SPORTS LEDGER May 2025 Read Free Online at www.TheSportsLedger.com Page 8A The
Collinsville Wins State Soccer Championship
golf standout Velvie Smith recently committed to continue her athletic and academic career at Snead State Community College. Smith said that she choose the college because it was close to home, and Snead State has what she believes is a "great" women's golf program. "I really want to be a part of a program like that because I love golf so much," she said. "I'm really excited I'm able to get this opportunity to take it to the next level." While thankful for the opportunity ahead of her, Velvie said that it would not have been possible without the help of family, coaches, teammates and friends at Five different players scored goals on Friday, May 9, 2025 to help the Collinsville High School’s boys’ soccer team roll to a 5-2 victory over Tuscaloosa Academy in the AHSAA Class 1A/3A Boys’ State Soccer Championship. The state title was the second in Collinsville school history and the first since 2013. Class 1A/3A state championship game MVP Jefferson Acevedo scored the opening goal at the 20:08 giving the Panthers a 1-0 lead. Collinsville never trailed. The Panthers stretched the lead to 4-0 early in the second half thanks to goals from Eddy Ortiz, Alex Herrea, and Jan Segura. Tuscaloosa Academy finally got on the board at 60:20 in the second half when Anton Schmidt scored for the Knights. Senior Danillo Stojakovic cut the lead to 4-2 eight minutes later, but Collinsville closed out the win with a goal by Aaron Herrera. Collinsville also got an outstanding game from keeper Jinen Shukal, who had seven saves.
Photo By Davis Holtsford, AHSAA
Guntersville senior A. J. Shumate scored three goals in the 2025 State Semifinals to lead the Wildcats to a 5-1 win over Boaz. Guntersville took a 1-0 lead at 14:31 mark in the first half on a goal by Chris Escobedo. Shumate nailed his first goal just 23 seconds later on an assist from Kalun Cobb. He followed with his second and third goals at 30:05 and 51:55. His final goal set up by an assist from Brandon Manganaris. Guntersville closed out its scoring with Managanaris scoring at 70:06. Boaz scored its goal at 58:47 by Jonthan Garcia. Guntersville goalkeeper Slaide Mohr had three saves, and Boaz keeper Licio Chavez had two saves. Guntersville advanced to the state championship game against Indian Springs, where Shumate scored two additional goals to lead the Wildcats to the 2-0 state championship victory. Shumate, who earned MVP honors, finished his prep career with 212 goals scored – including 50 this season. He broke the scoreless tie at 69:24 in the second half. Less than a minute later, he streaked toward the Indian Springs goal, pulled up on the right side and passed to teammate Hunter Holdsambeck, who made a quick move and shot a pass back toward his teammate and Shumate drilled it into the net for the final goal of the match, the day, and his prep career. Photo By Davis Holtsford, AHSAA Shumate leads Guntersville to Class 5A State Soccer Title
Collinsville senior Aaron Herrera (8) made two goals in an 11-minute span to help lift the Panthers past Susan Moore in the state semifinals. With the win, Collinsville advanced to the Class 1A/3A State finals, where the Panthers won the State Championship with a 4-2 victory over Tuscaloosa Academy.
Smith Signs With SSCC By Brandon K. Pierce The Sports Ledger Boaz High School place I could have ever been," she commented about her time at Boaz. Smith added Boaz
High School also provided her with numerous other opportunities. "I'm in so many different clubs and leadership roles in those clubs. Like in the choir, Drum Major in the band, the golf team, and student council," she said. At Snead State, and hopefully Jacksonville State University later, Velvie plans to pursue a degree in education. She plans to become a secondary math teacher. "I just love math and my AP Calculus teacher, Ms. (Christy) McCormick has just left such a big impact on me that I want to turn around and do that to future kids," Velvie added.
Velvie Smith
Boaz and Crossville. Smith was a member of the Lady Lions golf team, before transferring to Boaz to complete her prep career. "I would have never got these opportunities anywhere else," she said. "I feel like I've just flourished, and it's the best
The Snead State Community College Women’s Golf Team secured a second-place finish at the NJCAA South District Golf Championship held on May 1, 2025 at Cider Ridge Country Club in Oxford. The finish earned the team a spot in the NJCAA Division II Women's Golf National Championship, which was scheduled for May 13–16 at Cedar Point Golf Course in Boone, Iowa. Those results were not available at press time. Pictured, from left, are Assistant Women’s Golf Coach Joe Hedgepeth, Kyleigh Gibson, Ashley Nelson, Rachel Gattis, Marlee Hedgepeth, and Head Women’s Golf Coach Shane Marshall. Nelson and Gibson were named to the All-District Team. Snead State Golf Qualifies For NJCAA National Tournament Photo Courtesy of Snead State
Photo By Brandon K. Pierce, The Sports Ledger The Crossville football program held a scrimmage on Friday, May 9.
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