38 • Thursday, January 12, 2017
SPORTS
PATRIOTS,
Newcomer Zoe Watts, 34, is a homeschooler who became eligible under Alabama’s new Tim Tebow law, which allows home school students to participate in high school varsity competition.
From page 40
‘Our greatest strength is that we have a very balanced attack. We can play fast or slow and score either from the inside or the perimeter.’ HOMEWOOD COACH KEVIN TUBBS
Journal photo by Mark Almond
“We hated to see Coach Ward leave because she was so much a part of our lives,” she explained. “But Coach Tubbs is great, too. Coach Ward was more direct and would yell at us sometimes. Coach Tubbs doesn’t yell much. When he’s upset with a player, he makes her sit on the bench.” A real plus for Homewood has been the successful return of junior forward Ajah Wayne, who suffered a devastating knee injury in the loss to LeFlore in the championship final. Wayne is leading the team in scoring with a 13-point per game average. “I don’t think Ajah is at 100 percent yet, but she means so much to our team,” Tubbs said. “She will only get stronger as the year progresses.” The range and versatility of other veterans, including Barber and forwards Tori Webb, Shelby Hardy and Venice Sanders, give the Lady Patriots a scoring punch that few opponents can match. Hardy and Sanders are the only seniors on Homewood’s roster. “Our greatest strength is that we have a very balanced attack,” Tubbs said. “We can play fast or slow and score either from the inside or the perimeter. Opponents have a tough time deciding how they are going to attack and defend against us. I would hate to scout us and try to decide how to prepare against us.” Tubbs isn’t exaggerating. His team has dominated the opposition so far, averaging 65 points a game while giving up only 38. Barber, a three-time all-Over the Mountain performer, is arguably the straw that stirs the proverbial Patriot drink. Already verbally committed to the University of Alabama, she averages 12 points and five assists per contest. “Having a great point guard such as Hannah is a major part of our success,” Tubbs said. “She could easily average 20 points a game but is much more concerned with our team’s overall performance. There is nobody in the state I would take over her.” Barber said her decision to make an early college commitment has helped her focus on the task at hand. “I wanted to put the recruiting thing behind me so I could fully concentrate on the season,” she explained. “I wanted my full focus to be on bringing a (championship) trophy
OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL
back to our school.” Another dimension in the Lady Patriots’ backcourt is newcomer Zoe Watts, a homeschooler who became eligible under Alabama’s new Tim Tebow law, which allows home school students to participate in high school varsity competition. Other contributors include juniors Lia Roberson, Alexia Hood, Kayla Mikula, and Kassidy Crawford; sophomore Maya Maxwell; and freshmen Kennedy Campbell and Kate Schumann. As bright as Homewood’s prospects for another state title appear to be, there are plenty of challenges on the horizon. The Lady Patriots compete in Area 10 against Ramsay, Shades Valley and Parker, which may be the state’s toughest league. “It’s always a tough road to win a state championship,” Tubbs cautioned. “You need a lot of luck just to make it to the final game. This may be the strongest year for Class 6A girls basketball that we’ve seen in a long time. We just have to stay focused and improve in every game.” Tubbs may have a different style from Ward, but the final outcome is the same: winning. Homewood will continue to do a lot of it. ❖
OTM Cheer Cleans Up at AHSAA Class 7A Championship
Front row, from left: Hayden Woods, Ashley Lawson, Kara Brooks, Sydney Garlington, Katelyn Richard, Amber Ajlouny, Sydney Eads, Emily Couch, Anna Mardis and Hannah Henley. Second row: Olivia Bishop, Emma Cunningham, Maddie Lee, Olivia Rodriquez, Grace Heglas, Mackenzie Massey, Noel Rengering, Grace Bonner, Lexi Connor, Harrison Bevis, Amelia Snider, Lauren Thompson, Elizabeth Knerr and Ashley Hopping. Third row: Mia Gage, Brooke Weidler, Senna House, Hannah Cate Armstrong, Catherine Calvano, Lauren Halcomb, Mallory Mardis, Katie Beth Brooks, Morgan Vanlandingham, Holly Prince, Anna Snider and Pressley Lankford. Not pictured: Skylar Bennett.
The Alabama High School Athletic Association hosted the state cheer championship Nov. 19, featuring top performances by local teams. According to Hoover officials, the 7A class is one of the toughest and most difficult cheerleading divisions in the country. Each team performed a two-and-a-half-minute performance that featured tumbling, jumps, stunts and more. Vestavia Hills High School’s team took second place at the competition. After cheering the Hoover Bucs football team to semi-final victory the night before, the Hoover High School Cheerleading team took third place. “We are incredibly proud of these young women,” said Coach Meri Glenn Freeman. “These student athletes have worked so hard and have surpassed all our expectations. We are excited about our Top 3 finish at State and we are looking forward to continuing our hard work as we prepare to compete in Orlando in February at the National High School Cheerleading Championships.” ❖
AWARD-WINNIG SPORTS PHOTOS AVAILABLE AT OTMJSPORTS.COM