Area Hoops Stars Make All-State Teams; TAPP Nears Completion

Let's get your week started Tuscaloosa!

In today's Daily, we have an update on the newest park currently under construction in Tuscaloosa, along with an update on Alabama's Sweet Sixteen matchup with UCLA and a list of both the girls and boys All-State basketball teams.

First, today's weather:

Tuscaloosa can expect a comfortable sunny day, with a high near 68 degrees an a low around 41.

Tuscaloosa Daily is made possible in part by Patch sponsor JamisonMoneyFarmer. To become a sponsor of Tuscaloosa Daily or the Tuscaloosa Patch website, email ryan.phillips@patch.com.

Patch Pick: Work on The Tuscaloosa All-Inclusive Playground Project (TAPP) is coming along nicely and nearly complete. Here's a glimpse at the new playground, which places emphasis on inclusivity for children with special needs and disabilities. Click here to see more photos on our Facebook and see how many references to Tuscaloosa landmarks you can spot in the park's architecture.

Here are the top 5 stories today in Tuscaloosa

1. Despite one of the most memorable shots in Alabama men's basketball history by senior Alex Reese to send the game to overtime, the Crimson Tide ran out of steam in the extra frame against the No 11 seed UCLA Bruins in the Sweet Sixteen on Sunday, losing 88-78 to close out a historic 2021 season.

2. Gov. Kay Ivey on Monday will visit some of the areas hardest hit by tornadoes in the last two weeks, including a stop in Hale County.(WBRC Fox 6 News)

3. Here's an interesting read from Jacob Powell on the fourth anniversary of the release of the podcast 'S-Town.' It's subject John B. McLemore brought nationwide attention to the small west Alabama town of Woodstock and has become one of the most popular podcasts ever released. (Crimson White)

4. Mya Johnson tells the story of Greensboro police officer Eric Wiggins, who sustained damage at his home in Hale County while out helping others during the storm. (ABC 33/40)

5. The Tuscaloosa City Council on Tuesday is set to vote City Council on whether to award an $18,260 contract to Tuscaloosa-based Knight Sign Industries Inc. to build a new sign and change the wording for what is now known as the Hilliard N. Fletcher Water Resource Recovery Facility, Jason Morton reports. (Tuscaloosa News)

Tuscaloosa Patch Notebook

- Registration is now open for eSports through Tuscaloosa County Park & Recreation Authority (PARA) with two separate leagues each for NBA 2K21 and Rocket League. One league will be for those 18 and older, with another for those 17 and under. Click here for more.

- The mobile pop-up farmers market from the city of Tuscaloosa will kick off Thursday, April 1 at the McAbee Activity Center, before running at a rotating list of sites until September. Click here for more.

- The Tuscaloosa County Board of Education will have its regular meeting tonight, which will include a measure for a proposed access road for the new Northport Intermediate School.

- The following west Alabama athletes made All-State from the Alabama High School Athletic Association:

Boys

• Bryson Hall, Tuscaloosa County, Sr. (7A, 3rd Team)
• Martavious Russell, Sipsey Valley, Jr. (5A, 1st Team)
• Taevon Goode, Central-Tuscaloosa, Sr. (5A, Honorable Mention
• Hudson Thrasher, American Christian, Sr. (4A, Honorable Mention)
• Jamarion Ryans, Hale County, Jr. (3A, 2nd Team)
• Logan Feltman, Winfield (3A, 3rd Team)
• Javion Belle, Pickens County, Jr. (1A, 2nd Team)
• Jaylon Jones, Pickens County, Sr. (1A, 3rd team)
• Sam Rowley, Tuscaloosa Academy, Sr. (AISA, 1st Team)
• Walker McKee, Tuscaloosa Academy, So. (AISA, 2nd Team)
• Montae Callaway, North River Christian, Jr. (AISA, 3rd Team)

Girls

• Kylera Warren, Central-Tuscaloosa, So. (5A, 2nd Team)
• Zharia Hubbard, Dora, Sr. (3A, 2nd Team)
• Emma Kate Tittle, Winfield, Jr. (3A, 1st Team)
• Adriana Jones, Greensboro, Jr. (3A, 3rd Team0
• Timya Thurman, Linden, So. (1A, 1st Team)
• Erin Culp, Marion County, Jr., (1A, 2nd Team)
• Alaysia Burns, Linden, Jr., (1A, 3rd Team)
• Brooke Hill, Berry, Sr., (1A, 3rd Team)
• Willesha Lang, Tuscaloosa Academy, So., (AISA, 1st Team)
• Lauren Richmond, Tuscaloosa Academy, Sr. (AISA, 3rd Team)

Now you're ready to start off this sunny Monday, but don't miss out the rest of the day or through the week. Be sure to follow me on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for more!

Also, be sure to stay weather-aware today, especially through the early hours into the afternoon.

- Ryan

About me: I grew up in Tuscaloosa. I'm a graduate of the University of Alabama, an experienced journalist, editor and columnist and the founder of Tuscaloosa Patch. You can find me at baseball games, public meetings, events in the local arts community and wherever live music is played!