Vina, Belgreen open area play

By Staff
Scot Beard
VINA – The high school basketball season begins tonight for many teams across the state, and few of the games are as important as the ones between Vina and Belgreen.
Both schools are in Class 1A, Area 15 and are looking to get an early advantage in the race for the area title.
Though most schools tend to play a few games before playing area opponents, but the Red Devils and Bulldogs had to begin area play early because of the size of the area.
Many areas throughout the state feature only four or five teams, which means the schools in those areas only play six or eight area games.
Class 1A, Area 15 – which has six schools – requires members to play 10 area games. Since the Alabama High School Athletic Association limits the number of regular-season games a varsity basketball team can play to 20 contests, there is little room to play with the schedule.
Belgreen opened its season last Tuesday against Covenant Christian, but this will be the first game for the Red Devils. The games begin at 5 p.m.
Other teams in action
All of the Phil Campbell basketball teams will travel to Phillips tonight. The opening tip – for the 7/8 boys is scheduled for 3 p.m. followed by the junior varsity girls, the ninth grade boys, junior varsity boys, varsity girls and the varsity boys.
Tharptown, which opened its season Thursday night, will be back on the court tonight against Hatton. The games begin at 3:30 p.m.
The Russellville and Red Bay varsity girls will open their season Saturday night against each other. The game is scheduled to begin at 6:15 p.m.