HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (WHNT) – It’s hard to believe because it looks like fall sports season has just started, but basketball season will be here before we know it! And in just a few months, a handful of Huntsville-area teams will take to the field to take on Birmingham-area teams.
This is part of the 256 vs. 205 challenge. For two weeks, teams will cycle back and forth between the two cities to compete against each other and earn points for their overall city score. At the end of the two weeks, a city will be crowned champion.
Huntsville, Grissom, James Clemens, Sparkman, Muscle Shoals, Haleyville, Florence and Gadsen will represent 256 and on Monday teams spoke of the excitement of the new opportunity.
“Everybody knows the state is known for football so I think we have that challenge right now and we’re showing the best and everybody’s talking about north and south and who’s the best, who’s got top teams, so I think it’s a good vibe for the state,” James Clemens head basketball coach Frankie Sullivan said.
“In North Alabama, night after night, you have to be ready to play. We’re excited to build excitement and try to promote our sport in the state,” added Sparkman Basketball Head Coach Jamie Coggins.
“It’s a great opportunity for us to play a very meaningful game in mid-January and it’s not going to be a zone game,” Muscle Shoals head basketball coach Neal Barker said.
The challenge begins on January 16 and ends on February 4.