By Rubin E. GrantReniya Kelly was sitting next to Hoover girls basketball coach Krystle Johnson when Johnson proclaimed her the GOAT of the Lady Bucs.“She’s the best player in Hoover High School history,” Johnson said. “She’s the best basketball player in the state and has been for the last three years.”Johnson made her pronouncement during the post-game media … [Read more...]
Best Foot Forward: Vestavia Hills’ Softball Team Hoping to Peak at the Right Time
By Rubin E. GrantJohn Simmons’ second season as head softball coach of the Vestavia Hills Rebels couldn’t be going any better.Last weekend, Vestavia Hills was 3-0 in the Buccaneer Round Robin tournament at the Hoover Met with wins against Jasper 13-2, Mortimer Jordan 3-2, and Sparkman 8-4 to improve to 23-4 on the season. Earlier in the season, the Rebels put together a … [Read more...]
Strikingly Good: Spain Park’s Michael Kimble Named Boys Bowler of the Year
By Rubin E. GrantBowling wasn’t on Michael Kimble’s radar a few years ago. He wanted to play basketball at Spain Park, but when the Jaguars held tryouts during the spring of Kimble’s eighth grade year at Berry Middle School, he didn’t make the cut.His friend Luke Eaton suggested Kimble try bowling, something Kimble had never done. So, he joined the Jags’ middle school … [Read more...]
‘Generational Talent’: Spartans Done In by Buckhorn Freshman Holt
By Rubin E. GrantThe outcome in Class 6A championship games might have turned out differently for the Mountain Brook football and boys basketball teams if it weren’t for two phenoms.In December, Saraland’s sensational sophomore Ryan Williams scored four first-half touchdowns and finished with 268 yards total offense, leading Saraland to a 38-17 victory against Mountain … [Read more...]
Sophomore Showcase: London, Brown Lift Hoover Boys to State Title
By Rubin E. GrantYoung talent was on full display in the boys Class 7A championship basketball game Saturday night at BJCC’s Legacy Arena.Fortunately for the Hoover Bucs, they had two sensational sophomores compared to one for the Central-Phenix City Red Devils.Hoover’s tandem of 6-foot-4 guard Salim London and 6-9 center DeWayne Brown overcame the virtuoso … [Read more...]