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...]
Rick Grammer’s Surprise Soccer Coaching Career at Vestavia Lands Him in Alabama’s High School Hall of Fame
Editor's Note: This article was edited from its original version to accommodate an event date change. When Rick Grammer, just out of college, showed up to teach at Vestavia Hills High School in 1979, he was told that his duties would include freshman football and basketball and varsity boys’ soccer. “His first response was, ‘Great, but what is soccer?’” recalled Athletic … [Read more...]
Athletic, Competitive White Becomes Two-Sport Standout for Homewood
By Rubin E. GrantHomewood senior Maggie White might be a three-time individual state champion in track and field throwing events, but her first love is the sport where love is part of the scoring system.“I’m definitely a tennis player,” said White, who is going to play tennis in college at UAB. “I started playing tennis when I was 7 or 8 and I played competitively until … [Read more...]
Soccer Boost: Two Soccer Tournaments This Month Expected to Draw People From Almost a Dozen States
By Sam Prickett For two weekends this month, teams from around the Southeast will head to the Birmingham-metro area to participate in the Red Diamond Classic.That soccer tournament, which is expected to have a $6.2 million impact on the Birmingham-metro economy, is one of the largest single events organized by the Birmingham United Soccer Association, but organizers … [Read more...]
‘Redemption’: Barker Winds up Cheering as Spain Park Edges Hoover to Claim Class 7A Girls Title
Rubin E. Grant Two minutes and three seconds. That’s how much time was remaining on the clock in the AHSAA Class 7A girls basketball state championship game Saturday at the BJCC Legacy Arena when Spain Park senior star Sarah Ashlee Barker became a spectator and a cheerleader. The crosstown rival and defending champion Bucs were in the midst of a 15-5 run that had trimmed a … [Read more...]