Homewood boys and girls basketball teams off to good starts

Homewood basketball is off to a solid start.

The Homewood girls were ranked No. 1 in the first Class 6A poll of the season, and the boys were receiving votes for the top 10 as the season got underway.

The Homewood girls opened Class 6A, Area 9 play with a 77-38 win over John Carroll Catholic on Dec. 12. The Lady Patriots improved to 8-2 with the win. Ajah Wayne scored 21 points – 18 in the second period alone – and grabbed 10 rebounds to lead the way. Tori Webb scored 18 points and blocked five shots. Point guard Hannah Barber added 12 points and 11 assists. Shelby Hardy added 10 rebounds.

The Lady Pats’ only two losses came in the Tennessee Turkey Jamm in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. Several players attracted the attention of college scouts, none more so than Barber, the freshman point guard, who received high praise for her ballhandling and passing skills.

The Homewood boys opened 6A, Area 9 play by blasting John Carroll Catholic 79-49 on Dec. 12. Austin Patterson scored 24 points, and Malik Cook added 15 for the Patriots, who improved to 9-2 with the win. Derrick Underwood scored 13 and Chris Miller added 10.

Cook was coming off a 30-point performance against Hewitt-Trussville.