Coaching changes continue in AHSAA girls basketball:
Decatur is the latest to make a change for 2025/26 girls hoops:
GDW Analysis: Changes continue for girls basketball programs around the Gameday Weekly coverage area. The latest is Decatur High School. On Tuesday, it was approved by the city school board Denton Johnson is taking over the Lady Red Raiders. He replaces Jay Daniels who held the position for one season. Decatur is nothing from where they were in the tradition of AHSAA girls basketball from 2000 to 2017 in having eight winning campaigns, a state championship and undefeated season of 34 & 0 in 1999/2000. From 2018 to this past season, the school in the River City has experienced one winning campaign and has seen a total of just 16 victories from 2018 to 2022. The 2024/25 team led by Daniels went 12 & 15. Decatur was seen by GDW in a Christmas Classic at West Morgan against the Vinemont Lady Eagles. Decatur claimed a 70 to 61 victory in OT, cooling off a ball club that was playing very well locally at the time. Johnson comes to Decatur after coaching varsity hoops in the Birmingham area at Ramsay High School. His record is 207 & 90. Ramsay appeared in 7 Elite Eights and a pair of Final Fours. This past season was 26 & 8, but Ramsay got upset in the Elite Eight of the 5A playoffs to the Hayden Wildcats in a game at Jacksonville State University.
Current changes made in girls basketball: Cullman: Tammy West takes over the Lady Bearcats after 2 seasons the team was directed by Jessica McBrayer, Cold Springs: Assistant coach Paige Adams got promoted to the head position at the 2A school in Southwest Cullman County, following West's tenure of 33 years and 754 victories. Vacancies remain at the following schools: Hanceville: Lady Bulldogs are to replace Christina Watson who stepped down after leading the team the past 3 years. Brewer: Lady Patriots out to replace Jeff Daniel after he coached the 5A school in Morgan County for one year. Randolph: The 4A program in the Huntsville area in search of a new coach. Handling the task of getting a new coach is AD Mike Morris, well known as a great player at Holly Pond High School. Other changes could be possible with the current school year having six weeks remaining before it officially closes out.
