Area high school athletes land All-State honors
The Alabama Sports Writers Association recently named their All-State teams for the two sports. Russellville senior Jacey Moore received the award for 5A softball pitcher of the year and is a 5A first-team All-State selection. The right-hander helped lead the 2024 Lady Golden Tigers to a 26-23-1 record and an appearance in the AHSAA Class 5A North Regional. Moore had 10 shutout wins and went 19-11 overall. She had an ERA of 2.19 and struck out 260 batters.
Many Russellville softball players were named to the Class 5A Area 16 All-Area team. The squad was chosen by the area coaches, and first team members from RHS include Jacey Moore, Paislee James, Brooklyn Butler and Bryleigh Butler. The All-Area second team includes Emma Campbell, Ticelee Gholston and Addison Holcomb. Receiving All-Area honorable mentions were Khristyan Huerta and Jemma Moore.
In baseball, Red Bay High School head coach Donovan Hand received the honor of being named 2A coach of the year by the ASWA. Hand led Red Bay to a 21-9 record in 2024. Under his leadership, the Tigers advanced to the AHSAA Class 2A playoff semifinals. His team also went undefeated through the month of April and much of May before being eliminated by their area rival Mars Hill in the state semifinals.
Red Bay baseball players Ty Reynolds and Eli Farris were both named to the 2A All-State second-team. Reynolds received the honor as a junior pitcher while Farris was honored as a senior outfielder.
Senior infielder Will King is the first Belgreen Bulldog to be named to the ASWA All-State baseball team. King received 1A second team honors and was a leader on this year’s Belgreen squad that advanced to the second round of the playoffs.
The Russellville Golden Tigers were represented on the ASWA 5A All-State baseball first-team by senior infielder Brandt Cummings and junior designated hitter Neyland Baker. Senior Cayden Johns is an All-State second team selection as a utility player and senior infielder. Daniel Askew received honorable mention. RHS was 27-12 this season and advanced to the third round of the playoffs.
