By: Tim Lambert
Local sports have, in effect, gone into an early summer vacation since the state’s stay-at-home order took effect April 2. We’re now under a new safer-at-home decree, but we’re still faced with bringing you the “news between the news.”
West Limestone coach Justin Taylor will be a coach of the North boys’ team for the North-South All-Star game scheduled for July 14 in Montgomery. East Limestone’s Jirah Rogers is also a member of the North girls’ team along with her Class 5A second team All-State honor. The Indians’ Xavier Griffith was named to the first team of the 5A boys’ All-State basketball team with teammate Austin Harvell on the second team. West Limestone’s River Helms was named 4A honorable mention. Tanner’s J.J. Jones was on the 2A second team; teammate Malik Atkins made the third team. Lindsay Lane’s Tommy Murr was a 1A first team selection; Athens High’s Caroline Bachus was on the 6A girls’ second team. Alabama defeated Mississippi 118-97 in their annual All-Star basketball game. East Limestone’s Austin Harvell scored 12 points.
Athens High boys’ basketball coach Stace Tedford stepped down from his position, but will remain with the system. Tedford has been the Golden Eagles’ coach since 2009.
The Alabama High School Athletic Association Central Board ratified a record eleven proposals at their spring meeting. Among them were legislative proposal #6, which allows all transfer students competing below varsity level to be immediately eligible if all other eligibility requirements are met, and proposal #19 allows dependent children of full-time classroom teachers or administrators who accept a position in another school attendance zone to transfer to the new school and be eligible to participate in athletics at the new school if all other eligibility requirements are met. Other recommendations approved included three regular season wrestling tournaments specifically for girls and the basketball mercy rule had an addition of stopping the clock for free throws during the fourth quarter except during state semifinals and finals. Fall sports will now have the option of having a spring evaluation period or starting official practice a week early. Area basketball tournaments with five or three teams would play the first round games at the site of the fourth and second seeds respectively with the remaining games played at the top seed schools. The annual Alabama North-South Football game featuring seniors from the Class of 2021 will be moved to December starting this fall. It will be played the week following the yearly Alabama-Mississippi All-Star game. This year’s game scheduled for July with 2020 seniors is still on the calendar.
The National Federation of State High School Associations made changes to wrestling rules. One addressed the weigh-in protocol. Rule 4-5-7 was rewritten to require that a legal uniform be worn during weigh-in. Female wrestlers will be permitted to wear a form-fitted compression shirt in addition to a one-piece singlet and a suitable undergarment. Also, no additional weight allowance will be granted, including prohibiting shoes and ear guards during weigh-in. The hair-length requirement was also removed.
James Clemens grad and former Kentucky offensive guard Logan Stenberg was selected by the Detroit Lions in the fourth round of the NFL Draft. Former Athens and Southern Mississippi wide receiver Quez Watkins was picked in the sixth round by the Philadelphia Eagles.
Congratulations to East Limestone’s James Oliver for signing a soccer scholarship with Bryan College. East Limestone’s Alex Robinson accepted a track scholarship from Troy University. Athens High’s Josh Simmons and Parker Willoughby signed their baseball scholarships with the schools to which they had previously committed; Simmons inked with Martin Methodist while Willoughby will be going to UAH. James Clemens’ Cory Hagood also made it official to play with the Chargers. Tanner’s Richard Rosas and Luis Garcia received soccer offers recently from Carl Sandburg College. West Limestone’s River Helms also got football offers from Coastal Carolina, Georgia Tech, and UAB.
The West Limestone Wildcat Diamond Club has scheduled their first annual bass tournament for June 6 at First Creek Boat Ramp at Joe Wheeler State Park. Proceeds will go toward their new baseball/softball indoor practice facility. Social distancing protocols will be in place. For more information, call 256-874-4480
Calhoun will be hosting a variety of summer sports camps including youth baseball, softball, and golf; a high school softball prospect camp; and a baseball uncommitted showcase. For a list of camps, go online to calhoun.edu/overview/summer-camps.
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
