West Alabama Friday Briefing

It is Friday March 22, 2024.

Scattered showers will move in across West Alabama as the day goes along but that's ok, there is plenty of NCAA March Madness to watch today.  Take the afternoon off, grab a soda and some popcorn there is plenty of action involving State of Alabama and Southeastern Conference teams.

In Men's Tournament Games:

#12 seed UAB gets it started at 12:45 when they tackle #5 San Diego State. The Aztecs are 6.5-point favorites in the latest line. The game will be televised on TNT.

#4 seed Auburn gets a challenge from #15 seed Yale in Spokane at 3:15. The game is on TNT.

#7 seed Florida could have a tough battle with #10 see Colorado at 3:30 on TNT.

#9 seed Texas A&M faces an old Southwest Conference for in #8 seed Nebraska at 3:30 on TNT.

#4 seed Alabama plays #13 seed Charleston, a team that is almost a mirror images, except they play better defense than Bama. Tip is at 6:30 on Trutv and Tide 100.9/95.3 The Bear.

On the Women's Side:

Albany Bracket:

#1 see South Carolina plays #16 seed Presbyterian at Albany at 1:00.

#3 seed LSU, the defending National Champions plays #14 seed Rice at 3:00.

#7 seed Ole Miss versus #10 seed Marquette at 3:45.

#11 seed Texas A&M challenges #6 seed Nebraska at 9:30.

Portland Bracket:

#6 seed Tennessee faces #11 seed Green Bay at 11:00*

#8 seed Alabama takes on #9 seed Florida State at 4:30.*

#12 seed Vanderbilt challenges #5 seed Baylor at 5:00.*

* Games on ESPN Networks

The Forecast:

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Topping the News:

Northport and Tuscaloosa streets were the scene of a number of shots fired earlier this week. A Tuscaloosa man has been charged with attempted murder after he allegedly followed another man from Northport to southeast Tuscaloosa before opening fire on his truck three separate times.

According to a new deposition filed this week, on Monday night, 28-year-old Jose Aldredo Garcia, Jr. chased his victim, who was driving a pickup truck, from somewhere in Northport to the 6500 Block of Hargrove East - a ten-mile drive depending on where it began north of the Black Warrior.

After the victim pulled over Garcia reportedly turned around and fire again.

The victim's vehicle was struck several times during the attack, and he reportedly drove away to a family member's residence - police say Garcia followed and opened fire a third time before leaving the scene.

NAACP - Alabama President Bernard Similton believes the ban on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion offices on university and college campuses, K12 schools, and in state agencies is moving race relations in Alabama backwards.

Similton say some colleges are looking for work arounds to provide some type of program. Legal action may be taken.

Carlee Russell, the young woman who has admitted she lied about being kidnapped on I459 in Hoover last year, has pleaded guilty. She was sentenced to pay more than $17,000 restitution and do 100 days of community service.

Hoover Police Chie Nick Derzis is voicing disappointment that Russell will not do jail time and says the restitution does not come close to covering the some $40,000 spent in the search for her.

Dustin Patrick Weldon has been charged with second-degree kidnapping and false reporting to Walker County law enforcement authorities. He allegedly kidnapped a woman with whom he was acquainted in the Empire community in Walker County

Local, state and federal law enforcement continue to investigate a fake social media post yesterday that claimed there was an ongoing active-shooter incident at Hillcrest Middle School.

Tuscaloosa County Schools quickly disavowed the rumor. They stated there was law enforcement at the school, but it had nothing to do with a shooter or even a weapon of any kind.

Using the internet to make a false report is a federal crime.

Ground was broken on the new Tuscaloosa Fire Station #6 yesterday. The new station will be located at the Hargrove Road and Loop Road Intersection. It is expected to be occupied this time next year.

Gaineswood in Demopolis was constructed over an 18-year period (1843-1861), It evolved from a two-room “dogtrot” cabin into a Greek Revival style mansion.

The National Historic Landmark is now a recipient of the Americana Corner Preserving America grant program, an online resource focused on the founding of our nation.  The Friends of Gaineswood applied for grant funding to improve visibility of the house museum and educate visitors through additional interpretive and directional signage.

Demopolis High School has been named a CLAS School of Distinction and a National Model School. The recognition comes from The Center for Model Schools and the Council for Leaders in Alabama Schools.

Topping the Sports News:

Alabama Head Basketball Coach Nate Oats has told reporters, if Alabama does not play defense in tonight's first round NCAA Tournament game in Spokane, WA, they may well end up being sent home.

Sounding a bit frustrated, Oats said, "Our defense isn't what I would have liked for it to be or what our program has kind of set the standard to be," Oats said Thursday. "I think we're capable of beating anyone in the country, and we're going to have to come out and guard this week."

The 4th seeded Tide faces 13 seeded Charleston. Bama leads the nation is scoring but the Cougars, who similarly run and gun, are not far behind in scoring.

The Tide should have all of its starters health for the 6:35 tipoff.

The 8th seeded Bama women have their work cut out for them in a 4:30 game today against 9th seeded Florida State. The game is being played in Portland, OR.

From UA Athletics: The Alabama-Georgia baseball game scheduled for Friday, March 22, has been moved to Saturday as part of a doubleheader at Foley Field.

The two teams agreed on the change due to the threat of incoming inclement weather on Friday evening. Saturday's doubleheader will begin at 11 a.m. CT with game two set to start approximately 45 minutes after the final out of game one. Both contests will be nine inning affairs.

Fans holding tickets for Saturday's originally scheduled game will be admitted only to game one of the doubleheaders. Fans with tickets for Friday's game will be admitted only to the second game of the doubleheader on Saturday. The first two games of the series are sold out with limited tickets remaining for Sunday's contest. Sunday's series finale will remain as scheduled for a 12 p.m. first pitch in Athens.

From UA Athletics: No. 13/15 Alabama (24-5) steps out of conference play this weekend, hosting No. 16/12 Virginia Tech (24-4-1) for a pair of games at Rhoads Stadium on Friday, March 22 at 6 p.m. and Saturday, March 23 at 1 p.m.

Enjoy your weekend and ROLL TIDE!!