By Lee Davis There was a time when Spain Park softball wasn’t a very big deal. “Before we got here they even gave an award if a girl just dived for a fly ball in the outfield,” Lady Jaguar coach C.J. Hawkins recalled. “We had to change that mindset from the very beginning.” The mindset did change, and a decade later, Spain Park is one of the state’s elite softball programs. … [Read more...]
Pack Year: Oak Mountain Star Named Top Player in State
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...]
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...]
Storm Chaser: Oak Mountain Rallies to Upset Vestavia Hills
By Lee DavisA pair of storms dominated the Class 7A second round baseball playoff between heavily favored Vestavia Hills and Oak Mountain. The first involved the weather. The second involved the underdog Eagles. After losing Friday’s opener in a game shortened by a five-hour rain delay, Oak Mountain rallied for two dramatic victories Saturday to advance to the … [Read more...]
Girls of Steele: Cavs’ Steele, Patriots’ Barber and Wayne Lead All-OTM Team
By Lee Davis The Homewood Lady Patriots did not repeat as state Class 6A basketball champions in 2015-16, but they accomplished just about everything else. Despite not having a senior on its roster, Homewood rolled to a 27-7 record and spent the entire season as the state’s top-ranked team before eventually losing to hot-shooting LeFlore in the Class 6A finals. The Lady … [Read more...]