Story By Cinthia Rico
Plainview’s senior guard Jonah Williams signed to continue his education and basketball career with The University of Alabama in Huntsville last week.
Williams was accompanied by parents Stanley and Jennifer Williams, brother Jay Williams, maternal grandmother Jo Ann Hughes, and paternal grandparents Lamar and Marie Williams.
Alongside Williams were also numerous friends, teammates, and influential coaches who guided Williams throughout his basketball years, among them Robi Coker, DeKalb County Hall of Famer Tracy Hulgan, Brent Jones, and Daniel Greenhaw.
“Thanks to everyone for coming,” Williams said during his signing ceremony at the DeKalb County Schools Coliseum. “It’s been a long journey – everyone here played a part.”
Williams capped his high school basketball career with one of the greatest shooting seasons in the history of Alabama basketball and was referred to as one of Alabama’s greatest 3-point shooters, with a 43.1% AHSAA record shooting percentage.
The UAH signee was instrumental in Plainview’s third straight area championship and second straight regional title under the leadership of head coach Robi Coker.
“It’s exciting as a coach to see someone’s hard work pay off,” Coker said. “I think from a young age, so many people played a role in Jonah’s development as a basketball player and a man.”
Coker described Williams as a dedicated and dependable athlete and leader. “He’s a winner – an absolute winner,” he added.
Among his many achievements Williams:
- holds the AHSAA record for most 3-point field goals made in a career with 495 — he attempted 1,148 shots from beyond the arc from 2019-23.
- made 148 of 308 3-pointers his senior season
- garnered multiple area postseason acclaims, receiving all-county honors
- was named to the Sand Mountain Tournament All-Tournament Team
- dressed in a Plainview uniform for 152 wins over the last five years
- earning Northeast Regional MVP
Williams said he is looking forward to attending UAH and plans to major in accounting and finance while furthering his talents on the court under the leadership of the Chargers’ head coach John Shulman.
Last season, the Chargers closed play with an 87-62 loss to Nova Southeastern in the NCAA South Regionals.
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