GDW Analysis:
BIRMINGHAM: For the final week of this year's state basketball poll, five girls teams remain in the Top 10 with a pair of teams from the varsity division.
Cullman Bearcats worked their way from 9th in 6A to 5th this week. Cullman took a 24 & 4 record into a regular season finale at Bearcat Arena Thursday vs. Fultondale.
Good Hope Raiders have the 6th spot among the 4A schools. The Raiders have won 6 in a row and are 21 & 6 with their 5th Cullman County title in the last 7 years.
On the girls' side:
Cold Springs Lady Eagles stayed 2nd in Class 2A. Lady Eagles go into the postseason at 16 & 8.
Good Hope Lady Raiders are still 4th in the 4A poll. Lady Raiders have 21 wins against 5 losses and winners of the county championship for the 4th consecutive year.
West Point kept the 5th position for 5A play. The Lady Warriors finish regular season play Thursday with a trip to Oneonta.
In Class 3A, the Vinemont Lady Eagles are 7th with the Holly Pond Lady Broncos 8th.
Vinemont defeated Falkville 75 to 23 Tuesday to record its first 20-win season since 2005.
Holly Pond is 17 & 8 for the regular schedule. Both look forward to playing in the 3A, Area 11 tournament that will be hosted by Vinemont on Friday and Monday.
Others that are ranked from nearby the GDW coverage area include Hartselle Lady Tigers 3rd in 6A, Decatur Heritage Lady Eagles 1st in 2A, Winston County Lady Jackets 10th in 2A, Guntersville Wildcats 8th in 5A, Decatur Heritage Eagles 5th in 2A.
Just outside the Top 10 in 1A hoops is Addison. The Bulldogs have won 14 in a row, are 17 & 6 for rookie coach Triston Chambers and will host the Area 14 tournament starting on Saturday with a game vs. St. Bernard.
GDW reports this is the most local teams to be recognized in getting ranked statewide in a single season.
Photo of Holly Pond's Sawyer Olinger trying to score through the Good Hope defense of Tyler Byrd (0), Gavin Pace (15), Tucker Malin (20) and Tyler Cone (5) in the Cullman County championship game January 25.
Photo courtesy of Martha Needham.
