MAY

Verbena’s Deramus wins two state track titles

Winning what is believed to be your school’s first track and field state championship is a difficult accomplishment to top.

Verbena’s Marqueska Deramus did so this year by winning two state titles.

Deramus posted the best distances in two field events at this year’s Class 1A state meet at Memorial Stadium in Selma: 101 feet and 2 inches in the discus, and 34 feet and 7 inches in the shot put.

Maplesville edged out in semifinals

Maplesville ended its deep playoff run in heartbreaking fashion: down by two runs in the bottom of the seventh inning with bases loaded.

The Red Devils dropped the second game at St. Luke’s, 7-5, on May 11 after losing the first game by the same margin, 5-3.

The visiting team had a chance, though—a base hit by Brett Walker loaded the bases with two outs in the last inning. The play on his hit went to second base, where Trent Smitherman slid in and was called safe; however, he fell off the base and was tagged out to end the game.

Tigers’ season ends at Spanish Fort

Chilton County’s deepest playoff run in 21 years came to end May 11 with two losses at two-time defending champion Spanish Fort.

A back-and-forth Game 1 lasted nine innings and ended with the Toros on top, 6-5. The Tigers (35-9) couldn’t pick themselves up off the mat after such a gut-wrenching loss and fell in Game 2, 13-0, as their season concluded in the semifinal round of the Class 5A state baseball playoffs.

Maplesville finally wins game at state tournament

Maplesville’s run ended short of a state championship, but the softball team can still say it had the best showing in school history.

The Red Devils, making their fourth consecutive appearance in the Class 1A state tournament at Lagoon Park in Montgomery on May 17, won their first tournament game.

First-year MHS coach Chad Harrison said the team focused all week only on the first game of the event, and it showed as the Devils pulled out a 14-3 win in five innings over Tharptown.

SEPTEMBER

Reunion for those with ties to Hand

Don Hand won 120 games as Chilton County High School’s football coach, but the more important number might be the number of people he reached, teaching them important life lessons.

That’s why about 150 people showed up at Tiger Stadium for last week’s game against Shelby County for a reunion.

There was at least one person at the reunion representing each of the classes while Hand was at the school.

IHS wins third straight volleyball county title

Isabella won its third consecutive Chilton County Volleyball Tournament on Saturday but not before host Jemison took a set from the Mustangs.

The three titles are believed to be the most any program has ever won in a row.

IHS defeated Chilton County, 2-0 in its first match of the day and then topped Jemison, 2-1, in the championship match.

OCTOBER

Maplesville coach Hubbert reaches milestone

Maplesville’s Brent Hubbert reached a milestone in his coaching career last week, but he’s not taking a whole lot of time to reflect on his legacy.

Hubbert notched the 100th win of his career on Oct. 12 when the Red Devils defeated Autaugaville, 41-6.