By Rubin E. Grant The Briarwood Christian baseball team can thank the sister of Carson McKinney for him becoming the ace of the Lions’ pitching staff. McKinney orally committed to the University of Alabama when he was a freshman in high school and living in San Diego. His family decided to move to Birmingham so he could become familiar with the South before eventually … [Read more...]
Suspended streak: Spain Park’s Superb Softball Season Interrupted by Pandemic
By Rubin E. Grant Perhaps no high school team in the state was more disappointed to see the spring sports seasons suspended than the Spain Park softball team. The Jaguars are off to 21-0 start, ranked No. 1 in Class 7A and No. 4 nationally by USA Today, but their season has been interrupted because of the coronavirus pandemic. Hoover City Schools announced Saturday that … [Read more...]
2020 OTMJ All-OTM High School Girls Basketball Team: Driven Barker Turned In Dominating Performances in Spain Park’s Title Season
By Rubin E. Grant Several years ago, Spain Park girls basketball coach Mike Chase heard stories about a talented young player, so he went on a quest to see her play. He showed up at one Over the Mountain recreational league game after another, hoping to watch her. But she wasn’t playing in any of the games he attended. Finally, one night he asked someone where he could find … [Read more...]
2020 OTMJ All-OTM High School Boys Basketball Team: Jones Undergoes Life-Changing Experiences Playing for Mountain Brook
By Rubin E. Grant Colby Jones had an idea what it would be like transferring to Mountain Brook from Pinson Valley before his junior year in high school. But after two seasons of playing basketball for the Spartans, he said it was even better than he expected. “It changed my life playing over here,” Jones said. “My teammates brought me in and helped with the transition, then … [Read more...]
Murphy’s Law: At a Crossroads
By Sue Murphy Seeing the robin in my yard yesterday made me smile. I don’t know where the robins go over the winter, but they seem to return just when I’m not quite sure spring will ever get here. Lots of animals travel. Great herds of gnus loop from the Serengeti to Masai Mara every year, literally seeking greener pastures. Salmon swim against heavy currents in Alaska to … [Read more...]




