GIFT GUIDE

These faux fur slippers are a decorated spin on the loungewear essentials you’ll be lusting after this winter season. Frances Valentine, francesvalentine.com OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL HOLIDAY

GIFT GUIDE 2022 PART II

Wait, there’s more! Our favorite area merchants have been hard at work curating the best gift ideas to make your holiday shopping a little easier. They've done such a good job finding quality and quantity gifts we made the decision to publish a Christmas Gift Guide Part II. (Okay we do it every year, but it's fun for all involved!) Only 24 more shopping days left!

Luxury scented candles and home fragrances from the Baobab Candle Collection. Gus Mayer, 205-870-3300

A customer favorite! Adorable assorted Christmas towels. Alabama Goods, 205-803-3900

The Classic Train Case by Pursen, perfect for storing on-the-go essentials! This bag can be used as a beauty or toiletry organizer. Store lotions, makeup brushes, compacts, perfumes, and much more, $78. The Blue Willow, 205-968-0909

Bromberg’s best-selling bracelet is a fabulous statement piece for the holidays! Featuring luxurious 24K yellow gold gilded hammered links and an easy to use toggle clasp, 8.5” in length. Bromberg’s, Mountain Brook 205-871-3276; The Summit 205-969-1776 Three looks in one from Tom Ford. This eyewear includes blue radiation anti-glare lenses that can be customized with your prescription. The two sun clips allow three fabulous looks. Gordon Eye Care @ The Narrows, 205-855-2020 Bread Boards - Antique French and European bread boards. Various sizes to choose from. Antiquities, 205-870-1030

These frozen beer glasses will Keep your favorite brew perfectly chilled for an excellent drinking experience, $45. The. Cook Store, 205-879-5277 Beautifully carved nativity, $40. Attic Antiques, 205-991-6887

Made from our lightweight bamboo fleece, our apex fleece 1/4 zip is lightweight and versatile enough to wear all year long, $88. Tasc Performance, 659-599-9240

Holiday in Paris Bedhead pajamas have a longsleeved, button front top with a jogger pant, $120. The Lingerie Shoppe, 205-8718994

Seed cylinders, characters, and wreaths. The variety of ingredients in each makes them a perfect addition to any yard. Wild Birds Unlimited, 205-823-6500

Assorted antique Christmas ornaments. Hanna Antiques, 205-323-6063.

Shu Shop; cool, lightweight and comfortable enough for everyday wear, from leggings to dresses, $68 - $76. Little Soles, 205-970-6990

Get lit this holiday season with a lighted hand bag. Includes a battery pack with light switch and removable cross-body chain. Wallace-Burke Fine Jewelry & Art, 205-874-1044 Nativity framed ornament, 3.5” x 3.5” x 0.5”, $19. Baker Lamps & Linens, 205-981-3330

Avani Rupa Fine Jewelers’ unique stackable bands collection, available in so many designs and colors! Starting at $400, avanirupa.com

Made in Italy, the most beautiful and easy ready to use pizza oven on the market. Alfa Pizza Wood or Gas Fire Oven, starting from $1,399. AllSouth Appliance, 205-749-5224

Brent Neale 18K bubble initial pendant necklaces and stud earrings with diamonds and precious stones (sold as singles to mix, match and stack); studs, $750 each, necklaces, start at $2,500. Etc... 205-871-6747 Michael Aram Pomegranate Menorah $195. Table Matters, 205-879-0125

Blade and Bow Bourbon - 750 mL This tasty bourbon is the perfect balance of vanilla and herbs and is great for sipping or mixing in a cocktail. R&R Wine & Liquor, 205- 848-2080

Wide colored gemstone and diamond bands from $1,350. Shay’s Jewelers, 205-978-5880 Made without synthetic fragrances or colorants, Agraria candles, room spray and diffusers. B. Prince, 205-871-1965

Custom engraved 18” Ramsay necklace features an octagon locket with your initials, choose your font and choose your necklace chain. Ex Voto, 205-538-7301 Holiday velvet monogram pillows with down filling, $60 - $100. Urban Home Market, 205- 980-4663 Glow Wild at your Birmingham Zoo! An Animal Lantern Celebration, Tickets for a family of 4 adults, $95.80 www.birminghamzoo.com/ event/glowwild-2022/

18kt yellow gold diamond flower style fashion ring with 0.58 cttwt of diamonds, $2710. Southeastern Jewelers 205-980-9030

Journée Firm: Your all in one day time moisturizer, growth factors and SPF! Plus it’s tinted. Gunn Dermatology, 205-415-7536

Lux candles made in Des Arc, Arkansas from a blend of the highest quality, fully-refined paraffin and vegetable waxes. Barton-Clay Fine Jewelers, 205-871-7060 Glenwood’s Pecans for Autism have been a holiday staple for more than 40 years. Glenwood, glenwood.org/shop Mary Engelbreit musical Santa, $95. Mary Charles Doll House, 205-8705544 Bravo! This t-shirt is a showstopper. Homewood Theatre logo on the front. Homewood Theatre, 205-873-1816 For a gift that is hands on and minds on, STEM learning kits focus on chemistry, physics, biology, robotics, or engineering, from $16. McWane Science Center 205-714-8300

Busy Santa’s helpers could use Lavender exfoliating foot wraps. One treatment exfoliates and removes dead skin within a week, $9.99. Flip Flops & What Nots 205-967-7429 Fishing for the perfect Gift? Sexton’s Seafood gift certificates are great stocking stuffers that keep fresh well into the new year! Sexton’s Seafood of Birmingham, 205-967-3437 Fireballs, the modern alternative, create a warm holiday glow that will last all winter long. Hollywood Outdoor Living, 205-979-7727

Skincare for your hair-- Kevin Murphy hair products combine high tech scientific knowledge with best natural ingredients available. Salon Summit, 205-518-0406

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Air Conditioning • Plumbing • Generators From page 36 and defeating Muscle Shoals 28-7 in the Class 6A semifinals to earn a spot in the Super 7 Championships.

Mountain Brook (12-2) will play Saraland (13-1) for the Class 6A championship at 7 p.m. Friday at Auburn’s Jordan-Hare Stadium. Saraland knocked off previously unbeaten Theodore 21-6 to advance.

The Spartans will be playing in a championship game for the first time since 1996 and trying to win their first state title since 1976, when they won their second consecutive crown.

Mountain Brook lost in the semifinals to the eventual Class 6A state championships the past two years, Pinson Valley in 2020 and ClayChalkville in 2021.

The Spartans were determined not to let their season end a game short of the Super 7 again, but it wasn’t something Yeager dwelled on leading up to the semifinal game against Muscle Shoals.

“I’ll be honest, I have not even let myself go there, that we could possibly be going to the state championship,” Yeager said. “There was probably a minute and a half left in the game and (the players) were over there celebrating and I said, ‘It’s not over yet.’ I thought, I’ve lost my mind.

“I have absolutely not allowed myself to even dream of that next step. I’ve got a lot of work I’ve gotta do this week because I have not prepared anything at all.”

The Trojans (11-2) sat and watched on a knee as the Spartans jumped and shouted in celebration while receiving a plaque commemorating their semifinal win. Next up is their bid for the Alabama High School Athletic Association blue map state championship trophy.

It didn’t fully hit Mountain Brook it was headed to the title game until after the semifinal game was over. Junior running back Cole Gamble had to take a few seconds to muster up any words to describe the spectacle of it.

“Man,” Gamble said, letting out a bit of a laugh. “It’s still setting in. That’s gonna be awesome. Obviously, we gotta finish the job.”

Early in the game against the Trojans, it looked as if a similar fate was awaiting Mountain Brook as it had the past two years. The Spartans’ first drive resulted in a punt, and Muscle Shoals marched down the field to take a 7-0 lead on Seth Mosley’s 22-yard pass to Bryant Basden.

That was all the points the Trojans scored. Gamble, as he has done throughout the playoffs, took charge. He rushed for 189 yards and three touchdowns, scoring on runs of 36, 1 and 12 yards. Will Waldrop scored the other touchdown on a 9-yard run.

“I think our guys adjusted well,” Yeager said. “(Muscle Shoals) had a great game plan.”

Mountain Brook wide receiver Clark Sanderson breaks a tackle in the Spartans semifinal win over Muscle Shoals last Friday.

Quarterback John Colving rolls out and finds a receiver in Mountain Brook’s win over Muscle Shoals. Mountain Brook will play Saraland for the Class 6A championship at 7 p.m. Friday at Auburn’s Jordan-Hare Stadium.

Tunnel Vision

Heading into the semifinals, Yeager said the Spartans focused solely on Muscle Shoals and not on playing for a title.

“There’s nothing in our field house that talks about winning a championship,” he said.

But this week that will be the main topic of conversation.

“We’ve overcome a lot of humps,” Yeager said, rattling off some of the Spartans’ victories this season. “Vestavia was a hump. James Clemens was a hump. Pinson Valley was a hump. This game, it’s a bunch of little humps to get to this one. It’s just special how everything came together.”

For Gamble it means one more opportunity to play with Spartans’ seniors.

“These guys are my brothers,” Gamble said. “I’m so glad this wasn’t my last game playing with these seniors. But we’re not satisfied. We’ve got one more. We gotta go to Jordan-Hare and finish the job.”

Bluff Park WindoW Works

f Wood window restoration and repair f Sash replacement, rot repair f Replace broken and fogged glass f Wood insulated, putty glazed, and composite vinyl replacement sashes

From page 36 head basketball coach at Pelham for 11 years, leading the Panthers to four Sweet 16 appearances and an Elite Eight appearance in 2017.

He decided to leave Pelham because of his son, Blake, who had played for him at Pelham.

“My son was about to be a senior and I decided it was best to let somebody else be his head coach,” Floyd said.

Floyd had known Jags coach Chris Laatsch for 15 years, saying “He is one best in the business.” So, Blake Floyd transferred to Spain Park and Joel Floyd became Laatsch’s assistant, making it a package deal.

“I got to be more of a dad than anything else,” Floyd said. “I think it was important for both of us. He loved being at Spain Park and he loved playing for coach Laatsch.”

Blake Floyd helped Spain Park reach the 2021 Final Four before graduating. He’s now at North Alabama as a walk-on.

Floyd wasn’t looking to become a head coach again, but when Chris Love retired as Oak Mountain’s head coach in March, Floyd jumped at the chance to replace him.

He was familiar with Oak Mountain athletic director Shane Gillman and Shelby County Schools Superintendent Lewis Brooks, having coached both of his sons at Pelham.

“I was very happy at Spain Park, but this was a perfect opportunity for me at Oak Mountain,” Floyd said. “I live in the area and I knew coach Love. He had done an amazing job, so if I was going to get back in the business of being a head coach, this was it.”

Trying to Capture Success

Oak Mountain had plenty of success the past three seasons, reaching the Final Four in 2020, winning the 2021 Class 7A state championship and advancing to the Elite Eight in 2022.

Floyd inherited a team that had graduated nine seniors, although he was hoping the winning tradition of the past few seasons would rub off.

“We don’t have a whole lot of experience, but we have talent with a lot of potential and guys who work hard,” Floyd said. “We have several guys who play multiple sports.”

The Eagles have seven seniors, including 6-foot-3 senior forward Matthew Heiberger, who was a sophomore on the 2021 state championship team.

The other seniors are guard Devan Moss; forward Bobby Laury; guard Braxton Diorio; guard Eli Love; forward Jack Ronilo, who is heading to Duke as long-snapper in football; and 6-9 center Tre Thomas, who has a 7-foot wingspan.

Heiberger, a talented left-handed pitcher who is headed to Alabama to play baseball, leads the Eagles in scoring (19.0 ppg) and rebounding (7.5 rpg) in the early going. He scored 25 points in the victory against Prattville.

Thomas, who had 20 points against Prattville, leads the team in blocked shots, averaging nearly four blocks per game.

“Several colleges have called me about him,” Floyd said. “He’s kind of a late bloomer.”

The Eagles also have gotten solid production from sophomore guard Will O’Dell and junior guards Grey Williams and Kevin Jasinski.

“We’re playing all 13 guys when we’re winning,” Floyd said. “Every dead ball we’re subbing in five new players. We’re playing faster than we have in the past and we’re pressing consistently on defense. It’s something I thought fits our personnel.”

Oak Mountain will compete in Class 7A, Area 6 along with Spain Park, Hewitt-Trussville and Chelsea.

“I’m not sure we have a whole lot of expectations,” Floyd said. “It’s going to be a growing experience.”

VESTAVIA

From page 36 uate and move on. You miss them ‘cause you love them. We love Emma.”

As much as he loves Smith and his other former players, Smelser has turned his full attention to his current team.

“We try not to emphasize what we’re missing basketball-wise without Emma or Ally (Smith, Emma’s twin sister) or Carly Smith (no relation),” Smelser said, referring to the other two starters who graduated. “This is a new year and a new team with a new look.

“We’re a young team with mostly sophomores, two juniors and only one senior. We’ve even got an eighth grader on the team. But our youth has a lot of experience. Five or six of them saw a lot of playing time last season.”

The youthful Rebels haven’t missed a beat. They entered the Thanksgiving break with an 8-0 record while outscoring their opponents by a plus-22 margin (63.5 to 41.0).

“We’ve got a talented group who likes to compete and win,” Smelser said. “I’m not shocked that we’ve started the way we have.

“We’re getting better every day which is one of the benefits of having a young team. You get to see them improve daily, as players and as individuals.”

Starting Lineup

The Rebels start three sophomores, 5-foot-11 forward Sarah Gordon, point guard Jill Gaylard and guard Grayson Hudgens. Senior guard Anna Towry and 5-11 junior forward Mallory Cowan round out the starting lineup.

Junior Ally Perry, 5-11 sophomore Jordan Madsen, eighth grader Ryleigh Martin, sophomore Rosemary Gill, and sophomore Emma Gordon, Sarah Gordon’s twin sister, are also receiving plenty of playing time. Sophomores Jule McMillan and Ava Robinson complete the varsity roster.

“We’ve got 12 on the team and we rotate 10 in consistently with our style of play,” Smelser said.

Gordon is the team’s leading scorer, averaging about 15 points per game, and Towry is right behind her, averaging nearly 14 points per game. Gaylard also is averaging in double figures.

“All three of them are playing really well, but all of the girls are playing hard and playing good defense,” Smelser said. “We’ve just got to get some more games under our belt. We’ve played some pretty good teams, but we’ve got some tests coming up.”

The Rebels are back in the same area (Class 7A, Area 5) with Hoover for the first time in three seasons.

The teams played only once during the regular season last year with Hoover posting a 64-55 victory, then the Bucs turned back the Rebels 73-64 in the state championship game.

“It’s not a great feeling to be back in the same area with them, but you’ve got to go through them at some point, so we’re going to embrace it,” Smelser said. “We’ll get more shots at them instead of just one (during the regular season). We’ll probably see them three or four times this season.

“It’s a bit exciting because it’s a pretty good rivalry, something both communities enjoy.”

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