Pleasant Valley, AL Pleasant Valley, AL After a string of runs in softball and basketball games to Jacksonville as well as Pleasant Valley, Gannaway signs to play basketball at Gadsden State Community College
Rebekah Gannaway has earned respect for her softball and basketball skills at first in Jacksonville and later at Pleasant Valley.
She’ll keep playing basketball.
The Pleasant Valley senior, who has helped with helping the Raiders beat 20 teams and make it to the Northeast Regional this past season was signed on Friday to play at Gadsden State Community College.
Her other offers were numerous across both fields: University of Mobile, Faulkner University, and University Cumberland for basketball; Bethel University, Blue Mountain Community College, Maryville College and Chattanooga State Community College for softball and basketball; and Gulf Coast State College, University of West Florida, Calhoun Community College, University of Montevallo Snead State Community College, and Wallace State Community College, Hanceville for softball.
“I was just very pampered at Gadsden State,” she declared. “When I visited there to attend the meeting it felt like I was familiar. I was impressed with everyone I encountered in Gadsden State and felt like it was an ideal matches.
“I was having a difficult time making a decision between basketball and softball for a time, but I was convinced that it was the right time to end my softball and move on to basketball. It was among the toughest decisions I’ve made however I’m not regretting it at all. I’m a basketball lover and it was that my heart was telling me that’s the way I had to do.”
Gannaway Averaged 12.5 points. He also grabbed 10.9 Rebounds, 5.9 assists and 2.6 steals. Pleasant Valley was 20-7, and was able to reach regional at first since 2016, in 2022-23.
She transferred to Jacksonville following her sophomore year, and battled to recover from hip surgery as an undergraduate. She suffered back pain while playing softball, which helped the Raiders achieve regional and region championships.
“I’ve had the privilege of coaching a variety of kids during my coaching career of 14 years and I’m able to say without hesitation that Bek is among the most difficult athletes I’ve had the privilege of coaching,” former Pleasant Valley girls basketball player Colton Morris said. “She has mental and physical strength that cannot be taught.
“She trains and plays every day with the same dedication and vigor. It’s not uncommon for her to be ignored due to her size or level of skill however once coaches get to know the potential that I’ve shown them and they’ll appreciate her contributions into the game. She’s been a committed player who gave me and the program everything she could have. In the present, this is typically not the scenario. I am grateful for what she has meant to my family and me and wish her all success!”
