Oxford, AL – Oxford’s McGrue follows in her Oxford-based mother’s footsteps. She has signed up to play basketball at the college level; will be playing for Snead State College.
Joe Medley Joe Medley
La’Mya’s mom gave more than just instruction and an illustration that of an Oxford basketball player who went on to play to the next level in college. Most importantly, her mom taught her daughter a lifetime of mommy warnings not to let bad times turn into bad results. “When I do something wrong I’ll be like, take myself down,” McGrue said. “She’ll think that, no regardless of how often you slip up. It’s all about the result and how I deal with the outcome.” While Shavon Wysinger sitting on her left in the Oxford High’s media center, McGrue completed the circle of her life Wednesday by signing up to play at Snead State Community College. She is following the steps of her mother who played at Oxford and later took the game with her into Southern Union.
McGrue was who was a varsity player during the holiday season of her 8th grade year, was a crucial part of Oxford’s two consecutive Calhoun County champion teams. In her junior year she helped to see the Yellow Jackets break a 16-year drought between county championships, and became the very first Oxford team to make it to the Final Four. As an adult, McGrue averaged 11.1 points per game, with the score of 131 deflections and 83 steals. McGrue stated that Snead was her sole offer and the only thing that is needed is one. McGrue was able to celebrate her birthday with her family as well as players and coaches. “This is a unique ceremony as it’s a second-generation signer,” Oxford athletics director Larry Davidson said. “I will not say how long ago it was but my mom did stand in this same spot and signed an basketball scholarship for herself.”
McGrue had on a gold T-shirt featuring the words “Snead State” across her chest, in blue lettering. It also has white trim and basketballs on the lower left. A close friend of her mother’s designed the shirt. Her mother played a major role in making Wednesday happen. Wysinger is from 2002, an Oxford student who played for the former Oxford coach Darrell Cline, is not only a former Oxford player, but also an assistant coach for Oxford’s team. Wysinger has plenty of stories to impart to her daughter throughout the time. Both have had disagreements over who was the better player. The Wysinger teams had fantastic seasons, but they never made it beyond to the Northeast Regional, losing to Vestavia Hills in the final of 2000, Buckhorn in the 2001 semifinals, and Boaz in the finals in 2002. McGrue has always had the final Four to her name. Oxford fell to the her rival Hazel Green in the 2022 Class 6A final of the state.
The name was Shavon McGrue during her playing times, Wysinger said she and her daughter “are identical however we’re distinct.” Wysinger was a more vocal leader, while her daughter was “the more laid-back one.” Wysinger told her daughter stories about the teams she led and also how they were demanding Cline was, regardless of what size lead Oxford was. She would like for her child to be as demanding as herself, with some caveats. “My main thing isnot just with her. I also remind the girls around me that you’re bound to make mistakes,” Wysinger said. “No question about that. You’re bound to make mistakes. “It’s the way you react when you make a error. It’s the biggest thing I train them on every single day, my children.” It’s a good idea to Read more stories about sports…]
