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PAGE 3B July 2024
One of the major highlights at the AHSAA Summer Conference was the recognition of 107 high schools that were ejection and sportsmanship fine free for the 2023-24 school year. Additionally, a $1,000 Sportsmanship grant, was awarded to 10 of the schools, one from each district and two from districts 4 and 8, in a show of commitment and support for the AHSAA’s sportsmanship initiatives. This year's District 8 award was presented to Sardis High School and Principal Josh Wallace. The other District recipients included: • District 1: St. Michael Catholic High School, • District 1: Murphy High School in Mobile • District 2: G.W. Long High School in Skipperville • District 3: Greensboro High School • District 4: Loachapoka High School • District 5: Paul Bryant High School in Tuscaloosa • District 6: Alexandria High School • District 6: B.B. Comer High School in Sylacauga • District 7: Berry High School in Fayette This year’s total of 107 high schools is up 27 from last year’s 80 Schools that reached this goal. Class 1A led the way this year with 27 schools. Class 2A had 23; Class 3A had 16; Class 4A had 18; Class 5A totaled 12; Class 6A had 6; and Class 7A had 4. Also since the inception of the Sportsmanship School recognition, $1,000 grants have been awarded to selected schools achieving that status in each district since 2008 – bringing the total amount awarded to $132,000 overall spread among 120 different high schools. Sardis Selected For Sportsmanship Grant from AHSAA Fort Payne's Garrett Helps North All-Star Volleyball Program Dig Out a 3-2 Victory The AHSAA’s 2024 North-South All-Star volleyball game was held recently at the Cramton Bowl MultiPlex, where the North team pulled out a 3-2 victory over the South winning by scores of 23-25, 26-24, 23-25, 15-9. North All-star MVP Lauren Buchanan of Chelsea managed two kills and two service aces in the fifth and final match and finished with 13 kills. Cooper Garrett of Fort Payne also shined for the North in the All-Star game, as she had 23 assists and four digs. North teammate Jasmine Terry of Shades Valley High School had 10 kills and six digs, KeAra Bowen of Huntsville totaled nine kills, and Eevy Bellar of Hazel Green had seven kills and five service aces. Setter Riley Lovell of Bob Jones dished out 26 assists and had five digs, while Sydney Durban of Hoover added 16 digs The South team, coached by Hall-of-Fame coach Julie Gordon of Montgomery Academy and Jennifer Graham of Enterprise, also had a strong balance of talent which forced every set but the fifth one to be settled by just two points. Montgomery Academy’s Elle McBride had a team- high 12 kills and nine digs to help her team force five sets and the performance helped her earn MVP Honors for the South All-Star team. Addi Vinson, of Montgomery Academy finished with 32 assists and six digs. Hannah Pearce of Saraland turned in a strong all-around performance finishing with 10 kills, seven assists, eight digs and two blocks. Taylor Ismael, an outside hitter from Spanish Fort, had 10 kills and three digs, and Paris McQuirter of McGill- Toolen Catholic totaled nine kills and four digs. Setter Sophia Saxon of Saraland also had 15 assists. The victory improved the North's lead in the series to 16-10. The volleyball match also closed out the 2024 All- Star Sports Week sports competition. AHSAA NORTH-SOUTH ALL-STAR RESULTS Girls’ Golf: North 51, South 39 (North leads series 4-1) Boys’ Golf: North 39, South 33 (North leads series 5-0) Baseball: South 4, North 1 (North lead series 24-17-4) Girls’ Tennis: Canceled due to rain; only doubles completed Boys’ Tennis: Canceled due to rain; only doubles completed Softball: South 3-11, North 1-11 (game 2 ended in tie) Girls’ Soccer: North 4, South 1, (North leads 19-3-1) Boys’ Soccer: North 4, South 1 (North leads 16-4-1) Volleyball: North 3, South 2 (North leads series 16-10) The Alabama High School Athletic Association’s South Regional Basketball tournament is heading back to Montgomery and Alabama State University. An agreement has been signed with Alabama State University that will bring Central and South Regional boys’ and girls’ tournament to the Capitol City for the next three years (2025, 2026 and 2027). The South Regional will be played at Alabama State University’s Dunn-Oliver Acadome, and the Central Regional will be played at Garrett Coliseum. AHSAA Regional Basketball Girls’ Cross Country: North 17, South 38 Boys’ Cross Country: North 20, South 41 Girls’ Basketball: North 87, South 46 Boys’ Basketball: North 97, South 85
Jax State Adds New Turf for 2024 Football Season Southside High School's Camren Thompson (10) heads in a first-half goal during AHSAA All- State action in Montgomery. Thompson scored twice and added an assist to lead the North to a 4-1 victory in the North-South Boys' All-Star Game on Wednesday, July 17, 2024 at Emory Folmar YMCA Soccer Complex. Thompson scored the game’s opening goal on a header off a corner kick by Briarwood Christian’s Sawyer Felton in the fourth minute. He finished the scoring when he found the back of the net off a pass from John Carroll Catholic’s Sebastian Guerrero. Thompson was named MVP for his performance. The victory improves the North’s lead in the boys’ all-time all-star series to 16-4-1. The North girls also won by an identical score of 4-1 and improved to 19-3-1 in the North-South all-star series which was first played in 1998. Photo Courtesy of AHSAA Southside Soccer Standout Named All-Star MVP
corporate marks are very prominent on the sidelines. "We're very excited about our new turf and partnership with AmFirst," said Jax State Football Coach Rich Rodriguez. The originator of the synthetic playing surface, AstroTurf was first pioneered in 1964 and has been in continuous operation since 1968; longer than any facility in the industry. For over 50 years, AstroTurf has been innovating systems that come ever closer to the ideal performance of natural grass. The new playing surface at AmFirst stadium will utilize AstroTurf's RootZone 3D Series, which is the premier choice for athletes and field owners and offers unparalleled performance and safety. The 3D Series incorporates a RootZone layer into its basic infilled turf systems. This innovative texturized layer of fibers encapsulates the infill, resulting in minimal rubber splash, enhanced shock absorbency, and reduced infill migration. The RootZone significantly improves safety, playability, and durability, making it the most popular product line in the AstroTurf portfolio. The benefits of the RootZone 3D Series extend
A day after the announcement of AmFirst Stadium, Jacksonville State University Athletic Director Greg Seitz announced that new turf will be in place for the 2024 football season. Fans will see many changes when they return to Burgess-Snow Field at AmFirst Stadium with the opening of the Loring and Debbie White Football Complex and a renovated north side with new seating, outdoor suites and loge seating. "Our previous turf was at the end of its lifespan and we saw this as a perfect opportunity to replace our playing surface prior to the start of this season," said Seitz. "The turf replacement will only add to many other stadium enhancements that will provide a first-class experience, while reducing injuries and improving the safety and well-being of our student-athletes." The field design has also been released, and the vintage Gamecock logo is the main focal point and will be located at midfield. The endzones colors also have changed and will be red with the Jax State football branding highlighted with white letters. Along with the Conference USA logos on the field, the AmFirst
Photo Courtesy Jax State Athletics JSU will welcome New Mexico State on October 9 and Middle Tennessee State on October 23. Jax State will return to a Saturday schedule for the final two home games of the season. The Gamecocks will take on FIU at 1 p.m. on November 16, before closing out the 2024 home season against Sam Houston at 11 a.m. on November 23. The away games for the 2024 football season include: Louisville (Saturday, Sept. 7), Eastern Michigan (Saturday, Sept. 14), Kennesaw State (Friday, Oct. 4), Liberty (Wednesday, Oct. 30), Louisiana Tech (Saturday, Nov. 9), and Western Kentucky (Saturday, Nov. 30). Season tickets are currently on-sale through the JSU Athletic Ticket Office or online at JaxStateSports.com.
beyond just performance. Athletes experience grass- like traction with reduced torque on their lower extremities, ensuring safer and more comfortable play. The system also features less infill spray and consistent shock attenuation, which contribute to its improved durability and long-lasting quality. Seitz said the project is expected to be completed in early August and fans will get their first look when the Gamecocks open the 2024 season on national television against Coastal Carolina on Thursday, August 29 at 7 p.m. Overall, Jax State has six home games this season. The Gamecocks will host Southern Miss at 2 p.m. on Saturday September 21 for the University's annual Homecoming. The next two home games will be on Wednesday nights and both will kickoff at 6:30 p.m.
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