Fairview, Good Hope girls step into the AHSAA hoops spotlight:
GDW Analysis:
HOOVER: Now in its 3rd year of operating, the Alabama High School Athletic Association (AHSAA) scholastic basketball camp is moving forward.
Changes have occurred with the two divisions now separated instead of playing together at the same time as they did in 2022 & 2023.
The girls grabbed the spotlight during the weekend of June 13 & 14 from the Finley Center near Hoover Metropolitan Stadium.
The varsity will get their time in this event the weekend of June 21 & 22 from gymnasiums at Hoover, Thompson and Pelham high school.
Gameday Weekly was on hand Friday to see the Fairview Lady Aggies and Good Hope Lady Raiders represent Cullman County.
Fairview went 0 & 2 with a pair of close losses to Homewood 51 to 44 and Marbury 59 to 52.
Good Hope had some success in beating Glenwood Academy 53 to 33 and Southside Gadsden 55 to 44 before they dropped its finale vs. St. James 49 to 38.
GDW also took notice of four other programs that are nearby.
Decatur Heritage took down two wins in three games, Priceville was 1 & 1 on the day, Briarwood Christian had a 1 & 1 split and Albertville earned a pair of victories.
AHSAA representative Devin Booth told GDW a total of 65 girls teams were in the 2024 camp with it going on for two days and 10 courts of the Finley Center being used.
The camp was also emphasized as a training session for officials. Officials were analyzed by evaluators with it being a large group of district directors providing on the floor tips to the officials.
Also, the scholastic state camp serves a valuable time for collegiate programs.
Seen by GDW in attendance on Friday were Alabama coach Kristy Curry, new UAH coach Allen Sharpe, UAH assistant Mary Elizabeth Laatsch, Wallace State assistant Toni West, Lawson State coach Aubrey Wiley, Snead State coach Kenny Hill.
Fairview:
Losses to Homewood 51 to 44, Marbury 59 to 52.
The Lady Aggies were in both games until late when Homewood and Marbury got some breathing room on the scoreboard.
Fairview came into the camp with one less member on its coaching staff.
On Thursday, assistant coach Jeff Daniel stepped down and accepted the position to become head coach at Brewer High School.
Fairview coach Chris Nichols told GDW the school will now begin the process of filling his vacancy.
Giving good efforts in both games for the Lady Aggies with GDW analyzing were point guard Darby Nichols, shooting guard Whitney Quick and forward Lexi Golden.
The difference in the game with Marbury from Autauga was at the foul line. Marbury made a majority of its free throws, Fairview did not.
Three losses in their last four games on the playday tour have been by an average of seven points.
Good Hope:
Good Hope was much superior vs. new AHSAA member Glenwood Academy from the Phenix City area. The Lady Raiders grabbed the lead and were well in command once the contest entered the 2nd half.
Against Southside Gadsden, Justin Aby's Lady Raiders struggled early then worked their way back into contention, getting the score tied at 41 to 41 to end the 3rd.
A 14 to 3 surge in the final period thanks to a couple of threes by Lexi Collins enabled Good Hope to handle Southside and go into the afternoon session undefeated in two games.
The offense was never on target with Saint James of Montgomery in going down 49 to 38.
Other scores:
Hoover 58, Priceville 18
Priceville 52, Orange Beach 19
Decatur Heritage 48, Briarwood Christian 32
Chelsea 61, Decatur Heritage 29
Decatur Heritage 52, Montgomery Academy 32
Briarwood Christian 49, Montgomery Academy 29
Albertville 51, Helena 23
Albertville 60, Minor 45
Albertville was seen by GDW with its new coach, former Susan Moore mentor Natasha Smallwood.
Albertville was given a pretty good battle in its finale with Minor Friday afternoon as they led by only 28 to 23 at halftime.
A strong period sent the Lady Aggies to a double digit advantage in which they finished off Minor by 32 to 22 in the last half.
Up next for Fairview & Good Hope:
Fairview - At Cullman playday Wednesday, vs. Cullman 9:55 a.m., vs. Briarwood Christian 12:40 p.m.
Good Hope - At Cullman playday Wednesday vs. Briarwood 2:05 p.m., Northridge 3:25 p.m.
Photo of Chris Nichols and the Fairview Lady Aggies vs. Homewood in the AHSAA Scholastic Camp Friday from the Finley Center in Hoover. GDW photo by Johnny Thornton.
