GDW Analysis:
BIRMINGHAM: Cold Springs Lady Eagles return to the AHSAA 2A Final Four for the 5th time in the last 8 years.
The only difference is the conductor of this storied program out of Southwest Cullman County for 2026.
Former standout and former assistant Paige Parker Adams has the squad in another deep playoff runs.
Adams was hired by the Cold Springs administration to replace Tammy West after she stepped down last spring and became head coach at Cullman High School.
Adams has put her skills from the coaching role to work and good late season results have come in great fashion.
Cold Springs faces Lanett in the first semifinal of Class 2A Monday from Legacy Arena at the BJCC at 3:00 p.m.
The game will be carried live on WKUL FM (92.1).
Cold Springs:
Record: 22 & 10 Northwest Regional champion
NW Region: CS defeated Decatur Heritage 57 to 14 in semifinal, 45 to 42 over Belgreen in the championship.
Cold Springs is on a 5 game winning streak, 4 & 0 in the playoffs.
Key players: C Ella Dickerson, PG Paizley Whitlow, SG Aleah Addison, F Hollyn Bruer.
Dickerson scored 28 in the regional final against Belgreen and was named the regional MVP.
Whitlow and Bruer earned all tournament honors.
Cold Springs has endured trips to the Final Four in 2019, 2020, 2023, 2024 and 2026. They won the state title in 2019, finished 2nd in 2020.
Adams' first season is the best by a Cold Springs coach in their rookie campaign.
Lanett:
Lady Panthers 17 & 9, champion of the Central Regional.
Lanett defeated Highland Home 40 to 27 in the regional championship from Alabama State University in Montgomery.
Lanett has a 5 game winning streak, 5 & 0 in the playoffs.
The Lady Panthers have never faced Cold Springs in postseason play.
Winner to play winner of North Sand Mountain vs. Clarke County for the 2A state title.
Photo of Cold Springs' SG Aleah Addison in a Northwest Regional playoff game February 17 vs. Decatur Heritage at Wallace State CC.
Photo courtesy of Martha Needham.
