Sports

Hubbertville’s remarkable postseason run came down to the final seconds Thursday night as the Lions fell to Brantley 45-44 in the AHSAA Class 1A boys basketball state championship game. Despite the loss, Hubbertville delivered a determined performance on the state’s biggest stage, battling back multiple times and holding the lead late in the fourth quarter before Brantley connected on a three-pointer in the closing moments to secure the title.

The Bevill State Bears battled through a busy stretch of games last week, picking up three wins behind explosive offense and strong pitching. Jackson State 25, Bevill State 24 Bevill State opened the week with a wild offensive battle against Jackson State Community College on March 3, falling 25-24 despite one of the Bears’ most productive days at the plate.

The Fayette County varsity baseball team picked up three wins in four games last week, including a pair of late-game victories and a doubleheader sweep of Jasper on March 6. FCHS 9, Cordova 8 The Tigers delivered one of their most exciting finishes of the season on March 3, defeating Cordova 9-8 in walk-off fashion.

The Berry varsity softball team went 2-1-1 over a busy two-day stretch March 6–7, picking up wins over Fayette County and South Lamar while battling Lamar County twice. Berry 1, FCHS 0 Berry opened the stretch with a narrow 1-0 victory over Fayette County on March 6.

The Berry varsity baseball team picked up two wins during a busy week but dropped a pair of games late as the Wildcats faced Carbon Hill, Curry, Pickens Academy and Lamar County. Berry 3, Carbon Hill 0 Berry opened the week with a strong pitching performance in a 3-0 victory over Carbon Hill on March 2.

Bevill State Community College baseball put together an impressive six-game run, sweeping doubleheaders against Blue Mountain Christian University Developmental 26 on Feb. 23 and Central Alabama Community College on Feb. 25 and Feb. 28.

The Fayette County Varsity Tigers battled to the final inning but came up just short in a 7-6 loss to Cordova on Feb. 23 before falling 10-0 to Jasper on Feb. 26. The Tigers later split a pair of contests on Feb. 28, dropping a matchup to Sipsey Valley before earning a 10-6 win over Winfield.

The Hubbertville Lions are headed to the state championship game after overcoming an early deficit and finishing strong to defeat the defending champions of R.C. Hatch Bobcats, 71-60, in the Class 1A semifinals Monday, March 2 at Legacy Arena. The final score does not fully reflect how competitive the game was from start to finish.

Bevill State Community College baseball turned in an explosive offensive performance last week, earning three wins highlighted by big innings, timely pitching and consistent hitting across the lineup. The Bears opened the stretch Feb. 14 with a 12-8 victory over Calhoun. Bevill State racked up 14 hits, jumping ahead early when Nicholas Peters doubled in three runs in the first inning. Additional runs in the second and third helped build a 9-1 advantage that held despite a late Calhoun push.

The Fayette County varsity baseball team split a pair of games last week, falling to Bibb County before bouncing back with a dramatic late-inning win over Tuscaloosa Academy.

The Hubbertville varsity boys are playing their best basketball at exactly the right time. With postseason stakes on the line, the Lions delivered two commanding performances last week, defeating Hackleburg 75-52 on Feb. 14 before rolling past Meek 75-46 on Feb. 17. The victories continue what has been an impressive season for Hubbertville and send the Lions deeper into playoff competition with plenty of momentum.

Bevill State Community College’s baseball team opened the 2026 season with an encouraging but challenging stretch, splitting doubleheaders against Itawamba Community College on Feb. 7 and Gadsden State on Feb. 10 as the Bears began early nonconference play.

The Lady Lions picked up two wins in recent action. Hubbertville defeated Pickens County 50-23 on Feb. 2, powered by Addison Tucker’s 15 points and 13 rebounds. Georgia Gardner scored nine points, while Karlee Pollard, Mylie Kate Hubbert and Jenna Kay Hollis added seven points each. Kadence Cox contributed six.

Hub’s Mylie Kate Hubbert (21) and Fayette County’s Laschelle Cannon (15) and Emma Kate McKelvey (23) fight for a rebound. | Photo by Leah Hollingsworth

Hub’s Tyler Stricklin (7) rushes the ball past a Bulldogs’ defender. | Photo by Leah Hollingsworth

Traveling to Wadley for the third round of the high school playoff’s the Lions battled with the defending state champion Bulldogs.

On Friday night Hubbertville met up with the Hackleburg Panthers once again after closing out regular season play with a 50-20 win over the Panthers earlier in the season at Ray Stadium. 

The Berry Wildcats traveled to Addison to face the sixth ranked Bulldogs in the second round of the state playoffs. The Wildcats kept the game close in the first half, but could not get any traction in the second half as they fell to Addison by a score of 39 - 6.

The Lions welcomed the Woodland Bobcats to Harris Field on Friday night hosting the first round of the high school playoffs in Wiley Hollingsworth Stadium.

Berry’s Ashton Waltrip (13) catches a pass and rushes in for touchdown. | Photo by Sarah Rice

Homecoming is always an exciting time of year. It gives the fans an opportunity to catch up with classmates and to cheer on the next generation of students. With that in mind, the Wildcats welcomed the Brilliant Tigers to Fred Webster Stadium. The Wildcats jumped out to an early lead and never really looked back as they rolled to a 39-point victory.

Fayette County’s Andrew Lollar (15) and Michael Tyree (16) team up for a tackle on an Aggies’ ball carrier. | Photo by Devin Dudley

The Fayette Tigers hosted Hamilton on Friday night and fell 38-21 to the Aggies.

Top row from left to right are Lashelle Cannon, Lainey Deavours, Eady Porter, Emma Strickland, Lauren Unger, Aleyia Nalls, Preslee Kelly, Ava McKelvey, Paislee Kelly, Lakiah Gilreath, Quinn Davis and Aliya Stevenson; bottom row are Caylen Williams, Sofi Gant and Addie Thomas. | Photo by Devin Dudley

Pictured from left to right on the front row are Bella Taylor, Maggie Norris, Hailey Medders and Sydney Rice; back row, Assistant Coach Sarah Rice, Aubrey Helms, Alex Wilson, Leah Ward, Sophie Nelson, Camryn Frost, Emma Kathrine Bozeman and Coach Samantha Estes. (Not pictured is Julia Cook) | Photo by Shelly Hess

The Berry High School girls varsity volleyball team finshed their regular season with a 9-12 overall record, finished 2-0 (2nd) in the region and finished second runner up in area tournament on Thursday Oct. 16.

Hubbertville varsity girls’ volleyball seniors who were recognized on Senior Night from left to right are Bailey Edgil, Georgia Grace Gardner, Zoe Whitson and McKenzie Mahan. | Photo by Leah Hollingsworth

The Hubbertville girls’ varsity volleyball team finshed the season with a 4-13 overall record and finished 1-5 (4th) in the region.

The Fayette Tigers traveled to face the Curry Yellow Jackets on Friday night and came away with a commanding 67-16 victory.

The Fayette Tigers dominated the Cordova Blue Devils 41-7 in a homecoming victory Friday night at John Morgan Brown Stadium at Waldon Tucker Field.

In boxing, sometimes you get two finesse fighters who dance and jab at each other and other times you get fighters who stand toe to toe and trade huge punches. Berry and Lynn fell into the latter category last Friday night. The two teams would trade drive after drive before Lynn took the game 44 - 28.

The Fayette County High School girls’ varsity volleyball team were the winners of the WAC Tournament that was held at South Lamar High School Sept. 20. They defeated Winfield 2-1, Sulligent 2-0 and played Sulligent for the championship, winning 2-1.

Pictured at right, bottom row left to right, are seniors Addie Thomas, Sofi Gant, and Caylen Williams; top row, left to right, is Quinn Davis, Lainey Deavours, Eady Porter, Lakiah Gilreath, Lashelle Cannon, Preslee Kelly, Aliya Stevenson and Paislee Kelly.

Berry High varsity girls’ volleyball team currently has a 8-7 overall record for the season, and 2-0 in regional play.

Pictured to the left on the front row from left to right are Camryn Frost, Aubrey Helms, Bella Taylor, Hailey Medders and Julia Cook; back row are Coach Samantha Estes, Gabby Studdard, Emma Bozeman, Leah Ward, Sophie Nelson, Alex Wilson, Sydney Rice, Maggie Norris and Coach Sarah Rice.

Fayette County High School varsity girls’ volleyball is currently 19-4 overall for the season, and 2-0 for the region. Pictured to the left from left to right on the front row are Quinn Davis and Emma Kate Oswalt; middle row are seniors Sofi Gant, Addie Thomas, and Caylen Williams; back row are Aliya Stevenson, Eady Porter, Lakiah Gilreath, Preslee Kelly, Paislee Kelly, Lashelle Cannon, Lainey Deavors.

Fayette County’s defense turns the tide and sinks the Pirates’ drive. | Photo courtesy of BHL Photography

The Winfield Pirates were able to take over their matchup with the Fayette County Tigers, holding the football on offense for 36:39 of the game en route to a 21-14 victory on Thursday, Sep. 25, at Estes Hudson Stadium in Winfield.

Berry’s Luke Ward (60) brings down a Bulldogs’ ball carrier. | Photo by Sarah Rice

The Berry Wildcats were looking to stay on the winning track and play spoiler on Homecoming as they traveled to Vernon to face the Lamar County Bulldogs.

The Bulldogs got out to an early lead by keeping the ball on the ground and controlling the clock. The Wildcats fought back as the teams exchanged scores and took a close game 16 - 14.

Hub’s Bryce Afshar (61) carries the ball in for a touchdown. | Photo by Leah Hollingsworth

Hubbertville welcomed the Holy Spirit Saints to Wiley Hollingsworth Stadium on Friday night. The Lions exited Harris Field with another win increasing their record to 6-0.

Hub’s Hunter Rochester (20) and Lawson Dodd (6) tackles a Red Raiders’ ball carrier. | Photo by Leah Hollingsworth

The Marion County High School Red Raiders were defeated 61-28 by the visiting Hubbertville Lions on Friday night, Sept.19.

The Berry Wildcats were looking to get back on the winning track as they hosted the South Lamar Stallions. Berry got off to a fast start but South Lamar kept the game close in the first half. The Wildcats would score touchdowns on offense, defense, and special teams in their 54 - 33 victory over the Stallions.

The Fayette Tigers traveled to Jones Field on Friday night, defeating the Haleyville Lions in a 61-21 victory.

The Hubbertville Lions and the Berry Wildcats were both looking to remain undefeated in the young season as they met at Fred Webster Stadium. Hubbertville took advantage of some early miscues by the Wildcats to take an early lead and went on to win by a score of 44 - 12.

The Fayette Tigers started their second region game on Friday night, shutting out the Fultondale Wildcats 44–0 at John Morgan Brown Stadium.

In a back-and-forth rivalry showdown to open the high school football season, the Fayette Tigers hosted the Gordo Greenwave on Friday night at John Morgan Brown Stadium.

Fayette County’s Dezmon Harris (1) rushes the ball for a touchdown.

The Fayette Tigers kicked off their football season Friday night with a preseason jamboree, hosting American Christian Academy (Class 4A) Winfield (Class 3A) and South Lamar (Class 1A) in abbreviated matchups at John Morgan Brown Stadium. Each game consisted of two 12- minute quarters, giving both starters and reserves a chance to take the field.

Lane Barnes (16) and Hunter Rochester (20) take down a Tuscaloosa Academy player. | Photo by Leah Hollingsworth

The Hubbertville Lion’s football team traveled to Double Springs on Friday night to participate in a fall jamboree on the campus of Winston County High School. The Lions entered into Malcolm Blake Stadium along with six additional teams to kick-off the season. Each team played two games which consisted of two 12 minute quarters without opening kick-offs or utilizing the punting game.

Pictured above kneeling are Karley Bonner and Maggie Mauldin; standing from left to right are Coach Hannah Howton, Kryssa Fields, Alivia Morrison, Chloe Gant, Rylee Hill, Head Coach Darrell Thomas, Ava Morrison, Sydney Rice, Terri Ann Kimbrell, Dani Kate Naramore, Alex Wilson, Shayla Mayfield, Maylon Keeton, Coach Rodney Naramore. | Photo by Kelly Bonner

The Berry varsity girls secured a 13-0 win against the Marion County Red Raiders on Monday, April 28. The Lady Wildcats lost 6- 5 to the Brilliant Tigers on Tuesday, April 29, in game one of the championship game.  In game two, the Wildcats were victorious with a 5-2 win over Marion County. In the final game of the day, the Lady Wildcats secured a 8-4 victory over Brilliant.

The Hubbertville varsity girls lost 6-4 to the Brilliant Tigers on Monday, April 28 in game one of a double header. In game two, The Lady Lions faced a 5-0 loss to Marion County.

The Fayette County varsity girls fell 6-0 to the Hamilton Aggies on Monday, April 28, and lost 6-0 against the Haleyville Lions on Tuesday, April 29.

On Tuesday, April 22, the Fayette County High School boys’ golf team competed at the Fayette Country Club against various teams and won the Fayette Invitational. Winning medalists included Clark Vandiver, Charlie Cooper and Sawyer Stevenson for making All Tournament. Pictured from left to right on the front row: Clark Vandiver, Luke Anderson and Logan Taylor; back row from left to right: Head Coach Ray Trull, Cooper Jones, Sawyer Stevenson, Conner Allison, Charlie Cooper, Parker Hancock and Assistant Coach Korlan Trull.

The Hubbertville varsity boys lost 6-2 to Lynn on Friday in game one of the second round of playoffs.  In game two, the Lions fell 7-4 to Lynn.

The Hubbertville varsity girls were victorious against Phillips 5-2 on Thursday, April 24.

On Tuesday, April 15, the Berry varsity boys lost to the Sulligent Blue Devils 6-2.  The Wildcats lost 14-1 against the Appalachian Eagles in game one of a double header on Friday. In game two, the Wildcats fell 13-7 to the Eagles.

The Berry varsity girls grabbed a 7-4 victory over Marion County on Thursday, April 17. The Lady Wildcats were victorious with a 5-4 victory over Fayette County on Friday, April 18.

The Hubbertville varsity boys were crowned Area 10 Champions after a 16-1 victory over Marion County on Tuesday, April 8. Pictured on the front row from left to right: Atticus Gray, Cole Brand, Bryce Afshar, Ceth Hollingsworth, Landon Dodd, Hunter Rochester, Braylon Hill and Carter Brand; back row from left to right: Asst. Coaches Carter Hollingsworth, Daniel Brasher, Head Coach Adam Brand, Logan Cox, Tucker Bowen, Blaize Wakefield, Kade Watkins, Dalton Markem, TJ Keeton, Cruz Kizzire, Sam Tidwell, Kane Rushing, Asst Coaches Graham Gillespie and Nathan Tidwell.

The Fayette Co. varsity boys defeated the Hamilton Aggies 16-3 on Tuesday, April 8. The Tigers secured a 5-0 win against Hamilton on Thursday, April 10 in game one of a double header. In game two, Fayette grabbed a 5-4 victory over the Aggies.

The Fayette Co. varsity girls defeated Lamar County 11-1 on Monday, April 7. On Tuesday, April 8, the Lady Tigers lost 10-0 against Curry in game one of a double header. In game two, the Lady Tigers fell to Winfield 5-1.