New Year, New Opportunities for Local Athletes

By: Tim Lambert
The new year began with more scholarship signings for local athletes. James Clemens’ Amy Haddock will be continuing her playing career as part of the UAH lacrosse team. Athens High’s Kobe Melton signed a swimming scholarship with Arkansas, while another Golden Eagle–Alexis Woods–will go on to play basketball at UAH. East Limestone’s Kaleigh Tribble inked a softball pact with Columbia State.

Calhoun Community College announced the signing of eight high school seniors to join the Lady Warhawks’ softball team during the 2018 fall semester. The list included James Clemens middle infielder Aubrey Little. She was joined by Mattie Kerr (outfield, Hamilton High School), Hailey Olsen (third base/pitcher, American Christian Academy), Rayna Melton (catcher, Wilson High School), Alex Green (outfield, Northside High School-Northport, AL), Savanna Uhlman (pitcher, Muscle Shoals High School), Jenesis Morgan (first base, Fultondale High School) and Anna Kate Jones (outfield, Florence High School).

Local athletes made it on to All-State football teams. In Class 7A, James Clemens’ Daevion Davis was named to first team defense while teammate Zach Hopkins made honorable mention. Perry Kirby of Athens was 6A second team defense while honorable mention went to teammate Kannon Biggs. Davis was also named as a finalist for Class 7A Lineman of the Year. The winner will be announced at the Player of the Year Luncheon in Montgomery on January 30.

The latest boys’ basketball rankings had West Limestone eighth in Class 4A and Lindsay Lane in fifth in 1A; on the girls’ side, James Clemens was at the fifth spot in Class 7A and Tanner sat at number nine in 2A. Local highlights (by school) since our last column:

Ardmore—the Tigers overwhelmed West Morgan while the girls got a win over rival Elkmont.

Athens Bible School—the Trojans defeated then sixth-ranked Whitesburg Christian along with their second meeting with Elkmont.

Athens High–the Golden Eagles beat Tanner. The Athens girls smothered Haleyville and got by Florence. Both teams notched wins against West Limestone.

Clements—Colt teams swept East Lawrence, the boys got past Tanner; the girls turned back Russellville and Lawrence County.

East Limestone—the Lady Indians posted big wins over Brooks and Central-Florence along with victories over West Morgan, Winfield and West Limestone.

James Clemens—the Jets recorded victories over Westminster and an upset over top-ranked Huffman. The Lady Jets blistered Columbia; both teams won their cross-town rivalry games with Bob Jones.

Lindsay Lane—the Lions knocked off Addison and both teams squeaked out wins against Waterloo.

Tanner—the Rattlers downed Lexington and Sheffield, while the girls came out on top against Clements.

West Limestone—boys’ and girls’ teams both topped Tanner and Elkmont; the Wildcats held off East Limestone.

The Limestone County basketball tournament will be hosted by Elkmont High School this year. Middle school action will begin the proceedings on Saturday, January 20, at 11 a.m. with the Ardmore and Clements girls, followed by the Tigers and Colts at 12:15 p.m.; after that, the Tanner and East Limestone girls face off at 1:30 p.m., the Elkmont and West Limestone boys at 2:45 p.m. and the East Limestone and Clements JV boys at 4 p.m. Varsity games will tip off on January 22 at 6:30 p.m. as the West Limestone girls take on Ardmore and the Elkmont and Tanner boys play at 8 p.m. Listen online at www.pasnetwork.net or on the PlayAction Sports app for the varsity finals Saturday, January 27 at 5 p.m.

Odds and ends: The Athens Recreation Center is having youth spring baseball registration going on through February 10, and spring softball registration through February 15, for ages 5 through 12. Fee is $70. For more information, call 256-233-8740. Ongoing offerings by the center include karate classes on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays at 6:30 p.m.; Zumba classes on Mondays and Thursdays at 5:30 p.m., Saturdays at 9 a.m. and Sundays at 2:30 p.m.; and Super Circuit on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 8:30 a.m. and Wednesdays at 7 p.m. and 8:30 p.m.
By: Tim Lambert
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