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...]
Bond of Brothers: Spartans Learn Life Lessons in Tough Loss to Lee
By Rubin E. Grant When the end came, so did a flood of tears. The previous three Alabama High School Athletic Association Class 7A boys basketball championship games ended with the Mountain Brook Spartans celebrating victory and the only tears were tears of joy – and perhaps a few from seniors who had played their final game with their high school teammates.But last … [Read more...]