Campbell and ended up with a game-high 15 points.
In 18 games, Copeland totaled a team-high 323 points and averaged a team-best 17.9 points-per-game.
“I’m super glad that I was able to accomplish (All-State recognition),” Copeland said. “I definitely wouldn’t have been able to do it without my teammates who pushed me and helped me, and I have a great family to back me up and had great physical therapists to help push me through it and that made it super easier, for sure.”
The first Russellville All-State selection since Ashley Dunstan in 2015, Copeland helped lead her team to a playoff berth where Russellville was ultimately defeated by Priceville in the sub-regional.
Not content with her accomplishments this season, Copeland is aiming to raise the bar for herself and her team in her junior season.
“I’m not anywhere near where I want to be, but I’m super thankful I was able to recover from my injury and thankful that I was able to play,” she said.
“We want to make a further run for state, obviously, but we’ve also had really competitive area play,” Copeland added. “Next year I really want us to push to be area champs. With us being so young this year the next two years are big for us. I think we’re gonna start clicking and it’s gonna be our time.”
“I’m looking forward to next year and being better than what I was this year.”
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