Vestavia Hills Returns Core Trio After Area Title Run
The Rebels start the season Tuesday at home against Bob Jones, aiming to build on a 24-7 campaign last year.
By Grace Almasi ·
The Vestavia Hills High School boys basketball team opens its season Tuesday at home against Bob Jones. The squad enters the year with the same three primary leaders who guided it to an area championship last season. Head coach Patrick Davis and his staff are counting on that continuity to carry the team through a new alignment in the Alabama High School Athletic Association.
Last year began poorly. The Rebels finished November with a 0-3 record. Assistant coach Ryan Binkley described that stretch as a rough start. By February, the team had turned its fortunes around. The Rebels finished the season with a 24-7 record. They defeated Hoover 52-50 in the Class 7A, Area 6 championship game. The run ended with a one-point loss to Sparkman at the Northeast Regional.
The core of this roster consists of seniors who have grown up together in the program. Johnny Towry, a 6-foot-7 forward, and Adrian Peterson, a guard, are entering their third varsity seasons. Guard Luke Stubbs is also in his third year. Binkley noted that these three players bring a level of maturity to the team that is exciting for the coaching staff to manage.
Towry spent the offseason extending his range beyond the arc. He also worked on making better decisions with the ball rather than forcing shots. Peterson focused on finding better shooting angles and creating open looks for his teammates. The offense runs through Towry, but the group relies on shared responsibility for scoring.
The senior class provides stability for the younger players. Henry McKinnon, in his second year with the program, is expected to play heavy minutes. Austin Nelson had a strong performance last year. Collier Floyd is known for communicating constantly during practice. Junior Jake Cesnick earned playing time as a sophomore. Junior Jamari Presley offers active hands and ball-handling skills to help the team against full-court presses. Peterson identified Presley as a player ready to take the next step in his development.
The roster also includes junior Rob Friloux, who stands 6-foot-4. Juntors Price Caudell, Hudson Mote, and Jack Cowan complete the class of 2026. Sophomore Clayton Floyd rounds out the group. This depth allows the coaching staff to rotate players while maintaining intensity.
The AHSAA recently reclassified Vestavia Hills into Class 6A, Area 6. The Rebels will compete against Spain Park, Hewitt-Trussville, and Oak Mountain. Area play begins on Jan. 8 with a home game against Hewitt-Trussville. The team must adjust to the mandatory 35-second shot clock. Binkley said the Rebels intend to play with pace and identify good shots earlier in each possession. Defensively, the team plans to use variety and intelligence to disrupt opponents.
The schedule includes a trip to the 48th annual Sneaky Pete’s Rebel Classic over Thanksgiving week. The team will host Leeds, Albertville, and Shades Valley. In December, the Rebels face Mountain Brook and Homewood at home. They also plan an annual trip to Kentucky to play Henry Clay and Lexington Christian. The season concludes with the Metro Tournament at Samford after Christmas. Binkley stated that the group shows toughness and does the right things every day.
The team’s experience provides a foundation for the upcoming season. The coaching staff emphasizes communication and execution. The players have already proven they can compete at a high level. The new season begins Tuesday.
