By Rubin E. GrantElijah Garrison wasn’t uneasy as he embarked on his first season as Homewood’s boys basketball coach, succeeding Tim Shepler.No one could have blamed him if there had been a tinge of anxiety. Shepler stepped down last spring after 29 years at the helm, leaving Garrison a tough act to follow.Shepler posted 662 career wins and led the Patriots to the … [Read more...]
Homewood Duo Reflects on Soccer Success
By Miyelani MathebulaFormer Homewood High School students Charlie Herring and Hardy Smith are no strangers to soccer success. During their decorated tenures on the HHS boys soccer team, both acted as team captains and brought 6A state championship trophies home for the school: Smith in 2021 and Herring in 2024. Both players also sported number ten jerseys on the … [Read more...]
Bowling: A Decade of Strikes and Community Service
By Loyd McIntoshFor a decade, the Vestavia Hills High School boys bowling team has been among the most successful programs in the state, winning multiple regional and state championships since first becoming eligible in 2015. The program is one of the most diverse sports at Vestavia Hills, bringing together kids with various backgrounds and abilities. Under the … [Read more...]
‘In Shock’: Ethan Strand Shatters 3K NCAA Indoor Record
Ethan Strand has etched his name into the NCAA record book.The former Vestavia Hills star distant runner, now a junior at North Carolina, shattered the NCAA indoor 3,000-meter record with a speedy performance Dec. 7 in the Boston University Sharon Colyear-Danville Season Opener.Strand clocked 7:30.15, eclipsing the previous record by six seconds while finishing just … [Read more...]
Vestavia Hills’ Hanna Turns Physicality Into OTM Defensive Player of the Year Honor
By Rubin E. GrantSpence Hanna loves to hit people.That’s what makes Vestavia Hills’ senior safety such a physical, dynamic football player.“He craves contact more than any player I’ve ever coached,” Vestavia Hills coach Robert Evans said. “He’s 5-foot-11, 180 pounds, but he plays like someone 6-2, 215 pounds.“You usually have to tell players to be more physical, … [Read more...]