Analyzing the great game of AHSAA hoops from a certain role:

GDW makes its time count in seeing Grind 2 Shine Classic in Decatur:

GDW Analysis:
  DECATUR: Learning of a new hoops classic that was to be played at nearby Decatur High School, Gameday Weekly spent Saturday taking in 7 games of the Grind 2 Shine Classic.
Based out of Winfield, Grind 2 Shine is presenting AHSAA teams at various sites across North and Central Alabama.
Saturday's results:
  Marion Co 50, Decatur Heritage 40 (G)
Austin 70, Madison Academy 56
Lauderdale Co 55, Austin 44 (G)
Lauderdale Co 56, Decatur Heritage 54
Red Bay 72, Decatur 68
Gardendale 71, Mars Hill 64
Deshler 76, Mars Hill 66 (G)
Six teams involved are currently ranked in the state poll.
Two schools caught the attention of GDW for they are in the mix of Class 2A and probable to be making a run to the Northwest Regional at Wallace State in late February.
Decatur Heritage was seen for the 5th time by GDW since the West Point Christmas Classic. The Eagles are 4th in 2A play.
Red Bay put on a hard fought victory over Classic host Decatur in the late afternoon. Red Bay is No. 6.
Marion County's Lady Raiders who lost to Good Hope the week before at Wallace State, started the day by a good performance. This team is 3rd in Class 1A.
Defending 3A state champion Lauderdale County Lady Tigers are working on getting healthy after some early season injuries have created adjustments. LC is 8th in the poll.
The finale was Grade A girls' basketball with No. 2 in 3A Mars Hill encountering the No. 3 squad from 4A, Deshler.
This featured two of the best players in North Alabama in a rare opportunity for both to lock in battle and present quality that carries a long way.
Mars Hill sophomore Belle Hill is the reining 3A state player of the year.
Deshler shooting guard Reese Davis is also just a sophomore. Davis is very much in the mix to be selected as player of the year for Class 4A.
Saturday evening, Davis stepped up her game in a dramatic 4th period with Deshler finishing on a 29 to 14 surge in a 76 to 66 comeback victory. Davis accounted for 14 of her game high 34 points in the final period.
Hill was sensational all evening in the River City, delivering 32 points in facing double and triple team defenses that didn't phase her at all.
Gardendale presented a style GDW sees that relates very much to the Cullman Bearcats. The Rockets scored 45 points between the 2nd and 3rd against Mars Hill by up tempo play and solid shooting from the perimeter.
A 20 point lead against Mars Hill was never in comfort for the Rockets. Mars Hill stormed back but ran out of time as the pair combined for 135 points in a 71 to 64 ending.
The purpose of this assignment?:
Enjoying the game that is very much deep into the heart of yours truly.
Also, the role for yours truly in preparing to present the Northwest Regional championship games for the NFHS Network for the 3rd consecutive with WKUL FM colleague Rich Jesse is a case of doing homework.
The Northwest Regional has grown tremendously in its time the format was created by the AHSAA and that it's played in our backyard of Tom Drake Coliseum at Wallace State.
Knowing we have the potential of a series of local schools to punch their ticket to the regional like last year when Cold Springs, Cullman, Good Hope, Holly Pond and West Point were involved and just missing out by one game from losses in the sub regional round were the Vinemont girls and St. Bernard girls.
Entering the 2nd full week of January, GDW has witnessed 121 prep games so far, getting a glimpse of 43 varsity teams and 39 girls' programs, 82 in total.

 An exciting week awaits GDW with Good Hope at Vinemont on Monday, West Point at Lawrence County Tuesday, Meek at Cullman Christian Thursday, Russellville at West Point Friday then the beginning of the Cullman County next Saturday with the JV segment in quarterfinal games at WSCC.

Photo of Deshler SG Reese Davis getting a drink of water in the late stages of their game vs. Mars Hill Saturday night in the Grind 2 Shine Classic at Decatur High School.

 GDW photo by Johnny Thornton.