Tuscaloosa Academy’s Head Basketball Coach Wins 2A Coach of the Year

TUSCALOOSA, Ala.- On Monday, March 17th, it was announced that Tuscaloosa Academy's head basketball coach Luke Hutcheson had been named the 2025 Alabama Sports Writers Association boys basketball 2A Coach of the Year after leading the Knights to their first 2A AHSAA state championship, which they lost 61-89 to Providence Christian.

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Hutcheson was the head basketball coach at Morgan Academy until joining the Knights in May 2023, when Tuscaloosa Academy's long-time coach, Barry Sanderson, the son of former Alabama basketball coach Simp Sanderson, left the program to become Northridge's new head basketball coach.

Tuscaloosa Academy enjoyed a historic season, finishing as runners-up to the state championship after clinching their first Final Four since entering the AHSAA in 2022. The Knights finished the season 23-2, led by senior forward Danilo Stojakovic, who averaged 26.5 points and 8.7 rebounds per game. This accomplishment earned him a spot on the ASWA All-State First Team for boys basketball.

Senior Guard Ellis Hamiter was named to the ASWA All State Third team boys basketball team, making him one of two Hutcheson players to make the list. Hamiter averaged 12 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 2.9 steals per game.

Hutcheson has received his first of many awards as the new head coach of Tuscaloosa Academy boys basketball, but he will always have a special place in his heart for this team, telling Tuscaloosa News after the Knights State championship loss, "It's been my favorite team I've ever had."

Tuscaloosa Academy has five seniors on this year's team who will be leaving. With that said, Hutcheson is looking to rebuild this offseason to make a push for Tuscaloosa Academy's first-ever AHSAA State title.

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