Girls' basketball in Cullman County very good in 2026:
Five teams from county school system into the Northwest Regional:
GDW Analysis:
For Cullman County schools that are involved in AHSAA girls' basketball, they have created something that neighboring school systems are unable to match.
With the AHSAA Northwest Regional now here, five teams from the county system will be a part of the spectacular from Tom Drake Coliseum at Wallace State CC.
This is an all time high for the CCBOE and also for Gameday Weekly.
Here is a look at each program as they await their semifinal assignment from the NW Regional.
Cold Springs Lady Eagles:
A change of leadership has not changed the culture of when it comes to this team getting deep into the AHSAA playoffs.
Former standout and CS assistant Paige Adams has seen her team make progress that has the Lady Eagles 19 & 10 and champions of 2A Area 11.
Led by Bill Shelton Award winner Ella Dickerson, Cold Springs eyes a rematch in the semifinal round with defending regional champion Decatur Heritage Christian Academy.
DHCA defeated the Lady Eagles in the title game last year.
Looking to add to the play of Dickerson for the Lady Eagles will be experience from PG Paizley Whitlow, F Maci Huffstutler, F Hollyn Bruer. SG Aleah Addison has been good from outside scoring with reserves Kyleigh Graves and Hagan Ellis ready when called upon by Adams.
Holly Pond Lady Broncos:
Back into the Northwest Regional for the 3rd consecutive year under Mary Hartline, Holly Pond is aware of the challenge for the Lady Broncos on Wednesday vs. Mars Hill Bible School.
Mars Hill has the talented Belle Hill that is difficult to slow down, much less contain.
GDW has seen Hill several times with the sharpshooter scoring 46 points in one game against Mortimer Jordan on Thanksgiving Eve at Hartselle High School.
The Lady Broncos are just .500 at 14 & 14, but have shown poise and character in being among the Sweet 16 in 3A once again.
Holly Pond has experience from the backcourt of PG Madison Butts, SG Maggie Nail and the work down low by F Ava Thomas and C Sadie Nail.
Facing good opposition in the postseason is something that raised the level of the Lady Broncos with Hartline. Everything is ready to be gained Wednesday and nothing to lose.
Vinemont Lady Eagles:
A drought of being in the Northwest Regional has ended after Vinemont romped over Carbon Hill last Friday in the 3A sub regional round.
The Lady Eagles have enjoyed back to back seasons with Emily Willoughby at 22 wins per year.
This time, Vinemont won the 3A Area 11 tournament and now looks to see Lauderdale County in the playoffs for the 2nd consecutive year.
Lauderdale County was the best in 3A hoops last season winning the state championship.
Vinemont is led by its all time top scorer in PG Reagan Robinson. Robinson has 1,929 entering the regional.
Her teammate in the backcourt, Caroline Miller, is well over 1,000 in wearing the red and white.
Teamwork comes from the three other starters in Vayda Yarbrough, Addison Holcomb and Arleigh Thomason.
Good play has been upgraded from the bench with Haley Millwood, Bryleigh Basinger and Marley Williams.
Good Hope Lady Raiders:
Good Hope is making it a common item for hoop fans to see them regularly at Wallace State for the Northwest Regional.
This is the Lady Raiders' 6th straight time they have qualified for this round with coach Justin Aby.
In the past two years, Good Hope has gone through the regional and on to the Final Four, winning the 4A title in 2024 and finishing 2nd last year.
A squad that carries plenty of experience from PG Ella Gossett, SG Lexi Marshall, WG Sophie Konrad, F Lucie Adams has been provided additional help in WG Ella Davis in her first season after playing at St. Bernard Prep and Zoe Gibbs who has worked hard in earning playing time after she played for the JV the previous season.
Seeing Good Hope on Wednesday is their postseason rival the Deshler Lady Tigers.
Deshler is fine tuned with all state SG Reese Davis leading the way for her group in facing Good Hope for at least the 4th consecutive time in regional play.
Good Hope is 26 & 6 with Gossett, Konrad, Adams and Marshall part of two successful seasons for the Lady Raiders with 54 wins out of 66 games since 2024, a winning percentage of .818.
West Point Lady Warriors:
Step one has been accomplished for West Point. Winning the 5A Area 15 championship and claiming victory in the sub regional round.
Now comes the Northwest Regional with a strong opponent in the Priceville Lady Bulldogs to face them on Thursday at high noon.
West Point coach John Welborn increased the quality of the team schedule. They started the season with a 69 to 65 loss to Class 1A state power Ider in a game at Snead State CC.
Twenty seven consecutive victories have been earned that includes a pair of wins against county foes Good Hope and Cold Springs, three victories over Area 15 rival Russellville, plus beating regional playoff qualifiers Deshler, Florence, Cherokee County, Montgomery Academy.
A standout lineup of starters from the backcourt of the Faulkner sisters, Jaelyn and PG and Camryn at SG to Caitlee Simmons as a WG, Kealie Harbison at F and Laklin Shadix in the post display teamwork every time they step on the floor for an assignment.
Getting good shooting from SG Patton Fell off the bench and hard efforts every time by Kenadi Pagan and Khloe Hale, West Point is ready to erase the pain of the last time the Lady Warriors were in a NW Regional game.
A year ago, Arab converted a 2nd chance attempt in the final seconds, knocking the Lady Warriors out by the score of 51 to 50.
Priceville in some sorts by the acclaimed experts feel the Lady Bulldogs are a surprise to be at Wallace State.
Priceville has been good all season and has 2 wins against Good Hope and Vinemont.
The Lady Bulldogs sent last year's 5A state champion Scottsboro home on February 13 in a 34 to 31 victory in the sub regional.
Led by C Abby Langlois and SG Josie Childress, Priceville comes in with pride and confidence.
The matchup on the sideline of Welborn vs. Shane Childress will have two gentlemen at the top of their game from the coaching perspective.
Photo of Vinemont Lady Eagles coach Emily Willoughby on the bench with her players from left, Caroline Miller, Addison Holcomb and Reagan Robinson in a game at Appalachian February 02.
Photo courtesy of Cathy McSwain.
