By Lee Davis Journal Sports WriterHoover junior guard Brannon DeFore literally has the sport of basketball in his blood.DeFore’s father, Matt, was a star at Berry High School in the 1980s. His grandfather, Lee, earned All-Southeastern Conference honors at Auburn University in the 1960s.But it’s quite possible that the elder DeFores never took a shot with as much on … [Read more...]

George Jones has been a fixture in Alabama high school athletics since the 1950s, but almost nobody knows him by that name. He’s much better known as Snoozy, and yes, the Montgomery native and Over the Mountain resident remembers exactly how he earned his memorable nickname.“I was the youngest of six kids,” Jones recalled when contacted last week. “I was delivered by a … [Read more...]

By Lee Davis Journal Sports WriterWhen third-ranked Hoover met Class 6A Area 10 rival Thompson Friday night, Buccaneer fans didn’t have to worry about their team taking the Warriors lightly.In their previous meeting Jan. 10, Thompson pushed Hoover to the limit before falling 71-68 in overtime. Determined to avoid a similar trap in the second game, the Bucs were … [Read more...]

The reputation of Over the Mountain boys’ basketball is in some ways similar to the reputation of men’s basketball in the Southeastern Conference: No matter how strong the caliber of play, it will always – in some people’s minds  – be overshadowed by the image of football.It’s an unfair rap, but understandable, especially the way that this area has ruled high school … [Read more...]

By Lee Davis Journal Sports WriterBy any measure, 2011 was a season that few Mountain Brook fans will ever forget.Although the Spartans fell short in their pursuit of a Class 6A championship, Coach Chris  Yeager’s team accomplished much more than many expected:4Mountain Brook ran the table for a perfect 10-0 regular season mark.4The Spartans won Class 6A’s … [Read more...]