By: Tim Lambert
Another summer comes to a close—as far as schools are concerned—and that means we’ve got to do a little cleanup before the fall sports seasons start . . .
Congratulations to Athens High’s Gentry Wolfe for signing a volleyball scholarship with Union University in Jackson, Tennessee. The school is Division II in the Gulf South Conference.
The Limestone Hammers started play July 14, in the 14-year-old division of the Dizzy Dean World Series in Southaven, Mississippi, with a 24-3 win over Germantown. They followed that up with a victory over Lil Jimmy B’s 18-2 and got by the Druid Hills Blue Claws 6-2 to make it to the finals where they shut out Lil Jimmy B’s in a rematch 18-0. It was the team’s second straight World Series title.
July All-Star games in Montgomery featured local athletes. The North girls’ soccer team defeated the South 2-0. Tanner goalkeeper Brianna Burroughs started the second half and recorded four saves. Ardmore’s Karla Hice was part of the North softball team that won game two over the South 5-4. Athens Bible School’s Cade Abernathy competed with the North baseball team that also won their second game 6-2. The North defeated the South 27-14 in the football game at the Crampton Bowl. Athens High graduate Perry Kirby had six tackles—three solos and three assists–and a fumble recovery for a touchdown to end the game.
At the 14U Class A National Softball Championship in Bowling Green, Kentucky, the Sparks 03 Elite fell to the Atlanta Vipers-Brumberg 6-4, then were eliminated by Carolina Cardinals Adams 6-4.
James Clemens hired three coaches. Johnny Johnson was formerly the head baseball coach at Fort Payne for the last 14 years. Brittany Vintson is the new head softball coach for the Lady Jets, coming from Cordova High School. Molly Waddell is the new head swim and dive coach. She previously swam for Birmingham Southern. Calhoun Community College is losing head baseball coach Michael Burns, who is resigning after 10 years at the helm for the Warhawks.
Athens rising senior Ally Williams was part of the Alabama team that won the Southern Junior Cup championship for a second straight year. Williams is ranked second in Alabama junior females and has committed to play at Mississippi State.
James Clemens was the only team showing up in the first football rankings of the season. The Jets were at the number 10 spot in Class 7A.
Speaking of football, PlayAction Sports will also be back streaming another season featuring local teams. Our tentative schedule is:
- August 24: Elkmont vs. Clements
- August 30: East Limestone vs. West Limestone
- September 7: James Clemens vs. Bob Jones
- September 14: James Clemens vs. Huntsville
- September 21: James Clemens at Florence
- September 28: Clements vs. West Limestone
- October 5: Tanner vs. Hatton
- October 11: James Clemens vs. Grissom
- October 12: Elkmont vs. Wilson
- October 19: James Clemens vs. Sparkman
- October 26: James Clemens at Austin
- November 1: Tanner vs. East Limestone
All games are subject to change. Streams start at 6:30 p.m. with kickoff at 7 p.m. You can hear the games live online at www.pasnetwork.net or on the PlayAction Sports apps for Android and iPhone. Select games will also replay Sundays at noon on 1080 AM WKAC. Archives of each game will also be available for on-demand listening or download on our website. You also have a couple of ways to win during our football game coverage: you can pick up a chicken dinner for four with “Time Out with Taziki’s” or a $20 gift card if you’re our Lawler’s Fan of the Week. Details and registration are available online at www.pasnetwork.net.
Odds and ends
Adult softball and soccer registrations continue through August 31, at the Athens Recreation Center. Cost for softball is $350 per team. Karate classes are being offered Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays at 6:30 p.m. Zumba classes are going on Mondays and Thursdays at 5:30 p.m., Saturdays at 9 a.m. and Sundays at 2:30 p.m. Super Circuit is Tuesday and Thursday at 8:30 a.m. and Wednesday at 7 and 8:30 p.m. For more information on any of these programs, call 256-233-8740.
By: Tim Lambert
Tune in for the PlayAction Sports Update, three times each weekday on 1080 AM WKAC. Visit us online at www.pasnetwork.net!
email: playactionsports@hotmail.com
