ASWA names four locals to All-State
J.R. Tidwell/FCT The Alabama Sports Writers Association named (left to right) Adam Pharr and Taylor Hamilton of Vina to the 2012 All-State baseball list.
J.R. Tidwell/FCT Laken Bragwell (left) and Bridget Thompson (right) of Belgreen were named to the 2012 ASWA All-State softball team
The Alabama Sports Writers Association recently released its 2012 All-State lists for baseball and softball. These lists included four local players; two in each sport.
Taylor Hamilton and Adam Pharr, both seniors from Vina High School, were named to the 2012 ASWA All-State baseball team for 1A.
Hamilton, the son of Red Devils head coach Greg Hamilton, made the list as first baseman of the year.
“It feels great,” Hamilton said. “It’s a big honor. I want to thank my teammates, because it felt great to be accepted when I came to Vina.”
He played in 30 games in the 2012 season and racked up a .473 batting average. He had 41 hits in 87 at-bats with 40 RBIs and only three strikeouts in 115 plate appearances.
Pharr was named an Honorable Mention as an outfielder.
“It’s an honor and a privilege,” Pharr said. “I want to thank my teammates and Coach Hamilton for their hard work and drive.”
He had a .434 batting average this season with 40 hits, 41 RBIs and three home runs in 92 at-bats.
“Hamilton and Pharr were good enough to start on any team 1A through 5A,” Coach Hamilton said. “It makes me proud that they made the All-State list. This was a special season in many ways, and getting to coach Adam and my son was great.”
Bridget Thompson, a senior, and Laken Bragwell, a freshman, from Belgreen High School were named to the 2012 ASWA All-State softball team for 1A.
Thompson was named an Honorable Mention as a third baseman.
“It feels really good,” she said. “I was really excited when I found out, and I feel very honored.”
Thompson had a batting average of .565 on the season with 46 runs and 40 stolen bases. She received the team’s Golden Glove award for the 2012 season from head coach Richie Hester.
Bragwell was named an Honorable Mention as a first baseman.
“It feels great,” she said. “Words can’t describe it. It’s amazing.”
Bragwell went 16-10 on the mound for the Lady Bulldogs. She had a batting average of .465 and led the team in RBIs. She also received team awards for Best Pitcher and Star of the Future from Coach Hester.
“They deserved it,” Hester said. “We had a great season because of these girls. I’m truly going to miss Bridget and our other seniors. We have high expectations for our younger girls.”
