Thomas Rains

The only Albertville basketball player to date to make an Alabama All-State tournament team, Tom Rains led the 1960 Aggies to a 30-win season and a number three finish in Alabama Class 2A.

Marshall County Sports Hall of Fame Coach Shannon Sloan coached the 6-foot-2, 190-pound center to many honors. In 1960, Rains was named Birmingham News Second Team All-State and Most Valuable Player in Marshall County. In 2000, the Gadsden Times named Rains to the All-Century Basketball Team of North Alabama. During three varsity years, Rains was named to numerous all-tournament teams as well as receiving letters in basketball, track, baseball, and football.

Auburn Basketball Coach Joel Eaves signed Rains to a full grant-in-aid; however, he never attended Auburn. Rains chose to play at Florence State College from 1960-64 on full scholarship, graduating in 1964. While at Florence, he earned All-Conference for varsity freshmen and was the leading free-throw shooter for two seasons. In his sophomore season, the Lions won the conference title and played in the National NAIA Tournament in Kansas City, Missouri. At the time, Rains was one of only a few Lion players to ever earn a varsity letter for four years and to be a regular starter for three years. He was named All-Alabama Collegiate Conference for two years (1961 and 1963).

After college, Rains coached for two years at Douglas High School. He took his first team with a 22-8 record to the state tournament, and coached the state 2A Most Valuable Player, Marshall County Sports Hall of Fame charter member Wayne Wigley.

While at Douglas, Rains kept his basketball skills sharp by playing for a Marshall County semi-pro team for two years. He played twice on teams that played against the Harlem Globetrotters.

Rains, with a major in mathematics and science, worked in the aerospace industry for 20 years and is now self-employed in Pulaski, Tenn., where he is an active member of the community and his church.