On Thursday, November 3rd, the Vestavia Hills varsity girls basketball team, the reigning 7a State runner-ups, kicked off their season with a big home win against Pell City 72 - 45. Since then, they have played two away games competing against Pleasant Grove and Chelsea. Both came out to be wins for the Rebels.
The Lady Rebels are coming off of a hot season with many accomplishments. In their 2021-2022 season, they ranked 2nd in the 7a division and 3rd in the Super Poll which includes all Alabama girls varsity teams. Other accomplishments of the 2021-2022 team include Northeast Region Champions, 7a Area 6 Tournament Champions for the second year in a row, a first Final Four appearance in 16 years, a first Finals appearance in 25 years, a school record of 314 made three-pointers, and a school record of 2,312 overall points scored. The team finished with a 33-3 record, tying the school record for wins in a season. The program as a whole, including JV, had a combined record of 62-4.
This year, under the leadership of their senior Anna Towry, we can expect even more great things. Players include senior: Anna Towry, juniors: Mallory Cowan and Ally Perry, sophomores: Ava Robinson, Jill Gaylard, Jule McMillan, Grayson Hudgens, Jordan Madsen, Emma Gordon, Sarah Gordon, and Rosemary Gill, along with an 8th grader: Ryleigh Martin. The Rebs are led by an amazing coaching staff including Head Coach John David Smelser, assistant coach Alex Carroll, JV and assistant coach Lake Graham, assistant coach Brent Welborn, and assistant coach Stephanie Meadows.
Since Smelser began coaching at VHHS, he has made it a point to create a very tight-knit team dynamic. A big emphasis is put on unity, support, and family. “They’re Family,” Coach Smelers shared in a 2021 interview after a tough-fought loss in the Regional Finals, “I love them like they are my own and I work hard because I want them to be successful on the floor but also successful in life.” This year's motto for the team is “F.A.M.I.L.Y: Forget About Me, I Love You.” Not only does the team spend time together 6 days a week in practice, but their relationship extends off the court as well. The team has team dinners once a week to just enjoy each other's company. Many of the players have expressed that this team is more than just teammates, but their inner circle of friends. Sophomore Rosemary Gill shared, “These are my best friends, the teammate part is just a bonus.”
Although the team is predominantly underclassmen, the standards and expectations have not shifted. The work ethic put in by all players and coaches goes unmatched. The Lady Rebels have been working hard throughout the off-seasons with a State Championship in their minds and we can expect a great fight this winter. Don’t forget to come support as the Vestavia Hills girls varsity basketball team attempts to continue to raise the bar.
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