By Blake Ells Oak Mountain’s baseball team leapt to third in the latest 7A ASWA poll, behind top-ranked Auburn and McGill-Toolen, despite losing two games at the Gulf Coast Classic over spring break. “A big reason we try to go down there is to see some good teams,” said Oak Mountain coach Derek Irons. “It’s a good opportunity to see some good pitchers and try to come back … [Read more...]
Spartan’s McMillan Watford Top Vote-getters in Coaches Poll
By Blake Ells Mountain Brook alumnus Bucky McMillan changed the culture at his alma mater. Under his tutelage, the Spartans have now won four state basketball championships in the past six seasons. It continued with a 73-49 victory over McGill-Toolen in this season’s title game. The win capped a 33-4 season for the Spartans, and the game was never close. By the end of … [Read more...]
Players of the Year, Holt and Barker Led Spain Park’s Winning Season
By Blake Ells This season, the Over the Mountain Journal’s girls Player of the Year is shared by the foundation and future of what may be the state’s next basketball dynasty. Spain Park senior guard Claire Holt and Spain Park sophomore forward Sarah Ashlee Barker led the Jaguars to coach Mike Chase’s first state championship, just one year after falling in the championship … [Read more...]
Record Run: Patriots’ Speedy Hall Shatters State Record for Stealing Bases
By Rubin E. Grant Josh Hall is a thief. But he doesn’t steal money or any other stuff. He swipes bases. No one in the history of Alabama high school baseball has been more successful swiping bases than Homewood’s senior center fielder. Hall stole five bases on March 14 in an 11-1 victory against John Carroll Catholic to break the Alabama High School Athletic Association … [Read more...]
‘Pepper’ Brings Plenty of Spice to the Hoover Softball Team
By Rubin E. Grant Caroline Nichols is her given name, but few people call the Hoover senior Caroline. She’s better known by her nickname “Pepper.” In fact, few of her friends know that her name is Caroline. “No one calls me Caroline except my teachers at school,” Nichols said. “My friends who have known me a while, when they hear someone call me Caroline they say ‘I didn’t … [Read more...]