By Rubin E. GrantJ Whitson was not looking to do a documentary about civil rights leader and minister the Rev. Fred Shuttlesworth when he shot an interview of him in 2007.The interview was going to be part of a documentary about sculptor Tina Allen, who created the bust of Frederick Douglass on display at the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute.The documentary about … [Read more...]
Chasing History: Hoover Girls Basketball Team on a Quest for a Three-Peat
By Rubin E. GrantThe Hoover Lady Bucs are chasing history this season, but other than their hashtag on Twitter — #Quest2R3PEAT — it’s not a topic of conversation during basketball practice or games.“In the rich history of the Hoover girls basketball program, there’s never been a three-peat,” coach Krystle Johnson said. “But we’re not talking about three-peating, … [Read more...]
Fun While It Lasted: Mountain Brook Proud of the Way It Battled in Championship Game Loss
AUBURN – Mountain Brook struggled to contain Saraland sophomore Ryan Williams in the 2022 Class 6A championship football game.When cornerback Tucker Crawford wrestled Williams out of bounds at the 1-yard line on what appeared to be the final play of the first half, Mountain Brook coaches and players hustled off the field with a surge of optimism.Saraland coach Jeff … [Read more...]
Eagles Flying High
By Rubin E. GrantThe Oak Mountain boys basketball team has served notice in the first three weeks of the young season that it is not ready to take a step back under new coach Joel Floyd.The Eagles went into the Thanksgiving break with a 6-1 record, with the only loss to defending Class 7A champion Enterprise, 59-47, in the first round of the Sneaky Pete’s Rebel Classic … [Read more...]
‘Talented Group’: Youthful Vestavia Hills Girls Basketball Team Off to Hot Start
By Rubin E. GrantFrom the moment John David Smelser took over as Vestavia Hills’ girls head basketball coach in the spring of 2019, Emma Smith was the one player he could always count on.But now in his fourth season, Smelser no longer has Smith around to turn to. She is a freshman at the University of Denver after finishing her high school career as the Rebels’ all-time … [Read more...]