Scott Nickerson
Elmore Autauga News
KeLeigh Mullens is the only returning starter for the Prattville girls’ basketball team, but that was enough for the Lady Lions to be ranked in the Top 10 of the initial Class 7A poll. The two-time All State senior showed this weekend why she should be considered one of the best guards in the entire state. Just a few days after leading Prattville to a win on the road against previously unbeaten Wetumpka by scoring 39 points to go along with 16 steals, 8 rebounds, and 5 assists, she led the charge into Millbrook to face an unbeaten Stanhope Elmore girls’ team ranked in the Top 10 of Class 6A.
“KeLeigh feels she has a point to prove. She is scarcely mentioned when talking about the top guards in the state and she is hands down in the top three,” said Prattville Head Coach Erica DuBois. “A guard that is strong on both sides of the ball is a rarity. KeLeigh is that guard.”
Mullens proved her coach’s point in the Lions’ top 10 showdown against Stanhope Elmore, scoring 30 points with 14 steals, 11 rebounds, and 2 blocks. The Lions took an early lead in the 1st quarter and held on throughout, winning 60-45.
“They played with a lot of energy but we still have so much to clean up and with all new starters minus one, and two of them being 10th graders that play a huge role for our team, we have a lot of growing to do,” said Coach DuBois.
The Lady Mustangs featured their own star point guard that is considered one of the best in the area, in junior Heaven Bailey. The 11th grader had 19 points against a Prattville program that is known for its pressure defense. Bailey also had 5 rebounds and 3 steals. Teonna Davis had 12 points and 10 rebounds for the Mustangs.
After advancing to the Class 7A Final Four during Mullens’ freshman and sophomore seasons, the Lions failed to make the Class 7A playoffs in 2024 after being upset by Thompson, 58-56, in the semi-finals of last season’s Area 5 tournament. Prattville had beaten the Warriors by more than 20 points in both of their regular season matchups before being upset in the area tournament.
Coach DuBois acknowledged that the team was really disappointed with last year’s outcome, but this year’s team has a few areas they need to work on before the area play starts, in order to reach their goals.
“I think we need to improve our confidence. I just need them to believe that they are as good as I know they are and that they know they can be. We just really need to mature on the court so we can play our style of basketball efficiently. I think the team’s goals are to continue to grow individually and as a team and then make it further than they did last season.”
