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The Sports Ledger www.TheSportsLedger.com
PAGE 8 November 2024
The list below shows the AHSAA final 2024 regular season record for some of the Northeast Alabama football teams. Albertville 0-10 Alexandria 7-3 Arab 6-4 Asbury 0-10 Ashville 1-9 Boaz 8-2 Brindlee Mtn. 1-9 Cedar Bluff 3-7 Cherokee Co. 9-1 Collinsville 7-3 Coosa Christian 4-6 DAR 2-8 Douglas 4-6 Etowah 4-6 Fort Payne 8-2 Fyffe 7-2 Gadsden City 6-3 Gaston 3-7 Gaylesville 4-5 Geraldine 8-2 Glencoe 2-8 Guntersville 9-1 Hokes Bluff 8-2 Ider 0-10 Jacksonville 6-4 Regular Season Football Records
JSU BECOMES BOWL ELIGIBLE - The Jax State football program rallied for a 44-37 overtime victory over Louisiana Tech on Saturday, November 9, 2024. The Gamecocks tied the game in the final seconds on a Hail Mary. It was the program's sixth straight win of the season and it made the Gamecocks eligible for a Bowl Game. SONNY SMITH RETIRES - Legendary Auburn men’s basketball coach Sonny Smith is retiring from his duties as radio analyst for Auburn men’s basketball games. Smith has been providing commentary for Auburn men's basketball on the Auburn Sports Network since 2012. Smith will be honored for his contributions prior to the Auburn men’s game on Dec. 8 at Neville Arena against Richmond. Smith also served as Auburn's head coach from 1978-89, guiding the Tigers to five consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances from 1984-88, the most consecutive in school history. In 1984, Smith directed Auburn to its first-ever NCAA Tournament appearance, led by future Basketball Hall of Famer Charles Barkley. The following season, Smith coached the Tigers to their first-ever SEC Tournament Championship in 1985, winning four games in four days en route to the conference title. Randall Dickey, who previously filled in for Smith during the last two seasons, will take over as the full-time analyst for Auburn men’s radio broadcasts. Dickey spent over 30 years working and coaching basketball at the collegiate level, including four years at Auburn from 2010-14. KSU COACH STEPS DOWN - Kennesaw State Head Football Coach Brian Bohannon Has Stepped Down After 10 Seasons at the helm of the Owls program. Co- Offensive Coordinator Chandler Burks has been named the interim head coach for the remainder of the season. COOSA CHRISTIAN FOOTBALL - The Coosa Christian varsity football program has been fined and placed on restrictive probation effective this year and concluding at the end of the 2025 football championship series (December 5, 2025) for playing an ineligible player in violation of the Coaching Outside School Year Rule. The original report from Coosa Christian stated the student in question participated in only one varsity game this season. Upon further investigation, it was confirmed by the AHSAA, the ineligible student played in five games. As a result, and in addition to restrictive probation, Coosa Christian’s football program must forfeit all games won that the ineligible student participated in which totals five (Cleveland, Southeastern, Falkville, Susan Moore, and Cold Springs). This investigation is still ongoing. Coosa Christian School has also been provided specific conditions to meet prior to the 2025 football season and as a result may appear before the AHSAA Central Board of Control at its July Board meeting for possible reinstatement into the 2025 championship season. JSU BASEBALL INKS FOUR - Jacksonville State baseball and head coach Steve Bieser has announced that four student-athletes will be joining the Gamecock baseball program for the 2025 season. The program bolstered the future roster by adding three junior college signees and reached into the Magnolia State for a prep standout. The signees include: • JP Abt - INF/RHP, 6-0, 180, from Brandon, MS and Hartfield Academy • Skyler Hutto - RHP, 6-3, 225, from Trinity, AL and Shelton State Community College • Sam Robertson - INF, 6-2. 176, from Oxford, AL and Northwest Shoals Community College • Luke Williams - OF, 6-0. 185, from Tuscaloosa and Chipola College in Marianna, FL. ALABAMA SOFTBALL ADDS SIX - Alabama softball welcomed six new members to its family on National Signing Day. The high school seniors will join the Crimson Tide next fall ahead of the 2026 season. Be sure to read more online at www.thesportsledger.com. The new Crimson Tide signees include: • Holly Beth Brooks (5’8” – Catcher – Northport – Tuscaloosa County High School) • Gerritt Griggs (5’8” – Infield – Phenix City – Central High School) • Vic Moten (5’5” – Pitcher – Daphne, AL – Daphne HS) • Kaitlyn Pallozzi (6’0” – Pitcher – Wixom, MI – Mercy High School) • Ana Roman (5’8” – Outfield – Oviedo, FL – Hagerty ) • Ambrey Taylor (5’9” – Infield – Jasper– Curry HS) ACE AUSTIN SIGNS WITH BAMA - Four high school women's basketball seniors made their commitment official during the national signing period, as Ace Austin, Tianna Chambers, Lourdes Da Silva Costa and Joy Egbuna are set to join Alabama in the summer of 2025. Ace Austin is a 5'7" Guard from Spring Garden High and ESPNW four-star recruit and she choose Alabama over Auburn, Clemson, Florida State, Miss State and Missouri "We are so proud and excited to have Ace choose to stay home at Alabama. She comes from a championship culture and is a high I.Q. floor general. She will be a great addition to our backcourt with our transition style of play," said Alabama Head Coach Kristy Curry. Other Facts About Ace Austin include: • ESPNW No. 55-ranked player in the Class of 2025 • Prospects Nation No. 43-ranked in the Class of 2025 • BTN Scouting ranked No. 51 • 2024 Alabama Miss Basketball • 2024 Alabama MaxPreps Player of the Year • Gatorade Alabama Girls Basketball Player of the Year • AL.com 2024 Female Athlete of the Year • Gadsden Times Area 2024 Player of the Year • Three-time AHSAA 1A Basketball State Champion • Four-time All-State First Team • Two-time AHSAA Class 1A State Tournament MVP • Two-time AHSAA Class 1A State Volleyball Champion • 2023 Volleyball 1A Player of the Year • Received All-Area recognition from 2020-2024 • Area Tourney MVP in both basketball and volleyball • Two-time Northeast Regional Basketball MVP SIDELINE SPORTS
The future sites for the annual Florida-Georgia football game have been set through 2031. The annual rivaly will return to Jacksonville during the 2028-2031 college football seasons, once EverBank Stadium has been transformed into the "Stadium of the Future." In the meantime, the game will be played in Jacksonville in 2025 and will move to the neutral sites of Atlanta in 2026 and Tampa in 2027, while EverBank Stadium is under renovation. "The Florida-Georgia Game has enjoyed a longstanding and special relationship with the City of Jacksonville, and we are pleased to continue one of college football's great traditions there in 2028 once the impressive renovations to EverBank Stadium are complete," said Athletics Director Scott Stricklin. "For 2026 and 2027, the chance to continue the neutral site history of the series, while also maximizing revenue opportunities that are so critical during this transformative time in college athletics, make playing games in Atlanta and Tampa incredibly attractive. Both cities are special to Gator fans and offer venues that will provide wonderful experiences for both fans and players." The new agreement will meet the financial and operational needs of the schools, bring tens of thousands of fans and millions in economic development to Jacksonville, and provide the opportunity for the iconic matchup between the Gators and Bulldogs to be profitable for the City of Jacksonville. "We are honored to extend the time-honored tradition of the Florida-Georgia rivalry game in Jacksonville for four more years. It is the result of many months of close collaboration with our partners at the University of Georgia and the University of Florida," said Jacksonville Mayor Donna Deegan. "There is shared excitement by all parties for the game to return to Jacksonville in the "Stadium of the Future," which will be a world-class stadium that meets NFL standards, starting in 2028. We are grateful that this matchup will continue bringing our communities together to celebrate college football and drive economic impact." In 2027, the Florida-Georgia game will head to Tampa for the first time since 1919, which marked just the third meeting between the two teams. "The Gators are excited about the opportunity to play Georgia in Tampa in 2027," said Stricklin. "Tampa Bay is a special Gator community and Raymond James Stadium, which has hosted both CFP National Championships and Super Bowls, will be a fantastic venue for fans of both schools. We are appreciative of the work and effort of Rob Higgins and the Tampa Bay Sports Commission to make this game happen and we are looking forward to building on the many memories the Gators have from playing in Tampa." Additional information regarding dates, times and tickets for the future Florida- Georgia games will be released at a future date. "The Florida-Georgia game is one of college football's greatest spectacles and we could not be more excited to have the opportunity to host in 2027," said Rob Higgins, Executive Director of the Tampa Bay Sports Commission. "Team Tampa Bay has a rich tradition and appreciation for college football and there's no doubt that today's announcement will play a huge role in our community's next chapter. Thank you to both schools for entrusting us with this unique opportunity." Future Sites Named For Annual Florida-Georgia Football Game Georgia wide receiver Dillon Bell (86) during Georgia’s game against Florida at Everbank Stadium in Jacksonville on November 2, 2024. Photo By Conor Dillon, UGA Athletics
North Jackson 8-2 North Sand Mtn 5-5 Pisgah 9-1 Plainview 5-5 Sand Rock 5-5 Sardis 3-7 Scottsboro 8-2 Section 1-9 Southside 6-4 Spring Garden 10-0 Susan Moore 5-5 Sylvania 8-2 Valley Head 6-4 West End 1-9 Westbrook 6-4 Woodville 3-7
Below are the high school programs that won the 2024 ASHAA State Volleyball Championship. Class 1A Spring Garden Class 2A Pleasant Valley Class 3A Mobile Christian Class 4A Prattville Christian Class 5A UMS Wright Class 6A Spanish Fort Class 7A McGill Toolen AHSAA Volleyball Champs
Prattville Christian’s Maren Diefenderfer punches a shot over the net as Cherokee County’s Ava Haygood rushes to defend in the Class 4A State Volleyball Quarterfinal match. Cherokee County fell to Prattville Christian 25-18, 26-24, and 25-18. Haygood and Neveah Gaidurgis had eight kills each for the Warriors. The duo also combined to record five blocks. Macy Lea had 20 assists and four digs, while Ellison Givens added 17 digs. The Warriors finished the season with a 42-16 record. Prattville Christian went on to win the Class 4A State Championship. Some of the other Northeast Alabama teams falling in the state tournament were: Ider (Class 1A Semifinals); Geraldine (Class 3A Quarterfinals); Alexandria (Class 4A Runner-up); Guntersville (Class 5A Quarterfinals; Arab (Class 5A Semifinals) and Huntsville (Class 7A Quarterfinals). 2024 AHSAA State Volleyball Tournament Photo By David Holtsford, AHSAA
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