Hoover Edges Saraland 66-60 in Tip-Off Classic
LJ Williams led Hoover with 27 points and 15 rebounds in the season-opening win at the McGill-Toolen Tip-Off Classic in Mobile.
Updated on Nov. 6, 2026 in Basketball
Hoover defeated Saraland 66-60 in the first night of the basketball season at the McGill-Toolen Tip-Off Classic in Mobile. Hoover took the lead on a 3-point play in the lane by KJ Steele on the first possession of the fourth quarter, and Xavier Smith made a layup at the buzzer to finish the six-point win.
Why it matters
The result opens the season for two programs with recent postseason success, as Hoover reached last season's state championship game and Saraland reached the Class 6A semifinals a year ago. Early results from the Tip-Off Classic offer a first look at both rosters.
LJ Williams posted 27 points with 15 rebounds, one block and one steal, while Michael Gates added 24 points for Hoover. Hoover's late-game free throws and the closing layup by Xavier Smith decided a game that was closely contested through the fourth quarter.
The players
Hoover High School
Hoover High School is a public high school in the Hoover, Alabama area that has won three consecutive Class 7A state basketball championships before last season.
Saraland High School
Saraland High School is a public high school in Saraland, Alabama that reached the Class 6A basketball semifinals a year ago.
LJ Williams
LJ Williams is a 6-foot-8, 228-pound junior forward for Hoover who is drawing recruiting interest, including an official visit to Ole Miss.
The details
Hoover built a 15-1 run in the first half before holding off Saraland in the second half. The teams were tied through much of the fourth quarter before Steele's 3-point play gave Hoover the lead, and Michael Gates made a free throw while Smith's buzzer-beating layup finished the 66-60 final.
Timeline
Nov. 6, 2026: Hoover defeats Saraland 66-60 in the McGill-Toolen Tip-Off Classic in Mobile.
This weekend: LJ Williams makes an official visit to Ole Miss in Oxford.
Season Trajectory
Hoover's three consecutive Class 7A state titles and last season's championship-game appearance set high expectations for this season. An early win over Saraland, which reached the Class 6A semifinals a year ago, offers an initial measure of both programs as the season begins.
The result sets early seeding and scoring expectations for both programs in the regional race. Williams's visit to Ole Miss this weekend is the next recruiting milestone for the Hoover forward.
The takeaway
Early-season tournaments like the McGill-Toolen Tip-Off Classic give programs and fans a first look at rotations before conference play begins. Watching how a team closes tight games can reveal more than the final margin alone.
What happens next
LJ Williams is scheduled to make an official visit to Ole Miss in Oxford this weekend.
Further reading
Find more coverage of teams and games in our Basketball section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Al.
