Imagine that: Baker’s high-flying Labaron Philon is one of the nation’s top recruits; will announce college choice Friday
By ARTHUR L. MACK Baker junior guard Labaron Philon has become one of the nation’s leading scorers with an imagination which first conquers imaginary opponents before carving up flesh-and-blood players. Philon (6-4, 175), who started playing basketball when he was 3 years old, gave Hornets coach David Armstrong a glimpse of the future…
Read MoreSaraland QB K.J. Lacey receives offer from Alabama but will take time with decision; ‘I’m excited for him … he’s earned it,’ Tide commitment and teammate Ryan Williams says
By JIMMY WIGFIELD The last place Saraland star quarterback K.J. Lacey expected to learn he had been offered a scholarship to Alabama was while visiting Florida State on Saturday. Lacey, a sophomore who led all of Class 6A in passing during a state championship season in 2022, had already received offers from Auburn, Texas…
Read MoreObsessed with greatness, Saraland’s Ryan Williams works with a purpose after winning Alabama’s Mr. Football
By JIMMY WIGFIELD MONTGOMERY — In one watershed moment, Ryan Williams was holding the coveted Mr. Football award, emblematic of the best high school player among the 30,000 who put on pads last season in Alabama. Four hours later, after driving back to Saraland through parts of a winter squall, he was catching…
Read MoreSpringhill Avenue east of I-65 in Mobile to close for 10 days beginning Monday
As a reminder to motorists who usually travel Springhill Avenue in Mobile, it will be closed just east of Interstate I-65 for railroad improvements for up to 10 days beginning Monday at 5:30 a.m., according to city officials. The interstate will be the primary assigned detour route.
Read MoreUMS-Wright’s Cole Blaylock named Alabama’s 5A Back of the Year, leaves behind endearing legacy
By JIMMY WIGFIELD MONTGOMERY — Cole Blaylock may have thought he did all he could do for UMS-Wright after running for 2,000 yards his senior season but Bulldogs coach Terry Curtis doesn’t think so. Blaylock, who was named the Class 5A Back of the Year Thursday, will continue to contribute to his alma…
Read MoreMobile Christian’s Sterling Dixon named Alabama’s 3A Lineman of the Year, wants to dominate
By JIMMY WIGFIELD MONTGOMERY — Mobile Christian defensive end Sterling Dixon just finished a superlative junior season by committing to Alabama, becoming a three-time MaxPreps first-team All-American and being named the Class 3A Lineman of the Year by the Alabama Sports Writers Association on Thursday. That would be a career for most players but…
Read MoreSaraland’s Ryan Williams makes history as Alabama’s Mr. Football
By JIMMY WIGFIELD MONTGOMERY — Saraland’s Ryan Williams made history by becoming the first sophomore to be selected the state’s Mr. Football Thursday but after the pomp and photos and chicken and macaroni and cheese for lunch had been cleared away in the Renaissance Hotel ballroom, he knew how he was going to celebrate.…
Read MoreTheodore’s Brayden Jenkins ‘overlooked’ despite 2,000-yard season
By JIMMY WIGFIELD Theodore all-state running back Brayden Jenkins is having a tougher time finding openings with Division I programs than he did while prying opposing defenses apart for 2,000 yards rushing and 26 touchdowns as a senior. Jenkins (5-10, 180), who is a member of the National Honor Society and has a 3.9 GPA,…
Read MoreSaraland’s Ryan Williams working hard to get better after being named Gatorade’s Alabama Player of the Year, eyes Mr. Football this week
By JIMMY WIGFIELD After learning he was Gatorade’s Alabama Player of the Year, Saraland wide receiver Ryan Williams thought more about what is ahead of him than what was behind him — and with Williams, those things are usually far behind. “As soon as we let Ryan know he won the Gatorade award, he was…
Read MoreMobile Christian’s Legarrius Sims, Evan Blalock sign with Terry Bowden, Louisiana-Monroe
By JIMMY WIGFIELD Mobile Christian defensive end Legarrius Sims and cornerback Evan Blalock kept the commitments they made to Louisiana-Monroe last summer by signing with the Warhawks on Wednesday, the first day of college football’s early signing period. Sims (6-4, 229) and Blalock (6-0, 184), who each started both ways the last two seasons, are…
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