If you haven’t been to the games and noticed, I’ll let you in on something: This hasn’t been a particularly great season in county basketball.

This type of observation is subjective, of course. I’ve only seen three season’s worth of basketball here in Chilton County, and having never been an avid follower of the sport at the high school level, I don’t have much to compare our teams to.

Still, though, I think I can back up my opinion. Of the 14 local teams (seven boys teams and seven girls teams), only one, Thorsby’s girls, won its area and will host its area tournament.

Winning an area is difficult, without a doubt. In most cases, though, there are only three, four or five teams in an area, so one would think Chilton County might have at least a few more squads playing on their home courts this week.

But there is also reason to think things will get better. Five teams were breaking in new coaches this season. Having been around those coaches, I can say they know basketball and also have a commitment to producing winning programs.

Then there is Verbena, which has enjoyed one of the most remarkable seasons in the history of the program in coach Jonathan Shedd’s second season.

County basketball may be down, but it’s not out. Considering the history some of our local teams have in the sport, we should anticipate a revival of sorts.

That could start on Feb. 4 when Thorsby’s girls host the Class 2A, Area 9 tournament.

Being the only show in town, I hope the stands will be full as local residents show they care about basketball.