By Blake EllsWhile Spain Park’s season didn’t end the way the Jaguars had hoped, accolades continue to roll in for freshman pitcher Annabelle Widra.After breaking her own school record with 264 strikeouts this season, she is Over the Mountain Journal’s Player of the Year.“My older brother has a great work ethic, and I feel like I’ve gotten … [Read more...]
Four-peat Spain Park’s Hawkins is Unanimous Pick as OTMJ Coach of the Year
By Blake Ells Spain Park softball coach C.J. Hawkins has been chosen unanimously as the Over the Mountain Journal's coach of the year. The Jaguars came up just short of winning a state championship, falling in two games to Fairhope in Montgomery. Hawkins had no seniors on this year's squad "I'm very grateful for my players," she said. "My parents. Our community. They … [Read more...]
Relaxed Approach Enabled Hoover’s DiChiara to Reach His Potential
By Rubin E. Grant Sonny DiChiara’s senior baseball season didn’t end with another state championship, but it was satisfying, nonetheless. “It was really a more relaxed year, coming off a state championship,” DiChiara said. “I played loose and was having fun with it.” For DiChiara, having fun equaled a productive season as a first baseman and pitcher. At the plate, He … [Read more...]
Let it Reign: John Carroll Ends Brief Title Drought With Another Soccer Championship
By Rubin E. Grant Even though it had been only two years since they had won a soccer championship, the John Carroll Catholic Cavaliers felt the wait had been a lot longer. John Carroll ended their somewhat brief absence without the state championship blue trophy last Saturday when they beat Gardendale 2-0 to claim the girls Class 6A crown in the 28th Alabama High School … [Read more...]
Big Blue: Vestavia Hills Girls Take the Trophy Back From McGill-Toolen
* This article was edited on May 17, 2018 to correctly identify Faith Hauberg as a Vestavia Hills High School senior. By Blake Ells Vestavia Hills took home its fifth 7A girls state soccer championship, beating McGill-Toolen 2-1 to end the year with a 22-3-1 record. The win, secured May 12, was sweet for the girls, who lost their championship bid last year to … [Read more...]