This is an opinion piece.

As we head into 2024 in the next few days, here is a look at some of the high school stories that made headlines in the state of Alabama in 2023.

There were big victories, big coaching hires, streaks ending and tragic losses.

Here’s a look at my Top 10 high school stories of 2023.

10. Hazel Green’s six-pack

Date: March 4

The Hazel Green girls basketball team beat Huffman 53-40 in the Class 6A championship game at BJCC Legacy Arena to win its sixth straight state title. The Trojans became the first basketball team in the state – boys or girls – to win six straight state titles. Earlier in the year, Tim Miller’s team broke the AHSAA girls record for consecutive victories at 87. The Trojans finished the year 36-1.

9. Hoover baseball coach misses season

Date: Jan. 18

The AHSAA’s Central Board of Control denied an appeal by Hoover High School that could have allowed baseball coach Adam Moseley to lead the Bucs in 2023. Moseley was one of the coaches on the USA Baseball Under 18 National Team in September 2022. The roster for that team, which won the gold medal, included one of his Hoover players. According to an AHSAA bylaw written and voted into the constitution by member schools, a coach in any sport cannot coach one of his players in competition outside of season during the school year. Since the games took place in September, a violation took place. When this happens, according to the AHSAA rule book, it “renders that student or the offending coach ineligible in the sport in which the violation occurred for that school season.” Moseley did indeed sit out the entire 2023 season. He will be back on the bench for the Bucs in 2024.

8. Star players on the move

Dates: Various

Multiple standout high school football players changed schools before or even during the 2023 season. The highest profile transfers were likely Alabama signee Sterling Dixon and 4-star Spain Park DE Jared Smith. Dixon transferred from Mobile Christian to Class 6A Spanish Fort in August. Smith transferred from Spain Park to rival Thompson in late October. Despite suffering a shoulder injury, Dixon finished with 128 tackles, including 32 for a loss, and this week was named one of three finalists for Class 6A Lineman of the Year. Smith, a junior, dressed out but did not play during Thompson’s run to the Class 7A championship game.

7. Hoover coaching change

Date: Dec. 12

For the second time in three years, Hoover – the most recognizable football program in Alabama over the last two decades – is looking for a new head coach. Wade Waldrop stepped down earlier this month and was later named head coach at Orange Beach High. Waldrop followed ultra-successful tenures by Rush Propst and Josh Niblett with the Bucs but lasted just two seasons. Hoover is still looking for Waldrop’s replacement.

6. Heading out of state

Date: Various

Two of the top basketball players in Alabama decided to leave the state to play their final seasons. Labaron Philon, the reigning Mr. Basketball in Alabama, transferred from Baker High in Mobile to Link Academy in Missouri in June. He later signed to play basketball at Kansas next year. Chase McCarty announced in July he was leaving Westminster Christian to play at IMG Academy in Florida. He signed with Houston.

5. Rush Propst returns (twice)

Dates: Jan. 16, March 31

Rush Propst returned to coaching in Alabama for the first time since leaving Hoover in 2007. Propst was first named associate head coach and athletic director at Coosa Christian in Gadsden in January. However, in March, he was hired as the new head coach at Pell City. His first Panther team went 1-9. They had to forfeit a second win over Center Point due to an eligibility issue. They lost the last two games by three points each – 41-38 to Pinson Valley in 2 OTs and 31-28 to Springville in OT.

4. Sophomore wins Mr. Football

Date: Jan. 12

Saraland wide receiver Ryan Williams became the first sophomore – and just the second underclassman – to win the Alabama Sports Writers Association’s Mr. Football award. The Alabama commit accounted for 42 touchdowns in 2022, leading Saraland to its first state title. Beauregard running back La’Damian Webb is the only other underclassman to win the award. He won as a junior in 2016.

3. The streak finally ends

Date: Nov. 1

The Bayside Academy volleyball team’s streak of 21 consecutive state titles ended following a five-set loss to Mountain Brook in the Class 6A semifinals. Ann Schilling’s team captured AHSAA volleyball state championships – in Class 2A, 3A, 4A, 5A and 6A – winning 67 straight Elite Eight state championship tournament matches during the record-setting, nation-best streak.

2. Dadeville athlete killed in mass shooting

Date: April 15

Dadeville High senior and Jacksonville State football commit Philstavious Dowdell was one of four people killed in a shooting at his sister’s birthday party in Dadeville. Thirty-two others were injured. Dowdell, 18, was a first-team All-State defensive back. He also played basketball and ran track, winning the 100 and 200-meter 3A state championships in the spring of 2022. Six suspects were later arrested in the shootings, which occurred at the Mahogany Masterpiece Dance Studio.

1. Star basketball player Caleb White dies

Date: Aug. 10

Pinson Valley senior Caleb White died after collapsing during a pickup basketball game at school. White was just 17. One of three finalists for 6A player of the year in 2023, he had just started his senior year at Pinson Valley. He averaged 20.9 points, 3.8 rebounds, 3.1 assists and 1.9 steals as a junior and likely would have been a leading Mr. Basketball candidate this season. His team is honoring him during its season this year.

Thought for the Week

“I’ve missed more than 9,000 shots in my career I’ve lost almost 300 games. 26 times I’ve been trusted to take the game winning shot and missed. I’ve failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed.” — Michael Jordan.

Ben Thomas is the high school sportswriter at AL.com. He has been named one of the 50 legends of the Alabama Sports Writers Association. Follow him on twitter at @BenThomasPreps or email him at [email protected]. He can be heard weekly on “Inside High School Sports” on SportsTalk 99.5 FM in Mobile or on the free IHeart Radio App at 2 p.m. Wednesdays.