Sports

Photo: Gadsden City’s Cayla Underwood delivers a pitch during the Lady Titans’ 11-6 loss to Coosa Christian last Tuesday (Apr. 2) in Gadsden. (Mike Goodson/Messenger)  By Mike Goodson/Sports Correspondent Coosa Christian exploded for 15 hits and got some outstanding defense on the way to a 11-6 victory over Gadsden City last Tuesday (Apr. 2) in

By Chris McCarthy, Publisher/Editor The Hokes Bluff High School baseball team cut a wide path of destruction on the way to the first-place trophy of the Etowah County Schools Tournament last Saturday (March 30) in Sardis City. In 10 innings over a two-game span, the Class 4A No. 1 Eagles (14-2) steamrolled the opposition by a

By Cole Frederick/Sports Correspondent Seven teams from the Southeastern Conference made the NCAA Tournament, and four of the seven schools advanced to the Sweet 16. Kentucky, Tennessee, LSU and Auburn are all playing this weekend for a chance to make the Elite Eight and possibly a Final Four. Florida also won its first-round game, and

Messenger file photo by Gary Wells By Chris McCarthy, Publisher/Editor Just as he was for the school’s football team this past fall, Jamin Graham (pictured above) was a model of consistency for the Etowah High boys basketball team. With the 6’6” senior center averaging 11 points and 10 rebounds a game while most often drawing a

Messenger file photo by Gary Wells By Chris McCarthy, Publisher/Editor Although the Glencoe High girls basketball team was far from a one-player show this past season, Anna Beth Giles served as the sparkplug for the Lady Yellow Jackets’ engine. The junior point guard (pictured above) averaged 14 points, 5.1 assists and 4.3 rebounds while helping the

Released March 28 Baseball Class 7A 1. Smiths Station 2. Bob Jones 3. Oak Mountain 4. Hoover 5. Auburn 6. McGill-Toolen 7. Mountain Brook 8. James Clemens 9. Hewitt-Trussville 10. Austin Class 6A 1. Russell County 2. Hillcrest-Tuscaloosa 3. Oxford 4. Faith Academy 5. Spanish Fort 6. Wetumpka 7. Hazel Green 8. Saraland 9. Homewood

Photo: Westbrook Christian senior William Wethington (pictured sitting at center) recently signed a golf scholarship with the University of North Georgia. Pictured sitting with Will are his mom Melissa and dad Matt. Pictured standing are sisters Elizabeth (left) and Caroline. By Chris McCarthy/Publisher/Editor Will Wethington’s future became a little bit brighter on March 21. The

Glencoe High senior Evan Burns recently signed a volleyball scholarship with Southern Union Community College in Wadley. Burns was named to the All-Etowah County team after she helped the Lady Yellow Jackets finish 34-25 and qualify for the Elite Eight state tournament. Pictured, sitting from left: Evan’s brother Garrett, Evan’s dad Todd, Evan, Evan’s mom

Messenger file photo by Chris McCarthy 2017 Southside High graduate and UAH sophomore Hunter Nails recently was named Gulf South Conference Track Athlete of the Week. At the Mississippi State Bulldog Relays this past weekend, Nails finished fourth in the 1500-meter run at 3:55.14 was a member of the Chargers’ 800-meter relay team that broke

Messenger file photo by Chris McCarthy 2017 Hokes Bluff High School graduate and Jacksonville State sophomore Tylynn Register finish sixth overall out of 37 competitors at the Al Schmidt Bulldogs Relays last Saturday (Mar. 23) at Mississippi State. Register set a new personal record of 1:04.09 in the 400-meter hurdle event, shaving more than a

Messenger file photo by Chris McCarthy By Chris McCarthy, Publisher/Editor The Etowah boys and Glencoe girls both took third place at the Albertville track and field meet No. 3 on Mar. 22. The Blue Devils took home seven first-place medals – three by Deundrea Williams (pictured above) and two by Alex Howard – while the Lady

Photo: Westbrook Christian’s Mary Reid Goodwin (right) and Gadsden City’s Trinity Price compete in the girls 400-meter run event during the Gadsden City Track Meet No. 1 on March 21. (Chris McCarthy/Messenger) By Chris McCarthy, Publisher/Editor Southside and Etowah both won four first-place medals at the Gadsden City track and field meet on Mar. 21. The

Photo by Gary Wells Glencoe High senior Brock McNeely (pictured above) finished as the area’s low scorer at the 15-team Glencoe Invitational Tournament last Saturday (Mar. 23) at Silver Lakes in Glencoe. McNeely’s score of 148 paced the Yellow Jackets, who finished eighth in the team standings at 171. Hokes Bluff came in 10th at

By Cole Frederick/Sports Correspondent SEC Tournament Recap For only the second time in school history, Auburn won the SEC Tournament championship. Bruce Pearl’s team captured the title with a resounding 84-64 victory over Tennessee, and it was the Tigers’ second win over the Vols in eight days. Senior guard Bryce Brown was named Tournament MVP

Released March 21 Baseball Class 7A 1. Bob Jones 2. Smiths Station 3. Auburn 4. Oak Mountain 5. McGill-Toolen 6. Hoover 7. Vestavia Hills 8. Spain Park 9. Huntsville 10. Mountain Brook Class 6A 1. Russell County 2. Hazel Green 3. Hillcrest-Tuscaloosa 4. Faith Academy 5. Oxford 6. Cullman 7. Spanish Fort 8. Athens 9.

Photo: Westbrook Christian’s Samuel Dutton delivers a pitch during the Warriors’ 12-0 victory over Gaston last Tuesday (Mar. 19). Dutton struck out 14 of 15 batters on the way to a perfect game. (Mike Goodson/Messenger)  By Mike Goodson, Sports Correspondent To say the Westbrook Christian baseball team was picture-perfect in its game against Gaston last Tuesday

Photo: Southside High’s Sam Raines (left) arrives safe at home plate as Fort Payne catcher J.D. Blalock leaps to catch the relay throw during the Panthers’ 12-2 victory last Tuesday (Mar. 19) at SHS. (Chris McCarthy/Messenger)  By Chris McCarthy, Publisher/Editor When the season began, Southside High head baseball coach Shane Chappell issued a clear message to

Photo: Westbrook Christian senior Jonah Morris signs a cross country/track scholarship with the University of West Georgia on Tuesday (Mar. 19) in Rainbow City. Pictured, sitting, from left: Jonah’s dad Mike, Jonah, Jonah’s mom Missy. Standing, from left: WCS athletic director/baseball coach Matt Kennedy, WCS cross country/track & field coach Brian Curp. (Chris McCarthy/Messenger)  By

Photo by Gary Wells Several area team competed in the Twin Bridges Kick Off Classic last Saturday (Mar. 16) in Gadsden. Gadsden City’s Ella Howard and Etowah’s Miranda Nassif shared the top local individual low finishes with respective 86 scores. Glencoe’s Lauren Cole (pictured above) shot an 87. Westbrook Christian finished as the top local

By Cole Frederick/Sports Correspondent Auburn Week 10 Review Auburn wrapped up the regular season with perhaps its best win of the year. The Tigers outlasted Tennessee, 84-80 on Senior Day at Auburn Arena, though it was sophomore Chuma Okeke that led the way with 22 points. Bryce Brown and Jared Harper added 16 points each,

Photo: Southside High’s Karlee Thompson slides into home plate as Etowah catcher Lexi Brown awaits the throw during the Lady Panthers’ 2-0 victory in girls’ softball last Tuesday (Mar. 12) at SHS. (Chris McCarthy/Messenger) By Chris McCarthy, Publisher/Editor Despite being out-hit by a 7 to 2 margin last Tuesday (Mar. 12) the Southside High softball team

By Chris McCarthy, Publisher/Editor Several local high school basketball players were recently named to the Alabama Sports Writers Association’s 2018-19 All-State teams. Coosa Christian senior guard Claire Davidson (pictured above) was named to the Class 1A second team, while Glencoe junior guard Anna Beth Giles and Gadsden City senior forward Dee Pearson made the Class 3A

Gadsden City High’s Ella Howard (pictured above) was the area’s low scorer at the Yellow Jacket Invitational Golf Tournament on Feb. 7 at Silver Lakes in Glencoe. Howard shot a 78 to pace the Lady Titans, who finished with an overall score of 315. Haley James shot a 112 score for GCHS, followed by Daisy

Two Gadsden State basketball players recently received postseason recognition. For the men, sophomore guard Xavier Malcolm was named to the Alabama Community College Conference’s All-Region 22 t team as well as the All-North Division second team. For the women, freshman guard Morgan Frazier was selected to the All-North Division second team. Malcolm averaged 18.5 points,

By Cole Frederick/Sports Correspondent Auburn Week 9 Review The Tigers had their best week of the season as they earned wins over Mississippi State and Alabama, and AU is rapidly improving its seeding for the NCAA Tournament. Thanks to 24 points from Bryce Brown, Auburn knocked off Mississippi State, 80-75, in Auburn Arena. Three days

Photo: Shond McKinney (pictured at right) and the Gadsden State mens basketball team lost to Coastal Alabama South, 74-73, in the Alabama Community College Conference Tournament quarterfinals last Tuesday (Mar. 5) at Lawson State in Birmingham. (Courtesy of Gadsden State)  By Chris McCarthy, Publisher/Editor For the second straight year, the Gadsden State mens basketball team ended

Photo: Kanecia Payne (pictured at center) and the Gadsden State womens basketball team lost to Wallace-Hanceville, 68-60, in the Alabama Community College Conference Tournament quarterfinals last Wednesday (Mar. 6) at Lawson State in Birmingham. (Courtesy of Gadsden State)  By Chris McCarthy, Publisher/Editor Poor shooting and foul trouble plagued the Gadsden State womens basketball team in the

Photo: Westbrook Christian senior John Ross Morgan signs a letter of intent last Wednesday (March 6) to play football and baseball at Birmingham Southern College. Pictured, sitting, from left: John Ross’ mom Holly, John Ross, John Ross’ dad Barry. Standing, from left: Westbrook Christian athletic director and head baseball coach Matt Kennedy, former Westbrook Christian

File photo courtesy of Daily Mountain Eagle By Mike Goodson/Sports Correspondent It was “bombs away” for the Cardinals last Friday. The Gadsden State mens basketball team knocked down a school-record 22 three-point baskets en route to a 116-78 win over Lurleen B. Wallace in an Alabama Community College Conference Tournament play-in game last Friday (Mar.

Five players scored in double figures in Gadsden State’s 72-62 victory over Coastal Alabama South in an Alabama Community College Conference Tournament play-in game last Saturday (March 2) in Bay Minette. The Lady Cardinals (11-17) face Wallace State-Hanceville in the ACCC Tournament quarterfinals on Wednesday, March 6, at Lawson State in Birmingham. Kanecia Payne paced