By Rubin E. Grant Lilly Johnson has an edge. At least that’s how Spain Park volleyball coach Kellye Bowen describes the Jaguars’ junior setter’s confident style of play. “She’s competitive and talented,” Bowen said. “It’s hard to teach a player to have an edge and be competitive, and she has both.” Johnson’s competitive edge, plus court awareness, has allowed her to reach a … [Read more...]

By Rubin E. Grant When Hoover was having virtual classes because of the COVID-19 pandemic during the 2020-21 school year, Terrell Jones didn’t just spend time in front of a computer screen. He also ate and ate, and ate some more, adding some much-needed weight to his 6-foot-5 frame. “I ate mainly carbs, meat and potatoes, greens, whatever so I could get filled out,” Jones … [Read more...]

By Rubin E. Grant Vestavia Hills senior Crawford West was feeling much better for the 23rd Jesse Owens Cross Country Classic last Saturday than she was for her previous race. West finished third with a time of 17:53.81 in the Southern Showcase Sept. 18 at John Hunt Running Park in Huntsville.  “I was sick,” West said. “I have no idea what I had. I think it was a really … [Read more...]

By Rubin E. Grant Erin Oliver grew up going to UAB football games with her dad. So, when the chance for her to play flag football for Spain Park this fall presented itself, Oliver, a senior, jumped at it. The Alabama High School Athletic Association sanctioned flag football as one of its sports this year. “I was really excited when it was sanctioned,” Oliver said. “I’m sad … [Read more...]

By Rubin E. Grant Reagan Riley is running cross-country again and nothing could please her more, especially after what she went through last year. Riley, a junior at Mountain Brook High School, missed most of her sophomore cross-country season because of hip surgery. She had a torn labrum in her hip, a mix of genetics and overworking, she said. She had surgery Sept. 11, … [Read more...]