Fantastic Friday awaits CS Lady Eagles & GH Lady Raiders:
Two stories girls' programs going for glory in AHSAA state title games:
Flash Thoughts:
BIRMINGHAM: Plain and simple, the two storied girls basketball programs from Cullman County look to stand tall Friday at Legacy Arena.
The Cold Springs Lady Eagles and Good Hope Lady Raiders carry the county banner in championship play.
Cold Springs will be on the floor at 9:00 a.m. to face North Sand Mountain for the 2A grand prize.
At 4:00 p.m., Good Hope and Plainview battle in the championship for Class 4A.
It says how good basketball is in these two classes for the finalists are out of the Northwest and Northeast region.
Cold Springs has four state championship trophies on its campus. The last was in 2019.
The Lady Eagles have been in the Final Four in 2A five of the last 8 years.
It's special in 2026 for the Lady Eagles are guided by a Cold Springs alum who made an impact with two state titles she enjoyed in wearing the royal blue colors.
Paige Parker Adams has gone from player to head coach. The first season for her is great at the present time for a trip to the state championship behind a strong postseason run.
A 23 & 10 season with a 5 & 0 playoff record and a 6 game winning streak.
This group has made amends from a poor performance on the 1st Monday in February when they lost to Danville 45 to 40 on the basis of getting outscored 14 to 3 in the 3rd.
Cold Springs has soared to higher level standards in the playoffs. Their 55 to 43 victory in the semifinal against Lanett was by being confident and determined to battle a physical team getting control of the game with a 20 to 11 advantage in the 3rd.
Now comes the task of taking the trophy away from a very good ball club out of North Sand Mountain.
Adams has had three days to go through her gameplan with key personnel in Ella Dickerson, Paizley Whitlow, Aleah Addison, Hollyn Bruer, Macie Huffstutler and Kaydance Williams understanding the complete process.
Each made an impact in their last game to keep the Cold Springs' season going to the final day for 2A play.
Good Hope:
The hope for Good Hope is enduring a third consecutive to the 4A state championship.
Good Hope claimed the crown over TR Miller in 2024. Last year the Lady Raiders were outperformed by Trintiy of Montgomery.
Very much satisfaction for Aby and the Lady Raiders went on display Tuesday vs. another good squad out of the Capitol City.
Good Hope neutralized Catholic standout Hannah Smith in a "box and one" defense and her teammates failed to provide her necessary help with the Lady Raiders rolling to a 61 to 45 triumph.
All starters showed togetherness in working well aside each other and where it mattered the most, was when the game went 0:00 and Good Hope had scored more points than Catholic.
Ella Gossett at PG, Lexi Marshall at SG, Sophie Konrad at WG, Ella Davis at SF and Lucie Adams in the middle set the tone from the start and kept momentum throughout the encounter.
Lady Raider basketball has seen the winning side in 90 of their last 103 games. A 29 & 5 record for the current season, 28 & 6 in the previous year and a fantastic 33 & 2 mark when they won the state title two years back.
The success both have brought to the game especially in the 2020s has been great to follow as we do at Gameday Weekly and for us to share in the excitement of what it means like legendary broadcaster Jack Buck would call after announcing St. Louis Cardinal baseball for a long time.
"That's a winner."
Photo of Cold Springs' Ella Dickerson (24) between Belgreen defenders in the Northwest Regional 2A championship February 23 at Wallace State CC.
Dickerson was selected the regional MVP.
Photo courtesy of Martha Needham.
