By Lee DavisThe Oak Mountain girls soccer team fell short in its quest for the state Class 7A championship, but a Lady Eagle still brought home one of the most prestigious awards in the sport. Sophomore midfielder Julia Pack was named the 2016 Gatorade Player of the Year. Pack scored 18 goals and 17 assists in leading Oak Mountain to a 23-4-1 record and into the second … [Read more...]
Reluctant Hero: First Alabama Vietnam Veteran Reflects on Real Tragedy of Any War
By Lee DavisJim Lawrence’s professorial looks and soft-spoken manner give him the appearance of a college dean or a teacher. In fact, Lawrence has been both. But he is much more than that. The Vestavia Hills resident is a war hero – even though he disputes that description. Lawrence, a Troy native, had just graduated from The Citadel in South Carolina when he decided … [Read more...]
Blue Trophy Trio: Vestavia and Cav Girls , Oak Mountain Boys, Earn State Soccer Titles
By Lee DavisThe Over the Mountain area showed its domination of Alabama soccer in the state championships in Huntsville last weekend. Three area teams – Oak Mountain boys, Vestavia Hills girls and John Carroll Catholic girls – claimed blue trophies at the Rocket City’s John Hunt Park. The Altamont School’s boys team finished second in its bid for a title. In Class 7A … [Read more...]
Race, Win, Repeat: Hoover’s Weems Breaks Own Record in 800 Meters
By Lee Davis Presley Weems already held the Class 7A record for the 800-meter dash going into last week’s Alabama High School Athletic Association Track and Field Championships at Gulf Shores Sports Complex. Weems, a Hoover senior, completed the event in a record time of 2:12.53 a year ago. As sweet as the victory was, she still had some unfinished business in her final state … [Read more...]
Patriot Fleet: Lady Patriots Win Third Consecutive 6A Track Title
By Lee Davis Homewood’s budding girls track dynasty added another blue trophy to its mantle in early May, as the Lady Patriots won their third consecutive outdoor title. The Homewood boys brought home the second-place trophy. First place finishers for the girls included Jasmine Griffin, who won the 400-meter run, Elysa Griffin, who took first place in the long jump and … [Read more...]