Photo by Scott Butler
Homewood Basketball
Homewood fans in the Class 6A State Semifinal against Huffman on March 2, 2016 at the BJCC's Legacy Arena.
Saturday is a big day for Homewood High School Athletics.
The day could be a banner day for the school. So much is on the table.
The Lady Patriots could repeat as Class 6A state champions, after defeating Blount 69-60 in last year’s title game.
The boys team could win the first state championship in school history, reaching this game for the first time since 2010, where they suffered a loss to Bob Jones.
Last year’s blue trophy for the girls is the first and only state championship in basketball in the school’s history.
If they both win, it will be just the second time since the inception of Class 6A in 1985 that the same school swept the 6A crowns.
The challenge to reach that platform will certainly be difficult, but both coaches have been there before and will have their team prepared for the moment.
JoVanka Ward has a remarkable assembly of talent on her hands. The Lady Patriots roster is enough to make any coach cringe that has hopes of winning a state championship in the next few seasons. There are no seniors on the team. On top of that, there are only two juniors. This is essentially the same team that won the title last year, and will essentially be the same team next year.
“Playing here last year really helped us a lot,” sophomore point guard Hannah Barber said, who also started on last year’s state championship team.
Ward’s Lady Patriots will face the only undefeated team left in Alabama – boys and girls. LeFlore comes into the game with a 34-0 mark, ranked No. 2 in Class 6A. Who’s No. 1? Homewood, of course.
Tim Shepler’s squad is facing a new experience, which is a good thing. The Patriots advanced to the Final Four a year ago, but lost in the State Semifinals. This time around, they emerged victorious in the semis.
“It’s new for our guys,” Shepler said. “For us, it’s just a matter of staying hungry and doing what we’ve done all year. It’s exciting and special for these guys.”
The Patriots will face a Muscle Shoals team led by Neal Barker, who was fired from Spain Park a year ago. The Trojans reached the title game by way of a buzzer-beating shot to knock off Carver-Montgomery.
When Tori Webb or Shelby Hardy comes down with a rebound, Ajah Wayne begins her sprint down the floor. Barber takes the ball and flies up the floor and the fastbreak is in motion. If this scenario plays itself out often on Saturday, the Lady Patriots will be in good shape.
Austin Patterson can get to the basket at a moment's notice. He can kick it out to the Patriots' best three-point shooter in Luke Touliatos, or can dump it down low to Trey Jemison. Not to mention Ronald Claiborne or Peyton Brown camping out on the wing ready to drain a three-pointer. If these guys are on their game, the Patriots will also be in good shape.
The girls game starts at 12:30 p.m., at the BJCC’s Legacy Arena. The boys game immediately follows, scheduled for a 2:15 tip off.
The task is tough, but if you’ve watched either team all season long, you know better than to count them out.