There are thousands of high school basketball players in the state of Alabama, but only 48 made it to the Alabama Sports Writers Association’s all-state banquet Thursday in Montgomery.

Keith’s Harriet Winchester and Dallas County’s Jerrod Moorer, both finalists for player of the year in their classes, were among those 48 in the crowd of the state’s elite at the Alabama Activity Center.

Neither player won an award Thursday as girls 1A player of the year went to Brantley’s Amahni Upshaw and 5A boys player of the year went to J.O. Johnson’s John Petty. However, there was little disappointment for Winchester and Moorer, who each looked back on successful seasons with smiles on their faces.

“It’s a great feeling. God did it,” Moorer said about being a finalist. “Coach, my teammates, my family pushed me to work hard. Over four years, the hard work I put in paid off and I got here.”

Moorer said when he was a freshman he lacked the ability to shoot the ball well and couldn’t do a lot right on the basketball court. He said at that time he would’ve never believed he’d be one of the finalists for 5A player of the year.

“I’ve still got a lot to do to get better but since four years ago, I’ve gotten way better,” Moorer said. “I’ve got to continue to develop my game and keep getting better.”

Moorer has hopes of playing collegiately and has offers from Auburn University Montgomery, Wallace Community College Selma, Iowa Community College and Montevallo, but the senior’s high school career is over. He went out on a high note though, leading the Hornets to back-to-back appearances in Birmingham for the state finals and helping the team claim the 2014 4A championship.

Winchester still has a year of eligibility left, and she’s planning to be back in Montgomery for the banquet again as a senior.

“It’s just like losing a game,” Winchester said. “You want to come back and win it. That’s the motivation.”

The Bears didn’t lose many games this year on their way to the 1A state championship, where Winchester was named MVP. She said her game has grown in confidence the most, but she’s planning to keep expanding it this summer through AAU ball.

“It took a lot of constructive criticism and not giving up on each other [to get here] — all the tears and hard work,” Winchester said.

Eighteen honors were handed out by the ASWA Thursday.

The 2015 girls players of the year are: Shaquera Wade (Huntsville, 7A), Cierra Johnson (Blount, 6A), Kaitlyn Rodgers (Wenonah, 5A), Lauren Centrell (Deshler, 4A), Emma Wallen (Lauderdale County, 3A), Lacy Stafford (Geneva County, 2A), Upshaw (Brantley, 1A), Kasey Grant (Lakeside Academy, AISA).

The 2015 boys players of the year are: Dazon Ingram (Theodore, 7A), Lawson Schaffer (Cullman, 6A), John Petty (J.O. Johnson, 5A), Jaylen McCoy (St. James, 4A), Joshua Langford (Madison Academy, 3A), Donta’ Hall (Luverne, 2A), Walter Jones Jr. (Sunshine, 1A) and Malik Pettus (East Memorial).

Wade won Miss Basketball, which goes to the top girls player in the state, after averaging 18.4 points and 10.8 rebounds per game. Ingram, who averaged 20.6 points and 10.5 rebounds, won Mr. Basketball, which is awarded to the top boys player in the state.

Two-time Mr. Basketball award winner Ronald Steele, who starred at the University of Alabama during his collegiate career, served as Thursday’s guest speaker.