By Rubin E. Grant Amiyah King has finally arrived. The senior setter is wasting no time making her presence felt on the Hoover varsity volleyball team. She has become the Bucs’ unquestioned leader. “She has a lot of experience, but this is a new role for her,” Hoover coach Chris Camper said. “She has bided her time. This is the first year she’s been the primary starter at … [Read more...]
Battling Back: Ben Abercrombie Keeping the Faith as he Recovers From Spinal Injury
By Rubin E. Grant As Hoover was preparing for its big football game against Thompson two weeks ago, former Buc Ben Abercrombie was back in the hospital. Abercrombie was planning to go to the game, as he had the Bucs’ opener against Pinson Valley, but he couldn’t because of an infection related to his spinal injury. It’s been a year since Abercrombie sustained a paralyzing … [Read more...]
‘Definitely Different from Being On the Field’: Wilson Settling in as Alabama Radio Broadcaster
By Rubin E. Grant John Parker Wilson has been around football for more than 20 years, but the last thing he expected this fall was to be part of the Alabama radio broadcast team. “It definitely wasn’t on my radar,” Wilson said. But when color commentator Phil Savage left the radio team in July, the Alabama athletic department tabbed Wilson, who was the Crimson Tide’s … [Read more...]
‘A Dynamic Player’: Five-star Rating for Hoover Senior Headed to Auburn
By Rubin E. Grant By the time the 2018 season ends, Hoover senior George Pickens could be the No. 1 receiving recruit in the nation. The 6-foot-4-inch, 190-pound Pickens already has garnered a five-star rating from Rivals.com. “Pickens’ size, speed, play-making ability and relentless competitiveness remind me of the best wide receivers I’ve seen since I’ve been doing this … [Read more...]
‘It’s All About Competing’: Bucs Staying on the Prowl for Another State Championship
By Rubin E. Grant After winning two consecutive Class 7A football championships and five state titles in the past six years, the Hoover Bucs could be excused for allowing complacency to set in. Except head coach Josh Niblett is not about to let that happen. “The key for us is to continue to be the hunter and not the hunted,” Niblett said. “It’s all about competing.” The … [Read more...]