Deiondre Riney entered his first year as head coach of the Alton Redbirds girls basketball program in July 2025, inheriting a squad that had already established itself as a state power.
A Senior Core Embraces Change
The team’s senior core — featuring Kaylea Lacey, Kyridas Orr, Ja’Kayla Steen, Justice Haynes, Lauryn Wimbley, Aryanna Anthony and Ava Harris — welcomed Riney’s philosophy and worked tirelessly together, forming the backbone of a 28‑3 campaign.
After an early loss to Morton in November, the Redbirds embarked on an 18‑game winning streak that included a perfect 12‑0 run in the Southwestern Conference, securing a fourth straight conference title.
The Redbirds extended their homecourt winning streak to 45 games, capped by a decisive victory over Edwardsville on the Tigers’ own court to capture the Class 4A regional championship.
Playoff Heartbreak
Alton’s run ended in a sectional semifinal against Belleville East, where a 45‑40 loss left the team just shy of the final. Despite the defeat, the experience reinforced the program’s resilience.
Coach Riney, who was named the 2026 Telegraph Large‑Schools Girls Basketball Coach of the Year, remains optimistic that the chemistry forged this season will translate into continued competitiveness, even after the graduation of seven seniors.
Key contributors such as Deserea Howard, Kiyoko Proctor, Jarius Powers and Talia Norman, who rounded out the roster, are expected to mentor the incoming talent and keep the Redbirds among the elite in the coming years.