SPORTSPAGE REMEMBERS:


LOCAL TEAMS PERFORM WELL IN THE AHSAA NORTHWEST REGIONAL:

1995 - The Cold Springs Eagles, under the direction of Tim Burleson, became the first county team to win a regional title. This was the second year of the format with the AHSAA deciding to have the basketball playoffs in a segment similiar like the NCAA Basketball Tournament.


1998 - West Point is the second school from the county to enjoy winning a regional title at Wallace State. The Warriors were coached by Randall Jones who had established impressive credentials with the many years he had coached the Lady Warriors before taking over the varsity program.


1999 - Tammy West and the Cold Springs Lady Eagles become the first girls' squad to claim a regional title. This is the year that they made history in bringing a state title back to Cullman County for the first time.


1999 - At the same time, Tony Thomas, in his first year of replacing the retired Lane Horton at Hanceville, leads the Bulldogs to the top of the ladder in Class 3A and on to the AHSAA Final Four.


2003 - In dramatic fashion, the Vinemont Eagles win the 3A regional title when Cody Pearson nails a three-pointer with time running out in overtime to get past the Winfield Pirates 62-61.


2006 - In an expected showdown that would be the fourth meeting between the two schools, the Cold Springs Lady Eagles shoot past the Cleveland Lady Panthers 73-50 to advance to the Final Four. Two weeks before, the Lady Eagles had won the Area 13 title at Cleveland when Natalie Mullins hit the game-winning shot as time expired 58-56.


2009 - Many people were looking forward to this battle between the Cold Springs Lady Eagles and Clements Lady Colts for the 2A championship. Cold Springs was not to be denied in winning the crown for the third time in four years thanks to the play of Paige Parker and Georgia Myrex in taking care of a ball club that had a size advantage on the Lady Eagles in the frontline.



OTHER MEMORIES FROM THE NW REGIONALS:

The large crowd in the 6A finals between Grissom of Huntsville and Minor High School with the building having to be closed because of it almost violating fire code rules for the number of people allowed in the facility without creating any safety issues.


Class 6A rivals in the girls, Bob Jones and Sparkman, coming from Madison County in recent years to play for the right to represent the region in the Final Four. It could happen again this year.


The many years the Hazlewood Lady Bears came and dominated Class 1A because of the work of their former coach Darrin Lyles and a group of small size young ladies who would run teams off the court because of their ability to press and play up-tempo basketball.


Teams that appear in the regional on a regular basis.

GIRLS: Lauderdale County, Sparkman, Bob Jones, Deshler, Hackleburg, Hatton, Fairfield, Hillcrest-Tuscaloosa.

BOYS: Tanner, R.A. Hubbard, Sparkman, Butler, East Lawerence