By Lee DavisPatrick Davis knows what it takes to win in big-time high school basketball. He won 121 games in seven years as head coach of the Thompson Warriors, claiming three area titles in the process. For his efforts, Davis was named Coach of the Year in 2013 by the Birmingham Tip-off Club. Last spring, Davis took on a new challenge when he accepted the head … [Read more...]
Valley Boys: Early Mounties Blazed Playoff Trail
By Lee DavisThe next time you’re daydreaming about football, imagine a high school team that had the best players from Homewood, Cahaba Heights, Irondale and, for good measure, add some from Mountain Brook. Do you think there might be a playoff-worthy team coming from that talent pool?In 1966, you didn’t have to imagine. The Shades Valley Mounties had that exact mix, … [Read more...]
Marathon Toil: Goodman Tops Alabamians at New York Marathon
By Lee DavisThere was a time when John Mark Goodman absolutely hated running.As a young teenager in the Vestavia Hills school system, he participated in cross-country until deciding that enough was enough.“I reached the point where I didn’t like running at all,” he recalled. “So I gave it up to play basketball.”What a difference the years have made.Now a … [Read more...]
Two for the Blue: Bucs, Lions Stay Alive as Others Fall
By Lee DavisThe date of Nov. 4, 2016, may never live in infamy, but for four Over the Mountain football programs, it was certainly a night not to remember.On that cool night, highly regarded Spain Park and Mountain Brook, along with dark horse Oak Mountain, were all defeated in the first round of the Class 7A playoffs. Homewood met a similar fate in Class 6A. Seldom in … [Read more...]
Patriotic Rout: Homewood Sweeps Boys and Girls Class 6A Championships
By Lee DavisThe state Class 6A cross-country meet took place in Oakville, but the event certainly looked as if it took place in Homewood.The Patriots swept to championships in both the boys and girls competitions, marking the fifth consecutive boys title for Homewood.Homewood’s boys totaled 55 points to easily outdistance runner-up Cullman’s 72 total. Helena … [Read more...]