GDW Analysis:
As January bows out and February steps in, the same can be said for basketball in the Alabama High School Athletic Association (AHSAA).
Postseason play starts with the first of four segments that is designed by the AHSAA.
Area playoffs begin Thursday and run through next Tuesday for teams covered regularly by Gameday Weekly.
Four schools are involved in a 3 team area, 2 share time in 4 team competition and 3 schools are among a 5 team area format.
This is the schedule for area playoffs this weekend:
Thursday:
G: Hanceville at JB Pennington 5:00
(3A, 11)
V: Vinemont at Hanceville 6:00
(3A, 11)
Friday:
G: JB Pennington at Vinemont 5:00
(3A, 11)
G: Holly Pond vs. LF at Vinemont 6:30
(3A, 11) (hollypondbroncos.com)
G: West Morgan at Good Hope 6:00
(4A, 13)
G: Cullman Christian at St. Bernard 7:00
(1A, 14)
Saturday:
G: Jasper at Cullman 2:00 (98.3 FM)
(6A, 13)
V: Hanceville at Locust Fork 5:00
(3A, 11)
V: West Point vs. Lawrence Co at Russellville
(5A, 15) 6:00
V: Good Hope vs. East Lawrence at W Morgan
(4A, 13) 7:30
V: Holly Pond vs. Pennington at Locust Fork
(3A, 11) 6:30 (hollypondbroncos.com)
V: Cullman Christian vs. Meek at Addison
(1A, 14) 5:30
V: St. Bernard at Addison 7:00
(1A, 14)
G: Fairview vs. Arab at Scottsboro 7:30
(5A, 14)
Flash facts:
Vinemont and Hanceville tangle for the 4th time this season and 3rd at Lane Horton Gymnasium.
The last two games have been decided in OT and at the buzzer. Hanceville is 3 & 0 vs. Vinemont with the Eagles coming into the game with momentum after beating Falkville 64 to 43 Tuesday.
Hanceville has lost 3 straight. The Bulldogs fell at Meek in OT Monday 64 to 62.
Cullman Christian Lady Lions and St. Bernard Lady Saints see one another in the playoffs from the Fazi Richard Athletic Center.
Both split the season series. Back to back area wins by St. Bernard over Addison propelled the Lady Saints to the No. 1 seed.
Vinemont Lady Eagles host an area playoff for the first time in around 20 years.
Cullman Lady 'Cats hope the home court at Bearcat Arena serves them well in playing Jasper. The winner gets a trip to Mortimer Jordan next week for the Area 13 title.
Cold Springs Lady Eagles, Cold Springs Eagles, Cullman Bearcats and West Point Lady Warriors have a bye in their 3 team area. They will be on the floor for area title games early next week.
Photo of Vinemont Eagles Bryson Bush (34) and Gavin Parr (0) between Fairview's Colt Redding in the Cullman County Tournament January 21 at Wallace State.
Photo courtesy of Jalia Nichole Photography.
