Record-Breaking Performances and Coaching Legacies Highlight This Week’s AHSAA Spring Sports Spotlight
Montgomery, AL – This week’s AHSAA Spring Sports Spotlight highlighted four exceptional student-athletes who etched their names into the AHSAA Sports Record Book.
In softball, Holtville’s Bailea Boone and Marbury’s Erin Woodfin delivered standout performances. Boone tied the AHSAA fast-pitch softball state record for hits in a game with a remarkable 6-for-6 performance against Selma, while Woodfin showcased her prowess by pitching a perfect game with an impressive 77.1% strike rate against Demopolis.
On the soccer field, Katie Brightwell from Saint James set a new AHSAA record for career goals scored, bringing her total to 234 with a six-goal game, surpassing the previous record. Her national rank is sixth, as noted by the NFHS Record Book. Her coach and father, Charlie Brightwell, expressed immense pride in her growth and achievements. In tennis, Mountain Brook’s Pippa Roy advanced to the Class 6A state tennis championship, aiming to become the seventh girl in AHSAA history to win four State No. 1 singles titles, a feat previously achieved by a select few. Roy and her teammate, Annie Lacey, also secured the No. 1 doubles title, aiming for their fourth state title.
On the baseball diamond, Auburn High School’s Tanner Waldrop led the boys’ spotlight, contributing to two significant wins over Central-Phenix City with his stellar performance, including a grand slam homer, making Auburn the first school to defeat nationally ranked Central-Phenix City this season. On the coaching front, Auburn’s head coach Matt Cimo announced his retirement, leaving a legacy of multiple state titles and a distinguished coaching career.
(AHSAA FILE PHOTO)
An intense battle unfolded in the AHSAA tennis sectionals. The Class 1A/3A sectionals saw two nail-biting finals, with Tuscaloosa Academy’s Holman Bearden and Drake Oliver of Westminster Oak Mountain enduring a marathon match, and St. Luke’s Episcopal’s Lauren Watson and Providence Christian’s Ella Hall delivering a similar spectacle in their championship match, showcasing the competitive spirit and talent within the AHSAA.
MILESTONES
BRADEN BOOTH, BOB JONES: Set the school record for most career wins and innings pitched in the Patriots’ 9-3 win over Florence. He allowed one hit and struck out seven in five innings as he picked up his 23rd career win for Bob Jones. The Mississippi State commitment’s career innings were 200.2 following that win.
In other top performances reported last week:
CHASE CARTRON, HUNTSVILLE: Drove in the game-winning run in the bottom of the seventh inning to give the Panthers a 1-0 win over Sparkman in the first game of the Class 7, Area 7 series.
BRODY LEATHERS, HARTSELLE: Had two doubles and two singles to finish 4-for-5 in the Tigers’ victory over Cullman.
CHARLES CASSINGHAM, GRISSOM: Struck out 13 and allowed only three hits as the Tigers beat Albertville 4-0.
TANNER HERMESCH, BOB JONES: Hurled a two-hitter striking out 12 as the Patriots (32-6) clinched a Class 7A playoff berth with a 5-0 win over Florence. Braden Booth had a homer and two RBIs. Bob Jones won the second game 8-4 with Jacob Pearl collecting a single and double to drive in two runs.
JOSHUA GOODE, WESTMINSTER CHRISTIAN: Tossed a two-hitter as the Wildcats (19-6) beat Madison County 7-0 Friday to claim their 10th win in their last 11 games. He walked none and had just 65 pitches for the game. ON the day before, Jackson Lange got the win with a complete-game four-hitter striking out six as WCA claimed the Class 4A, Area 13 title with an 8-1 win over Madison County.
NIC CHUMLEY, HARTSELLE: Threw 44 strikes in just 65 pitches as the Tigers blanked Cullman 10-0. He allowed five hits and struck out one in the Tigers’ big Class 6A, Area 14 win.
TAYLOR O’DELL, ST. PAUL’S EPISCOPAL: Had three hits with a homer and two RBIs in a 14-9 win over Mobile Christian as the Saints swept a doubleheader to claim the Class 5A, Area 2 crown.
EDWARD MCLEOD: had three hits in a 6-2 win in the first game of the sweep.
SANTAE WILLIAMS, SARALAND: Clubbed three hits, including a bases-loaded double in the seventh inning to finish with five RBIs as the Spartans (24-7) defeated Theodore 13-3 to clinch a spot in the Class 6A playoffs. Saraland won game two 9-0 with Cam Warren and Cooper Henson combining to blank Theodore 9-0 in the second game of the doubleheader sweep.
BROCK ABSTON, TUSCALOOSA ACADEMY: Scored three goals as the Knights beat Prattville Christian 4-0 in a Class 1A/3A, Area 4 soccer match last week to clinch the Class 1A/3A Area 4 title.
Cover Photo: Saint James senior Katie Brightwell (2) becomes AHSAA girls’ scoring Leader (AHSAA Photo | David Holtsford)
