Faith has guided him as a three-sport athlete
Garrett Reid, a junior at Deshler high school in Tuscumbia, Ala., knows he’s a blessed young man. He realizes how fortunate he is to play sports at a high level but understands that talent only gets him so far.
“I lean on my Christian faith to be successful,” Reid explained. “God blesses us to wake up every day and gives us an opportunity to accomplish our goals. For example, last year our basketball team started the season 1-6, and a lot of people were talking negatively, but we clicked at the right time.
“When I first moved to Deshler, people were telling me you can’t start both ways in football and play multiple sports. God blessed me to be talented in all sports. Whatever sport is in season is best for me.”
After transferring from Brooks High school as a freshman, Reid has excelled in every sport at Deshler. Tigers head football coach Patrick Malone runs the Wing-T offense and features Reid as a wingback, defensive back, quarterback, and punt returner.
On the basketball court, Reid tied a program record by hitting 92 three-point shots while leading Deshler to its first state semifinal appearance since 2008. Reid scored 20 points as Deshler lost to American Christian 58-54.
Though he excels in every sport, Reid says his favorite sport is baseball. Despite missing the first six baseball games due to Deshler basketball’s Final Four run, he led Coach Justin Cantrell’s baseball team to a 28-9 record and the quarterfinals in the AHSAA state tournament for the first time since 2010. As a sophomore, Reid was first team Class 4A All-State as a pitcher with a 1.22 ERA with 107 strikeouts. He issued only 21 walks across 63 innings, tossing five shutouts—including a no-hitter—and finishing with a 7-3 season record. What’s more, he hit .429, scored 38 runs, and drove in 30 RBIs.
Deshler head boys’ basketball coach Brian Pounders, the TimesDaily 2024 Large School Coach of the Year, realizes that Reid is a special person.
“He plays so stinking hard. He’s a great communicator,” Pounders said. “His parents (Kelley and Shane Reid) have done a great job of raising him. He’s one of the most respectful young men I’ve ever had here. If he keeps this up, he can be the most successful three-sport athlete in the big three sports (football, basketball, and baseball) in my 13 years at Deshler.”
Reid is an excellent student, maintaining a 4.2 GPA in the classroom. Math and AP History are his favorite subjects. And although he doesn’t have any official scholarship offers yet, he knows the offers will come.
“My parents told me, go wherever God leads you,” Reid said. “He has a plan, and it will come at the right time. God will open doors; whatever place fits me the best.” TG
Editor’s Note: Garrett set to graduate in May 2026. Photos by Al Blanton.
