‘I’LL NEVER FORGET THESE GIRLS’: Good Hope counts blessings in spite of title-game loss to Trinity

Published 1:48 am Saturday, March 1, 2025

BIRMINGHAM — Justin Aby spoke about his team with fondness and with pride.

It didn’t matter that Friday’s outcome didn’t go according to plan — his Raiders’ bid for back-to-back Class 4A state crowns ended with a 67-27 loss to Trinity — and watching the Wildcats celebrate in similar fashion Good Hope did a season ago certainly didn’t dampen the many wonderful moments and accomplishments the sixth-year head coach shared with this year’s talented group.

Sometimes, a tip of the cap is all that’s needed.

“We played a great team,” Aby said of top-ranked Trinity, who had won the previous two Class 3A state titles prior to reclassification. “I think they could compete in any classification. I don’t think that today was our best performance, so we fell short. But that’s part of basketball and that’s part of life. I don’t think it takes anything away from us. We had an outstanding season and played some of the best teams in the state. Trinity was just the better team today.

“God is great and God is good. We won this thing by 30 last year and lost by 40 this year, but He’s great regardless of wins or losses.”

No. 4 Good Hope trailed 15-9 midway through the opening quarter following a jumper by Ava McSwain.

Trinity’s suffocating defense locked in after that, though, holding the Raiders without a made bucket for 16:04 of game time en route to constructing a 52-11 cushion — Good Hope’s lone points during that stretch came via a pair of Ava McSwain free throws — midway through the third period.

For the contest, Aby’s squad made only 11 shots on 39 attempts and turned the ball over 21 times, which Trinity converted into 33 points on the other end.

“I really don’t know any weaknesses they have, and if anybody does, please inform me,” Aby said with a laugh. “They’re very well-coached.”

McSwain racked up a team-high 15 points, while Lucie Adams totaled six. Lexi Marshall, Jolee McHan and Ella Gossett rounded out the offensive contributions with two apiece.

McSwain and McHan netted spots on the All-Tournament team — and Aby made a special point to bestow praise on the pair of seniors after the game.

“These two girls helped bring us our first state championship in any sport,” he said. “And for them to bring their teammates back to this spot … to say that I’m proud would be an understatement. Y’all see two great basketball players — I do as well — but I see even better people. They’re going to do great things in life.”

Added McSwain: “I thank God for getting us back here. And at the end of the day, I’m not going to let this game beat us up. Basketball doesn’t define us; we’re going to move on, be OK and trust God.”

TOP-TIER PROGRAM

Friday’s loss certainly doesn’t detract from Good Hope’s recent résumé under Aby.

The Raiders have racked up 122 wins against only 16 losses over the past four seasons — winning four county titles, four area crowns, two Northwest Regional trophies and a state championship during that impressive stretch, which also includes countless victories over high-level competition.

Those many achievements, though, pale in comparison to the fellowship forged along the way.

“I don’t know of another school like Good Hope,” a tearful McHan said. “You’ll never understand the bond of a group of girls. We can be dramatic sometimes, but being so close to them and being best friends is such a God thing. I’ll never forget these girls or what we did.”

SAYING GOODBYE

McSwain played in her final high school basketball game on Friday — and what a journey it’s been.

The UAH signee capped her outstanding varsity career, which started as a seventh-grader at Cullman, with 2,529 points (former teammate Ivey Maddox is Cullman County’s all-time leading girls scorer with 2,792 points) and several individual accolades across six seasons.

McSwain, who will play in the Alabama-Mississippi All-Star Game in March, said she is grateful for her time with the Raiders and has no regrets about how they competed.

“I couldn’t have done any of this without my team,” McSwain said. “I’m just super proud of them. We’ve worked super hard both years — winning it all last year and then making it back this year. I’m especially proud of this year. We kind of had a chip on our shoulder. Everybody was saying we wouldn’t get back to Birmingham or even win county … and we did. I enjoyed playing high school basketball so much, but I’ve got to get ready for college and UAH now.”

SUPPORT STAFF

Aby wasted little time doling out thanks in the postgame press conference.

“Shoutout to my assistant coaches — coach (Jody) Maddox, coach (Nina) Moss and coach (Beth) Taylor,” Aby said. “I think they are some of the best in the state with everything they do for the program. I’d better mention my wife (Raeven) as well. I think every coach’s spouse is the real MVP.”