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PAGE 8 July 2026 E-Edition
SIDELINE SPORTS REPORT
Ninety-Four AHSAA High Schools Earn Sportsmanship Award Ninety-four high schools in the Alabama High School Athletic Association finished 2025-2026 school year without an ejection. Among the schools were Alabama School for the Blind, which earned the recognition for the 17th time; Covenant Christian School and Alabama School for Math & Science, both accomplishing the goal for the 16th time since the AHSAA School Sportsmanship Program was instituted by former Executive Directors Dan Washburn and Steve Savarese and the AHSAA Central Board of Control 19 years ago beginning with the 2007- 2008 school year. “We are extremely proud of the emphasis placed on sportsmanship with AHSAA member schools,” said Executive Director Heath Harmon. “While we are not perfect, we continue to strive to provide a sportsmanship model we all can be proud of.” Harmon said having no ejections in a school year is an amazing accomplishment considering all the contests each school’s students and coaches participate in and the number of parents and other community fans who attend your events each year. This is a tribute to the administrators, faculty, coaches, parents – and, of course, the student athletes. Each school’s leadership and commitment are to be commended.” Auburn High School accomplished the feat in Class 7A, which is extremely difficult to do in the largest classification since so many sports are offered, and a larger number of student-athletes and coaches participate. However, Auburn also captured five state championships during the school year – sweeping both girls’ and boys’ state titles in soccer, claiming the girls’ cross country and outdoor track titles, and the school’s Esports team won the Mario Kart state championship. The Tigers also finished runner-up in baseball, reached the semifinals in football, girls’ basketball, was state runner-up in girls’ golf, and third in boys’ golf to cap off one of the most successful years in school history. Auburn’s principal is Gregory Moore. Cold Springs won two state championships (girls’ cross country, and girls outdoor track). Overall, 15 schools earning the Sportsmanship School designation won at least one AHSAA state championship during the season: Auburn, Cold Springs, Athens Bible, Mars Hill Bible, Pleasant Valley, North Sand Mountain, Lindsay Lane, Lee-Scott, Oxford, St. Michael Catholic, Westminster-Oak Mountain, Susan Moore, Shoals Christian, and Lauderdale County. Since the program’s inception, 422 high schools have reached the Sportsmanship School goal at least once and overall, the AHSAA’s member high schools have accomplished the feat 1,902 times. This year’s schools have reached that goal 609 times – an average of 6.2 times each. Among this year’s recipients are 18 schools receiving the Sportsmanship banner for at least 10 years. Among them are Alabama School/Blind (17); Alabama School/ Math & Science (16); Covenant Christian (16); Alabama School/Deaf (14); Athens Bible (14); Keith High School (12); A.L. Johnson High School (11); Jacksonville Christian (11); Mars Hill Bible School (11); Geraldine High School (11); Gordo High School (11); Holly Pond High School (11); Hackleburg High School (10); Skyline High School (10); Belgreen High School (10); Clarke County High School (10); Cold Springs High School (10); Westminster- Oak Mountain School (10); Asbury High School (10); and Colbert Heights High School (10). The AHSAA and AHSADCA will honor the schools earning the Sportsmanship banner with a luncheon scheduled for Friday, July 24, during the 30th annual Summer Conference at the Montgomery Renaissance Hotel and Convention Center. Principals and athletic directors of each school will be recognized. “These schools’ emphasis has positively impacted all our member schools in a positive way as indicated by a significant reduction in the number ejections and fines since the Sportsmanship program was first implemented in 2007,” said Harmon. “It is important to note that 99 percent of our 175,000 student-athletes and more than 10,000 coaches annually are not involved in any unsportsmanlike act.” Ten of the schools being recognized will be receiving a $1,000 grant from the AHSADCA. That will bring the total to $152,000 distributed to 138 different schools since 2008. This year’s grant recipients will be announced and checks presented to the principals at the luncheon. AHSAA member middle schools also had 249 schools complete the 2025-2026 school year without a sportsmanship fine or ejection.
JAX STATE SCORES RECORD POINT TOTAL IN DIRECTOR'S CUP Jax State Athletics earned its highest point total ever in this year's LEARFIELD Directors' Cup standings, finishing 95th overall among more than 300 Division I schools. Since the 1993-94 season, the Directors' Cup and final standings have been awarded based on a scoring structure rewarding in-season and final season accomplishments and poll rankings. The final tally includes 19 sport scores, with several schools not registering points in every sport. The Gamecocks ended 2025-26 with a final score of 220 points, surpassing the school's previous best mark of 202 set in 2013-14. That year also marked the only other previous top 100 final ranking. Jax State secured Conference USA championships this past year in baseball, softball and bowling, which went on to win the program's second NCAA National Championship in three years. The Gamecocks finished 9-5 and won the IS4S Salute to Veteran's Bowl in football and challenged for CUSA titles in several other sports. The 95th overall finish trailed only the state's two Southeastern Conference schools for the second year in a row, while topping in-state foes Troy (130), Samford (138) and South Alabama (265). The Gamecocks were 77th among fellow FBS institutions. The record finish improved upon last year's 141st final ranking. Texas won this year's Directors' Cup followed by Stanford and UCLA. AUBURN TO FACE MIDDLE TENNESSEE IN ROCKET CITY CLASSIC The Auburn University men’s basketball team continues to add to its non-conference schedule with the announcement of the Rocket City Classic vs. Middle Tennessee on December 15 at VBC Propst Arena in Huntsville. This is Auburn’s second time participating in the Rocket City Classic. The Tigers defeated UNC Asheville 87-62 in the inaugural Rocket City Classic on December 13, 2023. The Middle Tennessee game adds to a non-conference schedule with previously announced matchups against Wisconsin (December 19) and West Virginia (November 17). The Tigers full non-conference schedule will be available later this summer. VANDERBILT'S TYLER NICKEL DRAFTED BY NEW YORK KNICKS Tyler Nickel became the 43rd Vanderbilt men’s basketball player to hear his name called in the NBA Draft, going to the New York Knicks with the 47th overall pick. Nickel is the first Commodore to be drafted since 2020 when Aaron Nesmith and Saben Lee were selected in the first and second round, respectively. In two seasons with the Dores, Nickel etched his name alongside the best shooters in program history with a .402 three-point shooting percentage. His 110 threes in 2025-26 marked the third most in a single season at Vanderbilt, trailing only Shan Foster and John Jenkins who co-hold the record with 134 made triples. In his senior season, Nickel notched a slew of career bests, including shooting 44.5 percent from the field, 84.7 percent from the free-throw line, 117 rebounds, 28 steals and 19 blocks. He averaged a collegiate-best 13.5 points per game. He also hit eight threes in a game twice this season, joining Foster as the only two Commodores to ever accomplish the feat. For his Commodore career, Nickel averaged 12 points per game and helped lead the black and gold to back-to-back NCAA Tournament appearances for the first time in over a decade. While Nickel is the 43rd Vanderbilt player to be drafted, it marks the 44th time a Commodore has been selected as Steve Turner was selected in both the 1972 and 1973 drafts. 2027 NFL DRAFT TO BE HELD IN WASHINGTON D.C. The 2027 NFL Draft presented by Bud Light will take place Thursday, April 29 to Saturday, May 1, 2027, in Washington, D.C. Hosted in partnership with the Washington Commanders and Events DC, the free three- day event will bring fans from around the world to the nation's capital for one of the most anticipated events in sports. The 2027 NFL Draft will take place across iconic locations throughout Washington, D.C., with the National Mall anchoring the Draft Theater in front of the Capitol and the NFL Draft Experience spanning Pennsylvania Avenue NW between 3rd and 7th Streets. Additional event elements will be situated throughout the footprint surrounding the National Mall. OLE MISS 2026 SOCCER SCHEDULE Ole Miss Soccer and head coach Todd Shulenberger have announced the Rebels 2026 schedule, which featuries 10 home matches to be played at Ole Miss Soccer Stadium. The Rebels’ schedule consists of one exhibition match, eight matches against non-conference opponents, and a 10-game conference schedule. Ole Miss will open their season with an exhibition match against Samford at home that will act as fans first chance to see the new look Rebels. The regular season begins on August 12 with a home match against Murray State followed by three-straight road matches against Louisiana, College of Charleston, and UAB from August 16-23. The Rebels will then play five-consecutive matches at home starting with Memphis on August 27, ULM on August 30, and South Alabama on September 3. Ole Miss will close non-conference play against Belmont on September 6. SEC play for the Rebels starts on September 11 with the annual Magnolia Cup game against Mississippi State. They will the head to Auburn for a match on September 18 before returning home to host Vanderbilt on September 24 and Texas on September 27. Ole Miss will play two road matches against Alabama (October 2) and Georgia (October 9) before hosting Missouri (October 15) and Oklahoma (October 18) for their final two home matches. The Rebels will finish the regular season on the road against Kentucky on October 23 and Texas A&M on November 1. The SEC Soccer Tournament will begin on November 8 in Pensacola.
TENNESSEE MEN'S BASKETBALL TRIO SELECTED IN 2026 NBA DRAFT Senior forward Felix Okpara of the University of Tennessee men's basketball team was picked No. 46 overall in the 2026 NBA Draft. He was selected in the second round by the Orlando Magic with his draft rights set to be traded to the Washington Wizards. The No. 16 pick of the second round, on the second day of the draft, Okpara was the 10th player chosen from an SEC school. The Lagos, Nigeria, native was the third Volunteer to hear his name called in the 2026 NBA Draft, following Nate Ament, who went No. 13 overall Tuesday night to the Miami Heat, with his draft rights then traded to the Milwaukee Bucks, and Ja'Kobi Gillespie who went No. 42 overall to San Antonio. JAX STATE FOOTBALL TICKETS ON SALE The Jax State Ticket Office has single game tickets for two road games during the 2026 season now available for sale. Fans can login to their Jax State Ticket accounts online or through the Jax State Athletics mobile app to purchase tickets for the highly anticipated season-opener at North Dakota State in Fargo, N.D., on August 29 or the Oct. 7 rematch of last season's Conference USA title game matchup against Kennesaw State. At NDSU's Gate City Bank Field at the Fargodome, Jax State fans will be seated in section 23 with tickets starting at $63 (plus fees). In Kennesaw, Ga., fans may purchase East Side Reserved seats starting at $40 (plus fees). Season tickets for all Jax State home games remain available at this time. Individual home game tickets will go on sale Monday, August 3. For additional help or questions, fans may call the Jax State Ticket Office at 256-782-8499. UAB HAS STRONG RECRUITING CLASS UAB Men’s basketball head coach Andy Kennedy is entering his seventh season with a very strong recruiting class. Coach Kennedy added eight players through the transfer portal and three high school signees. With sophomore Salim London being the only returner from last year's team, Kennedy and staff created one of the tallest teams in program history. The offseason also brought changes to the coaching staff. Following the departure of longtime assistant coaches Ryan Cross and Noah Dartmann, Kennedy added coach Jesse Bopp and former Blazer player Jon Coleman. The Blazers will welcome 11 newcomers and return one player from last season’s roster. OLE MISS SOFTBALL ADDS CLEMSON TRANSFER LEXIE HAMES Ole Miss softball has landed a top arm in the transfer portal to bolster next season’s pitching staff, inking Lexie Hames as a transfer. Hames joins the Rebels after her freshman season at Clemson and has three seasons of eligibility remaining. In her lone season at Clemson, Hames appeared in 16 games, making six starts and going 2-2 with a 3.33 ERA over 27.1 innings pitched. The Harmony, PA native held opposing batters to a .196 batting average and struck out 36, while recording two complete games. Hames delivered several standout moments, most notable starting the NCAA Regional elimination game against the College of Charleston, going 4.0 innings and allowing just two hits and one earned run, while striking out six to help the Tigers earn a 3-1 victory. Her six strikeouts in the game were the third-most of her career, after recording 10 strikeouts in a shutout of Lipscomb and seven strikeouts in a win over Wofford. Hames is a two-time Gatorade Player of the Year in her home state of Pennsylvania, where she was regarded as the state’s top recruit by MaxPreps. Hames was rated as the No. 2 overall pitcher in her class by Extra Innings Softball and won several player of the year honors throughout her state and region. Hames joins a 2027 roster that will feature several recent Gatorade Players of the Year, including Jada Savage (2025 – Georgia) and Corey Goguts (2026 – Alabama). FSU SET FOR ACC MEDIA DAYS ON JULY 15-17 Florida State will be represented at the ACC Kickoff media event on July 15 by wide receiver Duce Robinson, quarterback Ashton Daniels, defensive back Ja’Bril Rawls and head coach Mike Norvell. Held at the Hilton Charlotte Uptown, the event will take place July 15-17 and feature all 17 ACC football programs. Robinson, a senior from Phoenix, earned first-team All-ACC and third-team All-America honors in 2025 after becoming the 11th Seminole with 1,000 receiving yards in a season. Robinson caught 56 passes for 1,081 yards and six touchdowns, and his five games with at least 120 yards last season ranked second in the nation. He was twice named the ACC Receiver of the Week after wins against East Texas A&M (five catches, 173 yards, two touchdowns) and Wake Forest (five catches, 148 yards, one touchdown). Academically, Robinson became Florida State’s first first- team Academic All-American since 2012 and just the ninth in program history. He graduated from FSU in May. Daniels, a redshirt senior transfer from Auburn, has played 37 games over four seasons with the Tigers and at Stanford. The Buford, GA, native has thrown for 4,783 yards, run for 1,397 yards and accounted for 35 total touchdowns. In four games at Auburn in 2025, Daniels passed for 797 yards and added 280 rushing yards. He accounted for a career-high 442 yards of total offense against No. 15 Vanderbilt and added 259 passing yards and 108 rushing yards to end the regular season against Alabama. Daniels graduated from Stanford in June 2025. Rawls, a fourth-year Seminole from Pensacola, started seven games at cornerback in 2025 before an injury ended his season. The first-year starter contributed 40 tackles, 2.0 tackles for loss, two pass breakups, one interception and one fumble recovery. In a breakout game at Virginia, Rawls had 11 tackles, 1.0 tackle for loss and one interception, the first Seminole with that stat line since 2005. Norvell, the ACC’s fourth-longest tenured head coach, enters his seventh season leading Florida State.
Photo by Brandon K. Pierce, The Sports Ledger
Geraldine High School is one of 94 schools to be recognized by the AHSAA for good sportsmanship last year. Pictured are the 2025-26 senior volleyball players Ava Armstrong, Cassie Burns, and Lana Rowell.
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