Page 8 February 11 — 17, 2015 | The Trussville Tribune

June MathewsSomewhere in the

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w w w . a l h e a r t v a s c u l a r . c o m Dr. Timothy C. Lee // Dr. Anabela Simon-Lee // Dr. Jimmie Dotson

One of my favorite TV channels in recent years has

been Me-TV, a network that airs many of the classic shows I grew up watching and still enjoy. But I recently saw an episode of “The Love Boat” that set my teeth on edge from beginning to end.

Though I rarely watched during its original run – the Love Boat sailed each week on Saturday night, and I was usually on a date or out with friends – I liked it just fine. The passengers were known stars of stage and screen, and the story lines always ended in sweet, happily-ever-after embraces. The crew, which included the ship’s purser Gopher, bartender Isaac and cruise director Julie, provided a consistent element to the ever-changing cast.

Nowadays, however, “The Love Boat” is too sugar-coated for my taste.

But whenever I fail to turn off the bedroom TV by its 8 a.m. airtime, I can’t help but sit down with another cup of coffee and watch the entire sappy show. It’s like one of those paperback romance novels. You know it’s nothing but literary junk food, but once you start reading it, you can’t stop.

The plot (if you could call it that) of last Friday’s episode involved a massive multi-couple wedding on the deck of the ship for which the officiant, of course, was Merrill Stubing, the Love Boat’s captain.

Now here’s where things get crazy.

Ted Baxter of “The Mary Tyler Moore Show” married Blanche Devereaux of “The Golden Girls;” an over-tanned Joni Cunningham of “Happy Days” married some guy I didn’t recognize; one of her TV brother Richie’s

best friends, Ralph Malph, married Lucy Ewing of “Dallas.”

Mary Ann of “Gilligan’s Island” served as a judge in a contest in which a millionaire awarded a home, car and cash to one of the lucky couples. Her co-judge was Cassie Cranston of “It’s A Living,” a 1980s series of which I had no independent recall and had to find on Wikipedia.

Capt. Stubing enjoyed a fling with Debbie Reynolds, who boarded and departed with Darren

McGavin, aka “The Night Stalker.” But in between, she charmed the good captain, who briefly considered walking down the aisle with her until his 13-year-old daughter, Vicki, pointed out he really wasn’t really in love but only looking for somebody to play mother to his father.

Meanwhile, Gopher languished in a south-of-the-border jail due to a misunderstanding with the police at one of the ship’s tropical ports-of-call over his attempt to purchase medical supplies for Doc. But seriously, anybody who stands on a foreign street corner inquiring of passersby the best place to buy drugs deserves to be thrown into the slammer.

And oh, yeah, the couples who got married? Most of them got together (or reunited) during the cruise and impulsively decided

to join in the nuptial bliss. For instance, Joni’s mother hooked up with the father of her groom-to-be, and the two long-in-the-tooth lovebirds were wed on-deck alongside their children.

Now think about it: All in one whack, the father of the groom became the father-in-law of his stepdaughter, and the mother of the bride became the mother-in-law of her stepson. At the same moment the young bride and groom became man and wife, they also became step-siblings. And if you think about it hard enough, you realize that as the spouses of the kids’ in-laws, the older bride and groom would also be their own child’s mother-in-law or father-in-law.

Confusing much?The whole episode had

my head spinning. More than once, I found myself

squinting at the screen in distaste, wanting to hit the “off” button on the remote just as desperately as I wanted to see if Gopher ever got sprung from the clink (He did).

I later came to the troubling conclusion that watching classic shows wasn’t all it was cracked it up to be and that I should give up Me-TV for a while. The pairing of the ever pompous Ted and the overly promiscuous Blanche was disturbing enough, but seeing Lucy in a lip-lock with Ralph nearly made me lose my breakfast. I hate to think of how I’d react should one of “The Brady Bunch” pair up with a member of “The Partridge Family.” I doubt I’d ever watch TV again.

Email June Mathews at jmathews120@charter.net.

Cruising around on classic TV turns out to be cringe-worthy experience

From staff reports

ACTA Theater in Trussville will present the zany comedy “Death By Chocolate” on Feb. 13-15 and Feb. 20-22.

Directed by Clay Boyce, “Death by Chocolate” is a zany, delightfully sarcastic murder mystery that keeps the audience guessing “Who done it?”

Members of the newly renovated Meadowbrook

Health Resort are dropping like flies, including famed chef Edith Chiles. The clues point to a sinister box of chocolates, and the suspects include all the outlandish characters working for the resort: Lady Riverdale, owner of the resort, and a woman with dark secrets; Ralph Deadwood, gym instructor; Dick Simmering, the aerobics instructor; Anne, the panic stricken nurse; and “Sweet

Pea” Meadowbrook, the overweight and grieving daughter of the recently deceased founder of the resort?

Weeknight and Saturday shows are at 7 p.m. Sunday shows are at 2:30 p.m. Tickets are $12 each for adults, $10 for seniors (age 60 and over) and $8 for students/children.

Reservations are encouraged by calling 205-655-3902.

‘Death by Chocolate’ at ACTA starting this weekend From staff reports

James Bowen, artist-in-residence at the Alabama Shakespeare Festival, visited Jennifer Moore’s creative writing class at Pinson Valley High School on Feb. 2.

Bowen discussed his career as an actor and playwright as well as worked with students to create two characters and the beginnings of a scene of dialogue. Bowen has visited a handful of

schools in January and February through a grant program with the Alabama Shakespeare Festival to promote the 2015 Young Southern Writers Project

and Competition. The students enjoyed

working with a professional actor/playwright and look forward to potential future visits.

Actor, playwright visits Pinson Valley HS class

submitted photo

James Bowen with Jennifer Moore’s creative writing class

February 11 — 17, 2015 | The Trussville Tribune Page 9

Georgiana Davis Masonic Lodge meetings

Georgiana Davis Masonic Lodge No. 338 in Trussville meetings are at 7:30 p.m. on the second and fourth Monday each month. Practice nights are on the first and third Monday. Family nights are on the fifth Monday of the month. The lodge is at 190 Beechnut St. in Trussville. For more information, call Bryan Stover at 205-706-5220.

Springville Military Order of the Purple Heart meetings

The Military Order of the Purple Heart Chapter 2213, Springville, meets at the Smokin Grill at 85 Purple Heart Boulevard on the first Tuesday of each month at 6 p.m.

Trussville Sons of Confederate Veterans meetings

Nathan Bedford Forrest Camp 1435 meetings are the third Thursday each month at First Baptist Church Trussville from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. Meetings are open to the public.

2015 Trussville City Council meetings

The 2015 Trussville City Council meetings will be Feb. 24, March 10, March 24, April 14, April 28, May 12, May 26, June 9, June 23, July 14, July 28, Aug. 11, Aug. 25, Sept. 8, Sept. 22, Oct. 13, Oct. 27, Nov. 10, Nov. 19, Dec. 8 and Dec. 17. All meetings are at 6 p.m. at Trussville City Hall on Main Street.

Cahawba Art Association meetings

The Cahawba Art Association meets monthly on the second Monday at 6:30 p.m. at the Trussville Public Library.

2015 Clay City Council meetingsThe 2015 Clay City Council meetings

are scheduled for Feb. 17, March 2, March 16, April 6, April 20, May 4, May 18, June 1, June 15, July 6, July 20, Aug. 3, Aug. 17, Sept. 7, Sept. 21, Oct. 5, Oct. 19, Nov. 2, Nov. 16, Dec. 7 and Dec. 21. All meetings are at 6:30 p.m. at Clay City Hall on Old Springville Road.

Republican Women of Trussville meetings

Republic Women of Trussville meetings are at Sherry’s Cafe on Valley Road near Trussville the first Thursday of each month. Meet and greet is at 5:30 p.m. and the meeting follows at 6 p.m. The March speaker is Alabama Republican Party National Committee Woman Vicky Diamond. For more information, visit www.rwot.net or email cherylamathews@gmail.com.

Center Point Masonic Lodge meetings

Center Point Masonic Lodge No. 872 located off Old Springville Road meets every Thursday at 7:30 p.m. For more information call Mike Lann at 205-687-7160.

2015 Trussville City BOE meetings

The first half of 2015 Trussville City Board of Education meetings will be Feb. 23, March 16, April 20, May 11 and June 15. All meetings are at 6 p.m. at the Central Office with work sessions at 4:30 p.m.

Valentine Open House in Trussville Feb. 12

BB&T Bank on Calumet Parkway in Trussville will host a Valentine Open House and after hours event Thursday, Feb. 12. It will be from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. There will be music, door prizes and food. Those attending are encouraged to bring a canned food item for T.E.A.M.’s food drive.

Love Your Neighbor food driveThe “Love Your Neighbor” food drive

in Trussville benefiting the Trussville Ecumenical Assistive Ministry is the week of Feb. 16. More information will be released as the date approaches.

Trussville’s Got Talent Feb. 21Trussville’s Got Talent is set for

Saturday, Feb. 21, 2015 and is open to any Trussville City Schools student. The talent show is at 4:30 p.m. for Paine Primary and Paine Intermediate schools, and 7 p.m. for Hewitt-Trussville High and Hewitt-Trussville Middle schools. For more information, email Alison Hollingsworth at Alison.Hollingsworth@trussvillecityschools.com or Haleigh Mitchell at Haleighm22@gmail.com.

‘Sense and Sensibility’ auditions at ACTA Feb. 21, Feb. 23

ACTA Theater in Trussville will hold auditions for “Sense and Sensibility” on Saturday, Feb. 21 at 10 a.m. and Monday, Feb. 23 at 7 p.m. Auditions will include a cold reading from the script. Resumes and head shots are encouraged but not required. You will be photographed upon auditioning. The cast includes 13 men and 10 women ages 16 to 80. One role is available for a young girl age 10 to 16. Non-speaking roles are available. Dancing roles are available. ACTA Theater is located on Parkway Drive in Trussville. For more information, visit www.actatheater.com.

JefCoEd Foundation benefit Feb. 23

A benefit for the Jefferson County Schools Foundation, featuring the Students Take a Role at Samford of Virginia Samford Theatre performing Disney’s Peter Pan Jr., will honor Max Cooper on Monday, Feb. 23. The benefit will support the Jefferson

County Schools Foundation programs for student enrichment, student and teacher recognition, classroom teacher innovation grants and professional development. For ticket information, contact Sally Price at 205-379-2216 or sallyprice@jefcoed.com.

TACC annual banquet Feb. 28The Trussville Area Chamber of

Commerce annual banquet is scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 28 at the Trussville Civic Center. For more information, visit www.trussvillechamber.com or call 205-655-7535.

Junior League of Birmingham 5K for Kids March 21

The Junior League of Birmingham 5K for Kids is Saturday, March 21 at Regions Field. The 5K begins at 9 a.m. with a one-mile fun run scheduled for 10 a.m. For more information, visit http://www.jlbonline.com/5kforkids.

Jeff State 5K March 14Jefferson State Community College

will hold an inaugural Judy M. Merritt 5K Run and One-Mile Fun Walk for the community on March 14 at the Shelby-Hoover Campus. The 5K will begin at 8 a.m. at the Judy M. Merritt Memorial Highway (Valleydale Road) in front of the Health Sciences Building adjacent to Veterans Park. The One-Mile Fun Walk will begin at 9 a.m. For more information or to register, visit www.jeffersonstate.edu/5K.

Flashlight Easter Egg Hunt March 21

The Flashlight Easter Egg Hunt will be March 21 at 6:30 p.m. at the Trussville Civic Center. The hunt is for children ages 2 to 8. There will be 6,000 candy- and toy-filled eggs to search for.

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Page 10 February 11 — 17, 2015 | The Trussville Tribune

The 2015 legislative session will begin March 3. With super

majorities in the House and Senate, Republicans will be focused on passing legislation to continue reducing the size and cost of state government; address serious budget shortfalls facing our state; resolve a myriad of complex issues in order to avoid federal intervention in the state prison system; and control escalating Medicaid costs.

In addition, there will be a continued emphasis on improving education and increasing school choice options, particularly for disadvantaged children.

In recent press coverage, Gov. Robert Bentley has indicated he’s considering proposing bills to eliminate tax deductions and raise taxes in order to increase state revenue. In my opinion, increasing the tax burden on our citizens -- individuals and corporations -- would be a serious mistake. Our state

government needs to live within its means, just as our hard-working families do every day. Our state leaders need to work diligently to improve economic conditions in Alabama, and to also pursue aggressive strategies to attract new industry and create jobs.

Generally, the legislature considers two types of legislation: bills that affect the entire state and bills that only impact local areas (a county or municipality). In order for a “local” bill to come before the full legislature for a vote, the local delegation that will be impacted by the bill must recommend the bill to the House and Senate. For example, any proposed legislation that would impact only the cities of Clay, Pinson or Trussville, or that would also apply to other parts of Jefferson County, would need to be approved by the majority of the local delegation. The local delegation for our district is the Jefferson

County delegation. In the House of

Representatives, the Jefferson County delegation is the largest and one of the more diverse delegations in the state. In the upcoming session, the Jefferson County delegation will have 18 members: 10 Republicans and eight Democrats. Six members -- five Republicans and one Democrat -- are freshmen.

Last week, the Jefferson County delegation held its first meeting and elected Rep. Jim Carns, R-Mountain Brook, as chairman and Rep. Oliver Robinson, D-Birmingham, as vice chairman. They’re veteran members of the legislature who understand the legislative process and have a track record of working with others and reaching across party lines.

Because of the requirement that the local delegation support local bills, it’s important that all members of the Jefferson County delegation work

together. Under the rules of the House, a local bill can’t be brought before the legislature unless it has the support of 80 percent of the local delegation. A local bill involving Jefferson County must receive 15 of 18 votes from the delegation in order to proceed.

Jefferson County recently emerged from bankruptcy and is on the road to financial stability. However, the county continues to face challenges and will need support from the legislature. Likewise, Birmingham,

whose health is important to the success of Jefferson County, continues to make strides in a number of areas. The leaders of the Jefferson County Commission and the city of Birmingham recently presented an overview of their concerns and issues to members of the Jefferson County delegation. Because of financial constraints at the county level, each municipality in Jefferson County has had to dig deep to fund services the county doesn’t have the resources to provide. Delegation members are meeting with the leadership of each municipality in the county -- including Clay, Pinson and Trussville -- to understand their concerns.

One of my priorities will be to work with my fellow members of the Jefferson County delegation for the betterment of our district and the entire county. I’m optimistic that Carns and Robinson will provide the leadership necessary to

rally the Jefferson County delegation and move forward. Cooperation among the Jefferson County delegation members is critical. We also must partner with the county commission, mayors and city councils in the county.

Our state and county faces many difficulties and challenges. I look forward to communicating, cooperating and building relationships with the other members of the Jefferson County delegation. We will need their support to pass bills that benefit District 44. I am ready to roll up my sleeves and get to work.

Danny Garrett represents

District 44 in the Alabama House of Representatives, which includes Trussville, Clay and portions of Pinson. He can be reached by phone at 205-410-4637 or by email at dannygarrett44@gmail.com. You may also follow his Facebook page, “Representative Danny Garrett.”

The importance of working together

photo courtesy of Principle Portrait Group

Danny Garrett

The legislature c o m p l e t e d its weeklong

organizational session last month with very little fanfare or controversy. It will get to work on substantive issues beginning with the regular session in March. Its work will be cut out for it. The legislature is facing a general fund budget that has at least a $250 million deficit.

The legislature that organized for the quadrennium is overwhelmingly Republican. The House has 72 Republicans and 33 Democrats. The State Senate is even more dominated by Republicans. Three-fourths of the senators are Republican. The numbers are 26-8. This gives the GOP a carte blanche path to pass anything it desires with little or no opposition.

The lawmakers elected their leadership in the organizational session. More precisely, they re-elected their leadership. Both chambers selected the same men to be their

presiding officers and the same lieutenants stayed in place.

State Sen. Del Marsh was elected president pro tem of the Senate for a second four-year term. Sen. Greg Reed, R-Jasper, was elected Senate Majority Leader. Veteran Sen. Jabo Waggoner, R-Vestavia Hills, will remain as chairman of the powerful Rules Committee.

The Budget Committee chairmen will remain the same. Sen. Trip Pittman, R-Baldwin County, will chair the Finance and Taxation Education Committee. Sen. Arthur Orr, R-Decatur, will have the ominous chore of being chairman of the Finance

and Taxation General Fund Budget setting committee.

Sen. Cam Ward, R-Alabaster, will be chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee. Sen. Dick Brewbaker will chair the Education Committee and Sen. Jimmy Holley will chair the Governmental Affairs Committee.

Sen. Quinton Ross of Montgomery will be the Democratic Minority Leader. Ross was concerned that the Rules of the Senate adopted during the session would be even more punitive to the Democrats. However, the rules adopted by the Senate were about the same as the last four years.

The only surprise in the Senate was that Sen. Clay Scofield of Arab chose the opening day of the organizational session to propose marriage publicly. Fortunately, his girlfriend accepted his proposal.

Auburn Republican Mike Hubbard was overwhelmingly re-elected to a second term as Speaker of the Alabama House of Representatives. Hubbard’s re-election is

unprecedented. There has never been a scenario in which someone has been under felony indictment and been re-elected Speaker. He faces 23 counts of ethics law violations in his home county, probably in a trial later this year after the legislative session.

He seemed genuinely humbled by the 99-0 vote of the House members. The Democratic representatives in a nonpartisan display of unanimity voted for the Republican Speaker. Veteran Democrat House Leader Marcel Black summed up the pervasive reasoning for standing behind Hubbard with his statement, “In this country you are innocent until proven guilty.”

The House also reelected Rep. Victor Gaston, R-Mobile, as Speaker Pro-Tem. Rep. Mickey Hammon, R-Decatur, will remain as House Majority Leader. Rep. Mac McCutcheon, R-Huntsville, remains as chairman of the powerful agenda setting Rules Committee. Rep Steve Clouse, R-Ozark, returns

as chairman of the Ways and Means General Fund Budget Committee. Rep. Bill Poole, R-Tuscaloosa, who is considered a rising star in the legislature, will again chair the powerful Ways and Means Education Budget Committee. Rep. Mike Jones, R-Andalusia, will be chairman of the House Judiciary Committee.

The Democrats have chosen Rep. Craig Ford, D-Gadsden, to a second term as their minority leader in the House. The House leadership as well as the Rules will remain the same as the past four years.

There’s no doubt that the Republicans are in charge of the Legislative branch, the same way that the GOP reigns over the Judicial and Executive branches of state government.

What this translates into legislatively is that the GOP supermajority can do what it wants to. It can simply ignore the Democrats, which is essentially what it did the past four years. Simple majority votes – 53 in the House and 18 in

the Senate – are easy. The Republicans can also garner two-thirds majorities with no problem. That means in the Senate they can vote cloture routinely and pass whatever they want without any Democratic member being able to object or even speak.

Speaking of Republicans, there is a spirited race for the GOP Party chairmanship. The new chairperson will be a lady. Former State Rep. Mary Sue McClurkin of Shelby County and longtime Mobile County Republican Party Chairman Terry Lathan are vying for the post. The election will be held Feb. 21. Lathan is expected to prevail due to her more than three decades of work in the state GOP vineyards.

Steve Flowers is Alabama’s leading political columnist. His weekly column on Alabama politics appears in over 60 Alabama newspapers. He may be reached at www.steveflowers.us.

Organized legislature is overwhelmingly RepublicanOpiniOn

Steve Flowers

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February 11 — 17, 2015 | The Trussville Tribune Page 11

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Scan this QR code with your smartphone to view this story at www.trussvilletribune.com, where videos of all the signees can be played.

National Signing Day became national signing night at Hewitt-Trussville High School last Wednes-day.

While most high schools celebrated their college-bound student-athletes dur-ing school hours, the Hus-kies waited to honor their

five seniors in primetime at 7 p.m. in the school’s caf-eteria.

Two of the soon-to-be college athletes played for head coach Josh Floyd’s football team. Deontay Wilson is headed to Ten-nessee Tech University and JaRon Godbolt will enroll at Jacksonville State Uni-versity as a recruited walk-on.

“Jacksonville State had a

better plan for me both ath-letically and academically, and they really focused on developing a pure student-athlete,” said Godbolt, who registered 19 tackles as a senior. “Ever since I took that visit last Thurs-day, that was it, that sealed the deal.”

He believes his speed can make him a valuable asset to the Gamecocks’ special teams units.

Wilson finished his se-nior season with 93 tack-les, one interception and a fumble recovery that he returned for a touchdown against Mountain Brook.

“I’m not a kid that gets in too much trouble, I’m someone you can rely on, I think,” Wilson said. “I think that just made me more appear to (Tennessee Tech).”

Wilson pledged with the Golden Eagles two weeks ago and enjoyed knowing

where his future was prior to signing day.

Hewitt-Trussville is also proud to send a pair of softball players to the next level. Taylor Beshears and Amber Hammonds have both signed with Wallace State Community College in Hanceville.

After Beshears decided against her original com-mitment to play for the University of Arkansas, Hammonds talked with her future Wallace State coach about recruiting her friend and longtime teammate. Beshears visited Hancev-ille shortly thereafter, and

it was a match.“I’ve played travel ball

with her since I was really young and we’ve grown up together,” Beshears said. “So we decided to go to-gether.”

Rounding out the list is Noah Tippen, a senior member of the Huskies’ tennis team. Tippen made his pledge to Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College in December.

Hewitt-Trussville sends 5 athletes to next level

photo courtesy of Hewitt-Trussville Athletics

From left are Deontay Wilson, JaRon Godbolt and head coach Josh Floyd

photo courtesy of Hewitt-Trussville Athletics

Amber Hammonds and Taylor Beshears

photo courtesy of Hewitt-Trussville Athletics

Noah Tippen and tennis coach Mike Higginbotham

by Erik Harris

Sports Editor

From staff reports

The Alabama High School Athletic Association Central Board has approved a plan to incorporate and calculate scoring for adaptive and wheelchair student-athletes participating in the AHSAA outdoor track and field championships, effective this spring.

The action was taken last

Wednesday at its annual winter meeting in Montgomery.

The board approved extending the existing state cross country championship contract at Moulton’s Oakville Indian Mounds Park & Museum for three more years through the 2017 season and the record-setting 2014 region and state volleyball financial reports.

AHSAA, in conjunction with

the Lakeshore Foundation, is devising a plan to count the points scored in adaptive or wheelchair track events with the scoring of the school they represent. In past years, a separate championship was awarded to schools with students in the wheelchair division.

“We think this plan will generate increased participation by adaptive and wheelchair

students,” AHSAA Executive Director Steve Savarese said. “It will be a way to provide a more memorable experience for all our students.”

Savarese said the 2014 volleyball championships at the CrossPlex and at the regional sites set attendance records.

“I think the new seven-classification system provided opportunities for some new

schools to make the tournament,” he said. “The excitement generated by the teams and fans created a wonderful state championship atmosphere.”

The AHSAA cross country committee recommended unanimously to extend the state cross country event contract.

AHSAA approves outdoor track plan for adaptive, wheelchair students

Four area juniors have been offered football scholarships from Arkansas State in the immediate aftermath of National Signing Day 2015.

H e w i t t - T r u s s v i l l e quarterback Zac Thomas and running back Jarrion Street each received their first offers from the Sun Belt program.

The backfield tandem looks to improve upon their junior seasons, as they led the Huskies to a 5-6 record and a first-round playoff berth under first-year head

coach Josh Floyd.Thomas completed 129-

of-221 passes for 1,738 yards, nine touchdowns and seven interceptions. He rushed 225 times for 1,137 yards and 18 scores. Street rushed 183 times for 1,165 yards and 14 touchdowns as a junior. He also caught 23 passes for 245 yards and two more scores.

Clay-Chalkville also had a pair of offensive players offered by the Red Wolves. Quarterback Ty Pigrome, Class 6A’s Back of the Year, and wide receiver T.J. Simmons added to an already present offer list. Pigrome holds offers from Southern Mississippi,

South Alabama and Middle Tennessee. Simmons has received an offer from Mississippi State, Cincinnati and South Alabama.

As a junior, Pigrome completed 157-of-234 passes for 2,692 yards, 36 touchdowns and seven interceptions. He rushed 145 times for 1,254 yards and 24 scores. Simmons caught 43 passes for 965 yards and 17 TDs as a junior.

The pitch-and-catch pair led the Cougars to unprecedented heights last season, going 15-0 and bringing the school its second state championship.

4 from area offered by Sun Belt schoolby Kyle Parmley

For The Tribune

Page 12 February 11 — 17, 2015 | The Trussville Tribune

Six senior student-ath-letes from Pinson Valley High School signed on the dotted line on National Signing Day last Wednes-day.

Running back Nick Gib-son signed to play football at Mississippi State. Gib-son had a stellar career for the Indians, racking up 5,082 rushing yards and

60 rushing touchdowns on 720 carries over his four-year career.

Teammates Juray Smith and D’Andre Hart both signed with Lindsey Wil-son College in Kentucky.

Smith finished his senior season with 42 tackles, eight tackles for loss, one sack, one forced fumble, three pass breakups and three interceptions. Smith said he never thought this

day would come, especial-ly after tearing his ACL be-fore his senior season.

“It’s amazing,” he said.Hart finished his senior

season with 35 tackles, seven pass breakups and four blocked punts. He’ll play free safety and on spe-cial teams at the next level.

“It’s an honor,” Hart said of playing college football. “Not many people get to do this.”

Soccer player Tori Gann

signed to play at Alabama, the university she dreamed of attending since she was young.

“It means a lot to me,” Gann said.

Fellow soccer player Jordan Walton signed to play at Meridian (Miss.) Community College. He thanked God, family, friends, coaches and team-mates before he signed.

Softball player Dallas Payton signed with Ala-

bama Southern Commu-nity College. She said she will play center field at the college level, and that she fell in love with the Mon-roeville campus when she visited in August.

“It felt like home,” she said.

Contact Gary Lloyd at news@trussvilletribune.com and follow him on Twitter @GaryALloyd.

Clay-Chalkville will return to Jacksonville for the first time since 2008, when the Lady Cougars were the Class 6A runner-up.

The Lady Cougars (25-7) dispatched Huffman 65-55 on Monday night in sub-regional play to punch their ticket to the regional round of the Class 6A playoffs behind another dominant performance

from do-it-all senior guard Kristian Hudson.

“We’re looking forward to going to Jacksonville,” Clay-Chalkville head coach Justin Haynie said. “But we don’t want to be one-and-done. We want to keep playing.”

Hudson contributed greatly on both sides of the floor, with an outstanding stat line of 28 points, four rebounds, five steals and a pair of assists.

The Lady Vikings attempted to press Clay-Chalkville early, but had

no success. That, coupled with great execution on both sides of the floor, allowed the Lady Cougars to jump out to an 18-7 lead after the first quarter. Clay-Chalkville dominated the early portions of the second quarter, before Huffman closed to within 12 at halftime.

Huffman (16-11) tried to sneak back into the game late in the fourth quarter, whittling a 17-point lead down to 10 in the final minutes, but couldn’t get enough stops to make the

Lady Cougars sweat. Senior T.J. Thomas did

the dirty work despite battling foul trouble for much of the first half. She ripped down five of her seven rebounds in the third quarter, and finished the night with seven points and two blocked shots.

“I’m more of a defensive player,” Thomas said. “I box out and get rebounds and just do whatever it takes to help the team win.”

As a backcourt partner to Hudson, Raven Omar put together a nice evening as well, scoring 15 points and adding on three rebounds, a couple assists, and a steal. Daffany Lewis played a solid game, scoring eight points and pulling down three boards.

Clay-Chalkville now heads to Jacksonville State University for regional play, where the Lady Cougars will face Fort Payne on Friday at 9 a.m. for an early tipoff. If they advance, they will take on the winner of Shades Valley and Albertville.

“We haven’t been to Jacksonville in a long time,” Thomas said. “It means a lot. It’s my senior year, so I want to go all the way.”

Last week, Clay-Chalkville wrapped up the Class 6A, Area 12 tournament title by taking down Center Point 54-37. Hudson scored 18 points and was named MVP. Omar scored a game-high 20 points.

The All-Tournament team included Hudson, Lewis, Omar and Thomas. Pinson Valley’s Alex Lowery also was selected.

The regular season All-Area team was announced prior to the title game, honoring a pair of Lady Cougars and Lady Indians. Hudson and Omar were named from Clay-Chalkville, while Maralie McKinney joined Lowery on the team from Pinson Valley.

The Clay-Chalkville boys traveled to Woodlawn on Tuesday for a Class 6A Northeast sub-regional game. For results of that game, visit www.trussvilletribune.com.

Lady Cougars beat Huffman, punch ticket to Jacksonvilleby Kyle Parmley

For The Tribune

Scan this QR code with your smartphone to view this story at www.trussvilletribune.com, where videos of each signee can be played.

Scan this QR code with your smartphone to watch head coach Justin Haynie talk about the win over Huffman and moving on in the Class 6A playoffs.

6 from Pinson Valley sign scholarships

photo by Gary Lloyd

Nick Gibson

photo by Gary Lloyd

Tori Gann

photo by Gary Lloyd

D’Andre Hart

photo by Gary Lloyd

Dallas Payton

photo by Gary Lloyd

Juray Smith

photo courtesy of Pinson Valley’s Twitter account

Jordan Walton

photo by Kyle Parmley

The Clay-Chalkville girls’ basketball team

by Gary Lloyd

Editor

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The Hewitt-Trussville High School competition cheerleading team finished second at the Universal Cheerleaders Association national competition over the weekend.

H e w i t t - T r u s s v i l l e finished second in the Super Varsity Division II finals behind St. Joseph Hill (N.Y.) Academy.

The competition was

held in Orlando, Fla.

Contact Gary Lloyd at

news@trussvilletribune.com and follow him on Twitter @GaryALloyd.

HTHS cheer team 2nd in nation

photo courtesy of Hewitt-Trussville Athletics

The Hewitt-Trussville competition cheerleading team

by Gary Lloyd

Editor

February 11 — 17, 2015 | The Trussville Tribune Page 13

Being the bottom seed at the Class 6A, Area 12 tournament didn’t bother Pinson Valley. Neither did trailing by 15 points early in the second quarter against tournament host Clay-Chalkville in the championship game Saturday.

The Indians set aside all the unlikely scenarios and grinded through Center Point 55-54 on Thursday and followed it up with a 76-68 win over the Cougars on Saturday to win their third straight area championship.

“Maybe these seniors have understood that it’s win or go home at this point. You’ve got to start playing better or you’re not going to be playing in the postseason,” said Pinson Valley head coach

Clint Argo. “Everybody’s playing harder than we did earlier in the year and that’s a lot of credit to the guys and how they’ve changed their mindset.”

Saturday’s game looked like it was supposed to early with the last-place Indians falling behind top-seeded Clay-Chalkville 7-0 not two minutes into the contest.

The Cougars did what they do best before star point guard Hasan Abdullah went down with a nagging injury late in the opening frame. They were stepping into passing lanes and getting to the rim on the other end, but there was a problem, and his name was Donevan Waldrop.

Waldrop, Pinson Valley’s starting point guard, didn’t waist any time cutting into Clay-Chalkville’s eight-point halftime lead. He started the third frame with a floater in the lane

followed by an interception that resulted in an easy lay-up to cut the Cougars’ lead in half.

Three minutes later, he connected from behind the arc to give Pinson Valley its first lead of the game at 41-40 with 3:30 remaining in the third. That’s when Abdullah checked back into the game, but it didn’t matter. He was well under 100 percent and Waldrop still couldn’t miss. That

one-point lead quickly grew to double digits.

Waldrop finished the afternoon with 29 points, which matched his total against Center Point on Thursday. His stellar performance earned him the rights of the tournament’s most valuable player award.

He got tremendous help from fellow guard D’Andre Hart and power forward Cornell Hale, both

of which were named to the all-tournament team. Hale went for 10 points and Hart added eight of his own.

Abdullah did manage to sink a 3-pointer midway through the fourth, but the opposition still led by seven and had no intention of falling down the stretch. Two late baskets by Cordarius Reese along with one from Hale and a few free throws were enough to seal the deal for the Indians.

For the Cougars, Abdullah scored 11 points in limited action. Edward Leggett and Nico Collins also went for 11 points. Senior Kenneth Cotton scored 19 to lead the way.

Pinson Valley hosted Shades Valley on Tuesday in a Class 6A Northeast sub-regional playoff game. For results of that game, visit www.trussvilletribune.com.

The Pinson Valley girls were eliminated from playoff contention in the Class 6A, Area 12 tournament, falling to Clay-Chalkville 70-42. Senior Alex Lowery racked up a game-high 19 points in her final game in a Lady Indians uniform. Fellow senior Nahtika Belser scored seven points, and Briana Jones and Maralie McKinney also played their final game for the program. Laurel Uhomba and Alexia Hood each contributed six points.

Head coach Kristan Cromer is happy with how her seniors set an example for the underclassmen.

“We were really young this year,” Cromer said. “Our seniors have done a really good job finishing up and leading the team. They have showed them what a legacy is and leaving a good name for us as Pinson Valley.”

Pinson Valley claims Area 12 titleby Erik Harris

Sports Editor

photo by Erik Harris

The Pinson Valley boys’ basketball team

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Hewitt-Trussville has released its 2015 varsity football schedule.

The season starts with quite a bang.

The Huskies on Friday, Aug. 21 will host Montgomery Bell (Tenn.) Academy at 7 p.m., a game that replaces the non-region Gadsden City contest. Hewitt-Trussville and Gadsden City agreed to not play in Week 5, due to Class 7A Regions 3 and 4 being paired up in the playoffs. The Huskies beat Gadsden City 31-27 in Week 5 last year, but were later knocked

out of the playoffs by the Titans 54-37.

The game against Montgomery Bell Academy is part of a home-and-home deal, meaning the Huskies will travel north to Tennessee to start the 2016 season.

Montgomery Bell Academy won the Tennessee Division II Class AA state championship and finished nationally ranked in the top 50 in 2014.

Montgomery Bell Academy is led by rising junior Ty Chandler, a running back with scholarship offers already from LSU, Ole Miss, Tennessee and Vanderbilt.

On Friday, Aug. 28,

Hewitt-Trussville will travel to Gardendale. Class 7A, Region 3 play begins Sept. 4 when the Huskies play host to Tuscaloosa County. Hewitt-Trussville will play at Vestavia Hills on Sept. 11, host Spain Park on Sept. 18 and have a bye week Sept. 25.

On Oct. 2, the Huskies travel to Oak Mountain, followed by an Oct. 9 home game against Thompson. Hewitt-Trussville hosts Mountain Brook on Oct. 16, travels to Hoover on Oct. 23 and travels to Clay-Chalkville on Oct. 30.

Hewitt-Trussville posted a 5-6 record in 2014.

Hewitt-Trussville releases 2015 football scheduleby Gary Lloyd

Editor

The Hewitt-Trussville boys and girls basketball teams saw their seasons come to an end in area tournaments last week.

The Hewitt-Trussville boys lost 74-41 to Mountain Brook in the Class 7A, Area 6 tournament.

The Huskies (6-21) trailed 28-11 following the first quarter, but only scored

five points in the second period. They rebounded to play a solid third quarter, as Matt Hicks hit three baskets to score six points.

Hewitt-Trussville was led overall by freshman Sean Elmore, who poured in 17 points and scored in all four quarters. Sophomore Harrison Stanley did the same, as he scored eight points.

Departing seniors Roosevelt Savage (three points) and Cole Mason

played in their final games for the Huskies. Fellow senior Brian Duffett has been out with a foot injury since mid-January.

Mountain Brook went on to win the tournament.

The Hewitt-Trussville girls lost 60-40 to Spain Park in the Class 7A, Area 6 tournament. The Lady Huskies came in with a sound game plan to slow the game down and limit possessions, which they did for the entirety of the

first and second quarters. Bailey Berry’s 3-point basket knotted the score at 18 to end the first half.

However, the Lady Huskies ran into a rash of turnovers that led to easy baskets for the Lady Jags in the third quarter. Spain Park outscored Hewitt-Trussville 22-7, and took a 15-point lead into the final quarter, one that they held onto easily.

Cayla Dillard finished her career with an outstanding performance, leading the Lady Huskies with 19

points and four rebounds. She connected on four 3-pointers and hit all seven of her free throw attempts.

“I’ll look back on my career at Hewitt as a huge part of my life,” Dillard said. “It has helped shape me into the person I am today.”

The only other senior for Hewitt-Trussville, Briannah Howard, filled up the stat sheet in her final game. She only scored two points, but grabbed six boards, dished out three assists and picked up three

steals.H e w i t t - T r u s s v i l l e

finishes with a 13-11 record in Tonya Hunter’s first season as head coach.

“The whole year, I use a journal to insert everything I see and everything I need to change. I am going to go back to it and revamp it,” Hunter said.

Hunter was able to sum up what she thinks the future is for the Hewitt-Trussville program.

“We’re bright. We’re Husky bright,” she said.

Hewitt-Trussville hoops squads fall in area tourneysby Kyle Parmley

For The Tribune

Page 14 February 11 — 17, 2015 | The Trussville Tribune

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National Signing Day 2015 will go down as a banner day in the history of Clay-Chalkville High School. The Cougars watched 11 student-athletes, including seven football players, sign letters of intent last week to continue their athletic careers at the collegiate level.

Held in the auditorium, head football coach Jerry Hood emceed the ceremony for the school’s athletes, allowing the kids’ specific coaches to say a few words before prompting them to put pen to paper with their signature.

Afterward, Hood was able to take a moment to reflect on his football signees, part of a class of seniors that brought the school its second state championship in 2014. Over the last three seasons, they led the Cougars to a record of 37-4.

“These guys are blessed with great athletic ability, and they have taken advantage of this situation,” Hood said. “They are going to go on and do great things with their life. I am super proud of them, and this is always a fun day.”

Defensive end Kendell Jones signed with Mississippi State, the top-ranked team in the country at one point last year. He struggled putting into

words what the day meant to him.

“This is what you dream about. It’s just a great thing,” he said.

Hood believes the Bulldogs will ask him to gain some weight to be able to play some at the defensive tackle position along with his natural defensive end slot.

“Kendell has all the measurables,” Hood said. “He has the raw talent. I think he’s got a chance to be a great player.”

Undoubtedly the heart and soul of the Cougars’ championship team, running back Terelle West will play college football at Middle Tennessee. Despite tearing his ACL and MCL during the playoffs, the Blue Raiders never wavered on their scholarship offer.

“It’s very special because I know my mom doesn’t have to come out of her pocket to pay anything,”

West said.West doesn’t think being

a college football player will truly sink in until the first day of classes in the fall, but his value went far beyond the field in his four years at Clay-Chalkville.

“Terelle is the most special kid that we have here for a whole bunch of different reasons, the least of which is what he did on the football field,” Hood said. “This is a great young man. I think he is going to set Middle Tennessee on fire.”

Kam Prewitt, cornerback and punt returner for the Cougars, will continue his career at Memphis. His best asset, according to Hood, is his wingspan. Despite being close to six-feet, his reach is nearly three inches longer than that.

“He’s very athletic. If you have ever watched him move around, he is very ‘rubbery.’ He’s a shutdown corner type of kid,” Hood

said.The fourth Football

Bowl Subdivision prospect for the Cougars, LaDarius Harris, will move on to Southern Mississippi to play on the defensive line. The sky is the limit for the player that switched positions on the defense before finding his home.

“It wouldn’t surprise me if he ends up in the NFL,” Hood said. “He has the skill set and the raw power to potentially play at that level.”

Two other defenders inked their letters to colleges Wednesday, as cornerback Izzy Bennett selected Tuskegee and safety Torrence Willis signed with West Alabama. Wide receiver Eric Blockum signed with Miles College.

This class doesn’t signal the end of Clay-Chalkville churning out football prospects, as junior quarterback Ty Pigrome

and junior wide receiver T.J. Simmons look to sign with FBS schools as well. Both players received scholarship offers from Arkansas State shortly after the festivities concluded for the current seniors.

“We have been on the map long enough that schools see what caliber football player we are putting out,” Hood said. “Everybody is darkening the door of Clay-Chalkville right now, and that’s a good thing.”

A pair of baseball players signed as well, with pitcher Matthew Calvert choosing UAB and shortstop Tyler Duke heading to Lawson State Community College.

Calvert made a promise to his mother before she passed away that he would play college baseball, and he delivered on that promise with his signature.

“I can get a great education at UAB, and to play at a great program

like them, it’s an honor,” he said. “I’m glad I can stay home and be with my son, and be the father that I need to be to him.”

Dalton O’Rear marks the second athlete in Clay-Chalkville history to accept a golf scholarship. He will attend Wallace State Community College. Ceara Gray signed with Baylor University, as she accepted an acrobatics and tumbling scholarship as a competitive cheerleader.

Clay-Chalkville honors 11 signeesby Kyle Parmley

For The Tribune

photo by Kyle Parmley

The 11 Clay-Chalkville High School signees on National Signing Day 2015

Scan this QR code with your smartphone to view this story at www.trussvilletribune.com, where videos of some of the signees can be played.