REMEMBERING THE PAST SPORTS LEDGER April 2024 Read Free Online at www.TheSportsLedger.com Page 6 The
Albertville Names Varsity Girls Coach
Natasha Smallwood has been named the new girls basketball coach at Albertville High School. “I am thrilled to welcome Coach Smallwood and her family to Albertville,” said Athletic Director Matt Lambert. “She has a demonstrated ability to develop talent and build a successful program. She is a proven winner, and I am confident that Aggie fans will embrace and support Natasha as we enter the next chapter of Albertville girls basketball.” With 22 years of experience in education and coaching, Smallwood brings a wealth of expertise and a strong commitment to player development both on and off the court. Through 10 seasons at the helm of Susan Moore, Smallwood has compiled a 227-70 (76.4%) record. During Smallwood’s tenure, the Bulldogs achieved multiple county and area championships, as well as deep playoff runs, including three consecutive final four appearances, with a state runner-up finish in 2022. She was the AHSAA 3A Coach of the Year in 2022 and coached the north team in the AHSAA North- South basketball team. She was the assistant coach of the Alabama team in the Alabama-Mississippi All- Star game in March. “I want to say I would not be where I am today without the direction of the good Lord,” said Smallwood. “I am so thankful for my Christian faith. God has truly blessed me throughout my life, and I am so thankful for God’s guidance. He will never lead me in the wrong direction.”
Smallwood’s coaching extends beyond wins and losses, prioritizing the development of players into outstanding young women. “Many people put success in the number of victories a coach has on the floor. I do, too, because I love to win. But success has many different views. My number one priority is developing the girls in the program to become outstanding young women in all aspects of their lives,” said Smallwood. Basketball is a family affair for Smallwood. She is married to John Smallwood and is mother to two daughters, Cali and Lani. Cali, currently a player at the University of Montevallo, and Lani, a rising junior, share the family’s passion for the game. Smallwood highlighted the importance of family involvement in her coaching career, including plans for her father, Bobby Waddle, and brother, Justin Waddle, to join her staff at Albertville. “I am blessed to be able to do something I love so much with my family. My whole family has always been so supportive of my program,” said Smallwood. “I look forward to the opportunity ahead of me at Albertville to get to know many more young ladies and mentor and coach them to successful lives, while winning on the court.
Gadsden State Breaks Ground on New Baseball and Softball Complex Gadsden State Community College Photo By Brandon K. Pierce, The Sports Ledger DeKalb County Soccer Tournament Crossville's Dara Aquino makes a play during the Lady Lions recent game at Scottsboro. Crossville fell to the Lady Wildcat's 5-0. Crossville also competed in the first ever DeKalb County Soccer Tournament on April 5-6 at Collinsville High School. The Lady Lions opened the tournament with a 3-2 win over Geraldine. However, Crossville fell to Collinsville 3-0 in the County Championship game. Collinsville reached the finals with a 4-0 win over Sylvania. The Crossville boys won the 2024 County Tournament with wins over Geraldine and Collinsville.
on their loved ones, where friendships are forged and where memories are made,” said Lewis. “It will be a beacon of pride for Gadsden State and a testament to our dedication to fostering a vibrant and inclusive campus culture.” Clark agreed that athletics is a valuable aspect of the collegiate experience. “The complex will give our athletes and our students the best experience possible, and we will forever be grateful,” he said. “Seeing this come to fruition proves that we are all working together in the same direction. I’m so proud to be the softball coach at Gadsden State.” Aidan Bee, a pitcher on the Gadsden State baseball team, spoke on behalf of his team. “I want to thank everyone who has played a role in bringing this complex to Gadsden State,” he said. “It represents a significant investment in our program and in our future. It shows your commitment to excellence and your belief that athletics is a vital part of the college experience.” Softball Catcher Chloe Gattis added that she is "beyond excited about our new baseball-softball complex." “It’s not just about the nice, new, state-of-the-art facilities. It’s about what it means for our entire student body. This complex isn’t just a place to play. It’s a hub for student life.” Lathan Architects is the architect company for the project. Kyser Construction is the contractor. The project is expected to be completed in early-2025.
recently held a ground breaking ceremony for a new baseball-softball complex, which will be located in the Gadsden Sports Park. The $10 million facility will be funded with a bond approved in November by the Alabama Community College System Board of Trustees. “We believe this complex is a tremendous recruitment tool for us,” said Dr. Kathy Murphy, president of Gadsden State. “We recruit the athletes, who, in turn, encourage friends and family to attend Gadsden State. Expanding sports is beneficial for the College as it promotes school spirit and unity.” The new complex will include an entry concourse between fields synthetic turf, and bullpens, state- of-the-art LED lighting systems, new scoreboards, protective netting systems at both fields, locker rooms and restrooms in the home dugout for the players and coaches, a concessions building with serving windows on both sides to accommodate both fields, Multi-stall restrooms for spectators, elevated bleachers that seat 150, press boxes, chairback seating sections behind home plate for each field, and a covered hitting facility with three synthetic turf hitting and pitching lanes. Additionally, the City of Gadsden has committed to picking up a portion of the tab for new parking lots and a pedestrian bridge that spans 135 feet over the existing culvert to connect a remote parking lot.
Gadsden Mayor Craig Ford and Gadsden State Community College President Dr. Kathy Murphy participated in the ground breaking ceremony for the sports complex. Photo Courtesy of Gadsden State
“I love the cooperation we are seeing between the City of Gadsden and Gadsden State,” said Tim McCartney, a Gadsden native and member of the ACCS Board of Trustees. “I am proud that I voted in favor of the bond issue. We want to do everything we can to make sure this community and this College continue to grow and prosper.” Gadsden Mayor Craig Ford also values the relationship with Gadsden State and the commitment to athletics and academic excellence. “This facility is about the community,” he said. “This is not just about Gadsden. This is about all five counties that Gadsden State serves. This is phenomenal for all of us.”
The and softball teams at Gadsden State disbanded in 2011 and 2016, respectively. An announcement was made on April 18, 2022, that Gadsden State will field the teams again. Blake Lewis was hired baseball as the athletic director and head baseball coach on June 1, 2022, and Ryan Clark was named the head softball coach on Aug. 1, 2023. Lewis said he was profoundly thankful to those who are making the dream of having a state-of- the-art complex a reality. “Beyond the athletic arena, this complex will also serve as a gathering place for our community – a place where families can come together to cheer
Photo Courtesy of Ricky Smith The Marshall County JSU Alumni Chapter welcomed guest speaker Eli Gold to Main Channel Brewing Company in downtown Albertville on Thursday, April 4, 2024. Gold recently joined the Gamecock family as the University's baseball broadcaster. He was joined at the event by retired JSU Baseball coach Jim Case, Jax State President Dr. Don Killingsworth, Trustee Chairman Randy Jones, and numerous Gamecock supporters. JSU Spirit Night
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