Great matchups Friday in John Tekulve Classic at Cullman HS:
Cullman & West Morgan to play each other in first game of 2026:
GDW Analysis:
A traditional event presented by Cullman High School will be held Friday from Bearcat Arena.
The Coach John Tekulve Classic has two great matchups to get 2026 off and running.
Cullman's Lady Bearcats and Bearcats look for good challenges from West Morgan High School.
The girls are scheduled to tip off at 5:30 p.m. with the Bearcats and Rebels set for an energized evening of hoops at 7:00 p.m.
Cullman hoops honor Tekulve a former player and coach with this event in recent years taking part in the early portion of the January schedule for both programs.
Plenty of hype surrounds the contests with three of the squads currently ranked in the state prep poll and one having a solid season under the command of a new coach.
Lady Bearcats vs. Lady Rebels:
A rare encounter for these teams on the hardwood.
West Morgan is 12 & 2, plays in Area 13 of 4A with Good Hope, Danville and East Lawrence and has a 3 game winning streak.
The Lady Rebels hosted a post Christmas Classic earlier this week, finishing it off by defeating 3A power Mars Hill Bible 54 to 46.
New coach Tammy West has witnessed her group compile 14 victories and only 3 losses.
Cullman played in the Border Wars Classic at Athens, knocking off Mae Jemison 72 to 44 Monday and coming up with a 56 to 50 triumph against Athens Tuesday evening.
Cullman went to the FT line against Athens 26 times, connected on 20 including 12 of 16 in the final period to come home with a victory prior to the end of 2025.
The Lady 'Cats utilize the play in the post by 6'1" center Molly Wilson. In 2 games at Athens, Wilson scored 65 points, showing her skills with 28 in the intense battle against a 6A school at the Athens Sports Arena.
Wilson has support from forwards Molly Dorough and Rachel Hoffman while in the backcourt, 7th grader Catherine Ugarkovich flows well and Cadence Hanback gives them a wing shooter and a player that lays it on the line at all times.
Former Cullman coach returns to face the 'Cats:
Bobby Meyer will get a warm welcome prior to game time as he now directs West Morgan with the Rebels ranked 7th in Class 4A hoops and winners of 11 out of 14 games.
Unfortunately, the Rebels have lost three straight to non AHSAA teams in a holiday tournament from last weekend.
West Morgan has controlled 4A, Area 13 play with dominance against Good Hope, Danville and East Lawrence.
The Rebels see a Cullman group who has 16 wins out of 18 tries in its 5th year with Stu Stuedeman.
Cullman is 5th in the current 6A poll. The 'Cats went to Athens earlier this week, taking down Hewitt Trussville 67 to 59 and Chelsea 75 to 55.
The Chelsea game was seen by Gameday Weekly. Cullman went from a 23 to 22 first period lead by getting into its chaotic tempo by halftime, holding a 43 to 29 lead and extending the advantage well into the final half.
Sam Dorough delivered 26 points in the latest victory.
Others that provide impact from both sides of the floor include center Brooks Loftin, guards Gray Hopper and Owen Graves, forwards Emory Bonds, Max Brooks and John Mark Witcher.
Stuedeman displays depth with proper rotations early and often in each assignment.
Two programs that enjoyed greatness in winning AHSAA area championships the previous year hosting a sub regional playoff with a pair of coaches very much respected in North Alabama.
Entering this season, Meyer has accomplished 300 victories between his time at Vinemont, Cullman and now, West Morgan.
Meyer's coaching level accounted for 8 winning seasons with Cullman, having a 3 year span of 69 & 25 between 2014 to 2016.
In his 5th year at Cullman, Stuedeman has endured wonderful moments with 120 wins out of 145 games, a winning clip of .827.
Photo of Cullman's Sam Dorough and his sister Molly Dorough. The brother/sister combo has been an impact with the two teams combining for 30 wins & 5 losses entering the January schedule.
Photo courtesy of Cullman basketball.
