Jimmy Keller

Kate Duncan Smith DAR School at Grant presents the James Henry Lane Award annually to its Best All-Around athlete. Jimmy Keller is a two-time winner of the Lane Award.

As a sophomore, Keller was a starter on the 1965 Patriot basketball state championship team. He twice was named All-County and four times All-District. The 1967 senior was selected Birmingham Post Herald All-State and a North Alabama All-Star. In Keller’s three varsity years of basketball, the team’s record was 82-19. Before leaving DAR, he had earned four additional varsity letters as a baseball pitcher and outfielder.

While attending Northeast State Junior College on a basketball scholarship, Keller set a school record during the 1968 season for field goal percentage (just under 60 percent). The team ended the season as the No. 1 defensive team in America. The 1969 Northeast team finished as the Alabama Junior College runner-up. Keller closed out his career as team co-captain and a member of the Alabama Junior College All-Conference and All-State Tournament teams. He led the Mustangs in scoring and rebounding.

Because of a recurring ankle injury, Keller did not accept a scholarship after his time at Northeast. He graduated from Jacksonville State in 1971.

In 1972, Keller landed his first teaching job at Sylvania High School and served as the junior varsity basketball coach. He began teaching in 1974 at Claysville, with his tenure as teacher and principal at the school extending 22 years until 1996.

Jimmy Keller has been one of Grant’s most community-oriented citizens. He has served eight years on the town council with responsibility for the recreation facilities and youth programs. Jimmy Keller ... one of the good guys ... a true Patriot!