Local sportscaster shows endurance behind the microphone:
Flash provides play by play for NFHS Network at the Northwest Regional:
GDW Analysis:
HANCEVILLE: Endurance is a must for people when they encounter something unusual.
For WKUL FM broadcaster Johnny "Flash" Thornton, that situation was given a stern test on February 23, 2026.
Working for the NFHS Network as play by play announcer for the AHSAA Northwest basketball regional from Wallace State, Thornton described the intense action of 8 games as champions were crowned on this day in 4 different classifications.
Thornton just concluded his 3rd year of an enjoyable task. The NFHS Network chose Thornton and his partner Rich Jesse to describe the action from high above the floor at Tom Drake Coliseum.
This day would be work from an individual role for Thornton with Jesse down on floor level for WKUL with 4 championship games across the airwaves on 92.1 FM with the Cold Springs Lady Eagles, Cold Springs Eagles, West Point Lady Warriors and Good Hope Lady Raiders playing for a regional crown.
Jesse shared the booth with Steven Sutter in a day that the Cold Springs Lady Eagles and Good Hope Lady Raiders were winners to move on to the Final Four in Birmingham the week of March 2.
"A play by play announcer has plenty to say during a ball game," Thornton. "It is different when calling a game such as I did on February 23 for the games were streamed by the NFHS Network with live video coverage.
"The camera does most of the work and the NFHS people were sharp on their role. All I was doing was dropping in a word or two for the viewers to see what was happening from that perspective."
Thornton reports this was an all time high of 8 games from the role of a play by play announcer. Known to the public as "Flash," Thornton and Jesse were back sharing the mic together on February 24 with half a dozen games to close out championship play in the Northwest Regional.
"It was great to be back with Rich Jesse Tuesday for it allowed myself to rotate with him as we normally do when we are broadcasting basketball games together. I survived a lengthy day on Monday, I am not sure if I would have been able to run the same course Tuesday individually."
Thornton called the 7A, 6A and 3A girls title games with Jesse the lead voice in the varsity segment of the three classifications.
The duo were blessed on this day of excitement to provide to those following the games through the NFHS Network.
Cullman's 80 to 53 victory in Class 6A against Lee Huntsville signified the strength of the Bearcats in their up tempo style of play. Cullman set sail with a game high 13 treys and unloaded on Lee with 46 points in the 2nd half, 28 coming in the 4th period.
Thornton's final game as play by play was two well known girls' teams laying it on the line against one another.
Mars Hill Bible outgunned Lauderdale County 71 to 62 Tuesday evening. This game featured the talent of Mars Hill sophomore Belle Hill vs. the defending regional champion Lauderdale County.
Mars Hill broke an 18 to 18 tie after the first to lead at the half 44 to 27. Lauderdale never surrendered in a great comeback to get within 4 points late before Mars Hill prevailed in the highest scoring girls' game of the 2026 regional championship format.
Thornton is very devoted to this sport for it ranks as his favorite in each that he follows in his role with WKUL and Gameday Weekly.
The Hall of Fame sportscaster has seen 205 high school games from the 2025/26 schedule. Thornton spends a lot of time inside gymnasiums when the season starts in early November and closes out in the early days of March.
His 200th game for the current season was Tuesday morning when Hillcrest Tuscaloosa faced Bob Jones in the 7A girls regional championship at Wallace State.
This was special for Flash for Hillcrest coach Jessica McBrayer is the former coach of the Wallace State Lady Lions and Cullman Lady Bearcats. McBrayer played for Thornton and his Bama's Best Thundercats in 2005 while she was a point guard at Hartselle High School.
Thornton and Jesse as well as Sutter and WKUL program director Ron Mosley Jr are slowing date their tempo following a great week of local basketball in which 7 teams, 6 from the Cullman County school system, qualified for this year's Northwest Regional.
Plenty of sports to be reporting on for Thornton with Gameday Weekly will continue especially that the Cold Springs and Good Hope girls will be playing in the AHSAA Final Four from Legacy Arena in Birmingham next week.
Photo of WKUL FM broadcaster Johnny "Flash" Thornton inside the press box at Jacksonville High School November 14, 2025 prior to the AHSAA 5A football playoff game between the Fairview Aggies and Jacksonville Golden Eagles.
Photo courtesy of Rich Jesse.
