This year’s AHSAA state cross country championship meet will take place Saturday morning at Oakville Indian Mounds in Moulton.

Races will begin at 8:30 a.m. with Class 1A-2A girls and end around 12:30 p.m. following the 7A boys division. Awards will be divided into two slates — 1A, 2A, 4A and 6A at 10:30 a.m. and 5A and 7A after the final race.

St. Bernard, Cullman and Cold Springs will have both cross country teams represented at the annual showdown, while Vinemont, Fairview, West Point and Hanceville will all field a boys squad.

There will also be many local individual runners donning their school colors, having qualified for the state meet with solid times at their respective sectionals.

Girls Basketball

% Poplar County 48, Cullman 37: The Lady Bearcats came out tight and never quite recovered in a season-opening loss on the first day of the Lady Dolphin Preseason Tip-Off Tournament in Panama City on Thursday.

The Black and Gold fell behind 12-5, 19-7 and 32-19 at the quarter breaks before popping off for 18 points in the final frame.

“I had a very nervous bunch, hence the slow first half,” coach Jonathan Hayes said. “I though we did a much better job in the second half offensively and rebounding.”

Anna Bowden led all Bearcats with 13 points, while Christina Skinner tossed in 10. Madison Cobbs tallied seven, Sierra Easterwood notched six and Laura Lindsey made a free throw in the loss.

Cullman will continue tourney Friday at 7:30 p.m. against Mosley High.