New coach, old habits: Mountain Brook aims for speed and toughness
Zach Allison takes over the Spartans program in his first season, keeping the fast-paced style that led to a regional run last year.
By Ricardo Alvarez ·
Mountain Brook High School boys basketball coach Zach Allison faces a distinct challenge this season: he has only known his senior players for a few months. The coach took the job in April, meaning his relationship with the team’s veterans began just before the first official practice. This short window creates uncertainty about how the group responds to his coaching style.
Allison, a native of Pelham, arrives with a strong recent record. He spent three seasons at Jackson Prep in Mississippi, compiling a 94-39 record and winning the 2025 MAIS overall championship. He steps into a program that finished 21-8 last season, won the Class 6A, Area 10 tournament, and reached the Northeast Regional before falling to Homewood.
The roster is led by six seniors. Five of these players logged varsity minutes during the previous campaign. Frank Druhan, a forward who dominates the boards, anchors the frontcourt. Griffin Allen, known as Gibby, provides shooting range. JD Oliphant serves as the physical point guard who initiates offense and attacks the rim. John Stephenson offers versatile scoring, while John Colvin and Lee Robinson round out the senior class. Juniors Nolen Jackson and Griffin Brown have also stood out in practice, with Jackson noted for his athleticism and Brown for his defense.
Allison has reviewed the program’s historical traits and decided to retain its core identity. The team will continue to play fast, push the pace, and emphasize physical toughness. The coach believes this intensity defines the program, which has maintained these characteristics for two decades.
The coach is candid about the team’s physical limitations compared to other squads. He acknowledges that Mountain Brook may not be the tallest or most athletic team in the league. Instead, the strategy relies on specific execution and intensity. Frank Druhan emphasizes that the players must drive the team’s culture, stating that leadership and intensity on and off the court will determine the season’s success.
Reclassification changes have shifted the competitive landscape for the Spartans. The AHSAA moved Mountain Brook to Class 5A and into Area 9. This new grouping places them against Homewood, Parker, and Ramsay, three opponents they did not face in their previous area. The team’s first area contest is scheduled for Jan. 8 against Homewood.
The season began on Nov. 5 with a game at Gardendale. The squad will spend Thanksgiving week competing in Orange Beach against Northridge, Pearl of Mississippi, and UMS-Wright. December schedules include a trip to Vestavia Hills, home games against Tuscaloosa County and Gardendale, and a post-Christmas trip to Gatlinburg, Tennessee. The team will conclude its non-area schedule with a visit to Hoover on Jan. 5.
