PC, Hackleburg return to field
Phil Campbell’s Autumn Thomas stretches at first base to make the play to retire a Lamar County batter Thursday during the Class 2A, Area 12 Tournament in Red Bay. | Scot Beard/FCTLast Wednesday morning players for the Phil Campbell and Hackleburg varsity softball teams were preparing to finish the regular season and begin preparations for their area tournaments.
The focus shifted that afternoon when an EF5 tornado ripped through both communities. In the days that followed the players, along with everyone else in those towns, began the process of sorting through the rubble and getting their lives back on track.
This week the players for both squads returned to the playing field, giving them a little bit of a distraction from their situation and to regain a sense of normalcy.
“Our goal was to come up here, put on our school colors and show how strong Phil Campbell is and show PC pride,” Phil Campbell coach Darit Riddle said Thursday during the Class 2A, Area 12 Tournament in Red Bay. “What happens, happens and we will keep moving forward.”
Both squads had unusual experiences when they arrived on the campuses of area opponents.
Students from Tharptown lined the road leading to the softball field and applauded as the Hackleburg bus pulled on campus. The players also received a standing ovation from fans and other players as they entered the stadium. Opposing teams also wore black and gold ribbons throughout the day.
“Everybody’s been great,” Hackleburg coach Dee Cleveland said. “We knew we needed to get here early and get the emotion out of the way.”
Phil Campbell, which had to cancel its final home game last week, was allowed to hold its senior recognition ceremony on the field at Red Bay — the Lady Bobcats’ biggest rival.
“It’s been amazing,” Riddle said. “The outpouring of support has been great.”
Phil Campbell fans showed their appreciation of Red Bay’s generosity with several signs thanking the town for its support.
The teams faced different situations between last week and the start of the area tournaments. Hackleburg’s players did not get together as a team until Wednesday morning.
“We were thrilled to death to see them walking up. They hadn’t seen each other in several days,” Cleveland said. “Some of them didn’t know what had happened to each other. They hadn’t heard from each other. They were hugging each other and glad to be alive and glad to do something they enjoy.”
Phil Campbell resumed practicing Tuesday, but when they returned to the field they found an unusual scene. Horses that were running lose following the tornado had been placed on the softball field to keep them corralled.
“It was kind of weird, but we got a good laugh out of it and moved to another field,” Riddle said.
Both the Lady Bobcats and Lady Panthers were able to but the emotional situation behind them and pull out victories in their first games since the tragedy.
Hackleburg defeated Belgreen 4-1 and finished the tournament as the area runner-up and will advance to next week’s regional tournament in Huntsville.
“They were ready to play. They knew had something going as a team and they were ready to get back and play,” Cleveland said. “We’re proud of them how they are helping each other out emotionally to get through this.”
Phil Campbell rallied from a 6-4 deficit to defeat Lamar County 16-6 in its first game, but fell to Red Bay and Sulligent in its next two games to finish third in the area tournament.
While one team will be continuing its season and the other’s season has ended, one thing is certain. The softball players at Phil Campbell and Hackleburg have had to face adversity few teams will ever have to contend with.
“They played with heart today and they represented their town,” Cleveland said.
