Young Harris College Athletics

Allie Craig Cruce wrapped up her first season as an assistant coach at Young Harris College, helping lead the Mountain Lions to a program-record 22 wins and a trip to the Conference Carolinas Tournament semifinals. In her debut year in the Enchanted Valley, Cruce was part of a staff that guided YHC to its most successful stretch in the NCAA Division II era, highlighted by top-15 national marks in field goal percentage defense and rebounding margin. The 2024-25 Mountain Lions also received votes in the Southeast Region rankings and featured the league’s Player of the Year, Annalise Malone.

Cruce comes to the Enchanted Valley after a decorated career at the University of Alabama. Most recently she coached the North Stars, an AAU U16 team in Florence, Alabama.

The Killen, Alabama native, strung together an impressive career at Lauderdale County High School. Cruce led the Tigers to back-to-back State Championships in 2014 and 2015, and a runner-up finish in 2017. She garnered Times Daily Class 1A-3A All-Area Girls Basketball Player of the Year in 2017 and 2018 and was a two-time AHSAA 3A Player of the Year in 2017 and 2018 as well. Cruce earned First Team 3A All-State recognition all four years and took home regional MVP honors in 2016 and 2018. Her accolades and hard work on the court paid off as she was a top 14 wing according to HoopGurlz ESPNW coming out of high school and committed to the University of Alabama.

Cruce completed her undergraduate playing career at the University of Alabama, playing in 934 minutes across 102 games with five starts for the Crimson Tide. She registered 251 points (2.5 PPG) on 39.6 percent shooting from the field while hitting 37 threes at a 30.8 percent clip. Cruce also tallied 169 rebounds, 46 assists, 35 steals and 16 blocks in her career with Alabama. She earned a spot on the 2019 SEC First-Year Academic Honor Roll and the SEC Academic Honor Roll in 2020 and 2021.

Cruce scored a career-high 14 points in the Crimson Tide’s 75-68 victory against bitter SEC rival Auburn, in the opening round of the SEC tournament on March 2^nd, 2022. She wrapped up her time at Alabama with a bachelor’s in communications and a master’s degree in marketing.

Allie Craig Cruce utilized her fifth and final year of eligibility to play at the University of North Alabama in her hometown. She played in 21 games with 17 starts after becoming eligible midway through the season and averaged 10.6 points per game while shooting 37.6 percent from the floor. Cruce converted 30 from beyond the arc and went 46-61 (75.4%) from the free-throw line.

She totaled 93 rebounds, 27 assists, 17 steals and 10 blocks. Cruce finished second on the team in scoring while third in total three-pointers. She scored in double figures 11 times, including a career-high 27 points in the Lions 79-75 win against Austin Peay on Jan. 11, 2024.

Allie won the Atlantic Sun Conference Newcomer of the Week honor with her performances against Austin Peay and Lipscomb. She secured her first career double-double at Stetson with a 15-point, 10-rebound performance on Feb. 8, 2024. 

Updated 7.9.25