Story by Russell Frye 

Photos by Jim Meadows and Mariann Parker 

Masyn Marchbanks won her first Morgan County Championship as a seventh-grader in 2017.

Over the years, a long line of star players have come through the Hartselle Lady Tigers basketball program – players like Vicki Orr, who played for Auburn and the U.S. Olympic team, Jeanice Slater, Tanya Armstrong and, most recently, Moriah Taylor, who plays for Georgia State.  

Add senior Masyn Marchbanks to that list. 

Marchbanks has been a Lady Tiger since she was in the seventh grade. Since those early days, she has left an impression on the program and the City of Hartselle. 

“My career at Hartselle has been a wonderful experience, and the support from the community has truly been a blessing,” said Marchbanks. “Many of those who have supported me over the years have become family to me.” 

Masyn Marchbanks leads a free basketball clinic at the Hartselle Civic Center. Here she is with two future Lady Tigers working on dribbling skills.

She has served as a mentor to the younger players on this season’s team, which ranked among the top five 6A teams in Alabama. Marchbanks said one of her most significant accomplishments has been seeing the growth of her teammates. Two of those teammates are freshmen Gracie Hill and Mary France Itsede. 

“Masyn has become like a sister to me,” said Hill, who is in her second season playing with Marchbanks. “She is such a hard worker and always pushes me to work harder. I love playing the game with her, and it has been an honor. She has helped me become a better player.” 

Itsede, who is playing with Marchbanks for the first time, voiced similar sentiments. “It’s an honor getting to be on the court with her,” Itsede said. “She’s so considerate and hardworking. She pushes us to be the best version of ourselves. She’s like a big sister to me, and I know she always has my back.” 

Besides being a mentor to younger players the past couple of years, Marchbanks also made an impression on the teammates who have graduated before her. 

“Masyn was such an amazing teammate and friend. She was always early to practice and stayed after to put in extra work,” said Lillyanna Cartee, who played with Marchbanks the previous three seasons. “She always gave off tons of positive energy. She could have easily been a selfish player, but she always put the team first. I miss playing with her so much and am so glad to see that she is having an amazing season this year.” 

Marchbanks’ varsity coach has been Gary Orr. They have led the Lady Tigers to incredible achievements in the past five years. 

“I thank Coach Orr for believing in me as a timid little seventh grader and investing his time in me,” Marchbanks said. “Our relationship has grown over the years, and it means a lot to play for a coach who believes in me as he does.” 

Marchbanks and Orr have teamed up for more than 120 wins over the past six years, with more to come. The team finished in the regional finals in 2019 and 2021, regional semifinals in 2018 and sub-area in 2017 and 2020, when Marchbanks missed the final seven games after suffering a shoulder injury in the Morgan County Tournament. 

“The past five years, it has been a blessing watching her mature as a player, student and person,” said Orr. “She is willing to listen and learn. She has a strong desire for success and is willing to share the talents she is blessed with. She has a great work ethic to improve her skill level as a player. In addition, she has shown great leadership skills and understanding of the game and situations.” 

As a Lady Tiger, Marchbanks has been named to the 6A All-State first team as a junior and Honorable Mention as a sophomore. She will likely be named to the first team following this season. 

She has improved every year in high school, reaching the 1,000-point mark during her sophomore season and topping the 2,000-point mark this season.  

As a sophomore, she averaged 16.4 points and 3.5 rebounds per game. As a junior, she averaged 19.8 points and 5.8 rebounds. She is averaging 23.2 points per game through 25 games this season. 

During a three-game stretch early in her senior season, she set new career highs in points in each game.  

Following graduation, Marchbanks will take her talents and energy to Birmingham, to Samford University. She chose the Lady Bulldogs over more than 20 other schools. She will join former Priceville 2,000-point scorer Kathleen Wheeler on the Samford roster. 

Marchbanks committed to Samford and head coach Carley Kuhns Jan. 16, 2021, and signed with the Lady Bulldogs Nov. 15, 2021. 

At the time, Marchbanks said, “It feels like I have crossed one threshold heading into another chapter of my life. I know the plans God has for me, and I feel this moment is planting me in fertile soul for the rest of my life.” 

She will leave Hartselle after serving as an ambassador for the school and program during her time on campus. 

“She embodies what it means to be a Hartselle Tiger. She demands excellence from herself and pushes others around her to be great,” said Hartselle principal Dr. Brad Cooper. “She represents Hartselle High School very well. We are proud of her accomplishments on and off the court. I do not doubt she will continue to do great things.” 

Assistant principal and athletic director Pat Smith agreed. “She exemplifies humbleness and good character by the way she communicates and handles herself with others. Her character and work ethic demonstrate what our expectations are as Hartselle Tigers. I look forward to seeing her represent Hartselle, her family and herself at the collegiate level.” 

Another of Marchbanks’ accomplishments has been the creation of a free basketball clinic for girls in the Hartselle community and surrounding areas. Marchbanks said she has had people such as Slater, Orr and former state representative Ronald Grantland pour into her life over the years, and she wants to do the same for future Lady Tigers. “My goal is to return to Hartselle every summer to continue free basketball clinics for girls,” Marchbanks added. 

She said she considers her time at Hartselle to be a blessing, and she hopes she has been a blessing to others.