TUSCALOOSA — Alabama’s basketball team took a step forward Friday night when the Crimson Tide scored the game’s final 10 points and defeated Big East member Providence, 84-75.

The Auburn swimming and diving team split its meet with Georgia on Friday at the James E. Martin Aquatics Center.

VALLEY — The Valley boys basketball team opened its season with an 84-55 win over Beulah on Friday night.

TROY — Not many people know this, but Bear Woods will get to experience a second Senior Day at Troy when the Trojans play their final home game today at 3:15 against Florida Atlantic.

LSU and Ole Miss remind me quite a bit of high school teams, although that might be an insult to high schools across the country.

DAPHNE — The homestanding Trojans drove 63 yards in six plays on their first drive against top-ranked Auburn High on Friday, taking an early 7-point lead in the Class 6A quarterfinals.

When Gene Chizik and his freshly put together staff hit the recruiting trail in full force just months before February’s National Signing Day, time wasn’t on their side.

Gene Chizik said Thursday night that any new developments in the lawsuit against running back Eric Smith will be dealt with “the right way.”

Auburn High left guard Kirk Harrison had the offensive line’s role on the Tigers down to a soundbite at practice Thursday.

Yes, Auburn certainly misses the 12-plus points per game Tay Waller typically provided last season.

Auburn (2-1) won its 15th consecutive home game Thursday as the Tigers routed the Alabama A&M Bulldogs, 83-56.

With its football team going to the playoffs, Beauregard’s boys basketball team only had six practices to get ready for its season opener.

TUSCALOOSA — At Mississippi State last Saturday, Alabama started eight seniors on defense and two more on an offensive line that is blocking for a Heisman Trophy candidate.

The Auburn swimming and diving team welcomes Georgia to the James E. Martin Aquatic Center for a big Southeastern Conference meet today.

EUFAULA — Lee-Scott’s boys and girls basketball teams swept Lakeside on the road Thursday, with the girls pulling out a squeaker, 37-35, and the boys doubling up the Chiefs, 90-45.

Auburn’s not going to reinvent the wheel during the bye week.

From just about the time Reeltown’s young men can cradle a football, they are versed in some form of the wishbone offense.

Junior-college transfer Kenny Gabriel, a swingman with range, is out indefinitely after undergoing hernia surgery Tuesday, Auburn head basketball coach Jeff Lebo said Wednesday. A timetable for his return is unknown, but it looks like it’ll be later rather than sooner.

Tonight’s opponent for the Auburn women’s basketball team served as a happy homecoming and a jumpstart to a historic season when the two teams met this time last year.

TUSCALOOSA — In an Alabama senior class full of overachievers, one name kept coming up when classmates were asked who they thought was the Most Improved Player over the last four or five years.