By Solomon Crenshaw Jr.Wade Waldrop spent eight seasons as head coach at James Clemens in Madison. Often, his Jets’ flightpath through the Class 7A playoffs was blocked by a team from Region 3.Now, as the first-year coach at Hoover, he leads one of those teams and he understands the difference.“It’s a playoff game every week, and if you don’t approach it … [Read more...]

By Bill Lumpkin IIIHomewood coach Ben Berguson was looking for greatness when the Patriots took the field for their Class 6A playoff game against Pike Road last Friday at Waldrop Stadium.“I told the kids before the game a nine-win season was good, but a 10-win season was great,” Berguson said.Homewood earned its 10th victory with a 24-21 win, now the Patriots will … [Read more...]

 By Rubin E. GrantMountain Brook senior Reagan Riley had one thing uppermost on her mind as she ran the Oakville Indian Mounds Park course during the AHSAA 67th State Cross Country Championships on Nov. 5.“The conditions were not the best,” Riley said. “It was muddy after a torrential downpour, and it is usually dry and dusty. I was really watching my … [Read more...]

By Rubin E. GrantSavannah Gann didn’t shy away when things got a little tight during matches for the Vestavia Hills volleyball team this season.Instead, the Rebels’ senior outside hitter elevated her level of play.“Savannah is a fierce competitor,” Vestavia Hills coach Ashley Hardee said. “She’s always working to get better. She’s a six-rotation player.”“She … [Read more...]

By Rubin E. GrantA day after her first season as Hoover’s head volleyball coach had ended, Amanda Wood was in no mood to offer any reflections.The dejection and disappointment of being eliminated in the Class 7A state tournament was too fresh.“I am still wallowing in self-misery,” Wood said.Enterprise narrowly defeated Hoover 3-2 (25-23, 22-25, 25-27, 25-22, … [Read more...]