By Rubin E. GrantWhen it comes to player of the year honors, defensive players usually have to take a backseat to offensive players.But that wasn’t the case this year. Hoover senior libero Sydney Durban moved to the front seat.Durban was voted the 2024 OTM Volleyball Player of the Year in balloting of Over the Mountain coaches.“I’m super grateful because usually … [Read more...]

By Rubin E. GrantFor Homewood senior Emma Brooke Levering, the state cross-country meet was twice as nice.Levering won her second consecutive Class 6A title in convincing fashion, clocking 17:46.94 on the 5K Oakville Indian Mounds Park course last Saturday in the 69th AHSAA Cross Country Championships.Levering’s time was the fastest of the day among girls in every … [Read more...]

By Rubin E. GrantFive Over the Mountain high school football teams opened the AHSAA state playoffs last week, and all five are still alive.Hoover, Vestavia Hills and Mountain Brook posted convincing first-round victories, while Homewood and Spain Park rallied from third-quarter deficits to advance.Meanwhile, five OTM flag football teams also opened the playoffs, but … [Read more...]

By Rubin E. GrantEmma Brooke Levering figures to eat her share of bagels and peanut butter and listen to a wide variety of music this week and next.It’s part of the Homewood senior’s routine as she gets ready to run cross-country races.“I get up, get ready immediately and then eat a bagel with peanut butter the morning of a race and I ask one of my teammates to … [Read more...]

By Rubin E. GrantWith the AHSAA state cross-country meet less than a month away, Mountain Brook coach Michael McGovern believes his defending state champion Spartans are right where they need to be.“There’s been growth every week,” McGovern said. “We’ve gotten better and better. We want to be at our best in late October and November, and we’re on track to be … [Read more...]