By Rubin E. GrantWith Homewood facing a third-and-24 from its own 29-yard line and trailing by a touchdown early in the fourth quarter of its first-round state playoff game, no one could have blamed the Fort Payne Wildcats for thinking the Patriots would try to get the ball to senior wide receiver TyShawn Buckner.After all, during the regular season, Bucker had … [Read more...]
Baby Steps: Vestavia’s Davis Looks to Build on Last Season’s Basketball Record
By Blake EllsWhen Patrick Davis took over the Vestavia Hills boys basketball program last season, he was eager for the opportunity to lead the Rebels, which had won two state championships before his arrival.In his first season, the Rebels reached the state semifinals.They return eight players from that ’16-’17 team this year, with hopes of going even … [Read more...]
Attention to Detail: Gann Leads Spartans Volleyball Team Hoping to Score a Fourth State Championship
By Blake EllsMountain Brook is the only high school volleyball team in Alabama to win the state championship since Class 7A was created. But, despite its three straight wins, the team heads into the state championship this week as the second seed and a bit of an underdog.Members of the team have felt doubted this season, and perhaps their doubters had reason. Libby … [Read more...]
Sliding Into Place: Savannah Gibbs Fit Right In at State-Bound Hoover Volleyball Team
By Rubin E. GrantUsually, transferring from one high school to another in a different state before your senior year could entail a considerable adjustment.But not for Savannah Gibbs. She felt at home right away after she transferred from Panama City, Florida, to Hoover High School this summer. Her teammates on the Hoover Bucs’ volleyball team made the transition … [Read more...]
#StandUpForBen: Pleasant Grove, Former Home of Abercrombie’s Father, Rallies for Fallen Buc
By Rubin E. Grant Pleasant Grove football coach Jim Elgin had no idea attending one of his son’s baseball games in the spring would lead to such a poignant event as the one the Spartans had Friday. Elgin’s son Scott plays baseball for Hoover High School and was a teammate of former Buc Ben Abercrombie’s on the Bucs’ 2017 Class 7A championship team. Elgin showed up for the … [Read more...]