Good Hope Lady Raiders have gained everything and lost nothing:

A wonderful return to the Final 4 for Lady Raiders basketball:

Flash Thoughts:
It's really hard to say how many people that follow AHSAA basketball from the media perspective to being a true fan, really thought the Good Hope Lady Raiders would make a return trip to the Final Four.
Gone from the 2024 state champion in Class 4A was four starters that served as a huge impact in helping this program with 3 consecutive 30 win seasons and good runs into the playoffs.
One starter and a group of new faces would step into 2024/25 with uncertainty on how this season would turn out.
It is a dream for this group. Twenty six victories out of 31 games, an 11 game winning streak and champions again from the hotly contested Northwest Region.
Good Hope knew they had one of the best performers coming in the season in All State and All Star Ava McSwain.
McSwain was the MVP last July in the AHSAA All Star game.
Little did anyone know the kind of supporting cast she would work with and how they progressed from the start of the schedule in November to winning the regional title February 18 at Wallace State again.
With graduation, four vacancies were open and the following responded in flying fashion for coach Justin Aby.
His new PG is sophomore Ella Gossett, Gossett's play has flown tremendously in stepping it up through certain detail.
Two newcomers as shooting/wing guards have done the same. Sophie Konrad joined the squad as just an 8th grader. Lexi Marshall got promoted from the JV and like Konrad, possesses speed and scoring ability.
A blue collar type worker inside in senior Jolee McHan. McHan has risen from being injured and shows grit and determination with it being huge for Good Hope is a mere guard type lineup and McHan listed at 5'10', the tallest on the roster.
From the bench has come good contributions by sophomore Lucie Adams, senior Lexi Collins and junior Molly Johnson.
The new look Lady Raiders have kept things steady in losing once since January.
Winners of their last 11 and victory over well known Deshler in the regional final, this team has for much achieved success and has allowed Good Hope to have five consecutive seasons of at least 25 victories or more.
On February 18, the Lady Raiders made their final appearance at Wallace State. They compiled five victories this season at Tom Drake Coliseum.
This was the first time Good Hope had defeated Deshler in the regional championship. These two have played five consecutive years and Good Hope has won 2 straight and 3 overall.
How good have been the Lady Raiders with Flash reporting on them for GDW and broadcasting on WKUL FM (92.1)?
A 13 & 1 record. Yours truly saw them fall in the season opener by getting defeated by 3A power Lauderdale County in the Fairview tip off classic.

 They not have not suffered a loss since then as Flash has covered them in wins over Florence, Austin, Mortimer Jordan, Fairview, Cold Springs, East Lawrence, West Point, Dora, Arab, Fairview, West Point, Dora and Deshler.
There is some chemistry for how this team comes to perform in front of a 1979 graduate of Good Hope that watched the Lady Raiders back then become the first Cullman County team to play in the state semifinals.
Good Hope joins Cold Springs and Holly Pond with consecutive back to back berths to the Final Four.
As I said in the conclusion of their 70 to 50 regional championship win against Deshler on 92.1 FM and the NFHS Network with analyst Rich Jesse, "There's hope for Good Hope."
Again, a season where they have gained a great deal and lost nothing at all.
Congratulations Lady Raiders and good luck in Birmingham next week.

Photo of Good Hope's Sophie Konrad in NW Regional game at Wallace State vs. Dora February 12.
Photo courtesy of Cullman Daily.