Programs enjoying success

By By Todd Thompson, Hartselle Enquirer
The strength in area basketball this season has centered around the early success of several girls’ teams who have earned early state recognition in the Alabama Sports Writers Association’s prep rankings.
Hartselle has opened with four wins in its first seven games, including victories over Priceville and Austin.
Three of the No. 8 Lady Tigers’ wins this season have come by double-digit margins.
Hartselle is facing a tough stretch in December, however, with six of its next seven games on the road leading up to the Lady Tigers’ appearance in the talent-rich Huntsville Times Classic Dec. 21-23.
Brewer, ranked second in Class 5A, won its first six games before suffering its first loss of the season - an 83-79 loss to Decatur in the championship game of the Lady Patriots’ own Thanksgiving tournament.
And Brewer, the Class 5A state runnerup a year ago, has done it with little depth. Guard Hannah Crawford’s dislocated thumb has left the Lady Patriots short-handed early in the season.
Priceville has gone 5-5, but three of those losses have come to ranked opponents: Brewer, Hartselle and Danville.
The Lady Bulldogs, ranked sixth in Class 4A, got off to a similar slow start last season before reaching the Northwest Regional championship.
Danville, ranked eighth in Class 3A, 7-1 with a loss to Holly Pond, has gotten off to a great start and should be a favorite to reach the Northwest Regionals this year.
Nine to be inducted
Nine contributors to prep athletics in the state will be part of the 20th induction class of the Alabama High School Sports Hall of Fame that will be honored at a March 22 banquet.
Members of the induction class are George Baker, John Esslinger, Woodie Jackson, Dr. Lawrence Lemak, Jamie Riggs, Steve Savarese, June Seals, Russell “Gene” Taylor and Ron Watters.
Tickets for the induction banquet may be ordered by sending a check or money order for $35 to the Alabama High School Athletic Association, P. O. Box 242367, Montgomery, AL 36124.
For more information, call (334) 263-6994.
Sports editor Todd Thompson can be reached at 773-6566 or at todd.thompson@hartselleenquirer.com