January 2026

SPORTS LEDGER Established 2006 The PAGE 1B January 2026 Read More Online at www.thesportsledger.com

The Auburn Family is invited to experience nine days of action as "A-Day Week" presented by Golden Flake takes over The Plains from April 10-18, featuring multiple sports and culminating in the annual A-Day Football Game on Saturday, April 18. The week's marquee event kicks off Saturday at 2 p.m. at Jordan-Hare Stadium when new head coach Alex Golesh debuts in a traditional spring game format, giving fans their first look at key returners and the newest Auburn Tigers in game action. Tickets for the Auburn A-Day Game will go on sale February 3, 2026. In addition to the game on the field, A-Day will feature the full gameday atmosphere fans love, including Tiger Walk before kickoff and the Auburn University Marching Band in attendance. Players will also be available to sign autographs on the field after the game. Before Saturday's main event, Auburn fans can catch multiple SEC showdowns across campus, including a softball series against rival Alabama (April 10-12), baseball's weekend series with Kentucky, and women's tennis matchups with Missouri and Vanderbilt. Broadcast details for the A-Day game will be announced at a later date. “A-Day Week” Schedule of Events Friday, April 10, 2026 • Softball vs. Alabama – TBA • Women’s Tennis vs. Missouri – 5 p.m. • Baseball vs. Kentucky – 6 p.m. Saturday, April 11, 2026 • Softball vs. Alabama – TBA • Baseball vs. Kentucky – 6 p.m. Sunday, April 12, 2026 • Softball vs. Alabama – TBA • Women’s Tennis vs. Vanderbilt – 12 p.m. • Baseball vs. Kentucky – 2 p.m. Tuesday, April 14, 2026 • Baseball vs. Alabama St. – 6 p.m. Saturday, April 18, 2026 • A-Day Football Game – 2 p.m. Auburn A-Day Week Is April 10-18 At the 2026 NCAA Convention in the Washington, D.C., area, acrobatics and tumbling, stunt, Division II bowling and Division III women's wrestling were voted to become NCAA Championships, while flag football entered the Emerging Sports for Women program. This is the first time four championships have been added at one NCAA Convention, representing the meteoric rise of emerging women's sports at the NCAA level. "We are thrilled to add four new women's championships to the NCAA. This moment reflects the growth of college sports, as schools continue to provide a record number of scholarships and opportunities across the NCAA. By expanding championship opportunities, we celebrate the remarkable momentum of women's sports, ensuring more student-athletes have the chance to compete for national titles, represent their institutions and inspire future generations," NCAA President Charlie Baker said. Since the creation of the Emerging Sports for Women program in 1994, eight sports have become championship sports: beach volleyball, rowing, ice hockey, water polo, bowling, wrestling, stunt and acrobatics and tumbling. NCAA to add four new championships

Photo by Brandon K. Pierce, The Sports Ledger Albertville Sweeps Marshall County Basketball Tournament

By Brandon K. Pierce The Sports Ledger

The remaining members of the varsity boys All- tournament team include: Lawson Harbin (DAR), Hudson Broadway (DAR), Landon Cannady (Boaz), Tyson Hamilton (Boaz), Zac Hallman (Arab), Clay Johnson (Asbury), Tobi Knepper (Brindlee Mountain), and Avery Smith (Douglas). The varsity girls championship game was a battle on the court and thriller for fans in attendance. By the end of the opening quarter, Albertville had a one point, 19-18, lead over Guntersville. The Lady Aggies pulled ahead in the second in quarter to go on top 37-22 at halftime. Guntersville battled back in the second half, keeping the game within reach late. However, Albertville held on to come away with a three point 70-67 victory. Albertville's Lanie Smallwood poured in 34 points to earn the Marshall County Girls MVP Award. Two other Lady Aggies reach double digits in win and both were named to the All-Tournament team. Mylie Butler scored 17 points and Millie McBee had 10 points. Whitley Booker scored seven points and was also named to the all-tournament team. Gracyn Robeson chipped in two points. Two Guntersville players reached double figures in the championship game and both were named to the All-tournament team. Kenna'd Buie paced the Lady Wildcats with 19 points and Addison Hammond had 18 points. Shelonda Wellington rounded out Guntersville's representation on the all-tournament team. She had six points against the Aggies. Kyndel Gray scored eight points for the Lady Wildcats. Sophie Porch and Bristol Cook had six points each, while Avery George scored four points. Other players named to the Marshall County Varsity Girls All-tournament team include: Braylee Hogue (Boaz), Addison Bowlin (Boaz), Lauren Lambert (Arab), Jill Stapler (Arab), Presley Rahn (Asbury), Devon Murray (Brindlee Mountain), Annie Ruth Hunt (DAR), and Leslie Spain (Douglas).

The Albertville Aggies swept the 2026 Marshall County Basketball Tournament, winning all five championship division games this year. The Albertville freshman boys defeated Guntersville 53-31. The Junior Varsity girls defeated Arab 51-31, while the Albertville JV Boys earned a 67-43 victory over the Knights. Albertville's varsity girls thrilled fans with a 70- 67 victory over Guntersville, and the Aggie's rolled to a 78-69 victory over the Wildcat's in the varsity boys game. In the finale of the 2026 Marshall County Tournament, Albertville's varsity boys pulled ahead early and led Guntersville 24-13 after the first quarter. The Aggies kept a double digit, 38-28, advantage at the half. However, the Wildcats rallied in the third quarter to make it a four point game at the final break, 55-51. Guntersville kept the game close early in the fourth quarter, but the Aggies pulled away late for a 78-69 championship victory. Keandre Yancey was named the tournament's MVP and was one of five Albertville players to reach double digits in the win. He had 12 points. Trey Bright was the Aggies leading scorer in the game with 20 points. Isaiah Faulks had 17 points, while Ja'Cobi Watson and Kodi Thompson added 10 points each. Taliq Saint scored five points and Britt Carroll chipped in four points for the Aggies. Bright, Faulks, and Saint were all named to the 2026 Marshall County All-tournament team. Guntersville had three players named to this year's varsity boys All-tournament team. They include Westin Hammond (20 points), Turner Hammond (16 points), and Grayson Moon (10 points). Other Wildcat players scoring in the Championship game include: Kobe Brothers (13 points), Hudson Duvall (6 points), Bentley Sistrunk (2 points), and Rylan Wilson (2 points).

Photo By Brandon K. Pierce, The Sports Ledger Guntersville High School volleyball standout Mary George Vandergriff recently signed a college scholarship with UAH.

Photo by Brandon K. Pierce, The Sports Ledger

The Albertville Lady Aggies defeated Guntersville 70-67 to win the 2026 Marshall County Title.

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