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PAGE 8 July 2026
SIDELINE SPORTS NEWS & NOTES JAX STATE WOMEN'S BASKETBALL
AUBURN STANDOUT HEADED TO PIRATES Auburn's Chris Rembert was selected by the Pittsburgh Pirates with the 51st overall pick in the second round of the 2026 MLB Draft on Saturday, July 11 in Philadelphia. Rembert becomes the sixth-highest draft pick under head coach Butch Thompson, who has now produced 50 MLB draft selections in his 11 seasons. This year's draft marks the 52nd consecutive year dating back to 1975 Auburn has had at least one player selected in the MLB Draft, tied for the longest streak in the Southeastern Conference. It also marks the 11th straight season under Thompson that the Tigers have had at least one top-five-round pick, also good for the longest streak in program history. VOLS PITCHER PICKED BY ST. LOUIS For the fifth straight year, the University of Tennessee had a player picked in the first round of the Major League Baseball Draft. Sophomore pitcher Tegan Kuhns was selected with the 32nd overall pick by the St. Louis Cardinals. The Vols have now had 11 total first rounders this decade (2020-pres.), which leads all SEC programs in that span. Kuhns is the fifth Tennessee pitcher to be selected in the first round this decade, joining the likes of Liam Doyle (2025), Marcus Phillips (2025), Chase Dollander (2023) and Garrett Crochet (2020). OUTDOOR COLLEGE BASKETBALL EVENT The LinkU Invitational will bring a first-of-its-kind outdoor college basketball doubleheader to Credit One Stadium in Charleston, SC on Sunday, Sept. 27. The event will feature the University of Virginia vs. Vanderbilt University and College of Charleston vs. The Citadel in a day-long celebration of college basketball, community and fan experiences. Read more at www.thesportsledger.com. 56 BIG 12 BASEBALL PLAYERS DRAFTED All 14 Big 12 programs saw at least two players drafted in the 2026 MLB Draft, as a total of 56 players were selected by Major League Baseball organizations. The 56 selections tied for the third-most in Conference history with the 2008, 2011 and 2025 seasons. Arizona State led the Conference and tied for the third-most selections in this year's draft with 10 players drafted. Houston, Oklahoma State, Texas Tech and West Virginia tied for the second- most players selected with five apiece. Read more online at www.thesportsledger.com. TENNESSEE MEN TO PLAY MICHIGAN STATE The University of Tennessee men's basketball has made an agreement with Michigan State University for a two- year, home-and-home series. The first matchup will take place Nov. 17, 2026, with the Spartans visiting Food City Center. Tennessee will make a return trip to East Lansing, Mich., for a matchup at the Breslin Center during the 2027-28 season, with the exact date to be determined.
ALABAMA SENIOR TO PLAY FOR PUERTO RICO University of Alabama soccer standout Kennedy Garcia has received a call-up to play for the Puerto Rico national team at the upcoming Central American and Carribean Games to be held in the Dominican Republic. Garcia will open play for Puerto Rico on July 29 against Mexico before continuing against Jamaica on July 31 and Colombia on August 1. The top two teams from this group of four will advance to the tournament semifinals against the top two finishers from the other group of four with a champion ultimately crowned on Aug. 6. Garcia was previously called up for last year’s Turkish Women’s Cup as well as the 2024 CONCACAF Gold Cup . AUBURN MEN TO FACE FSU IN BIRMINGHAM The Auburn men’s basketball team will make its 2026-27 debut with an exhibition contest against Florida State in the third annual Ballin in Boutwell presented by Nike and Hibbett on Wednesday, Oct. 14 in Birmingham’s Boutwell Auditorium. The game against FSU will serve as Auburn’s first exhibition of the season “We’re thrilled to open the season at Boutwell Auditorium against a quality opponent like Florida State,” Head Coach Steven Pearl said. “Ballin in Boutwell provides a great opportunity for our team to gain valuable experience while competing in front of our incredible fans at an outstanding venue. We can’t wait to tip off the season in such a special atmosphere," added Pearl. In its third year of hosting exhibition games, Ballin’ in Boutwell will take place at Boutwell Auditorium, which was built in 1924 as a Municipal Auditorium. This year’s event will feature five games over a three-day period. Florida State enters the 2026-27 season under the direction of first year head coach Luke Loucks. The Seminoles finished last year at 18-15 overall and did not participate in a postseason tournament. Auburn’s previously announced games include: Oct. 14 vs. Florida State (Ballin in Boutwell, Birmingham) Nov. 17 vs. West Virginia (Players Era 8, Las Vegas, NV) Nov. 18 vs. Kansas or UNLV (Players Era 8, Las Vegas, NV) Nov. 19 vs. TBA (Players Era 8, Las Vegas, NV) Dec. 1 at Clemson (SEC/ACC Challenge, Clemson, SC) Dec. 15 vs. Middle Tenn (Rocket City Classic, Huntsville) Dec. 19 vs. Wisconsin (Nashville, TN) BAMA WOMEN SET FOR BALLIN IN BOUTWELL For the second consecutive season, the University of Alabama women's basketball will play in a Ballin in Boutwell exhibition game at Boutwell Auditorium in Birmingham. The Crimson Tide is set to face UAH at Noon CT on Thursday, Oct. 15. Tickets are now on sale and can be purchased at www.ballininboutwell.com. Alabama and UAH will meet for the seventh time in series history and first time in 40 years during the preseason event.
Jacksonville State women's basketball has announced their full 2026-27 schedule. The Gamecocks open the season with three-straight home games beginning with Oglethorpe on Nov. 2, Life University on Nov. 6, and North Alabama on Nov. 9. Following the three-game home stand, Jax State travels to Southern Miss on Nov. 16 then heads to North Dakota State on Nov. 20. On Nov. 27 and 28, the Gamecocks travel to Irvine, California, for the ZotGiving Classic hosted by UC Irvine. Teams Jax State will play in that event will be announced at a later date. After the tournament on the West Coast, Ricky Austin's squad will conclude their five-game road trip with a showdown at Mercer on Dec. 2. Jax State returns to Pete Mathews Coliseum to take on Point University on Dec. 9 before heading to Wichita State on Dec. 15 and Missouri on Dec. 18. To conclude the non-conference schedule, Jax State hosts Presbyterian on Dec. 20. Jax State's CUSA schedule begins on the road at Middle Tennessee on Jan. 2 and at Western Kentucky on Jan. 4. The Gamecocks host three CUSA foes starting with Kennesaw State on Jan. 10. New Mexico State visits the Pete on Jan. 14, then Sam Houston comes to Jacksonville on Jan. 16. The Gamecocks travel to Liberty on Jan. 21, then for the first time since Delaware joined the CUSA, women's basketball travels to Newark, Del., on Jan. 23 to face the Fightin' Blue Hens. Florida International travels to Jacksonville on Jan. 28 then Jax State welcomes Missouri State on Jan. 30. On Feb. 6, Kennesaw State and Jax State play at Kennesaw, Sam Houston welcomes Jax State on Feb. 11, then to conclude the road trip when New Mexico State hosts Jax State on Feb. 13. The Gamecocks face Delaware at home on Feb. 18 then host the Liberty Flames on Feb. 20. On Feb. 25, Jax State travels to Florida International. On Feb. 27, Jax State plays at Missouri State. The Gamecocks wrap up the regular season with a homestand against Western Kentucky on March 4 and against Middle Tennessee on March 6. The CUSA Women's Basketball Championship Tournament will be on March 9-13 in Huntsville. BAMA MEN SET FOR BALLIN IN BOUTWELL For the third straight season, the University of Alabama men's basketball team will play in an exhibition game at the Boutwell Auditorium in Birmingham. The Crimson Tide will face Ole Miss in the Ballin in Boutwell exhibition game. The game is set for 7 p.m. CT on Thursday, Oct. 15. Tickets are now on sale and can be purchased at www.ballininboutwell.com. Alabama is 6-2 against SEC rival Ole Miss during Nate Oats’ tenure as the Crimson Tide Head Coach. Overall, Alabama is 2-0 in its previous Ballin in Boutwell matchups with wins over Florida State (2025) and Wake Forest (2024). Alabama is ranked No. 15 in ESPN’s Way Too Early Top 25 rankings heading into the 2026-17 season.
CLASSIC CAR INDOOR AUCTION and PROJECT VEHICLE SALES CORRAL Saturday, August 29, 2026 at 10 A.M. (CDT)
Call us TODAY at 256.927.8900 to consign your vehicle. DEADLINE for consignments is August 26th at 5:00 pm. • NO PETS are allowed unless the pet is a service animal. NO Exceptions. • Auction Vehicle Registration is $150 per vehicle and is nonrefundable. • Project Sales Corral Registration is $100 per vehicle or space and is non- refundable. No other fees will be charged on vehicles or parts swapped or sold in the Project Sales Corral. • The Project Sales Corral will be located outside in a designated area and will be open on both preview days and on the day of the auction. • ALL entries for Auction and Project Sales Corral must be approved prior to consignment. • Consignments must have registration or title in owner/seller’s name. • Outdoor PROJECT VEHICLE and PARTS SALES CORRAL specific to project vehicles • Bid live in person, by phone, or online. • Buy/Sell Fee is 6% for all Auction Vehicles (9% for online bids). • Previews will be Thursday, August 27, 2026 and Friday, August 28, 2026 from 9 AM until 5 PM (CDT). • Public entry fee for Previews and Auction will be $20 per day or a 3-day pass for $40 (Age 12 and under free with paid adult). • Personal wheelchairs and mobility scooters are allowed • Golf carts are not allowed inside the building Classic Car Auction to be held inside the old Kmart building located at 1525 Chestnut Bypass in Centre
Visit www.swaffordauctiongroup.com for online bidding, more pictures, terms, and information.
The McClure Estate Sale - August 22, 2026
105 County Road 743, Cedar Bluff, AL 35959
COURT-ORDERED REAL ESTATE & PERSONAL PROPERTY AUCTION • 2 Bedroom • 2 Bath Waterfront Home on Weiss Lake situated on a half-acre waterfront lot with 140 +/- feet of shoreline on the Coosa River and beautiful Weiss Lake. Selling by order of the court, this two-level home offers an outstanding opportunity for homeowners, investors, or those looking for a lake retreat. • The home features two bedrooms and two full bathrooms on the main level, along with a kitchen, dining room, walk-in pantry, living room, and sunroom. • The lower level includes an open walk-out bonus room with sliding glass doors providing direct access to the outdoors and lakeside making it perfect for a family room, recreation room, guest space, or home office. The home also has an attached two-car garage. The home is in need of repairs and updates, making it an excellent opportunity to renovate and customize to your preferences. • Personal Property items will sell ABSOLUTE to the highest bidder.
1445 Clarence E. Chestnut Jr. Bypass, Centre, AL 35960 Phone: 256.927.8900 | Toll Free: 877.222.5720 R. Shane Swafford, ASL#1589 GANR#2635 www.swaffordauctiongroup.com
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