GH Lady Raiders get battled tested, defeat Jasper & Minor:
Wednesday a good day for the Lady Raiders vs. 6A schools:
GDW Analysis:
GOOD HOPE: Tough competition has met the Good Hope Lady Raiders head on this week in their playday schedule.
Class 7A runner up Hillcrest Tuscaloosa was a 51 to 35 winner against the 2025 runner up in 4A Monday during their final playday game at Wallace State.
The Lady Raiders were able to play home Wednesday and enjoyed the results.
Good Hope started strong with Jasper and would knock off the Lady Vikings 48 to 43.
In the early afternoon, the Lady Raiders battled Minor from Birmingham. Good Hope held on for a 50 to 43 verdict.
Both games were covered Wednesday by Gameday Weekly.
In seeing the Lady Raiders play their last three matchups, GDW is analyzing how Justin Aby's squad is making progress for the lineup is different from the previous season.
Good Hope has back as starters PG Ella Gossett, SG Sophie Konrad, WF Lucie Adams and SG Lexi Marshall.
Zoe Gibbs is the new starter in showing good play during the current week.
Good Hope executed well from the field in the first half to storm past Jasper at the half 31 to 12.
Jasper caught fire with a 31 point final half and got within striking range before Good Hope closed it out on clutch scoring plays by Konrad, Gossett, Marshall and Adams.
Jasper was led in the comeback attempt by WF Marianna Rigsby, plus F Sara Bonner, SG Sofia Guzman.
Facing Minor, the Lady Raiders handled the Lady Tigers' physical guard play, enjoying another good opening half.
Good Hope stood out on top of the Birmingham school 26 to 17 at the break.
Minor adjusted and managed to cut the deficit down to a one score possession late in the game.
The Lady Raiders showed team basketball with Konrad, Gossett, Marshall and Adams delivering when the pressure was building.
A standout performer for the Lady Tigers was senior to be PG Brooke Adams. Adams is a left hander with a good outside touch and also able to attack a defense through penetration.
Elsewhere from the Good Hope playday:
Minor 32, Jasper 27
Elkmont 37, Meek 35 (2 OT)
Dora 31, Meek 20
Meek has a player just into the 7th grade that impressed GDW.
Zayla Harden is a 5'7" shooter and solid rebounder.
Harden is coming off playing for the Southern Staz in which they won a 12 under EYBL/Nike championship over the weekend.
GDW learned that Harden's mother is a former player for yours truly with Bama's Best.
Ashton Harden played with the Thundercats in 2005 and 2006. One of her teammates was Jessica Andrews, now known as Jessica McBrayer, the head coach at Hillcrest Tuscaloosa.
Harden unfortunately got a leg injury late in Meek's game with Elkmont. Elkmont hit a 3 to tie the score and send it into OT.
Harden was unable to perform in their game with Dora, Meek had lost another player to a leg injury with Elkmont and went into the contest with a 4A power from Walker County shorthanded.
Meek fought back from a 14 to 7 halftime deficit to close to 23 to 20.
Dora ended the game with an 8 to 0 run and a 31 to 20 triumph.
Dora was led by two talented Lady Bulldogs, senior to be Della Reese and junior to be Jayala Harris in the backcourt.
Reese will be playing for the North squad in the AHSAA all star game in Montgomery in July. She will be sharing playing time with Vinemont PG Reagan Robinson and West Point PG Jaelyn Faulkner.
Coming up for GDW on Thursday:
Girls playday at West Point Jim Boyd Gymnasium.
Cold Springs vs. Vinemont 9:00
West Point vs. St. John Paul 9:55
Cold Springs vs. Mars Hill 10:50
Vinemont vs. St. John Paul 11:45
West Point vs. Mars Hill 12:40
Photo of Good Hope coach Justin Aby with his Lady Raiders before a playday game against Jasper from Good Hope Gymnasium.
GDW photo by Johnny Thornton
