Country singer Alan Jackson will perform at Bryant-Denny Stadium on April 11, the eve of Alabama's spring game.

It will be the first live performance held at the stadium since the university's Football Centennial Celebration in 1992.

The Gridiron Bash pre-game festivities will also include a pep rally with the team and appearances by Crimson Tide coaches.

Alabama drew 92,000-plus fans to last year's A-Day contest, setting a national record for spring games thanks to excitement generated by the hiring of coach Nick Saban.

"There's no doubt the enthusiasm and support our fans showed the country at last year's A-Day Game helped this idea become a reality," Saban said. "Hopefully, this spring weekend will be the start of a new tradition at the University of Alabama."

Alabama will be one of 20 Division I schools hosting Gridiron Bash events this spring, including Southeastern Conference teams Tennessee, Kentucky and South Carolina.
-- Wire report

AHSAA BASKETBALL
Carver's Smiley wins 3-point contest

BIRMINGHAM -- Using some shoes borrowed from a friendly rival, G.W. Carver's Dominique Smiley took home a shooting trophy Friday.

Smiley won the state tournament's annual 3-point shooting contest, dusting Talladega's O'Bryan Davis in the finals.

Smiley was halfway to Birmingham earlier this week when he realized he'd left his basketball shoes at home. He borrowed a pair from Sidney Lanier sophomore Keith Braswell.

"I made it all the way up here and found out I didn't have my shoes," Smiley said. "I talked to those guys and asked if I could borrow some."

Smiley didn't need them for long Friday to win the shooting contest.

Davis went first and sank just eight shots -- and none of the bonus balls -- of his 25 attempts. Each participant had one minute to take five shots at each of five spots around the 3-point circle.

Smiley hit five shots, including two bonuses, in his first 10 attempts. He finished with 13 points.

"I didn't think I had enough," Smiley said. "I wasn't counting. I was just shooting."
-- A. Stacy Long

For the rest of this article please go to www.montgomeryadvertiser.com