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PAGE 2B January 2026
MARSHALL COUNTY SPORTS HOF - The Marshall County Sports Hall of Fame will hold an induction Banquet on Saturday, June 6, 2026 at Sand Mountain Park. The Event will begin at 6:00 pm. The members of the 2026 Marshall County Sports Hall of Fame are: Larry Buchanan (Albertville), Steve Flack (Arab), Justin Jonus (Arab, DAR, Douglas), A.J. Milwee (Boaz), Frank Moore (Guntersville), Riley Norris (Albertville), Michael Puritt (Arab), Barry Randles (DAR), David Reed (Albertville), Ricky Vaught (Guntersville) and Jeremiah Patterson (Asbury, Boaz, Snead State). NIX JOINS ALABAMA STAFF - University of Alabama head football coach Kalen DeBoer has announced the addition of Derrick Nix. One of the top offensive minds and recruiters in college football, Nix brings a wealth of experience to Tuscaloosa, highlighted by nearly 20 years as an assistant in the Southeastern Conference. Nix joins the Crimson Tide after spending the last two seasons in Auburn. While with the Tigers from 2024-25, he served as the offensive coordinator and running backs coach. Despite a down year in ‘25, the Tigers’ backs ranked in the top-half of the SEC for rushing yards and rushing yards per game. The offensive unit also led the conference and tied for third nationally with just eight total turnovers lost. In his first season on the Plains, Nix coached running back Jarquez Hunter to first team All-SEC accolades. The senior rushed for 1,201 yards, highlighted by a 278-yard effort at Kentucky that finished as the highest single- game total by an FBS player in 2024. A native of Attalla, Nix joined the Auburn staff after spending the previous 16 seasons at Ole Miss from 2008-23. While with the Rebels, he worked 12 seasons with the running backs and the final four with wideouts. For his last two seasons, Nix was also tabbed as the assistant head coach. Prior to his time at Ole Miss, Nix served as an offensive assistant for the Atlanta Falcons from 2007-08. His coaching career began at his alma mater, Southern Miss. He began his time in Hattiesburg as a defensive graduate assistant in 2003 before being promoted to the tight ends coach in 2004 and eventually serving as the running backs coach from 2005-06. DONATION - Baylor University has announced the largest gift in Baylor Baseball program’s history – a gift from Magnolia, the Waco-based and nationally recognized lifestyle company founded by Baylor alumni Chip and Joanna Gaines. The gift will name Magnolia Field at Baylor Ballpark and support the program’s anticipated capital projects. Celebrated Baylor alumni Chip (BBA ’98) and Joanna (BA ’01) Gaines rose to national prominence through their home-renovation style and entrepreneurial vision, building Magnolia into a multi-platform, global brand and launching Magnolia Network following the success of their hit HGTV series “Fixer Upper”. Read the full story online at www.thesportsledger.com. MARK INGRAM SELECTED FOR HOF - Former University of Alabama running back Mark Ingram has been named one of 22 inductees set to join the 2026 National Football Foundation (NFF) Hall of Fame. Ingram will be the 28th former Crimson Tide player or coach to be enshrined in the College Football Hall of Fame and is the third Alabama inductee since 2024, joining Antonio Langham (2024) and Nick Saban (2025). The formal induction ceremony will take place on Tuesday, Dec. 8, 2026, at the Bellagio Resort & Casino in Las Vegas. Ingram played in 39 career games at Alabama, helping lead the Crimson Tide to a win in the 2009 BCS National Championship. He received the Heisman Trophy that same season, becoming the first player in program history to earn college football’s most prestigious award. During his time at Alabama, he produced 1,658 rushing yards and 17 rushing scores during his Heisman campaign, with both marks leading all Southeastern Conference players. SIDELINE SPORTS
Photo by Brandon K. Pierce, The Sports Ledger
The Glencoe Varsity Boys' Basketball program rallied from a double digit deficit to defeat Southside 51-43 in the championship game of the 2026 Etowah County Tournament on Friday, January 16, 2026. Glencoe's Grant Smith (#30) was named the tournament MVP. Etowah County Tournament Champs
Photo by Brandon K. Pierce, The Sports Ledger
The Southside Varsity Boys' Basketball program fell to Glencoe 51-43 in the championship game of the 2026 Etowah County Tournament on Friday, January 16, 2026. Southside Boys Are Varsity Runner-up
The members of the 2026 Etowah County Varsity Boys All-Tournament Team are: Grant Smith (MVP), Bryce Borntrager, Jalen Hunter, and Dorrell Hampton (all from Glencoe); Caden Holderfield, Drew Clark, and Carson McGraw (all from Southside); Bryce Whitaker and Noah Johnson (Both of Hokes Bluff); Levi Martin and Michele Menditto (Both of Sardis); Marquis Taylor (Gaston), and Brodi Mass (West End). Etowah County Varsity Boys All-Tournament Team Photo by Brandon K. Pierce, The Sports Ledger
Photos by Brandon K. Pierce, The Sports Ledger
• REEL 1 - Sardis fans and players show of the JV Girls Etowah County Championship Trophy. • REEL 2 - These fans were enjoying the Etowah County Basketball Tournament. • REEL 3 - Guntersville's Mary George Vandergriff takes a picture with a couple of her friends during her Volleyball Scholarship signing Day with UAH on January 9, 2026. • REEL 4 - Southside Cheerleaders at Etowah County Tournament. THE SPORTS LEDGER HIGHLIGHT PHOTO REEL
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