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PB Alabama Kickoff Classic: Preview

February 12, 2025
Austin Sharp
Alabama Scouting Director

The high school season is finally here after a long offseason, which means the fourth annual Prep Baseball Alabama Kickoff Classic is set to begin this weekend. This event will feature 13 of Alabama’s top high school programs, officially launching the 2025 high school baseball season.

Games will take place at four host sites in the Birmingham, AL area—Gardendale HS, Hoover HS, Spain Park HS, and Vestavia Hills HS—from Thursday, February 13th, through Saturday, February 15th. To provide more insight into these teams and what to expect this week, we've taken an in-depth look at each program, highlighting some of their top players, preseason classification rankings, 2024 season finish, and more.

To view the full schedule for this weekend, CLICK HERE.

To purchase GoFan tickets, use the links below. GoFan tickets are $8, while cash purchases at the gate are $10. A single ticket grants access to all four sites for the entire day.

+ Bob Jones Patriots 

Head Coach: Jared Smith
Team X: @BJHSBaseball
Classification, Area No.: Class 7A, Area 8
Preseason Ranking: 7A No. 1
2024 Finish: Class 7A State Champions
Schedule:

  • Bob Jones vs. Hillcrest-Tuscaloosa (Thursday, 4:00 PM, Spain Park HS)
  • Bob Jones vs. Thompson (Friday, 1:00 PM, Hoover HS)
  • Bob Jones vs. Hoover (Friday, 4:00 PM, Hoover HS)

    Notable Returners:

    To learn about the 2025 Bob Jones Patriots, CLICK HERE to read their full preview.

    + Central-Phenix City Red Devils

    Head Coach: AJ Kehoe
    Team X: @CenPC_Baseball
    Classification, Area No.: Class 7A, Area 4
    Preseason Ranking: 7A No. 4
    2024 Finish: Class 7A Runner-Up
    Schedule:

    • Central-Phenix City vs. Thompson (Thursday, 6:30 PM, Hoover HS)
    • Central-Phenix City vs. Vestavia Hills (Friday, 1:00 PM, Vestavia Hills HS)
    • Central-Phenix City vs. Chelsea (Friday, 4:00 PM, Vestavia Hills HS)

    Notable Returners:

    To learn about the 2025 Central-Phenix City Red Devils, CLICK HERE to read their full preview.

    + Chelsea Hornets 

    Head Coach: Michael Stallings
    Team X: @CHSHornetBBall
    Classification, Area No.: Class 6A, Area 7
    Preseason Ranking: 6A No. 2
    2024 Finish: No Postseason
    Schedule:

    • Chelsea vs. Hoover (Thursday, 4:00 PM, Hoover HS)
    • Chelsea vs. Central-Phenix City (Friday, 4:00 PM, Vestavia Hills HS)
    • Chelsea vs. Vestavia Hills (Friday, 6:30 PM, Vestavia Hills HS)

    Notable Returners:

    To learn about the 2025 Chelsea Hornets, CLICK HERE to read their full preview.

    + Gardendale Rockets

    Head Coach: Ryan Keedy
    Team X: @GdaleHSBaseball
    Classification, Area No.: Class 6A, Area 12
    Preseason Ranking: 6A No. 9
    2024 Finish: Class 6A Sweet 16
    Schedule:

    • Gardendale vs. Helena (Friday, 10:00 AM, Gardendale HS)
    • Gardendale vs. Oxford (Friday, 6:30 PM, Gardendale HS)
    • Gardendale vs. Hartselle (Saturday, 10:00 AM, Gardendale HS)

    Notable Returners:

    To learn about the 2025 Gardendale Rockets, CLICK HERE to read their full preview.

    + Hartselle Tigers 

    Head Coach: Brad Phillips
    Team X: @HartselleBSB
    Classification, Area No.: Class 6A, Area 15
    Preseason Ranking: 6A No. 1
    2024 Finish: Class 6A Runner-Up
    Schedule:

    • Hartselle vs. Hoover (Friday, 6:30 PM, Hoover HS)
    • Hartselle vs. Gardendale (Saturday, 10:00 AM, Gardendale HS)

    Notable Returners:

    To learn about the 2025 Hartselle Tigers, CLICK HERE to read their full preview.

    + Helena Huskies 

    Head Coach: PJ Guy
    Team X: @HelenaHuskiesBB
    Classification, Area No.: Class 6A, Area 7
    Preseason Ranking: 6A No. 5
    2024 Finish: Class 6A 1st Round
    Schedule:

    • Helena vs. Vestavia Hills (Thursday, 4:00 PM, Vestavia Hills HS)
    • Helena vs. Gardendale (Friday, 10:00 AM, Gardendale HS)
    • Helena vs. Hewitt-Trussville (Friday, 1:00 PM, Gardendale HS)

    Notable Returners:

    + Hewitt-Trussville Huskies 

    Head Coach: Jeff Mauldin
    Team X: @Hewitt_Baseball
    Classification, Area No.: Class 7A, Area 6
    Preseason Ranking: 7A No. 3
    2024 Finish: Class 7A Sweet 16
    Schedule:

    • Hewitt-Trussville vs. Helena (Friday, 1:00 PM, Gardendale HS)
    • Hewitt-Trussville vs. Oxford (Friday, 4:00 PM, Gardendale HS)
    • Hewitt-Trussville vs. Hillcrest-Tuscaloosa (Saturday, 12:30 PM, Gardendale HS)

    Notable Returners:

    + Hillcrest-Tuscaloosa Patriots

    Head Coach: Mark Garner
    Team X: @Baseball_Pats
    Classification, Area No.: Class 7A, Area 5
    Preseason Ranking: 7A No. 8
    2024 Finish: Class 6A State Champions
    Schedule:

    • Hillcrest-Tuscaloosa vs. Bob Jones (Thursday, 4:00 PM, Spain Park HS)
    • Hillcrest-Tuscaloosa vs. Spain Park (Friday, 6:30 PM, Spain Park HS)
    • Hillcrest-Tuscaloosa vs. Hewitt-Trussville (Saturday, 12:30 PM, Gardendale HS)

    Notable Returners:

    To learn about the 2025 Hillcrest-Tuscaloosa Patriots, CLICK HERE to read their full preview.

    + Hoover Buccaneers

    Head Coach: Adam Moseley
    Team X: @Hoover_Baseball
    Classification, Area No.: Class 7A, Area 6
    Preseason Ranking: 7A No. 5
    2024 Finish: Class 7A Elite 8
    Schedule:

    • Hoover vs. Chelsea (Thursday, 4:00 PM, Hoover HS)
    • Hoover vs. Bob Jones (Friday, 4:00 PM, Hoover HS)
    • Hoover vs. Hartselle (Friday, 6:30 PM, Hoover HS)

    Notable Returners:

    + Oxford Yellow Jackets 

    Head Coach: Travis Janssen
    Team X: @OldGoldBB
    Classification, Area No.: Class 6A, Area 11
    Preseason Ranking: 6A No. 3
    2024 Finish: Class 6A Final 4
    Schedule:

    • Oxford vs. Spain Park (Thursday, 6:30 PM, Spain Park HS)
    • Oxford vs. Hewitt-Trussville (Friday, 4:00 PM, Gardendale HS)
    • Oxford vs. Gardendale (Friday, 6:30 PM, Gardendale HS)

    Notable Returners:

    + Spain Park Jaguars 

    Head Coach: Will Smith
    Team X: @SPJagBaseball
    Classification, Area No.: Class 6A, Area 7
    Preseason Ranking: 6A No. 7
    2024 Finish: Class 7A Sweet 16
    Schedule:

    • Spain Park vs. Oxford (Thursday, 6:30 PM, Spain Park HS)
    • Spain Park vs. Thompson (Friday, 4:00 PM, Spain Park HS)
    • Spain Park vs. Hillcrest-Tuscaloosa (Friday, 6:30 PM, Spain Park HS)

    Notable Returners:

    + Thompson Warriors 

    Head Coach: Frankie Perez
    Team X: @ThompsonBaseba1
    Classification, Area No.: Class 7A, Area 5
    Preseason Ranking: 7A No. 2
    2024 Finish: Class 7A Elite 8
    Schedule:

    • Thompson vs. Central-Phenix City (Thursday, 6:30 PM, Hoover HS)
    • Thompson vs. Bob Jones (Friday, 1:00 PM, Hoover HS)
    • Thompson vs. Spain Park (Friday, 4:00 PM, Spain Park HS)

    Notable Returners:

    + Vestavia Hills Rebels

    Head Coach: Jamie Harris
    Team X: @1RebelBaseball
    Classification, Area No.: Class 7A, Area 6
    Preseason Ranking: 7A No. 10
    2024 Finish: No Postseason
    Schedule:

    • Vestavia Hills vs. Helena (Thursday, 4:00 PM, Vestavia Hills HS)
    • Vestavia Hills vs. Central-Phenix City (Friday, 1:00 PM, Vestavia Hills HS)
    • Vestavia Hills vs. Chelsea (Friday, 6:30 PM, Vestavia Hills HS)

    Notable Returners:

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