Impressive local talent on display

By Staff
Rebecca James, Franklin County Times
As the baseball and softball seasons wind down in the area, I am amazed at just how talented our local high school athletes are.
Both the Russellville baseball and Phil Campbell softball teams are still alive in the state play-offs and show no signs of stopping any time soon.
Furthermore, Red Bay's tennis team and Russellville's tennis team have also done exceptionally well.
Russellville will play today in a best of three series with Etowah. This is Russellville's first quarter-final trip to the play-offs ever, and is their first play-off appearance in many years.
Coach David Ward has led his Golden Tigers to 40 wins this season, and has a combined total of 69 wins for the two years that he has been head coach at Russellville.
I really am amazed at just how good these guys really are, especially considering how young a team they are.
These guys come out game after game and prove time and time again just how good they are.
The Phil Campbell Lady Bobcats made their way into the play-offs with a win over the Mars Hill Lady Panthers in the championship game of the 2A Area 16 Fast-pitch softball tournament Tuesday to earn hosting rights for the first round of the state softball play-offs.
The Bobcats made their way through the tournament, defeating area foes Cherokee, Red Bay, and finally Mars Hill to earn their play-off berth.
They will play in first round action next week.
Not only did the Lady Bobcats win their area, they also took the Franklin County Tournament title away from the Red Bay Lady Tigers.
I have had so much fun in the last month or so watching these kids play.
It really amazes me at just good these kids really are, and I know that many of them have a bright future ahead of them.
I wish both teams the best of luck and hope that both teams will make it all the way to the state championship game, and bring home the state title for our county.