Ranking The State Champions
5A State Champs JO Johnson
(Photo/ AL.com, Hal Yeager)
The Alabama High School Athletic Association added an extra class for the 2014-2015 athletic season which extended it to seven. While some were delighted about the decision when it came to football, others were curious to see how this would affect basketball seeing that there are only 32 teams in the newly added 7A. Several coaches in the state have mentioned that seven classes is too many for the state of Alabama and has diluted the excitement of actually becoming a state champion especially in the 7A classification which we noted only has 32 teams and does not compete in sub regional action like the other six classes. After a team wins the first round of the area tournament, it automatically advance to regional play. That alone allows some weaker teams to easily make it to regionals with just winning one game in the first round of the area tournament and already cutting the field to 16 teams. So we took a moment to rank the boys state championship teams along with some information about each team.
1. JO Johnson
Head Coach: Jack Doss
Record: 32-4
Key Players: 2017 John Petty, 2016 Justin Hopkins, 2015 Terrion Bone & 2017 Devonta Lanier
This marks Coach Jack Doss' eighth state championship and now has the most state championships in the history of Alabama. With a dominant run during post season play, it was only right to crown Johnson the top state championship team of all the classifications. Non team came within double digits of the 5A state champs during the post season except Ramsay who made a late run after the game was pretty much over. The Jaguars defeated all four teams they lost to including Faith Academy who defeated the Jags in the championship of the Steel City Invitational. Three of the Jags key players are returning including nationally ranked and 5A state tourney MVP John Petty along with two division-I recruits in Justin Hopkins and Devonta Lanier.
2. Carver-Montgomery
Head Coach: James Jackson
Record: 29-4
Key Players: 2015 Brandon Austin, 2015 Joseph Struggs, 2016 Antonio Nelson, 2016 Darrian Adams & 2017 Jamal Turner
Carver-Montgomery had been deemed the top team in 6A during the 2013 and part of the 2014 season but lost during the semifinals both years and most of that was due to lack of good guard play. While this team may not have had much of the star power it did in the past, the guard play was better and Alabama signee Brandon Austin led his Wolverines to a 6A state championship over Lee-Huntsville. Lee had only lost one game in Alabama all year until the state championship game. The Wolverines probably had the most depth at each position than any other team in the state. Carver will lose Austin and Mississippi St signee Joseph Struggs but will return Nelson, Adams and Turner who all have good size on the perimeter. 6'9 Carleton Williams will also be returning for the Wolverines.
3. Hoover
Head Coach: Charles Burkett
Record: 27-9
Key Players: 2015 Dylan Smith, 2015 Austin Cherry, 2015 Leonard Wood, 2015 Maurice Brown & 2015 Sam Bowman
The Bucs dethroned the back-to-back state champs Mountain Brook to claim the first ever 7A state crown and also the first basketball championship for Hoover. Texas Pan American commit Dylan Smith transferred in from McGill-Toolen and was key to the Bucs championship. Hoover split with Mountain Brook during the record season in close games. Cherry was named the MVP and was a pretty good shooter for Bucs while Smith led them in a semifinal win over Lee-Montgomery with 27 pts. Top football recruit Christian Bell was also a key member of the Hoover Bucs first ever basketball state championship. Hoover doesn't look to return much but Coach Burkett usually keeps a good team.
4. Madison Academy
Head Coach: Andy Blackston
Record: 18-12
Key Players: 2016 Joshua Langford, 2017 Myles Parker, 2017 Austin Troxell & 2016 Will Acuff
Joshua Langford is pretty much a house hold name when it comes to mentioning the best players in the state but he has a solid surrounding cast that played a vital role in the Mustangs 3A state championship. Madison Academy was dominant in the state championship over Piedmont but struggled during the semifinal to Montgomery Academy. Nonetheless Madison was arguably the best team in 3A, especially when Midfield lost in the central regional to Montgomery Academy. The Mustangs was one of four teams to defeat JO Johnson but lost numerous games when Langford was nursing an injury and not able to play. Defeating several 7A schools, a tough schedule faired well for the Mustangs in the end. Junior Will Acuff had his stroke going from deep in the championship. Sophomores Myles Parker and Austin Troxell used their size at 6'7 and 6'8 to dominate around the basket. Madison Academy returns all key players who stand at 6'2 (Acuff), 6'6 (Langford), 6'7 (Parker) and 6'8 (Troxell).
5. Lafayette
Head Coach: Odabiah Threadgill
Record: 25-5
Key Players: 2015 Trevond Barnes & 2017 Jatarvious Whitlow
Lafayette dominated Elba from start to finish in the state behind 6'9 unsigned senior Trevond Barnes. Barnes is a high academic kid with a great skill set with range out to the three point line. Whitlow was a break out talent for the Bulldogs with a nice body and looks to be a football with a good basketball skill set. Lafayette lost in regionals last year and the 2A finals two years ago but are now the Alabama 2A champs. Whitlow will be one of the returnees for Lafayette next year.
6. Sacred Heart
Head Coach: Ralpheal Graves
Record: 26-8
Key Players: 2018 Dionte Wood, 2017 DJ Heath & 2017 Kevion Nolan
Sacred Heart captured a 1A state title after only a few years in existence with all underclassmen. The Cardinals defeated Sunshine 70-65 in overtime with DJ Heath fouling out. Dionte Wood has grown to 6'5 now and has matured as a player but yet he is only a freshman. With much more room to grow physically and skillfully, the 2018 prospect already has an offer on the table from New Mexico St. Sacred Heart lost in the semifinal last year but redeemed themselves with a state championship this year. With three key players being underclassmen, the Cardinals will probably be back the next two years and will be the favorites to win as long as everyone stays healthy.
7. West Limestone
Head Coach: Justin Taylor
Record: 31-5
Key Players: 2015 Hunter Morgan, 2015 Zane Griffin & 2017 Matt Bozeman
It may not have been the prettiest game with the scoring droughts but West Limestone overcame four starters fouling out to win the 4A state championship. The Wildcats split with Westminster Christian during the season and upset Cordova during sub-regionals 63-62. West Limestone managed to defeat a Westminster squad that played several games above 4A while the Wildcats stayed within their classification throughout the season. Bozeman will be returning for West Limestone next year.
Head Coach: Jack Doss
Record: 32-4
Key Players: 2017 John Petty, 2016 Justin Hopkins, 2015 Terrion Bone & 2017 Devonta Lanier
This marks Coach Jack Doss' eighth state championship and now has the most state championships in the history of Alabama. With a dominant run during post season play, it was only right to crown Johnson the top state championship team of all the classifications. Non team came within double digits of the 5A state champs during the post season except Ramsay who made a late run after the game was pretty much over. The Jaguars defeated all four teams they lost to including Faith Academy who defeated the Jags in the championship of the Steel City Invitational. Three of the Jags key players are returning including nationally ranked and 5A state tourney MVP John Petty along with two division-I recruits in Justin Hopkins and Devonta Lanier.
2. Carver-Montgomery
Head Coach: James Jackson
Record: 29-4
Key Players: 2015 Brandon Austin, 2015 Joseph Struggs, 2016 Antonio Nelson, 2016 Darrian Adams & 2017 Jamal Turner
Carver-Montgomery had been deemed the top team in 6A during the 2013 and part of the 2014 season but lost during the semifinals both years and most of that was due to lack of good guard play. While this team may not have had much of the star power it did in the past, the guard play was better and Alabama signee Brandon Austin led his Wolverines to a 6A state championship over Lee-Huntsville. Lee had only lost one game in Alabama all year until the state championship game. The Wolverines probably had the most depth at each position than any other team in the state. Carver will lose Austin and Mississippi St signee Joseph Struggs but will return Nelson, Adams and Turner who all have good size on the perimeter. 6'9 Carleton Williams will also be returning for the Wolverines.
3. Hoover
Head Coach: Charles Burkett
Record: 27-9
Key Players: 2015 Dylan Smith, 2015 Austin Cherry, 2015 Leonard Wood, 2015 Maurice Brown & 2015 Sam Bowman
The Bucs dethroned the back-to-back state champs Mountain Brook to claim the first ever 7A state crown and also the first basketball championship for Hoover. Texas Pan American commit Dylan Smith transferred in from McGill-Toolen and was key to the Bucs championship. Hoover split with Mountain Brook during the record season in close games. Cherry was named the MVP and was a pretty good shooter for Bucs while Smith led them in a semifinal win over Lee-Montgomery with 27 pts. Top football recruit Christian Bell was also a key member of the Hoover Bucs first ever basketball state championship. Hoover doesn't look to return much but Coach Burkett usually keeps a good team.
4. Madison Academy
Head Coach: Andy Blackston
Record: 18-12
Key Players: 2016 Joshua Langford, 2017 Myles Parker, 2017 Austin Troxell & 2016 Will Acuff
Joshua Langford is pretty much a house hold name when it comes to mentioning the best players in the state but he has a solid surrounding cast that played a vital role in the Mustangs 3A state championship. Madison Academy was dominant in the state championship over Piedmont but struggled during the semifinal to Montgomery Academy. Nonetheless Madison was arguably the best team in 3A, especially when Midfield lost in the central regional to Montgomery Academy. The Mustangs was one of four teams to defeat JO Johnson but lost numerous games when Langford was nursing an injury and not able to play. Defeating several 7A schools, a tough schedule faired well for the Mustangs in the end. Junior Will Acuff had his stroke going from deep in the championship. Sophomores Myles Parker and Austin Troxell used their size at 6'7 and 6'8 to dominate around the basket. Madison Academy returns all key players who stand at 6'2 (Acuff), 6'6 (Langford), 6'7 (Parker) and 6'8 (Troxell).
5. Lafayette
Head Coach: Odabiah Threadgill
Record: 25-5
Key Players: 2015 Trevond Barnes & 2017 Jatarvious Whitlow
Lafayette dominated Elba from start to finish in the state behind 6'9 unsigned senior Trevond Barnes. Barnes is a high academic kid with a great skill set with range out to the three point line. Whitlow was a break out talent for the Bulldogs with a nice body and looks to be a football with a good basketball skill set. Lafayette lost in regionals last year and the 2A finals two years ago but are now the Alabama 2A champs. Whitlow will be one of the returnees for Lafayette next year.
6. Sacred Heart
Head Coach: Ralpheal Graves
Record: 26-8
Key Players: 2018 Dionte Wood, 2017 DJ Heath & 2017 Kevion Nolan
Sacred Heart captured a 1A state title after only a few years in existence with all underclassmen. The Cardinals defeated Sunshine 70-65 in overtime with DJ Heath fouling out. Dionte Wood has grown to 6'5 now and has matured as a player but yet he is only a freshman. With much more room to grow physically and skillfully, the 2018 prospect already has an offer on the table from New Mexico St. Sacred Heart lost in the semifinal last year but redeemed themselves with a state championship this year. With three key players being underclassmen, the Cardinals will probably be back the next two years and will be the favorites to win as long as everyone stays healthy.
7. West Limestone
Head Coach: Justin Taylor
Record: 31-5
Key Players: 2015 Hunter Morgan, 2015 Zane Griffin & 2017 Matt Bozeman
It may not have been the prettiest game with the scoring droughts but West Limestone overcame four starters fouling out to win the 4A state championship. The Wildcats split with Westminster Christian during the season and upset Cordova during sub-regionals 63-62. West Limestone managed to defeat a Westminster squad that played several games above 4A while the Wildcats stayed within their classification throughout the season. Bozeman will be returning for West Limestone next year.