Hoover High School’s women’s basketball program is once again the talk of Alabama as Coach Krystle Johnson prepares the Lady Bucs for a historic seventh straight state championship. After a 35‑1 season that culminated in a 61‑43 victory over Bob Jones at Legacy Arena, the team now faces the challenge of a younger roster.
Young talent, big expectations
Johnson, a math teacher and longtime mentor, described the upcoming squad as “a lot of talent, but we’re just very young.” The roster features 14 players, ten of whom are underclassmen, and lacks a clear successor to the veteran leaders who carried the previous teams.
Returning seniors Hadley Williams (shooting guard) and Aubree Elder (forward) provide experience, while sophomore guard Kristen Winston emerges as the new offensive focal point. Winston, who played alongside the program’s recent stars, emphasized teamwork: “I feel like it’s mainly just having faith and trust in your teammates. You don’t have to do all of it by yourself.” Junior forward Tatum English also returns as a key veteran presence.
Depth and versatility
The bench includes a mix of sophomores and freshmen ready to contribute. Sophomores Londyn Cook and Karrington Wooden saw varsity minutes as freshmen, while Lajai Scott and Violet Lay were elevated late last season. Freshman three‑point specialist Katelyn Mason will compete for shooting minutes, and Madison Whatley adds size at center. Sophomore Somma Udeh brings post aggressiveness, and eighth‑grader guard Catalina Williams can provide a scoring burst when needed. Senior transfer Jordyn Smith from Thompson rounds out the lineup.
Scheduling the toughest competition
Johnson continues to schedule challenging out‑of‑state opponents to test her young team early. The Lady Bucs opened the season in Atlanta, travel to Guntersville (Alabama) for a game at Priceville, and face two Tennessee schools at the Turkey Jam in Mountain Brook. A Thanksgiving weekend trip to Georgia follows, and the first home game is set for Dec. 1 against Mortimer Jordan.
December brings a trip to Texarkana, the Big Orange Classic at home Dec. 17‑19, the Cherokee Invitational in North Carolina, and a holiday tournament at Hazel Green. The new year opens with a game in Mississippi on Jan. 2, and the regular season concludes Jan. 30 at Holy Innocents in Georgia.
Looking ahead
Johnson believes early tough competition “puts them in the fire early and creates the diamonds at the end.” The AHSAA’s latest reclassification moves Hoover to Class 6A, Area 5 with Thompson, Prattville and Tuscaloosa County, with area play beginning Jan. 8 at Tuscaloosa County.
With a blend of seasoned seniors and promising underclassmen, the Lady Bucs are poised to defend their legacy while forging new leaders. The community watches with anticipation as Hoover’s girls basketball program strives to write another chapter in its storied history.
Original reporting: Hoover Sun — read the source article.
