Though she was considered by many to be the favorite for the AISA Miss Basketball for 2004-2005, Meadowview’s Haley McIntyre still managed to be surprised when they called her name Thursday.

“I was a lot more excited than I thought I’d be,” she said. “I was surprised, a lot.”

“Her eyes opened wide like she couldn’t believe it,” her coach, Mike Cassebaum, said. “It was a great honor.”

Though the AISA girls award was the first honor given, a pile-up on the interstate delayed many of the participants so Haley had to wait a little while longer.

She passed the time talking with her competitors, Christian Shelter of Faith Academy and Lori Bonds from Escambia.

“We had a good time talking,” she said.

When the award was announced, Cassebaum called the school and Dr. Mike Gaylor announced Haley’s win over the intercom.

“As soon as it was over, coach Mike called, before I could call anybody,” she said.

When Haley got back to school, she was showered in congratulations.

“Everybody was hollering,” she said.

The award was especially sweet after Haley and fellow Trojan John Robert Morton missed out on the award last year.

“I was overjoyed, I was relieved,” Cassebaum said. “The sense of accomplishment for her. I was really nervous (before the announcement). I was just looking at her sitting up there and thinking of the last three years with her.”

Haley’s win is one she can share with the school and her team, Cassebaum said.

“I think the whole team shares that award, she’s had so many people that have helped her.” Cassebaum said. “It’s a team sport and Haley realizes that as much as anybody.”

Haley- a senior who plans to play at AUM next year- says for now the award is on the mantle in her living room.

“It’s unbelievable,” she said.

Cassebaum said it was a great way for Haley to cap her career at Meadowview.

“It was a great pleasure just to be a part of coaching her for the last three years,” he said. “Players like her don’t come along very often.”