About Inductee

Before their marriage in 1992, Alan Garner says he knew all about Deborah Garners fabled basketball career at David Lipscomb University in Nashville. He knew because they were both students at Lipscomb in the late 1980s and early 90s, when he became her most devoted fan. But Garner says he had no idea of his wifes legendary status as a high school athlete in Huntsville and Madison County. Not until he began his teaching and coaching career in Madison County after graduation from Lipscomb. I was often introduced as Deborah Spencers husband, says Garner. After that introduction, a conversation about Deborah and basketball would ultimately follow. People would talk about the night she scored 42 points against New Hope, or her state championship MVP honor, or her distinct lefty style, her grit and fire on the floor, her character, academic ability, kindness and love for others off the court. Grissoms former Hall of Fame coach Ronnie Stapler once told Garner: There were only two or three girls who I wouldve paid to watch play high school basketball, and Deborah is one of them. Deborah Spencer Garner will be long remembered as one of the best athletes, boys or girls, who ever played for Buckhorn High School. In a prep career than spanned 1984-88, she set athletic standards in basketball, softball and track that will endure for as long as the New Market school exists, while somehow finding time to also play the clarinet, and become a majorette, a Homecoming Queen, a member of the National Honor Society and an active member of the Locust Grove Baptist Church. Named All-County in basketball and softball and honorable mention All-State in basketball as a junior in 1987, she was named first team All-State in basketball as a senior in 1988 while averaging 18.5 points, eight rebounds, two steals and four assists. She was also named the MVP of the state 4A tournament and honorable mention All-America. Later, as a four-year starter at David Lipscomb, she played in 136 games and scored 1,494 points, eighth best in school history, and was named to the TCAS all-conference team in 1991. Deborah, who was born in Huntsville on Oct. 11, 1969, graduated with a BS in Accounting from David Lipscomb. She is currently the accounting manager for Lanier Ford in Huntsville, commuting between Huntsville and her home in Scottsboro. She is active in church work at First Baptist of Scottsboro, remains involved in volunteer coaching in basketball, soccer and softball, and keeps herself fit by competing in triathlons and road races. She keeps a schedule very similar to her high school and college days, says Alan. Deborah and her husband are the parents of two children, Spencer (13) and Emily (9).