New Champions And New Challenges

By: Tim Lambert
Since our last report, a couple of local teams produced favorable results, the last local head football coaching job was also filled just in time for fall practice, plus another local high school athlete committed to continuing his career at the next level.

The 13-year-old Limestone Hammers completed an unbeaten streak that went through the Dizzy Dean State Tournament and World Series. The Hammers began play in the World Series in Southaven, Mississippi and smothered the Germantown Allstars 17-1. They went on to blister Hazel Green 15-1 and shut out Grenada 11-0. The team advanced to the finals and a rematch with Grenada claiming the title with a 14-2 victory. The 10-year-old Limestone Wild Devils also made the World Series, but lost to Albany 14-5, followed by a close 4-3 decision to Hayesville before being eliminated by Calhoun County 6-0.

The North Alabama Flames Elite basketball team won the Super 100 national tournament last month in Atlanta. The team includes Tony Shoulders, Takorian Porter and Myles Fewell from Athens High; J.T. Farrar and Austin Harvell from Clements; Juvonne Shanes and Connor Smith from Lauderdale County; Tommy Murr from Lindsey Lane; and J.J. Jones from Tanner.

The Athens Gators finished their season at the state meet in Opelika last month. While the Gators didn’t win, several swimmers received medals for their efforts.

Ardmore head football coach Clint Legg resigned his position at last month’s Limestone County Board of Education meeting and was hired as assistant principal at East Limestone. Andrew Smith, an assistant who is also the Tigers’ baseball coach, was named interim football coach. Lindsay Lane also announced that Charles Morrison would become their new baseball coach. Although Morrison played at Wallace State, this is his first time to coach the sport at the high school level.

Athens High pitcher and second baseman Jacob McNairy committed to play at Alabama. McNairy went 8-3 last season with a 1.93 ERA, 68 strikeouts and eight walks in 61 2/3 innings. His fastball has been clocked at 90 miles per hour. He also hit .407 with 18 doubles and 39 RBIs.

Team Alabama took the Southern Junior Cup, going undefeated in singles matches on Day 2 to win the golf competition with 19.5 points. Mississippi and Arkansas tied for second place at 10.5. Athens High junior Ally Williams was part of the team, paired with Spanish Fort’s Padric Sim.

In preseason football rankings, James Clemens is opening their year at the fifth spot in Class 7A. Tanner is sixth on the Class 2A poll.

High school football season is coming up and PlayAction Sports will be bringing Limestone County and James Clemens action to you via internet stream at www.pasnetwork.net. Replays of select games can be heard on Sundays at noon on 1080 AM WKAC. You can also download or listen to games on demand anytime by going to the website. Here is our schedule of games you’ll be able to hear (subject to change):

August 25–Tanner vs. West Limestone
August 31–James Clemens vs. Gardendale
September 1–Elkmont vs. Ardmore
September 7–East Limestone at Mae Jemison
September 8–James Clemens at Bob Jones
September 15–Clements at Lexington
September 22–James Clemens vs. Sparkman
September 29–West Limestone vs. Elkmont
October 6–James Clemens at Grissom
October 13–James Clemens at Huntsville
October 20–James Clemens at Buckhorn
October 27–James Clemens vs. Hewitt-Trussville
November 2–East Limestone vs. Tanner
November 3–Clements at St. John Paul II

Coverage for each game will begin at 6:30 p.m. Bring your radios to the game and hear our coverage on 105.3 FM while you watch.

Upcoming events and registrations:
There will be a free Learn to Play Lacrosse clinic hosted by Huntsville Lacrosse at Bob Jones High School Turf Field on August 19 from 10-11:30 a.m. for boys and girls ages 7 to 17. No experience or equipment necessary or pre registration required.
Ardmore will have a softball camp August 22 from 5-7 p.m. for grades 1 through 5. Cost is $20. For more information, contact stephen.baugh@lcsk12.org. There will also be a volleyball camp August 26 from 1:30-4:30 p.m. Cost is $35. For more information, call Kristin Bates at 423-5950.

Athens adult softball registration is going on until August 31. You must be 18 years of age. For more information, call 233-8740.
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Tune in for the PlayAction Sports Update, three times each weekday on 1080 AM WKAC. Visit us online at www.pasnetwork.net!