Viking Pride: 5 Unforgettable Athletes From Valley High School

Sports run deep in Louisville, and Valley High School has long been at the heart of it. It’s no surprise some standout talent once wore the Viking uniform. Today we're celebrating five unforgettable athletes from Valley High School who made a name for themselves well beyond the hometown field.

DeVuan Jones – Collegiate Wide Receiver

A Valley High School alumnus, DeVuan Jones developed into a dynamic wide receiver known for his speed, acceleration and playmaking ability, earning the opportunity to compete at the Division I level with the University of Louisville. Jones transitioned from a versatile high school defensive background to offense, where his quick release, route separation and ability after the catch made him a consistent big-play threat. As an underclassman in college, he continued developing within the Cardinals’ program. (Sources: Gridiron Football, ESPN, Fanstake)

Leah Stinson – Record-Chasing Basketball Scorer

Leah Stinson made an immediate impact as a freshman, already earning a reputation as a natural scorer and a key reason the Vikings surged to win eight of their last 11 games at the time of the report. Remarkably, Stinson had already scored more than 900 career points after playing varsity basketball since seventh grade, putting her on pace to become Valley’s all-time leading scorer (boys or girls). (Source: WHAS 11)

Andrew Patterson – ‘Knockdown’ Shooting Guard/Forward

Valley High’s own Andrew Patterson was a shooting guard/small forward who earned varsity experience over two seasons, serving as a starter during his high school career. He also competed with the Kentucky Ambition AAU program, where he was named a team captain and described himself as a “knockdown” three-point shooter and playmaker, while maintaining a 3.7 GPA. In AAU tournament play, Patterson noted multiple double-digit scoring performances, including a 17-point game and a weekend where he averaged 16 points per game while leading an event in three-pointers made. (Source: NCSA Sports)

Akira Thompson – Point & Shooting Guard

Akira Thompson earned varsity experience as a young player, competing with Valley High as both a point guard and shooting guard. Listed at 5'3", Thompson played with a team-first mindset and continued developing her game through consistent varsity competition, bringing energy, effort and leadership potential to the Vikings’ backcourt. (Source: NCSA Sports)

Savannah Hillard – Multi-Sport Athlete, Basketball & Softball

Valley High School alumna Savannah Hillard competed on the women’s basketball team, with experience in the frontcourt as a small forward/center. She was also a varsity softball player, playing a utility role and earning a Player of the Game award during her high school career. Hillard’s ability to contribute across multiple sports reflects the kind of versatility and toughness that defined her time with the Vikings. (Sources: MaxPreps, NCSA Sports)

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