Raiders, Aggies, Warriors close out busy period on the hardwood:
GDW Analysis:
Stepping into the spotlight on the 1st weekend of summer, the Alabama High School Athletic Association (AHSAA) scholastic basketball camp.
The pattern was different in 2024 than the past two years with the varsity being separated from the girls division in getting to face good non common opponents with collegiate coaches on hand to see
the event.
A conflict prevented the varsity from being held at the Finley Center in Hoover.
However, three schools in the vicinity with multiple gymnasiums, rolled out the welcome mat.
Hoover High School, Pelham High School and Thompson High School were festive as three schools from Cullman County were among the 90 teams that participated in this event presented by the AHSAA.
Good Hope was assigned to play at Hoover, West Point took on its assignments at Thompson and Fairview went down to Pelham with one game Friday and the other on Saturday.
The AHSAA gives basketball teams a three week window for playdays in June. Each school sets up a schedule to play as many as possible in this time frame and go to various sites locally and throughout the North and Central part of Alabama.
Good Hope had in the playday from Hoover, Plainview and Handley for its opposition.
The Raiders have been the best team of the 7 in the county school system the last three years with 63 wins, 30 losses, going 20 & 11, 23 & 8 and 20 & 11 per year. Drew Adams' squad has claimed the county championship in 2022 & 2024, finishing 2nd in 2023.
Seven members from last season are back with it making the Raiders a unit that can continue success they have seen behind the strong work and leadership from Adams.
Key people for the Raiders heading into 2024/25 are Tyler Cone, Tucker Malin and Jacob Haynes, each with valuable experience in where they play on the floor.
West Point is a squad that can match Good Hope with returning experience as for having the likes of shooting guard Jay Lamar, shooting guards Cade Welborn, forward Maddox Chapman, forward Jaxon Sheton and forward Brier Taylor for Mason Voce who will be in his 4th season in command of the 5A program.
West Point was scheduled to meet Childersburg and Chilton County in its scholastic games from Thompson.
Fairview is on a case of moving forward with the Aggies to be led by Calvin Ganus in his 2nd season.
The Aggies were matched up with Maplesville, Vincent and Indian Springs in the session being held at Pelham.
Experience coach Ganus is counting on for the new season will be from Gavin Pace, James Dunn, Zayden Cruce, Carson Jones, Trace Richardson, AJ Wood and Landon Smith.
This event is set with teams who are not known to one another, to battle with the games under regular format as this is also an evaluation camp for AHSAA officials.
Some notable matchups under analysis by Gameday Weekly were held. Here is the list.
From Friday at Hoover, Fort Payne vs, Buckhorn (6A champion), Albertville vs. Vestavia, Hoover (7A champion) vs. Clay Chalkville, Good Hope vs. Plainview, Huntsville vs. Enterprise, Buckhorn vs. Oxford.
At Thompson, Decatur Heritage vs. Providence Christian, Central Phenix City vs. Thompson, Homewood vs. Eufaula, Haleyville vs. Central Florence, Decatur Heritage vs. Southeastern.
In games at Pelham, Mars Hill vs Southside Gadsden, Fairview vs. Maplesville, Oak Mountain vs. Pinson Valley, Helena vs. Randolph.
Photo of Good Hope coach Drew Adams with forward Tyler Cone during a playday June 10 at the Cullman Basketball Complex.
GDW photo by Johnny Thornton.
