Scott Nickerson
Elmore Autauga News
In his 7th season as Head Boys’ Basketball coach at Montgomery Academy, Jeremy Arant has led the Eagles to their 2nd consecutive Class 3A state title. Arant, a 2002 Prattville graduate and current Deatsville resident, celebrated the state championship victory with a dominant victory in the Class 3A Finals over Southside Selma, winning 66-39.
“It’s a great feeling,” said Arant. “I am really just happy for our players. They have sacrificed so much to get to this point, and each and every one of them deserves this moment. I am really just proud of them and happy for them.”
After last year’s team posted a dominant record of 34-2, the Eagles finished 28-7 this season.
“Last year, I think people would have told you going into the season that we were the favorite, and then we got into the season, and it played out that way. We didn’t have a whole lot of injuries. Fast forward to this year, and I think people around the state would have said there were other teams that were the favorite, and then we just battled through so much adversity this season. We lost Robert McGaughey to a torn ACL a day after he scored 25 points in a win against Pike Road. We have guys playing with broken toes, torn labrums, ankle injuries, elbow injuries, and back injuries. This group has just persevered through all that. I think that is what makes this one so special. Our guys showed so much resilience and togetherness to achieve this one goal. I could not be prouder of a group of young men,” said Arant.
Arant suspected that this team had the opportunity to repeat as state champs way back in the summer of 2025.
“It was really a matter of whether we were going to be able to have that defensive mindset and really buy into that style of play while at the same time sacrificing for each other and playing with and for each other as well. They care about each other and want to win for each other.
The Eagles went 8-0 through Class 3A Area 5 play in the regular season and then defeated Thorsby and St. James in the area tournament. After winning the 1st round contest over Sumter Central, the Eagles won the regional tournament after defeating Lee-Scott and Midfield. In the Class 3A Final Four, the Eagles beat Lauderdale County 60-50 before winning the championship over Southside Selma, 66-39.
“The key for this year was finding our identity. Our players bought into being a defensive-minded team that was going to be physical and make everything tough on you. I think you really saw that over the course of the postseason. We outrebounded every team we played in the postseason and really bought into guarding people in the half-court,” said Arant.
The 2026 Class 3A state champs had two seniors on the roster, so they hope to bring home another state championship next season with an experienced group of players.
“They will be hungry, and they will work hard this summer and in the offseason. We are excited about where our program is, and we are looking forward to competing next year each and every chance we get,” said Arant.
