South Iron’s Ayers Earns First Dream Team Selection After Reaching Second-Straight Final Four

(Annapolis) It has been quite a run for the South Iron girls basketball team with back-to-back trips to the Final Four, and helping propel the Lady Panthers to Springfield has been their standout underclassman.

Sophomore Madison Ayers had another strong campaign in Annapolis this year that resulted in her first selection to the Girls Basketball Dream Team.

She says she appreciates the recognition.

This season Ayers averaged 19 points, 5 rebounds, 5.5 assists, 5.2 steals, and shot 74% from the free-throw line.

While the Lady Panthers have reached Springfield in consecutive seasons, they have come up short of their ultimate goal of a state title.

The experience of deep playoff runs for this group has been invaluable though, and perhaps what is most exciting is the fact that this year’s team featured only one junior, which means the young core will be intact for two more years.

Ayers says the conversations have already started about how they take the next step.

The success and chemistry on the court for the Lady Panthers is not something that was constructed overnight, but rather has been formulated by years of playing and growing up together.

Ayers says that is what makes this group so special.

This year Ayers earned her second-straight All-Conference, All-District, and All-State selections, and helped lead the South Iron girls to a (21-6) record and a Class 1 4th Place finish.

Full Interview with Madison Ayers: