Major Deacon Named Albertville Boys Basketball Head Coach SPORTS LEDGER APRIL 2023 Read Free Online at www.TheSportsLedger.com Page 5 The
Major Deacon has been named the new Albertville High School boys basketball coach. He is taking over for Dylan Bunnell, who had led the Aggies for two seasons. “We’re excited to get a young man who has a great deal of passion for the game and a knack for turning programs around,” said Albertville High School Principal Jordan Phillips. “He’s a guy with a lot of intelligence, intensity, and discipline. We are excited to welcome Coach Deacon to the Aggie family.” Deacon was approved unanimously at a special called board meeting. “I talked to two other superintendents, and they both said the same thing. ‘This guy can coach.’ A third told me Coach Deacon was instrumental in turning around our basketball program to what it is today. The last I spoke with talked about what a tight ship, highly disciplined and organized program he runs,” said Dr. English.
“When you say a guy can coach, that he’s instrumental in turning around a program, and he’s organized, runs a disciplined program and is a winner, that’s pretty good. We’re proud to have him at Albertville.” At age 25, Deacon took his first varsity head coach position, coaching girls basketball at Baker High, the second largest school in the state of Alabama. He spent one year as Baker’s girls coach, immediately changing that team’s fortunes. The Hornets went from 3-21 before Deacon took over to 12-15 in his only season as the head coach. The team finished second in the area and made a regional appearance. He then replaced Jeb Blackerby as the boys coach, going 40-22 in two seasons. Previously, the team had finished 15- 15. His teams reached the South Regional both years and won back-to-back area championships.
Deacon left Baker to become a graduate assistant coach at Northwestern State University while earning his master’s degree in sports administration. The university is a member of the NCAA and competes in the Southland Conference at the NCAA Division I level. Part of the master’s program required an internship, which led Deacon to become a varsity assistant coach at Thompson High School in Alabaster. He helped guide the team to a 21-win season and regional playoff appearance following a 1-28 season the previous year. Deacon, age 35, spent three years at Austin High School in Decatur. In his final season, Black Bears were in the Class 7A top 10 rankings for several weeks. The team went 20- 11 and earned a trip to the Northwest Regional. During his stint at Austin, he went 51-34 with one area championship and
two trips to the regional tournament. Deacon’s first season as head coach was Austin’s second in Class 7A. The Black Bears won the area championship and lost to Spain Park 60-46 in the regional semifinals. The next season was hit hard by COVID and pandemic restrictions. The Black Bears went 10-12 and lost in the area tournament semifinals to James Clemens 71-68. Most recently, Deacon guided the Pleasant Home Eagles to a playoff appearance despite graduating four senior starters the year prior. "I’m really excited to be here,” said Deacon. “I think Albertville has first-class administration, good kids and a community that anyone would love to be a part of. I’m just ready to get started," added the Aggies new coach. Deacon graduated from Baker in Mobile in 2007. He played basketball at the University of Mobile.
Photo By Brandon K. Pierce, The Sports Ledger
Crossville native Robi Coker has been hired as the new head basketball coach at Fort Payne High School. Coker has been head coach at Plainview for the past 10 years, where he guided the Bears to four state basketball titles in 2018, 2019, 2022, and 2023. Coker Named Fort Payne Basketball Coach Albertville Duo Named 2023 Ledger Leaders
By Brandon K. Pierce The Sports Ledger Two standout junior athletes at Albertville High School have been selected for The Sports Ledger's 2023 Ledger Leader awards. To be selected for the for honor, students must be a current member of the junior class, meaning they will be a senior next fall. They must have at least a 3.80 GPA and be involved in community services. Albertville standouts Emma Buck and Jon Wesley Seay both meet and exceed these requirements and they are both well deserving of this year's award. Emma plays tennis for the Aggies and she has a 4.02 GPA. Outside of school she is involved in Operation Christmas Child and various church activities. She also By Brandon K. Pierce The Sports Ledger Collinsville student athletes Eli Griggs and Gricie Griggs are both recipients of The Sports Ledger's 2023 Ledger Leader Award. Eli is a three sport athlete at Collinsville, where he plays football, basketball and baseball. His efforts on the gridiron earned him the Defensive MVP award, as well as All-County and All- Region honors. Eli has a 3.91 academic GPA and he is a member of the Beta Club. He also participates in the FBLA, FCA and Teen's Together. Outside of school, he has volunteered to help
Emma Buck
volunteers at a local thrift store and helps at the recycling center. Jon plays basketball at Albertville and has a 4.10 academic GPA. His efforts on the court earned him the honor of defensive player of the year and he was named an All- Area Athlete. During his spare time he helps with basketball camps for children. with a local cemetery improvement project. Gracie plays basketball, softball and volleyball at Collinsville. In basketball she was named to the All- Area Tournament team. In softball, she made the All-Area and All-County Tournament teams. Gracie's got a 4.0 GPA and she's involved in numerous clubs and organizations including: Beta, FBLA, FCCLA, FCA and Teen's Together. In her spare time she participates in youth visits to the local nursing home to help with various activities. She has also helped with a career fair at her school.
Photo By Brandon K. Pierce, The Sports Ledger
Members of the Gadsden Titan youth baseball team lineup for the National Anthem during a ribbon cutting ceremony for Phase II at the Gadsden City Sports Park. The sports park, which is located behind Gadsden State Community College, is opening different sections in phases. Phase 1 has been open and Phase 2 is now open. The new second phase includes four baseball/ softball fields at the center of the complex. Gadsden Mayor Craig Ford, and other local officials, were at the Phase 2 ribbon cutting. While excited about what's already been accomplished, city officials are excited for the future. Phase 3 for the City Park will feature a Champions Field and additional parking spaces. Phase 4 is also in the works and the city plans for it to include additional playing fields and a pickleball court. A fifth phase is also a possibility in the future. Gadsden Sports Park Holds Ribbon Cutting
2023 Collinsville Ledger Leaders
The 2023 Albertville Varsity boys soccer season is underway. The Aggies have already won several games already this season. This includes helping head Coach Chad Oliver record his 100th win as the boys soccer coach. The members of the Class 7A Albertville Aggies are (Back Row L-R) Keepers Coach Taylor Gwaltney, Assistant Coach Jared Woodham, Oscar Perez, Llordi Gallardo Miranda, Cristian Conriquez Rios, Edwin Vasquez, Steven Vasquez, Laureano Zurita, Ben Arellano Vega, Kenneth Villagomez, Assistant Coach Cole Bowling, and Head Coach Chad Oliver; (Second row) Sergio Sebastian, Marco Salinas Ramirez, Oscar Salinas, Pedro Quixan, Orlando Miguel, Alex Mateo Francisco, Joshua De Jesus Garcia, and Luis Garcia; and (Front Row) Uriel Soriano, Edvin Gutierrez, Juan Ramirez Garcia, Saul Garcia, Leo Juarez, Yordan Rodas Bravo. Not pictured: Assistant Coach Orlando Argote, Assistant Coach Julio Ramirez, and Alexander González. Albertville Soccer Season Underway Photo Courtesy of Mona Smith
Eli Griggs
Gracie Griggs
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