Coaches in the area saw their hopes of finishing spring sports came to an end Thursday afternoon. That was when state Superintendent Dr. Eric Mackey announced athletics for Alabama public high schools would not resume their seasons.
Gov. Kay Ivey announced that all Alabama K-12 public school students will complete the academic year at home through “alternate methods of instruction” beginning April 6.
Hartselle head softball coach Christy Ferguson said she would have preferred that we wait a little longer to make a decision, but understood the reasoning behind the announcement.
“It is a sad day for a lot of people. We as teachers and coaches love and miss our kids,” said Ferguson. “I understand our nation is in crisis, but I hurt for my Seniors who will miss out on making memories both on and off the field.”
After early-season rainouts during the first several weeks of the season, Hartselle was on a roll as the season prematurely came to an end. The Lady Tigers were riding an eleven game win streak with wins over Bob Jones, Austin, James Clemens, and rivals Cullman and Decatur.
Ferguson was heartbroken over the fact of not being able to see her team accomplish their goals of an area championship and a return trip to the state championships with the hopes of winning a state title.
The Lady Tigers season comes to an end with a 12-1-1 record and a #5 ranking in 6A.
“I told my team that we would be together again, but it will take some time,” Ferguson said. “I thanked them for their dedication and hard work. And told them how much I loved them.”
Brewer head baseball coach Kenneth Golden is disappointed for his seniors who will not be able to finish their high school careers.
He told his seniors to try and reflect on all the positives they were leaving behind with the younger guys. The Patriots had only four seniors on the team, but they each did a tremendous job of leading the younger players.
“Just to keep all the good memories and try to remember that they are leaving behind an example of what seniors should look like to underclassman,” Golden told his seniors. “It hurts to see them not to finish. It’s unfortunate, but I think it’s for the best right now.”
The Patriots finished the shortened season 0-7. Brewer started two 8th graders, a freshman, and two sophomores to go along with their four seniors.
“We spend a lot of time with these guys throughout their high school career,” Golden said. “It hurts to see them not to finish. It’s unfortunate, but I think it’s for the best right now.”
Danville softball coach Lori Bailey was saddened by getting off to a good start but now not knowing how far we would have gotten at the end of the season.
“Our goal was to win our first state title, but now it will be what if,” said Bailey. “I really hate it for our seniors. They have worked countless hours on their game for years, and now here we are. I know these girls and how disappointed they are, but I also know how resilient they are.”
The Lady Hawks finished the season 12-3 and #2 in 4A.
Priceville soccer coach Josh Caldwell is disappointed for all of his players.
“For the seniors, I hate it for them,” said Caldwell. “To watch them grow up has been a blessing, but you hate to see it end this way for them. They’ve laid a solid foundation for the program, and they will always maintain a special place within it.”
The Bulldog soccer teams have worked extremely hard this season. The girls were 6-0 and first in the area while the boys were in second in the area.
“The best thing we can learn from this is that life will constantly throw you curveballs,” Caldwell said. “What matters most is how we react and what we learn from each situation.”
