By Rubin E. GrantAll season long, the Hoover girls basketball team downplayed its quest for a three-peat.But after defeating Sparkman 55-44 to win their third consecutive Class 7A championship last Saturday at BJCC’s Legacy Arena, the Lady Bucs let loose with joyful exuberance.“I’m on cloud nine right now,” senior guard Reniya Kelly said. “It’s very bittersweet. … [Read more...]

By Rubin E. GrantTee Adams can now say he has won as many state wrestling team titles as a coach as he did as a wrestler at his alma mater.Adams coached Vestavia Hills to the Class 7A state title last weekend in the 2023 AHSAA State Wrestling Championships in Huntsville at the Von Braun Center.The title was Adams’ third in seven seasons as the Rebels’ head coach and … [Read more...]

By Rubin E. GrantBitcoins might be all the rage for some, but Hoover track coach Chris Schmidt prefers nickels and dimes – at least when the Bucs are competing in a state track meet.“We’re blessed with some great coaches and great athletes, but knowing where to put our athletes for them to be successful is a big part of it,” Schmidt said. “Our goal is to score in … [Read more...]

By Rubin E. GrantAs soon as Patrick Davis was hired as Vestavia Hills boys basketball head coach seven years ago, a young player appeared on his radar.“When I first took the job, I kept hearing about a fourth or fifth grader who was a really good player,” Davis said. “Then, I saw him in our camps and I recognized that he was a good player.”Davis didn’t know how good … [Read more...]

By Rubin E. GrantFor the second straight year, somebody forgot to tell the Spain Park boys basketball team they should be in rebuilding mode.Two years ago, the Jaguars won 27 games and reached the Class 7A semifinals, then lost a few key players to graduation, including swingman Cam Crawford, the 2021 OTM Player of the Year who is now a sophomore at Indiana … [Read more...]