By Rubin E. Grant At one time, Cindy Jiang struggled to balance academics and extracurricular activities. The Vestavia Hills senior is involved in a lot of activities — a lot! She plays tennis for the Rebels, sings alto in the honor’s choir, is on the math team and participates in various school clubs. In addition, she volunteers at hospitals, churches and the … [Read more...]

  By Rubin E. Grant   When Colin Turner looks back on his high school basketball career at Spain Park, he focuses on how much he developed as a player.   “I’ve been reflecting on it quite a bit,” Turner said. “I think about how great this season was, and I think about last season and how much I’ve grown as a player and with this team.”   This season, … [Read more...]

By Rubin E. Grant   Hoover girls basketball coach Krystle Johnson had no qualms about letting Reniya Kelly run the show for the Lady Bucs this season.   After all, Kelly was in her fourth season on the varsity and the 5-foot-7 junior point guard knew exactly what Johnson wanted her to do.   “Her basketball IQ is amazing,” Johnson said. “And it helps that … [Read more...]

By Rubin E. GrantSpain Park boys basketball coach Chris Laatsch couldn’t control his emotions following the Jaguars’ disheartening loss in the Alabama High School Athletic Association Class 7A semifinals.During the postgame news conference, he glanced to his right at seniors Colin Turner and Josh Harrington and choked up. He apologized, but there wasn’t any need … [Read more...]

 By Rubin E. GrantJohn Simmons didn’t have any plans to leave Hayden High School. He had been there 27 years, including 23 as the head softball coach. He had compiled a 659-299 record and led the Wildcats to state championships in 2013 and 2019.But last year, when he was contacted to see if he was interested in becoming Vestavia Hills’ head … [Read more...]