Time for second season
By By Todd Thompson, Hartselle Enquirer
Ten area teams will begin the quest to earn a spot in Birmingham for the Alabama High School Athletic Association’s Final 48 at the Birmingham-Jefferson Civic Center.
Some teams have high hopes of reaching the state tournament, while some are just hoping to survive brutal matchups when the area tournaments open this week.
Strong hopes for Hanceville: Several teams should be considered strong contenders to get to the Northwest Regionals at Wallace State this year, including at least two girls’ teams.
Danville will host the Class 3A, Area 11 tournament this week and should have no trouble getting to sub-regional play.
Brewer’s girls are in a similar situation when they host the Class 5A, Area 12 tournament. The Lady Patriots, last year’s 5A state runners-up, are almost a lock to get back to Hanceville.
The girls’ teams at Hartselle and Priceville will get to the sub-regionals with a strong showing in the area tournaments.
Hartselle opens with Athens tonight, while Priceville is at Douglas after finishing as the second seed.
Brewer’s boys will be in Jasper Friday to face Cullman at 6 p.m. with another shot at Walker for the area title looming in the finals.
Priceville’s boys will battle Fairview in the opening game of the Class 4A, Area 13 tournament at Columbia High School.
Falkville’s boys take on Cleveland in the 2A, Area 13 needing a win to get to the sub-regionals.
Danville goes into the Class 3A, Area 11 tournament as a fourth seed and will need to upset Winfield on it own court to keep its season alive.
Several teams face monumental - but not impossible odds - this week in area tournaments.
Hartselle’s boys will need to find a way to upset Class 5A, Area 15 favorite Muscle Shoals in the first round of the area.
The Tigers are no stranger to tough roads, though, and nearly upset top-seeded Russellville last season in the area tourney.
Falkville’s girls face perennial power Cold Springs in the first round of the Class 2A, Area 13 tournament and will be overwhelming underdogs.
Sports editor Todd Thompson can be reached at 773-6566 or at todd.thompson@hartselleenquirer.com
