6 things to know before the high school basketball season tips off

While the football playoffs are just now getting started, November 6 also officially marks the start of high school basketball season in Alabama with several teams hitting the court Thursday night.

Last season delivered some historic marks for AHSAA basketball but it’s time for new names + faces to take over on the hardwood.

Here are 8 things you need to know before things get started.

Reigning state champions

Recapping the 2025 AHSAA basketball championships [PHOTOS]

Last year’s championship week in Birmingham featured 5 repeat champions + 5 first-time champions across the boys’ and girls’ title games.

Now, all of those teams have the same goal: retaining that blue map.

Here are the defending state champions:

Hoover dynasties

Prior to 2023, just five schools in the history of the AHSAA had won the boys and girls state championships in the same season. But now, that list has grown to 8 because of one school.

Hoover has won both titles at the 7A level in three straight seasons.

The girls team won its fifth straight title in 2024 + its seventh championship in the last nine seasons. The only other 7A girls team to win a state championship since 2017 is Spain Park—which is located in Hoover.

Meanwhile, the boys team has started a streak of its own, winning the last three 7A championships.

Last season, the Bucs went 35-0, the first team to ever go undefeated at the 7A level. They enter this season on a 45-game winning streak, 28 games shy of the AHSAA record set by Parrish from 1943-47.

New era at Hazel Green

Last year saw the end of Hazel Green’s streak at the top of the Class 6A girls basketball world as a new champion was crowned for the first time since 2017.

The Trojans lost in the semifinals but the team was already counting down the days until the next trip to Birmingham. Then, the shocking news that Tim Miller was retiring hit.

After 26 seasons, 780 wins and a state record 11 state championships, Miller hung up his whistle to move into an administration role with St. John Paul II.

Hazel Green still looks to be the same powerhouse in 6A under new coach Demetrius Miller.

Coaching milestones

Speaking of impressive coaching numbers, there’s still a trio of coaches who could reach historic milestones this season.

While Ace Austin may be gone, Ricky Austin is ready for another season at Spring Garden. Last season, he surpassed the 1,000-win mark as a girls and boys coach but this year, he has a chance to become just the third coach in AHSAA history with at least 800 wins as a girls coach.

Austin also has a chance to become just the third coach in AHSAA history to win 10 state championships. Pisgah’s Carey Ellison is chasing that same mark.

Hoover’s Krystle Johnson may not be at the top of the state championship lists (yet) but she has the chance to become the second coach in AHSAA history to lead a team to six straight titles.

Mr. and Miss Basketball

Ace Austin is now at Alabama after becoming the first play to ever win consecutive Miss Basketball awards. Also moved on to the college level is DeWayne Brown, who won Hoover’s first Mr. Basketball.

So there is no clear frontrunner for either award this season. Here are some names to watch for each award in 2025-26:

Dates to know

Some important days to remember on the Road to Legacy Arena:

• Nov. 6: First regular season games
• Feb. 2: Last day for area play in 1A-6A
• Feb. 7: Last day for area play in 7A
• Feb. 13: Sub-regional girls games
• Feb. 14: Sub-regional boys games
• Feb. 17-25: Regional tournaments at Garrett Coliseum, Alabama State, Jacksonville, Hanceville
• March 2-7: State basketball tournament

Who do you think wins a state championship this season? Let us know by tagging The Bama Buzz on Instagram, X, Facebook + LinkedIn.