Hoover Reloads With Length and Three Captains
The Hoover High School boys basketball team returns with tall players and a three-captain leadership group for the 2026-27 season.
Updated on Nov. 9, 2026 in Basketball
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Hoover High School's boys basketball team, which went 25-11 last season and lost the Class 7A state championship game to Tuscaloosa County 65-54, is reloading for 2026-27. The team has selected Mike Gates, Ericson Washington and Joe White as captains.
Why it matters
The roster returns several tall players, including a 6-foot-9 senior, as the program moves into a new classification. The reclassification places Hoover in Class 6A, Area 5 alongside Thompson, Prattville and Tuscaloosa County.
KJ Steele is a 6-foot-9 senior, Xavier Smith is a 6-foot-8 sophomore, and Kaiden Newberry is a 6-foot-5 junior transfer from Georgia. The program's previous team finished 35-0 before graduation.
The players
Hoover High School
A public high school in Hoover, Alabama, whose boys basketball program competes in the Alabama High School Athletic Association.
Tuscaloosa County High School
A public high school in Tuscaloosa County, Alabama, that won the 2026 Class 7A state championship over Hoover and is also in Hoover's new Class 6A, Area 5.
The details
Hoover reached the Class 7A state championship game after winning two games at the Northeast Regional and beating Fairhope in the state semifinals. The team selected three captains to reflect a mix of young and experienced players, and senior Myre Dickerson will join when the football season ends.
Timeline
Oct. 19: Under the Lights Basketball Media Day was held, where Ware spoke.
Thanksgiving: Hoover plays in the Jag Classic at Spain Park.
Dec. 21-23: The Big Orange Classic is held at home.
Jan. 8: Area play opens at Tuscaloosa County.
Season Trajectory
The AHSAA reclassification places Hoover in Class 6A, Area 5 with Thompson, Prattville and Tuscaloosa County, reshaping its path after a 25-11 season that ended in a 7A title loss. Hoover's reloading roster sets up a new competitive test within the state's revised classification structure.
Fans following Hoover's fantasy or scouting interests should note that the Class 6A, Area 5 slate now includes Tuscaloosa County, the team that beat Hoover for the 7A title. Tickets and schedule details for the Big Orange Classic and Area opener are the practical items to track.
The takeaway
Hoover's reloaded roster and new classification make its 2026-27 season a useful test of how the program adjusts after a strong run. Follow the Area 5 schedule to see how the team measures up against familiar state opponents.
What happens next
Area play opens at Tuscaloosa County on Jan. 8, and Hoover's Big Orange Classic runs Dec. 21-23 at home.
Further reading
For more local high school coverage, see Basketball on Wisevoter.
Source note: This article includes information reported by HooverSun.
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