Red Bay’s Luster, Russellville’s Copeland, and Vina’s Hester earn ASWA All-State recognition
The Alabama Sports Writers Association (ASWA) announced its annual All-State Basketball Teams on Saturday, March 21. Three local student-athletes from Franklin County—Red Bay’s Khalil Luster, Russellville’s Ella Copeland, and Vina’s Layla Hester—were recognized by the organization for their extraordinary performances during the 2025-26 season.
Luster, a sophomore who averaged a double-double this season with over 22 points per game and 11 rebounds per, was tapped for the Class 2A First Team. With his superb displays this season, Luster helped lead his team to an eighth-straight area title, a regional championship, and the AHSAA Class 2A playoff semifinals. This is Luster’s second appearance on the ASWA All-State Team having been selected as a Second Team player as a freshman.
“I honestly expected him to be on the First Team this year,” Red Bay head coach John Torisky said. “I believe he was on Second Team last year as a freshman when he put up better numbers, but I think he was just more of a complete player for us this year. It just shows how hard he works. And I don’t know what’s going to happen with the Player of the Year award, but I’d put him up there with anybody.
“I know he’d rather have a state championship than be on the (all-state) team, but we’re really proud of him. He puts in the work and he’s just a really special kid,” he added.
Luster’s selection marks the seventh time a Red Bay player has been given an All-State Team nod by the ASWA. Luster is the program’s first two-time All-State Team player and the first First Team player since Barry Raper in 1992-93.
“It’s pretty cool. I believe Red Bay’s had seven players chosen for the All-State Team and Khalil is two of them,” Torisky said. “We all know he’s a great player and we’re looking forward to seeing what he can do the next two years. We’d love to see him do it again the next two years, too.”
Russellville junior Ella Copeland is the second local player to be picked for this season’s All-State squad. Copeland was named to the ASWA’s Class 5A All-State Third Team and became the first player in program history to be twice recognized by ASWA.(Copeland was an All-State Honorable Mention last season.) She is also Russellville’s first All-State Team selection since Ashley Dunstan was selected for the Third Team in 2015.
In addition to her individual achievements, which include setting the program record for most points in a season and reaching the 2,000 career points milestone, Copeland also helped lead the Lady Golden Tigers to their first AHSAA regional appearance since 2010.
“We’re really proud of Ella and her continued success,” RHS head coach Jermaine Groce said. “For a player that puts in as much work as she does, you hope that she can rack up all the accolades possible. You always want your players to be recognized because you know how much work they put in, how many hours they train and are in the gym. She came into the season wanting to be a First Team recipient, so she’s using this as motivation now to strive to achieve that next season.
“She doesn’t take it for granted. She takes every opportunity she can to go out and showcase her skill, her talent and elevate girls basketball in the Russellville City Schools system,” Groce added of Copeland. “It’s what she’s all about. She’s one of the most selfless kids that we have in our program and is a great representative of girls’ Golden Tiger basketball and what it means to be bought in completely.
“There’s no doubt in my mind that she wants to be on this list again and be recognized on this list again next year as a First Team All-State recipient. And I have no doubt that she’s going to double down on the hard work, taking shots, and elevating this team to as far as she can help take it.”
Rounding out the list of Franklin County basketball players to receive All-State recognition is Vina’s Layla Hester, who was a Class 1A Honorable Mention. Hester is the first VHS girls’ basketball player to receive state recognition from the ASWA since Sara Scott, an Honorable Mention in 2022.
Hester was one of the most prolific scorers in Franklin County during the 2025-26 campaign. The junior led her team in scoring with an average of over 15 points per game, one of the best averages in Class 1A in the regular season. She also created scoring opportunities for her teammates and put in shifts on the defensive end, as well.
“Of course, we all are very proud of Layla,” Vina head coach Richie Hester said. “She had a great junior season, and even though she missed the last eight games to an injury she still scored 381 points, had 129 rebounds, 101 assists and 98 steals, a great all-around season. She scored double digits in 17 out 23 games, has 977 career points, 387 career assists and 311 career steals.
“We are looking forward to a great season next season with some of our younger players back with experience and others back from injuries. Layla is a coach on the floor and she gets the job done. Really Looking forward to next season,” Hester added.