All-Messenger basketball teams announced
By Chris McCarthy/Editor
For the second straight year, Colin Edwards is tops among his peers in local high school basketball.
The Westbrook Christian junior forward is 2012-13 All-Messenger boys basketball team’s Player of the Year.
Edwards, who also earned the Messenger’s top honor last season, averaged 21.3 points. 9.3 rebounds and two blocks while leading the Warriors to a
Local teams ranked in state baseball, softball polls
BASEBALL
CLASS 6A
1. Smiths Station
2. Hoover
3. Thompson
4. Huntsville
5. Hewitt-Trussville
6. Fairhope
7. McGill-Toolen
8. Baker
9. Spain Park
10. Prattville
CLASS 5A
1. Spanish Fort
2. Faith Academy
3. Russell County
4. Southside
5. Cullman
6. Hartselle
7. Homewood
8. Etowah
9. Chilton County
10. Briarwood Chr.
CLASS 4A
1. Charles Henderson
2. Central-Florence
3. Beauregard
4. Thomasville
5. Alexandria
6. UMS-Wright
7. Guntersville
8. Jacksonville
9. Childersburg
10. Andalusia
CLASS 3A
1. W.S. Neal
2. Mars Hill Bible
3. Plainview
4. Deshler
5. Montevallo
6. Trinity
7. Thorsby
8. Cleveland
9. Opp
10. Leeds
CLASS 2A
1. Section
2. Sheffield
3. G.W.
In & around SEC basketball
Although the Southeastern Conference only received three bids to the NCAA Tournament, the league fared relatively well during the first weekend of games.
Florida dominated both Northwestern State and Minnesota to each the Sweet 16 for the third straight year. The Gators lost in the Elite 8 in each of the last two seasons. Billy Donovan’s team faces Flo-rida
Local varsity soccer squads in full swing
By Gene Stanley/Sports Correspondent
In his defense, Richard Dobbs is understandably proud of his Westbrook Christian High girls soccer team.
Especially the defenders, and even more especially, the back four.
“I joke with them a lot, saying defenders don’t get much recognition, but I had to get used to that in my playing days,” Dobbs said.
Lady Lions solid at every position
By Gene Stanley/Sports Correspondent
Behind the pitching of senior Bethany Chamblee, the defense and the hitting ability of the entire lineup, Sardis High is having a great softball season so far.
The Lions currently are ranked fifth in Class 4A with an 18-4-2 record.
In Mary Beth Gilliland’s first season as coach last year, the Lions made the Class
Bearden piercing together Lady Eagles
By Gene Stanley/Sports Correspondent
A little experimentation has really helped Hokes Bluff High’s softball team this season.
The experiment? Taking girls out of their position and placing them elsewhere on the field.
“During the summer, we played Piedmont one day and lost,” coach Brandon Bearden said. “Then we made a couple of switches and it was like a different