Plenty of hoops for GDW to report on the next 3 weeks:
GDW Analysis:
June is now upon us and so is plenty of playday basketball.
The Alabama High School Athletic Association (AHSAA) lets hoop teams use June as time to work together before the new season begins in early November.
This is where Gameday Weekly spends quality time inside various schools to analyze of what to encounter following a very good 2023/24 season that produced a state champion, Final Four and Elite Eight teams.
A lot of good talent is good locally due to graduation. A combination of 10 starters from three very good girls' squads will have to be restaffed.
Varsity teams will see things differently as well with newcomers to fill the vacancies, especially at schools where successful was well achieved the previous year.
The major topic for GDW is coaching changes.
Two exist in Cullman County with Emily Willoughby now leading the Vinemont Lady Eagles while Cold Springs is looking to replace Cade Willingham after he stepped down last week and went back to his alma mater, Plainview in Dekalb County.
But teams that play the county on a regular basis or those who normally make it to the AHSAA Northwest Regional at Wallace State, a lot will be different when the teams step on to the floor in the early part of November,
New coaches that will likely be seen by GDW In the new season including the following:
Girls: Arab, Albertville, Susan Moore, Guntersville, Brewer, Priceville.
Varsity: Albertville, Hartselle, Danville, Corner, West Morgan, Decatur.
Playdays have increased in schools playing host to them when June arrives.
GDW is aware that Cullman, Good Hope, West Point will be hosting playdays.
Others that have done the same in rolling out the welcome mat nearby are Brewer, Hartselle, Danville and Athens.
Colleges are following the trend. It was set by Wallace State CC and now places like Calhoun, University of Alabama Huntsville, Alabama, Auburn and University of North Alabama will be in the showcase too.
The purpose for GDW is to see as many local team during June. We have set up a schedule that is 13 days of the hoopfest at various sites between June 4 through the 24th.
We will have stories on how the teams are being analyzed by GDW and look forward to something that has become an enjoyable part in our continuation to promote 10 schools we cover regularly that is sanctioned by the AHSAA and schools from neighboring counties.
Photo of the Cullman Bearcats during the 2023/24 season.
Cullman is scheduled to play in a playdate at Oxford on June 4th and then to Wallace State June 7th.
Photo courtesy of Cullman basketball.
