Rebels Aim for 35-Second Success After 24-7 Run

Vestavia Hills High School boys basketball coach Patrick Davis is fielding a roster built on the specific experience of a turnaround season. The Rebels began last year 0-3 in November but finished the campaign 24-7. That progression established the foundation for the current squad, which returns its two leading figures and a senior class that developed together during the program's recent growth.

The previous season defined the team's trajectory. After a rough start, the Rebels beat Hoover 52-50 in the Class 7A, Area 6 championship game. They then lost a one-point contest to Sparkman at the Northeast Regional. An injury to a key senior forced the coaching staff to rebuild the team's identity around the players who are now in their final year. Assistant coach Ryan Binkley noted at the Under the Lights Basketball Media Day on October 19 that the initial 0-3 record made for a difficult November.

Johnny Towry, a 6-foot-7 forward, and Adrian Peterson, a guard, enter their third varsity seasons alongside guard Luke Stubbs. Binkley described the trio as bringing a maturity to the group that is exciting to have. Towry spent the offseason extending his 3-point range and focusing on making the correct read rather than forcing plays. Peterson concentrated on finding better shots and creating open looks for teammates.

The roster relies on a mix of returning veterans and developing underclassmen. Henry McKinnon, in his second year, is expected to play heavy minutes. Austin Nelson performed well last year, while Collier Floyd serves as the vocal leader in practice. Junior Jake Cesnick earned time as a sophomore, and junior Jamari Presley possesses the ball-handling skills to relieve pressure against full-court presses. Peterson identified Presley as the player ready to take a step forward. Junior Rob Friloux adds 6-foot-4 length, while juniors Price Caudell, Hudson Mote, Jack Cowan, and sophomore Clayton Floyd complete the roster.

The coaching staff is adapting to the mandatory 35-second shot clock. Binkley stated the team wants to play with pace and recognize good shots earlier in a possession. The defensive strategy involves mixing schemes and utilizing the players' ability to process information. Binkley said the staff talks about weaponizing their intelligence because the players are smart and take in the systems they are given.

The AHSAA’s latest reclassification places Vestavia Hills in Class 6A, Area 6. The Rebels will share this bracket with Spain Park, Hewitt-Trussville, and Oak Mountain. Area play begins on January 8 with a home game against Hewitt-Trussville.

The season opens Tuesday with a home game against Bob Jones. The Rebels will then play Shades Valley and travel to Hoover. They will host the 48th annual Sneaky Pete’s Rebel Classic over Thanksgiving week against Leeds, Albertville, and Shades Valley. December includes home games against Mountain Brook and Homewood, a trip to Kentucky to face Henry Clay and Lexington Christian, and participation in the Berea Holiday Classic. The Metro Tournament at Samford follows after Christmas.

Towry said he will remember the locker room celebrations and the bus rides more than the final scores. Binkley noted that the group has a toughness that leads them to do the right things every single day.