SPORTS LEDGER March/April 2025 Read Free Online at www.TheSportsLedger.com Page 9 The
Drew Noles Named SSCC Flag Football Coach
Snead State Community College has named alumnus Drew Noles as the first coach of the college's new Women’s Flag Football program. “We’re thrilled to add flag football to our athletics department and couldn’t ask for a better leader to take the helm than Coach Drew Noles. He’s not only an experienced and highly respected coach but also a true pillar of our community. His leadership, passion for the game, and dedication to student-athletes will set the foundation for a successful program,” said Snead State Athletic Director Casey Underwood. “It is an honor to have an opportunity to lead the flag football team at Snead State. Snead has made a strong commitment to athletics, and we are excited to be a part of the Snead State family,” said Coach Noles. Coach Noles brings 32 years of experience to his new role. His career began when he was 17 years old. He served as the assistant football coach at his alma mater, Boaz High School, before becoming the defensive coordinator at 19 and eventually head coach at 26. During his tenure, he guided the Pirates to a record of 80-63 and nine state playoff appearances, including two quarterfinal berths. From 2013-2018, Noles was the head football coach and athletic director at Etowah High School, and he led the Blue Devils to a 52-19 record, two region titles, and a pair of state quarterfinal appearances.
been an FCA ambassador for Northeast Alabama and currently serves as the student minister at Life Church in Boaz. As a student at Snead State, Coach Noles played baseball under Coaches Red Calvert and Gerry Ledbetter. He and his wife, Michele, have two sons, Andy, who is married to Brileigh, and Will, who is a senior at the University of Alabama in Huntsville and plays for the Chargers Baseball Team. “We are thrilled to welcome Coach Drew Noles to the Snead State family as the first head coach of our Women’s Flag Football program. Coach Noles brings years of coaching experience and a deep passion for mentoring student-athletes, both on and off the field. He is a person of great character, and we have no doubt he will build a program rooted in integrity, discipline, and excellence,” said Snead State President Dr. Joe Whitmore. The Alabama Community College Conference announced in November that Women’s Flag Football was added to its athletic offerings with the season beginning during the 2025-2026 academic year. “Flag Football is rapidly growing in our state, and the addition of this sport at the college level allows many students to continue their athletic career,” Coach Noles said. “Snead State has been a huge part of my life, and we look forward to pouring into the lives of these young ladies.”
Photo Courtesy of UA Athletics
The Alabama men’s basketball team dropped a 104-82 decision to rival Florida in the 2025 SEC tournament semifinals on Saturday, March 15 at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville. The Crimson Tide (25-8) had four players reach double figures. Alabama was led by Mouhamed Dioubate’s fifth double-double of the season with 12 points and 12 rebounds. Chris Youngblood led Alabama with 14 points while Clifford Omoruyi had 12 points and Jarin Stevenson added 10 points. Florida's Walter Clayton Jr had 22 points for the Gators, while teammate Rueben Chinyelu recorded a double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds. In the other SEC tournament semifinal game Auburn fell to Tennessee 70-65. Auburn's Johni Broom led the Tigers with 23 points, while Zakai Zeigler paced the Vols with 20 points. Tennessee came up short in the SEC Championship game, falling to Florida 86-77. Alabama and Auburn Fall In SEC Tournament Semifinals
Coach Drew Noles
He also served as Etowah’s tennis coach for five years. In 2019, he stepped into the role of head football coach and athletic director at Westbrook Christian in Rainbow City, where he served four seasons. Under his leadership, the Warriors went 21-17 and twice qualified for the state playoffs. His accolades include being named All-Region Coach of the Year five times and Marshall County Coach of the Year six times. He was selected to coach in the North/South All-Star game in 2003 and was chosen to represent Alabama at the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio, for USA football. He was one of nine members inducted into the Marshall County Sports Hall of Fame’s Class of 2024. In addition to being a BHS and Snead State alumnus, he is also a graduate of Jacksonville State University. Most recently, Coach Noles has been a fixture on Snead State’s campus, leading the Fellowship of Christian Athletes student organization and organizing the FCA Bowl on the college’s campus. He’s
The Albertville High School varsity and junior varsity boys’ soccer programs have been fined and placed on probation for playing two ineligible students in violation of the Outside Participation Rule and the Academic Rule, respectively. Albertville High School self-reported both violations. As a result, Albertville’s boys’ soccer program must forfeit all games won in which the ineligible players participated. Also, the ineligible players were assessed restitution for the contests they participated in while ineligible. Albertville Soccer Fined by AHSAA Cedar Bluff High School’s varsity baseball program has been fined and placed on probation for playing an ineligible student in violation of the AHSAA’s Enrollment Rule and Transfer Rule. Cedar Bluff High School self-reported the violation. As a result, Cedar Bluff’s varsity baseball team must forfeit all games won in which the ineligible player participated. The ineligible student is assessed restitution for the contests he participated in while ineligible. AHSAA Fines Ceder Bluff Baseball
The Liberty men's basketball team defeated Jacksonville State University 79-67 in the Conference USA tournament championship on Sunday, March 15, 2025. With the win, the Liberty Flames (28-6) punched their ticket to compete in the upcoming NCAA Tournament. Kaden Metheny led Liberty with 21 points in the CUSA Championship, while teammate Taelon Peter scored 20 points. Jax State (22-12) was lead by Jaron Pierre Jr., who had 19 points for the Gamecocks. The Liberty women's basketball team also won the CUSA Tournament with a 53-48 victory over Middle Tennessee. JSU Men Fall To Liberty in CUSA Tournament Photo Courtesy of CUSA
Jacksonville State's Valentina Saric attempts to move around defender Nyla Inmon during the Gamecocks game against Sam Houston in the CUSA Women's Tournament on March 11, 2025. Jax State came up two points short, falling to Sam Houston 55-53. Read more about the game online at www.thesportsledger.com. JSU Women Fall in CUSA Tournament Photo Courtesy of CUSA
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