By Lee Davis
There are plenty of reasons to be excited about the arrival of November, and not all of them have to do with the presidential election finally being over.
One reason is the beginning of the Alabama High School Athletic Association playoffs, which kick off Friday night. As usual, the Over the Mountain area is well represented, with six schools qualifying for post- season play. Let’s take a final look at the region standings and what to expect in the “second season.”
The Hoover Bucs dominated Class 7A’s Region Three, posting an 8-2 overall record. Both defeats came at the hands of out-of-state powers. Coach Josh Niblett’s team wasn’t seriously challenged in the region, surprising almost everyone by thrashing arch-rival Spain Park 26-8 on Sept. 9. Entering the playoffs as the number two-ranked team in Class 7A, Hoover should be on everyone’s short list as one of the teams most likely to claim the blue trophy at Jordan-Hare Stadium.
As a region champion, Hoover will host Bob Jones in the first round and should have few problems handling the Patriots. In the second round, the Bucs could face a rematch with Spain Park, if the Jaguars can get past James Clemens. In a similar situation last year, Spain Park swept Hoover in the regular season and the playoffs. Hoover would like nothing better than to settle the account this year.
If that scenario holds, the Bucs-Jags winner could meet Mountain Brook in the semi-final round.
The Spartans were one of metro Birmingham’s most pleasant surprises in 2016, finishing 8-2 after posting back-to-back 3-7 worksheets. Mountain Brook lost only to Hoover and Vestavia and the final 5-2 region mark was good enough to put it in the runner-up spot in Class 7A’s Region Three. Coach Chris Yeager’s team will host Gadsden City this Friday night.
A victory for the Spartans could result in a quarterfinal battle against undefeated Hewitt-Trussville, assuming the Huskies defeat Oak Mountain. Hewitt would be favored, but it would be a serious mistake to discount Mountain Brook’s chances of taking the upset.
Spain Park was the third seeded team in Class 7A’s Region Three, missing the second spot because of its tie-breaking head-to-head loss to the Spartans. The Jaguars put together an 8-2 record against a difficult schedule and it’s easy to get the feeling that the team really hasn’t peaked yet. Now would be a good time for Spain Park to do it. If the Jags defeat James Clemens, it could set up an epic, much-anticipated rematch with Hoover. And who wouldn’t want to see that?
Oak Mountain earned the fourth and final playoff berth in Class 7A Region Three and will be eager to show it belongs in post-season following a disappointing 3-7 record. The Eagles didn’t win often, but each of their victories was vital to getting them into the playoffs. They defeated region foes Thompson and Tuscaloosa County and it was their 34-7 rout of Vestavia Hills that gave them the head-to-head edge over the Rebels, who wound up 5-5.
Oak Mountain faces a tall order in meeting Hewitt in round one, but if the Eagles could pull off the stunner, anything can happen.
In Class 6A, Homewood went 3-3 in Region Five play to grab the fourth and final playoff spot. Much more was expected from the Patriots than the 5-5 record they produced, so the playoffs offer a shot at redemption. Coach Ben Berguson’s squad could not have drawn a more difficult opener, facing Minor of Adamsville in the first round. The Tigers went undefeated against Class 6A opposition, averaging an eye-popping 53 points per game. It will take Homewood’s finest effort to slow Minor down. The Patriots must overcome many obstacles if they expect to make a strong post-season run.
Briarwood probably benefited from the AHSAA’s reclassification more than almost any school in Alabama. The Lions moved down from Class 6A to Class 5A, which is probably where they should have been all along. Briarwood went 9-1 overall and won Region Five. Briarwood opens its bid for the Class 5A title with Corner in the first round followed by a game with the Russellville-Guntersville winner. A rematch with Wenonah could be coming in the semi-final bracket. The Lions are positioned to make a credible bid for the Class 5A state championship.
Barber’s College…
As the football playoffs approach, there is plenty of basketball news to report. Homewood standout guard Hannah Barber verbally committed to play at the University of Alabama. She tweeted the announcement Oct. 24.
Barber, a junior, chose the Crimson Tide over several programs, including Auburn, UAB and Dayton. She said she would sign her official letter of intent with Alabama late next year.
“Alabama’s program is on the upswing,” Barber said. “Also it’s close to home. Alabama had everything I was looking for from a basketball, academic and social standpoint. I was blessed to have been recruited by a lot of great schools.”
Barber also said that Crimson Tide coach Kristy Curry was a big factor in her choice.
“I developed a strong relationship with Coach Curry and her staff,” she explained. “Their style of play was a good fit for me.”
She expects to play point guard in college.
Barber averaged 13 points per game with five assists as she led Homewood to the Class 6A finals. As a freshman in 2014-15, Barber helped the Lady Patriots to the state championship and was the first freshman ever chosen as Over the Mountain Girl Basketball Player of the Year.
