By Rubin E. GrantPhotos by Scott Butler and courtesy of the Bussey familyColvin Bussey knew about his family’s rich track and field tradition, but he wasn’t dead set on becoming a part of it.His grandfather, Randy Faust, grew up in Blount County and ran track at Cleveland High School, competing in the 440- and 880-yard runs. He went on to become an … [Read more...]

Mountain Brook senior wrestler Jack Abenoja was named the 2025 Class 6A Scholar-Athlete winner during the 40th annual Bryant-Jordan Student Athlete Awards Banquet on April 14. Abenoja also received the Dr. Gaylon McCollough Medical Scholarship. Vestavia Hills senior basketball player Jack Cobb was a regional winner and awarded one of the two Auburn Football Lettermen … [Read more...]

Liv Heaps decided not to follow her family’s sports tradition. Her dad Jay Heaps played soccer collegiately and professionally, coached professionally and currently is the president and general manager of the Birmingham Legion FC professional soccer team.Her older brother Jack was a star soccer player at Mountain Brook—leading the Spartans to the 2022 Class 6A state … [Read more...]

By Rubin E. Grant  Photos by Jason DingWith several talented players returning from their 2024 AHSAA Class 7A state championship team, the Vestavia Hills girls tennis team didn’t need another skillful player in their quest for a repeat.But they got one anyway.Senior Ansley Cox decided to rejoin the team after not playing for the Rebels the past two years. … [Read more...]

By Rubin E. GrantMelissa Minich wasn’t sure she wanted her daughter Laine to follow in her footsteps as a soccer goalkeeper.Melissa Minich was a goalkeeper in college at Kentucky and Missouri after a standout high school career in the St. Louis area. It wasn’t a surprise when her daughter Laine Minich began playing soccer when she was only four. When she … [Read more...]