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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

Lions clip Crossville for first area win

By Chris McCarthy/Editor

The cold weather and a brief snow flurry in Sardis City on Monday afternoon didn’t prevent the Lion bats from getting hot late against Crossville.

With the game tied at 3-3, Sardis (7-4, 1-0) scored four runs in the bottom of the sixth inning to notch en route to a 7-3 in their Class 4A, Area

In & around SEC basketball

SEC Tournament Recap

Ole Miss defeated Florida 66-63 on Sunday (Mar. 17) to capture its first SEC championship in over 30 years. Rebel sharpshooter Marshall Henderson, who scored 21 points against the Gators, was named tournament MVP. Forward Murphy Holloway posted a double-double against Florida with 23 points and 10 rebounds.

The Rebels opened the tournament by defeating Missouri, 64-62, on a

ASWA Baseball, Softball Rankings

Released March 21

Baseball

     CLASS 6A
 1. Smiths Station
 2. Thompson
 3. Hoover
 4. Huntsville
 5. Fairhope
 6. McGill-Toolen
 7. Hewitt-Trussville
 8. Baker
 9. Hazel Green
 10. Spain Park

     CLASS 5A

 1. Spanish Fort
 2. Faith Academy
 3. Southside
 4. Cullman
 5. Russell County
 6. Hartselle
 7. Homewood
 8. Demopolis
 9. Chilton County
 10. Etowah

     CLASS 4A

 1. Charles Henderson
 2. Central-Florence
 3. Beauregard
 4. Thomasville
 5. Alexandria
 6. UMS-Wright

Morris returns as Gaston coach

By Gene Stanley/Sports Correspondent

There will be a familiar face roaming the sidelines of the Gaston High football field this autumn.

Swane Morris, who went 70-37 while coaching the Bulldogs from 2001-09, was hired this week to once again coach at his alma mater.

“I want to introduce the new Gaston football coach,” said Etowah County Board of Education Superintendent Dr. Alan Cosby

Hokes Bluff coach Mike Estes named to AHSAA Hall of Fame

By Gene Stanley/Sports Correspondent

Never one to bask in the limelight, Mike Estes was quick to deflect some of the glory to others concerning his recent induction into the Alabama High School Sports Hall of Fame.

“It’s a great honor,” the former Hokes Bluff baseball coach said. “But that’s not something you shoot for. You just go about your business and if

Southside solid across the board

By Gene Stanley/Sports Correspondent

In Angie Sanders’ second term as Southside High softball coach, things have been up and down.

Last year, the Panthers were defeated in the Class 5A, Area 13 Tournament and missed regionals for the first time in years.

This season, Southside currently is ranked second n the state with a 14-3-1 record and is hopefully poised for a