Handley's State Title Hopes Continue Thursday Night

It was 14 months ago that the Handley football Tigers led by Coach Mike Battles marched their way into Bryant-Denney Stadium on the campus of the University of Alabama eyeing to be the first athletic team in the history of Handley High School to win a state championship. It was a tough run in the playoffs, but Handley finally won their state title. Well, now it's the boys basketball team led by Coach Clifton Drummonds' time to shine. A team that stands at 26-7 and a couple of impressive wins in the Central regional. I'm going to use a Dick Vitale reference here and tell you about the "Big Man on Campus" Trae Dunson. Dunson was named the regional MVP after two impressive performaces that saw him score 63 points over two games. Trae Kyles, Semaj Nunn, Tevin Cook, and the rest of the team has come through in big ways as well en route to defeating Carbon Hill and Dora. The Tigers take on JO Johnson this Thursday at 7:30pm at BJCC in Birmingham.

Coach Clifton Drummonds



Final Four Preview: Handley comes into Thursday's game at 26-7. Their road to the Final Four included bg victories over #5 Carbon Hill (53-43) and Dora (83-68) Trae Dunson averaging 31.5 ppg over the regional games.

J.O. Johnson is 21-11 and the champions of th Northwest Regional (Wallace State-Hanceville) after defeating West Limestone and Butler. Charles Woodard led the Jaguars with 11 points in their win over West Limestone, while Lionel Love hit 6 of 10 shots against Butler. Johnson is ranked 7th in class 4A.

Trae Dunson

Handley vs. JO Johnson

Thursday, February 28

7:30pm

BJCC, Birmingham, AL

Winner will play winner of Escambia County vs Madison County

Lady Bobcats Shine On and Off the Court

      BIRMINGHAM- The Woodland High School Lady Bobcats basketball team may have been hero's on the court Tuesday morning, but they were also hero's off the hardwood. Leah Strain and the rest of the Strain-heavy Lady Cats beat Providence Christian High School in the Semi-Finals round of the 2A AHSAA Playoffs Tuesday morning 71-54, sending them to the State Championship game for the second time in three years. Leah Strain was the shining star of the game, scoring 34 points, grabbing 9 rebounds, and 4 assists. The stats of the game, however, weren't too important that afternoon. The Lady Bobcats made a trip to the Children's Hospital in Birmingham to visit with a very special Bobcat.

      Corey Mitchell of Woodland, AL is an 11 year-old boy who has been diagnosed with cancer. After the game at the Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Center Arena, the team made the quick 10 minute ride to Alabama Children's. They made their way up to room 818, where the young Mitchell (undergoing chemotherapy) was waiting after watching the game. When we truly step back and look at life and the obstacles it can throw at us, we realize that we all need some form of inspiration. Sports are a powerful method of inspiration. The Lady Bobcats visiting Corey Mitchell inspires not only him, or the team; but it inspires outsiders looking in, as well. A team who could very well have taken the time to bask in their own glory, and ride the waves of attention they are getting with pride, decided to go make a child's day.

      Losing sight of what is truly important is an easy thing to do. I commend Coach Larry Strain and the Lady Bobcats for the demeanor they uphold, and the class they show. Hard work and faith got them where they are, and they give the glory to no one but God. That seems to have turned into the teams "motto" for the year, "Glorify God".

-Marty McFly

Head Coach Larry Strain with Corey

The team, and cheerleaders with Corey