Cold Springs Lady Eagles basketball, a winner by all means:
Strong run by Lady Eagles with 5 Final Four trips since 2019:
GDW Analysis:
BIRMINGHAM: Even though the Cold Springs Lady Eagles did not claim the AHSAA 2A state basketball championship in 2026, it does not remove the legacy the smallest school in the Cullman County system that has been built by so many since 2019.
That was the last time the blue trophy was brought back to campus.
Cold Springs added its 3rd runner up trophy since 2023 when they were defeated Friday in the title game by North Sand Mountain 41 to 28.
Class 2A girls' basketball has become superior in Sand Mountain for 6 of the last 7 years.
North Sand Mountain has its first state title in this class, following Pisgah in 2025, Ider in 2024, Pisgah again in 2022 and 2021 and Collinsville in 2020.
For the record, Cold Springs has state title trophies in 2019, 2009, 2008 and 1998 with Tammy West.
Former player and assistant Paige Adams let it be known she could simulate this opportunity in her first season leading the program when West left for Cullman in the spring of 2025.
Cold Springs has seen the Elite Eight of the playoffs 10 times from the 2013 season and onward.
Not many very much expected Cold Springs to be a serious contender this season with Adams going to a different role and time being taken for her personnel to understand her system, some difference than what West did in directing.
Experience by a group that was in the Final Four in 2024 and the Elite 8 last season would be a huge factor, especially when it was time for the postseason.
Ella Dickerson's skills are sensational and have been every since she played in the state championship her freshman season in 2023.
Hard work was also shown this year when it was needed by senior teammates Paizley Whitlow, Macie Huffstutler and Madelyn Davis.
They have served their time on the hardwood in giving it all they could bring to the game.
It will not be easy for Adams to fill the vacancies now left by these four young ladies.
Aleah Addison, Hollyn Bruer and Kaydance Williams will be looked at possibly to give more next year while others are developed.
Kotie Calvert will be a freshman and eager to raise her level following a series of moments in 2025/26.
Another one with great potential will be in the backcourt in sophomore to be Hagan Ellis as a shooting guard.
Ellis showed it while playing for the junior varsity when she ripped the cords for 35 points in a victory against Hanceville at the Cullman County tournament.
This sport is well supported by students and adults from the community.
It may be sometime to work through rebuilding, but in the end, it will be great to see the Cold Springs Lady Eagles back at Legacy Arena in a future AHSAA Final Four.
Photo of Cold Springs' Ella Dickerson at tip off of the Northwest Regional final vs. Belgreen February 23. The official is Leslie Claybrook from Birmingham. Claybrook worked the state title game on March 6 as well.
Photo courtesy of Martha Needham.
