Vestavia Hills Basketball Returns Seniors Towry and Peterson
The Rebels aim to build on last year's 24-7 season and area title, facing new Class 6A opponents starting in January.
By Ariana Flores ·
The Vestavia Hills boys basketball program enters the 2026-2027 season with a roster defined by returning experience and a stable senior leadership core. The team finished the previous campaign with a 24-7 record, a result that followed a slow start that saw them drop their first three games.
Head coach Patrick Davis and his staff rebuilt the team's identity after an injury to a key senior forced tactical adjustments early last year. That process led to a victory over Hoover, 52-50, in the Class 7A Area 6 championship game. The Rebels subsequently lost a one-point decision to Sparkman in the Northeast Regional tournament.
Johnny Towry, a 6-foot-7 forward, and Adrian Peterson, a guard, are returning for their third varsity seasons. They will be joined by guard Luke Stubbs, completing the trio of seniors that assistant coach Ryan Binkley describes as the group's primary source of maturity. Binkley noted that these three players bring a stability that makes the team more enjoyable to coach.
Towry spent the offseason extending his three-point range and refining his decision-making to avoid forcing plays. Peterson focused on improving his shot selection and creating open opportunities for teammates. Towry stated that he values the locker room celebrations and bus rides more than the final scores of their games.
The roster includes Henry McKinnon, who is expected to play heavy minutes in his second year, alongside Austin Nelson and Collier Floyd. Juniors Jake Cesnick and Jamari Presley add depth, with Presley noted for his ability to handle the ball against full-court pressure. Junior Rob Friloux brings length at 6-foot-4, while Price Caudell, Hudson Mote, Jack Cowan, and sophomore Clayton Floyd round out the squad.
The American High School Athletic Association moved Vestavia Hills to Class 6A Area 6 for this season. The Rebels will compete against Spain Park, Hewitt-Trussville, and Oak Mountain. Area play begins on Jan. 8 with a home game against Hewitt-Trussville. The team opens its regular season Tuesday against Bob Jones.
The schedule includes the 48th annual Sneaky Pete’s Rebel Classic during Thanksgiving week, featuring Leeds, Albertville, and Shades Valley. Later in the year, the team will travel to Kentucky for games against Henry Clay and Lexington Christian, and participate in the Metro Tournament at Samford University after Christmas.
