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Photo by Claire Johnson
Hoover's Ava Leonard (3) during a Class 7A state semifinal game between Hoover and Alma Bryant on Thursday March 5, 2026, at Legacy Arena in Birmingham. Photo by Claire Johnson.
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Photo by Claire Johnson
Hoover's Londyn Cook (11) during a Class 7A state semifinal game between Hoover and Alma Bryant on Thursday March 5, 2026, at Legacy Arena in Birmingham. Photo by Claire Johnson.
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Photo by Claire Johnson
Hoover's Londyn Cook (11) during a Class 7A state semifinal game between Hoover and Alma Bryant on Thursday March 5, 2026, at Legacy Arena in Birmingham. Photo by Claire Johnson.
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Photo by Claire Johnson
Hoover's Ava Leonard (3) during a Class 7A state semifinal game between Hoover and Alma Bryant on Thursday March 5, 2026, at Legacy Arena in Birmingham. Photo by Claire Johnson.
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Photo by Claire Johnson
Hoover's Kayla Maxwell (4) during a Class 7A state semifinal game between Hoover and Alma Bryant on Thursday March 5, 2026, at Legacy Arena in Birmingham. Photo by Claire Johnson.
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Photo by Claire Johnson
Hoover's Kristen Winston (1) during a Class 7A state semifinal game between Hoover and Alma Bryant on Thursday March 5, 2026, at Legacy Arena in Birmingham. Photo by Claire Johnson.
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Photo by Claire Johnson
Hoover's Aaliyah Blanchard (13) during a Class 7A state semifinal game between Hoover and Alma Bryant on Thursday March 5, 2026, at Legacy Arena in Birmingham. Photo by Claire Johnson.
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Photo by David Leong
Hoover guard Kristen Winston (1) dribbles past Alma Bryant guard Kaylee Williams (24) during the AHSAA Class 7A girls state semifinals between Hoover and Alma Bryant at BJCC Legacy Arena in Birmingham, AL on Thr, March 5, 2026. Photo by David Leong.
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Photo by David Leong
Hoover guard Londyn Cook (11) dribbles past Alma Bryant guard Kaylee Williams (24) during the AHSAA Class 7A girls state semifinals between Hoover and Alma Bryant at BJCC Legacy Arena in Birmingham, AL on Thr, March 5, 2026. Photo by David Leong.
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Photo by David Leong
Hoover center Khloe Ford (5) shoots over Alma Bryant guard Destiny Dixon (22) during the AHSAA Class 7A girls state semifinals between Hoover and Alma Bryant at BJCC Legacy Arena in Birmingham, AL on Thr, March 5, 2026. Photo by David Leong.
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Photo by David Leong
Hoover guard Aaliyah Blanchard (13) shoots over Alma Bryant guard Destiny Dixon (22) during the AHSAA Class 7A girls state semifinals between Hoover and Alma Bryant at BJCC Legacy Arena in Birmingham, AL on Thr, March 5, 2026. Photo by David Leong.
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Photo by David Leong
Hoover guard Aaliyah Blanchard (13) and Alma Bryant guard Kaylee Williams (24) scramble for a loose ball during the AHSAA Class 7A girls state semifinals between Hoover and Alma Bryant at BJCC Legacy Arena in Birmingham, AL on Thr, March 5, 2026. Photo by David Leong.
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Photo by David Leong
Alma Bryant guard Mari-Margret (5) is double teamed by Hoover guards Kristen Winston (1) and Londyn Cook (11) during the AHSAA Class 7A girls state semifinals between Hoover and Alma Bryant at BJCC Legacy Arena in Birmingham, AL on Thr, March 5, 2026. Photo by David Leong.
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Photo by David Leong
Alma Bryant guard Destiny Dixon (22) guards Hoover guard Ava Leonard (3) during the AHSAA Class 7A girls state semifinals between Hoover and Alma Bryant at BJCC Legacy Arena in Birmingham, AL on Thr, March 5, 2026. Photo by David Leong.
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Photo by David Leong
Hoover guard Kristen Winston (1) shoots a short jumper during the AHSAA Class 7A girls state semifinals between Hoover and Alma Bryant at BJCC Legacy Arena in Birmingham, AL on Thr, March 5, 2026. Photo by David Leong.
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Photo by David Leong
Hoover forward Tatum English (22) and Alma Bryant guard Mari-Margret (5) compete for the rebound during the AHSAA Class 7A girls state semifinals between Hoover and Alma Bryant at BJCC Legacy Arena in Birmingham, AL on Thr, March 5, 2026. Photo by David Leong.
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Photo by David Leong
Hoover guard Chasity Johnson (2) guards Alma Bryant guard Mari-Margret (5) during the AHSAA Class 7A girls state semifinals between Hoover and Alma Bryant at BJCC Legacy Arena in Birmingham, AL on Thr, March 5, 2026. Photo by David Leong.
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Photo by David Leong
Hoover center Khloe Ford (5) rebounds against Alma Bryant guard Kaylee Williams (24) during the AHSAA Class 7A girls state semifinals between Hoover and Alma Bryant at BJCC Legacy Arena in Birmingham, AL on Thr, March 5, 2026. Photo by David Leong.
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Photo by David Leong
Hoover head coach Krystle Johnson reacts from the sideline during the AHSAA Class 7A girls state semifinals between Hoover and Alma Bryant at BJCC Legacy Arena in Birmingham, AL on Thr, March 5, 2026. Photo by David Leong.
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Photo by David Leong
Hoover guard Ava Leonard (3) drives to the basket against Alma Bryant guard Mari-Margret (5) during the AHSAA Class 7A girls state semifinals between Hoover and Alma Bryant at BJCC Legacy Arena in Birmingham, AL on Thr, March 5, 2026. Photo by David Leong.
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Photo by David Leong
Alma Bryant guard Destiny Dixon (22) guards Hoover forward Tatum English (22) during the AHSAA Class 7A girls state semifinals between Hoover and Alma Bryant at BJCC Legacy Arena in Birmingham, AL on Thr, March 5, 2026. Photo by David Leong.
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Photo by David Leong
Alma Bryant guard Mari-Margret (5) and Hoover guard Karrington Wooden (14) jockey for position during the AHSAA Class 7A girls state semifinals between Hoover and Alma Bryant at BJCC Legacy Arena in Birmingham, AL on Thr, March 5, 2026. Photo by David Leong.
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Photo by David Leong
Hoover fans react to their win after the AHSAA Class 7A girls state semifinals between Hoover and Alma Bryant at BJCC Legacy Arena in Birmingham, AL on Thr, March 5, 2026. Photo by David Leong.
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Photo by David Leong
Hoover Buccaneers pose for a photo after winning the AHSAA Class 7A girls state semifinals between Hoover and Alma Bryant at BJCC Legacy Arena in Birmingham, AL on Thr, March 5, 2026. Photo by David Leong.
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Photo by David Leong
Hoover guard Londyn Cook (11) makes a fast break after stealing the ball during the AHSAA Class 7A girls state semifinals between Hoover and Alma Bryant at BJCC Legacy Arena in Birmingham, AL on Thr, March 5, 2026. Photo by David Leong.
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Photo by David Leong
Hoover guard Aaliyah Blanchard (13) scrambles for a loose ball during the AHSAA Class 7A girls state semifinals between Hoover and Alma Bryant at BJCC Legacy Arena in Birmingham, AL on Thr, March 5, 2026. Photo by David Leong.
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Photo by David Leong
Hoover team bench reacts during the AHSAA Class 7A girls state semifinals between Hoover and Alma Bryant at BJCC Legacy Arena in Birmingham, AL on Thr, March 5, 2026. Photo by David Leong.
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Photo by David Leong
Hoover center Khloe Ford (5) prepares to shoot a free throw during the AHSAA Class 7A girls state semifinals between Hoover and Alma Bryant at BJCC Legacy Arena in Birmingham, AL on Thr, March 5, 2026. Photo by David Leong.
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Photo by David Leong
Hoover guard Kristen Winston (1) passes the ball against Alma Bryant guard Alivia Johnson (10) during the AHSAA Class 7A girls state semifinals between Hoover and Alma Bryant at BJCC Legacy Arena in Birmingham, AL on Thr, March 5, 2026. Photo by David Leong.
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Photo by David Leong
Hoover guard Aaliyah Blanchard (13) shoots over Alma Bryant forward Madison Andrews (32) during the AHSAA Class 7A girls state semifinals between Hoover and Alma Bryant at BJCC Legacy Arena in Birmingham, AL on Thr, March 5, 2026. Photo by David Leong.
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Photo by David Leong
Hoover center Khloe Ford (5) shoots over Alma Bryant guard Destiny Dixon (22) during the AHSAA Class 7A girls state semifinals between Hoover and Alma Bryant at BJCC Legacy Arena in Birmingham, AL on Thr, March 5, 2026. Photo by David Leong.
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Photo by David Leong
Hoover guard Ava Leonard (3) guards Alma Bryant guard Mari-Margret (5) during the AHSAA Class 7A girls state semifinals between Hoover and Alma Bryant at BJCC Legacy Arena in Birmingham, AL on Thr, March 5, 2026. Photo by David Leong.
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Photo by David Leong
Hoover guard Aaliyah Blanchard (13) dribbles the ball during the AHSAA Class 7A girls state semifinals between Hoover and Alma Bryant at BJCC Legacy Arena in Birmingham, AL on Thr, March 5, 2026. Photo by David Leong.
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Photo by David Leong
Alma Bryant guard Mari-Margret (5) guards Hoover guard Kristen Winston (1) during the AHSAA Class 7A girls state semifinals between Hoover and Alma Bryant at BJCC Legacy Arena in Birmingham, AL on Thr, March 5, 2026. Photo by David Leong.
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Photo by David Leong
Hoover center Khloe Ford (5) rebounds against Alma Bryant guard Destiny Dixon (22) during the AHSAA Class 7A girls state semifinals between Hoover and Alma Bryant at BJCC Legacy Arena in Birmingham, AL on Thr, March 5, 2026. Photo by David Leong.
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Photo by David Leong
Hoover guard Kristen Winston (1) dribbles the ball during the AHSAA Class 7A girls state semifinals between Hoover and Alma Bryant at BJCC Legacy Arena in Birmingham, AL on Thr, March 5, 2026. Photo by David Leong.
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Photo by David Leong
Hoover guard Kayla Maxwell (4) drives to the basket during the AHSAA Class 7A girls state semifinals between Hoover and Alma Bryant at BJCC Legacy Arena in Birmingham, AL on Thr, March 5, 2026. Photo by David Leong.
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Photo by David Leong
Hoover guard Ava Leonard (3) shoots the short jumper during the AHSAA Class 7A girls state semifinals between Hoover and Alma Bryant at BJCC Legacy Arena in Birmingham, AL on Thr, March 5, 2026. Photo by David Leong.
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Photo by David Leong
Hoover guard Aaliyah Blanchard (13) shoots the ball during the AHSAA Class 7A girls state semifinals between Hoover and Alma Bryant at BJCC Legacy Arena in Birmingham, AL on Thr, March 5, 2026. Photo by David Leong.
BIRMINGHAM – The Lady Bucs looked like a team that had been there and done that before Thursday afternoon.
The Hoover High School girls basketball team throttled Alma Bryant 92-47 in the Class 7A state semifinals at the BJCC’s Legacy Arena.
Hoover advances to the state championship game Saturday at 4 p.m., as the Lady Bucs face Bob Jones in search of their sixth consecutive state title.
“Making it this far, it’s a blessing to get this far,” Hoover head coach Krystle Johnson said following the game.
Alma Bryant hung tough for the first quarter, but the final three quarters were thoroughly handled by Hoover. The Lady Bucs took a 17-14 lead after the opening period and stretched it out to a 50-27 edge at the half. A 32-11 advantage in the third quarter allowed the Lady Bucs to cruise to the finish line.
As a program, Hoover has been a mainstay at the final four and the state championship game. Players like Aaliyah Blanchard, Khloe Ford and Kristen Winston have been key cogs on previous state championship teams. Their comfort level on the Legacy Arena floor was evident from the outset.
“It’s a great feeling to be back,” Blanchard said. “We have some players that haven’t been this far. Since some of us have been here, we try to set an example so they can feel more comfortable.”
Even with the familiarity, there is still some newness for the Lady Bucs with the state championship game looming this weekend. Ford was out with an injury last season. Players like Ava Leonard and Londyn Cook are experiencing their first playoff run as key players.
Hoover’s tough schedule throughout the season has readied players like Leonard and Cook for the moment.
“We play hard teams in the beginning to prepare us for moments like this,” Kristen Winston said.
Ford led the charge for the Lady Bucs on Thursday, posing a double-double with 25 points and 11 rebounds. Winston finished with 21 points, eight assists and four steals. Blanchard wrapped her day with eight points and nine boards.
Kayla Maxwell went for 10 points, making all four of her shots. Chasity Johnson had eight points, and Cook finished with six points. Leonard scored five points.
Hoover will face Bob Jones in the state title game Saturday. Bob Jones rallied in the second half to come back and beat Auburn on Thursday morning. The two teams played earlier this season, with Hoover winning by 10 points. But Johnson contends the Lady Bucs did not play well and will need to put forth its best game in two days’ time.
“There’s something about putting that Hoover jersey on, there’s a target on them every game. When you put that jersey on, there’s a different mindset that has to click. As a former player at Hoover, I understand that, too,” she said.
