meet the bulldogs takes place:

  HANCEVILLE - An opportunity for the public to see them before the 2017-18 season begins Thursday, Hanceville held its annual "Meet the Bulldogs" event inside Lane Horton Gymnasium Monday night.
  Hanceville will get Fairview to visit for the opener with the Lady Bulldogs and Bulldogs optimistic of being successful for the upcoming season.
  Hanceville is the defending 3A, Area 13 champions while the Lady Bulldogs played very competitive last season against Oakman, Carbon Hill and Vinemont in area play.
  The varsity teams were joined by the junior varsity squads in displaying drills for 10 minute segments. The Bulldogs went into a 6-minute controlled scrimmage as the White team edged the Purple 13-10.
  Coach Daniel Wakefield spoke to the crowd on being proud how the Bulldogs worked in the summer, getting 15 wins against two losses.
  The Bulldogs do have experience with Brendan Flanigan and R.J. Evans leading the way plus Damion Johnson and Josh Stanley. 
  Romeal Simmons and Fred Ellis are unlikely to play in the opener, due to injuries they experienced in football.
  Simmons played the first half of last Friday's finale with Good Hope, then did not take any snap in the second half with an undisclosed injury.
  The Lady Bulldogs welcome the addition of Kelly Pickett to the lineup. The former Good Hope point guard will be in command of an experienced team for Christina Watson, in her fourth season at her alma mater.
  Karmen Johnson in the post is the only senior the team has. They do bring back experience from  last season in guards Kierra Merriweather, Cassidy Campbell and Malia Howell, plus Lauren Roberson as a forward.
   For next week, Hanceville is scheduled to play at Dora on the 14th at J.B. Pennington the 16th and vs. West Point the 17th. Those games are pending due to each in the AHSAA football playoffs.
  Watson will have her Lady Bulldogs compete in the Encore Thanksgiving Classic at Hartselle the 18th with a first round game vs. Danville.
   Coach Wakefield will welcome seven other schools to Lane Horton Gym for the 35th Hanceville Thanksgiving Tournament.
   The event will include Cold Springs, Corner, Dora, Curry, Tarrant, Mortimer Jordan and Jefferson Christian.
   Games will be played on the 21st, 22nd and 24th.
   Hanceville opens us area play December 1st at home vs. Oakman.

Photo 1: Hanceville Principal Jimmy Collins addresses the crowd at Meet the Bulldogs,
Photo 2: Hanceville cheerleaders perform during Meet the Bulldogs night.
Photo 3: The crowd that attend Hanceville's Meet the Bulldogs event.
Photo 4: Kierrra Merriweather (5), Malia Howell (14) lead the way in shooting drill.
Photo 5: Coach Daniel Wakefield about to toss up ball in Bulldogs' controlled scrimmage.
Sportspage photos by Johnny Thornton

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