Remembering a historic prep career for one of the state’s top basketball stars

Athletes strive to have their names written in the record books.

For one of the state’s most accomplished athletes, try 36 entries among — or at the top of — the record books.

One of those records for Courtney Strain, now Courtney Screws, was voted by AL.com readers as the most unbreakable record in AHSAA girls basketball history: her single-season scoring mark.

The former Woodland High School star’s illustrious prep career saw her finish with 1,261 points to her name during the 2007-08 school year with the Bobcats.

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Her single-season scoring record garnered 31% of the fan vote, followed by records for most free throws attempted in a game (46 by Geraldine’s Kristen White, 2009-10) and Leah Strain’s career steals record (1,084); both records garnered 18% of the vote.

According to the AHSAA record book, she remains the only player to score over 1,200 points in a single season and is one of three with 1,100 points in a season. Others include former West Morgan star Hayden Hamby (1,170 in 2011-12) and former Eufaula standout Gwen Jackson (1,112 in 1998-99); Screws also surpassed 1,100 points in the 2008-09 season with 1,112 points.

The most recent player to score 1,000 points in a season is former Samson athlete LaTascya Duff, who finished with 1,020 in the 2017-18 season. She went on to play at Shelton State before transferring to New Mexico.

The 2007-08 season saw her score 53 points against Handley, marking one of at least three 50-point games during that season; she also had 52 against White Plains and 51 against Westbrook.

Her single-season scoring mark is one of six records held by Screws, including career points (5,283), single-season scoring average (40.7 points per game), field goals attempted in a game (51), field goals attempted in a season (952), field goals made in a season (474).

She also ranks second in most free throws attempted in a season (407) and tied for seventh for most points scored in a single game with 57 against Clay County in the 2006-07 season.

During her career, she was a five-time all-state selection and a three-time Class 2A Player of the Year honoree from the Alabama Sports Writers Association. Screws was also named MVP of the Alabama-Mississippi All-Star Game and a two-time ASWA Fab Five honoree.

Along with her success on the basketball court, she also played volleyball and was a varsity cheerleader at Woodland.

Jacksonville State Gamecocks guard Courtney Strain, now Courtney Screws (11) looks to make a play against MIles College in an exhibition game to kick off the 2015-2016 season. Jax State won 78-34.Courtesy of Jacksonville State athletics

After an ultra-successful career at Woodland, Screws went on to play at Auburn, where she played in 46 games across three seasons from 2010-13, scoring 127 points.

She would transfer to Jacksonville State University for the final two seasons of her collegiate career, starting 44 of her 57 games played. She averaged 7.7 points, 3.8 rebounds and 1.1 assists per game during her final season with the Gamecocks.

Screws scored a career-high 18 points against UT-Martin, knocking down four 3-point baskets in the matchup on Jan. 16, 2016.

The former Woodland star would go on to coach at Handley High School, where she led the program to a strong run of success in her eight seasons that included four area championships and six regional appearances.

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