Alabama

Alabama Basketball Loses To Florida

Published

1 year ago

March 16, 2025

The 5th ranked Alabama Crimson Tide fell to the 4th ranked Florida Gators 102-84 on Saturday in the semifinals of the SEC Tournament. The Gators may very well be the best team in the country. The Tide fell to 25-8 overall while Florida improved to 29-4. The loss was Alabama second to the Gators in the last two weeks. Bama played a strong, spirited, first half, but UF proved too much in the second period and ran away with the game.
The Tide continued with their starting lineup of Mark Sears, Labaron Philon, Chris Youngblood, Grant Nelson, and Clifford Omoruyi. The contest was back and forth for the entirety of the half, with the Tide having as much as a six point lead and the Gators never leading by more than three points.

A cold spell over the last two minutes by the Tide allowed Florida to take a 47-45 lead into the locker room. Alabama also took a hobbled Sears and Nelson into the halftime break. Sears’ ankle did allow him to continue, but Nelson’s knee kept him out of the second half. It is yet to be determined how serious the injury is, and how long it may keep Nelson out.

In the half the Tide shot 17-35 for 49% with 5-17 from three point range and made only 5-11 free throws. Bama had 20 rebounds, two blocks, 10 assists, three steals, and five turnovers. The game was tight despite Philon being held scoreless and Sears not making a single three point shot. Nelson had a strong half prior to his injury with nine points, three rebounds, one assist, a block, and a steal. Jarin Stevenson had nine points. Omoruyi scored eight and Sears added seven points.

Florida shot 18-38 for 47%, 6-15 from three, and 5-9 at the charity stripe. The Gators grabbed 22 rebounds, had seven assists, four steals, and six turnovers. Dynamic guard Walter Clayton, Jr, led the charge with 12 points.

Things got away quickly in the second half, and the Tide never had a chance. Florida did as they pleased and went on an 11-0 run that ballooned to 17-2 over several minutes. When asked about why he didn’t call a timeout during the stretch, Oats said “what do you want me to say, play harder? We had already told them we needed to do that, they have to figure out it they want to be then hardest playing team on the floor or not.”

The Tide shot only 11-32 for 34% in the second half with 6-18 from deep and were 9-12 at the free throw line. Overall the team finished 28-67 for 42%, 11-35 for 31% from three, and 15-23 for 65% at the free throw line. Bama tallied 38 rebounds, 14 assists, four blocks, four steals, and 10 total turnovers. Youngblood’s 14 points led the scoring. Omoruyi scored 12 points put was only able to grab one rebound. Mo Dioubate scored 12 points and had 12 rebounds, five offensively, and added a block and a pair of steals. Stevenson scored 10 and had five rebounds as his improved play continues. Sears, Nelson, and Aden Holloway contributed nine points each.

Florida shot 19-34 for 56% in the second half, with 6-12 from deep, and made 13-19 free throws. Overall the Gators shot 37-72 for 51%, 12-27 for 44% from three, and made 18-28 free throws. UF had 43 rebounds, 17 assists, four blocks, eight steals, and seven turnovers. Clayton scored 22 to lead six players in double figures. Will Richard and Alijah Martin were next with 16 each.

Next up is selection Sunday. The Tide should be locked in as a two seed, hopefully in a region with favorable matchups where they can try to go on another magical run toward the Final Four.

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Alabama

Alabama edge to pattern his game after 2-time Super Bowl Champ

Published

4 hours ago

April 19, 2026

Press Room

Alabama edge to pattern his game after 2-time Super Bowl Champ

Photo comes via Rodger Champion of Alabama athletics

How electric could Alabama football be on defense this season?

Alabama edge updates development of 4-star inside linebacker

The answer comes down to how many players Kane Wommack can produce to affect opposing quarterbacks in the pocket.

He returns Yhonzae Pierre, a fourth-year edge rusher, following a season where he collected eight sacks (team-high), 14.5 tackles for loss (team-high), nine quarterback hurries (team-high), and three forced fumbles. Pierre will draw much attention from offensive coaches; however, the Crimson Tide has a sophomore ready to help him on the outside.

Justin Hill, a former four-star from Cincinnati, Ohio, has made it his mission to become a complete pass rusher.

Alabama edge Justin Hill (#8) is modeling his game after a former two-time Suer Bowl Champion.

3/25/25 MFB Spring Practice
Alabama Linebacker Justin Hill (8)
Photo by Kent Gidley

He provided some excitement in 15 games last year, posting 10 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, and a pass breakup.

Former 4-star edge “will stand out” at Alabama in 2026 season, per Yhonzae Pierre

Who is Justin Hill modeling his game after?

The 6-foot-3, 244-pounder had a good spring, and the coaching staff looks at him as someone that brings speed, power, and edge-bending abilities to harass quarterbacks. Hill mentioned to reporters after A-Day that he wants to ‘go through’ quarterbacks in generating pressure.

He also wants to pattern his game after a former two-time Super Bowl Champion.

Hill detailed the former two-time Butkus Award winner he’s emulating.

“I am watching guys like Von Miller,” Hill said. “I’m watching a lot of speed to power guys.”

Hill stated Nik Bonitto of the Denver Broncos as another National Football League pass rusher he is studying. Bonitto has 37 sacks and 44 tackles for loss in four seasons with the Broncos – including a career-high 14 sacks in 2025.

Miller is one of the greatest pass rushers in the history of the league. He has 138.5 career sacks, including seven seasons with 10-plus sacks.

Miller has two Super Bowl rings, a Super Bowl Most Valuable Player honor, three first-team All-Pro honors, eight Pro Bowl nods, and is on the NFL’s 2010 All-Decade Team.

Hill learned to ‘cut it loose’ as an edge rusher from Pierre, so the combination of that and studying film on Miller should prepare him to be a force in the fall.

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Stephen M. Smith is a team writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @CoachingMSmith.

Stephen Smith is a 2015 graduate of the University of Alabama.
He is a seasoned writer that has covered Alabama football for Touchdown Alabama Magazine since 2009. Smith has extensive knowledge within the program, which has made him among the most respected journalist in his field. Throughout his career, Smith has been featured on ESPN and several other marquee outlets as an analyst.

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Alabama

YMCA of South Alabama holds Healthy Kids Day in Spanish Fort

Published

16 hours ago

April 19, 2026

Press Room

YMCA of South Alabama holds Healthy Kids Day in Spanish Fort

SPANISH FORT, Ala. (WALA) – The YMCA of South Alabama held a Healthy Kids Day at Spanish Fort Town Center Park.

Saturday’s event featured games and demonstrations, along with interactive activities featuring police and fire vehicles.

“I think just seeing so many organizations come together that serve kids, and just seeing kids have fun,” said Gwen Summer, CEO of the YMCA of South Alabama.

Marissa Rennaker, director of development for the YMCA of South Alabama, said the event exposed children to new activities.

“I think it’s been seeing all the kids laugh and try different things that they probably haven’t tried before,” Rennaker said. “There was a big group doing pickleball and yoga. We had ballet earlier, so just getting them out and exposed to things, I think it’s been great.”

The event was designed to kick off a healthy, active summer.

The YMCA of South Alabama is located at 27080 Pollard Road in Daphne.

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Alabama

Former Alabama superstar signs massive extension with NFL team

Published

1 day ago

April 18, 2026

Press Room

Former Alabama superstar signs massive extension with NFL team

Former Alabama star Will Anderson Jr. has reportedly signed a three-year, $150 million extension with the Houston Texans, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

Anderson instantly solidified himself as one of the top defensive players in football throughout his rookie campaign in 2023. The star defensive end was named as the Rookie of the Year in 2023, as Anderson’s extension will officially keep him in Houston long-term, as well as make him the highest paid non-quarterback in NFL history.

Anderson recorded an impressive 12 sacks on the Texans’ defensive line in 2025, as the former Alabama star has made history following his head turning extension with Houston.

Anderson was nothing short of a superstar throughout his time at Alabama. Houston drafted the talented lineman with the third overall pick of the 2023 NFL draft, as Anderson was widely regarded as one of the top overall selections from his class.

The former Crimson Tide superstar has officially inked a massive extension with the Texans, as Anderson will undoubtedly continue playing a critical role on Houston’s defensive line over the coming seasons.

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