Student spotlight: Hartselle’s Kohl Key

Kohl Key, a senior at Hartselle High School, is a point guard/shooting guard for the Tigers basketball team. He is the son of Faron and Tamisha Key.

Kohl has played basketball for 14 years and has been a part of the varsity team for four years. His father has been his coach for his entire high school career. He has been a part of three Tiger teams that have advanced beyond the area tournament, including a trip to the northwest regional.

“Playing in the 2023 quadruple-overtime area championship game against Cullman is my favorite moment in my high school career,” Key said. “It was one of the most exciting atmospheres I have ever been in.”

Despite playing in the 2023 area championship game, Kohl said that the second half of the 2022-23 season had been the most challenging time for him as a player.

“I didn’t shoot well going down the stretch and felt like I let my teammates down,” he said. “I feel like I have responded to those difficulties and have become a better player for it.”

Kohl has learned many lessons from basketball, but two things stand out.

“Basketball has taught me to treat everyone with respect and kindness and how to get along with everyone,” he said.

Outside of playing basketball, he said he likes to play golf with his teammates.

His most significant athletic influence has been former Tiger point guard Ryan Dunn, who graduated last year.

“I learned a lot from watching and playing with Ryan the last three seasons,” he said. “I have taken what I have learned to become a better player as I try to fill his shoes as a point guard.”

After Key graduates, he said he wants to be remembered for how he treated people and for the energy and positivity he brought to school daily.

Key plans to attend college to pursue a bachelor’s degree.