AHSAA

Congrats Coach!!

CONGRATULATIONS To Coach Will Smith on his 500th career win as the Spain Park Jags Head Coach! 🖤💙🖤💙 “A coach will impact more young people in a year than the average person does in a lifetime” -Billy Graham

AHSAA Coaches Spotlight presented by Alabama State Games - alagames.com Congratulations to Coach Joel Van Meter with the Oxford High School Yellow Jackets for being named the 6A Coach of the Year by the Alabama Sportswriters Association.

AHSAA Coaches Spotlight presented by Scout Program Management - scoutpm.com Congratulations to Coach Curt Weeks with Tuscaloosa County High Basketball - Boys for being named the 7A Coach of the Year by the Alabama Sportswriters Association.

AHSAA Hall of Fame Spotlight presented by Drive Safe Alabama - Buckle up every trip, every seat! 12 Selected for Induction into Alabama High School Hall of Fame’s Class of 2026 MONTGOMERY – Twelve major contributors to prep athletics in Alabama have been selected for induction into the Alabama High School Sports Hall of Fame in the Class of 2026. The induction will take place at a banquet held at the Montgomery Renaissance Hotel and Spa Convention Center March 23, 2026. The Class of 2026 was announced by AHSAA Executive Director Heath Harmon and Alabama High School Athletic Directors & Coaches Association (AHSADCA) Director James Lawrence. The class was selected at a meeting of the selection committee assembled by the AHSADCA. A total of 60 nominations were submitted by member schools and other organizations. The Class of 2026 include administrators, coaches, and one selection from the “old timer” category. Those individuals selected were football coaches Jeff Smith and Larry Strain; basketball coaches Ricky Austin, Owen Butts, Anthony Leonard, Willie Maxey, and Willie Moore; track coach Samuel Pettaway (old timer selection); administrators Jamie Chapman, now deceased; John Hardin, Kim Kiel, and Joseph Pettway, This group includes three individuals who have served on the AHSAA Central Board of Control (CBOC) and some time in their careers in the AHSAA: Chapman, Hardin, and Kiel. Miss Kiel addressed those in attendance for the Class of 2026. “On behalf of the Alabama High School Athletic Association Hall of Fame Class of 2026, I want to thank you. Thank you to the AHSAA, to the selection committee, and to everyone who made tonight possible. This is truly an incredible honor, and one that none of us takes lightly,” said Kiel. “I can tell you this is a humbling moment. When you look across this room and see the history, the tradition, and the people who have poured so much into high school athletics in this state, it makes you stop and reflect. Not just on wins or championships, but on the journey. Because the truth is, none of us got here alone. “Every person being recognized tonight represents something much bigger than themselves. Behind each of us are coaches who pushed us, mentors who guided us, teammates and colleagues who walked alongside us, and families who sacrificed more than anyone will ever fully understand.” Kiel reflected on the early mornings, long bus rides, late nights, tough losses, and moments where quitting would have been easier. “But somewhere along the way, we learned that athletics is about more than a scoreboard,” she said. “It’s about discipline. It’s about accountability. It’s about relationships. And most importantly, it’s about impact. For many of us, our greatest memories are not the biggest games, but the people. The student-athletes who trusted us. The teams that came together. The moments where you saw growth, not just in ability, but in character. That is what makes high school athletics so special. “The Alabama High School Athletic Association has given all of us a platform to be part of something that changes lives. Whether as a player, a coach, an official, or an administrator, we’ve all had the opportunity to shape young people during some of the most important years of their lives. And that responsibility is something we have never taken lightly.” She spoke about the importance of recognizing the importance of continuing this work. The future of education-based athletics depends on people who are willing to invest in the next generation the same way someone once invested in us. “So, to the young coaches, administrators, and officials in the room tonight,” said Kiel, “I would simply say this: what you do matters. And to my fellow inductees, it is an honor to stand alongside you. Before I close, we would be remiss not to recognize one of our own – Jamie Chapman. While he is not here with us tonight, his impact is felt in this room and across this state. His legacy is one of commitment, passion, and service to student-athletes. The lives he touched, the example he set, and the standard he upheld will continue to influence high school athletics for years to come. We are proud to be part of a class that includes his name, and we honor him tonight. “On behalf of the 2026 Hall of Fame class, thank you for this recognition, for believing in what we do, and for continuing to support high school athletics across the state of Alabama. This is a night we will never forget.” Sponsors of the Hall of Fame program are the Alabama High School Athletic Directors & Coaches Association (AHSADCA) and the AHSAA. The corporate partners include Alabama Power, ALFA, Coca-Cola, Encore Rehabilitation, Jack’s, Future 1s, TeamIP, Alabama Public Health, and Wilson Sporting Goods. The first class was inducted in 1991. These 12 new inductees will push the total enshrined into the Alabama High School Sports Hall of Fame to 440. A profile of each selectee is below. AHSAA HALL OF FAME CLASS OF 2026 Front row, from left: Samuel Pettaway; Ricky Austin; Candy Chapman (representing her husband Jamie Chapman, deceased); Kim Kiel; John Hardin; Willie Maxey. Back row, from left: Jeff Smith; Anthony Edwards; Owen Butts; Larry Strain; Joseph Pettway; and Willie Moore. (AHSAA PHOTO | David Holtsford)

AHSAA Top Prospect of the Week presented by Alabama National Guard Recruiting - joinalguard.com/prospect-page/ Izzy Nelson - Scottsboro High School Nelson had another great season finishing her junior year being named 5A 1st Team All State by the Alabama Sports Writers Association. She averaged 17 points, 11 rebounds, and 3 assists per game. She's an outstanding all around athlete and one of the top college prospects in multiple sports in Alabama. Scottsboro City Schools

2026 Alabama High School Sports Hall of Fame‼️ #EducationBasedAthletics

Iowa’s Brooklyn Wolthoff Selected as 2026 National High School Heart of the Arts Award Recipient nfhs.org/stories/iowa-s…

See all the photos from last night's Hall of Fame ceremony at ahsaanow.com/latest-ahsaa-e…

AHSAA Central Alabama Athlete of the Week presented by Frontline Offroad Lina Tidwell - Horseshoe Bend Softball Tidwell had an outstanding offensive game in the General recent win over Wadley 12-2. She finished with 3 hits and 2 RBI's in 5 at bats to lead Horseshoe Bend. The Generals are off to another great start to their season. Horseshoe Bend School K-12

AHSAA West Alabama Athlete of the Week presented by Sign Source - Your School Signage and Digital Boards Source - signsourcenow.com Mayson Elam Northridge High School Elam was a standout at the plate in 2 recent wins for Northridge over Bob Jones and Hazel Green. Combined he was 4 for 7 with 1 HR, 3 doubles and 7 RBI's. Northridge is currently ranked #5 in Class 6A.

AHSAA Mobile Area Athlete of the Week presented by Scout Program Management - scoutpm.com Charlie Patterson - Fairhope High School Baseball Patterson had a huge game in Fairhope's recent win over Enterprise 10-9. He finished 4 for 4 with 2 doubles and 2 HR's. Fairhope is currently ranked #5 in the state.

The AHSAA Radio Network Coastal Alabama Player of the Week presented by Greene & Phillips - Injury Lawyers is Saraland High School right handed pitcher Cade Mason. The junior right hander, coached by veteran Brett Boutwell, has thrown two consecutive No-Hitters against some very strong competition... the St. Pauls Saints and the Mary Montgomery Vikings. Cade struck out 10 in each of those games leading the Spartans to victory.

Spring sports are here! Message on Facebook at AHSAA Radio Network or email me recommendations at randylee10@gmail.com Our goal is to spotlight as many deserving athletes as possible!

12 Selected for Induction into Alabama High School Hall of Fame’s Class of 2026 ahsaanow.com/2026/03/23/12-…

Larry Strain coached Championship Teams in Football and Girls’ Basketball Final Installment in a 12-part series on the HOF Class of 2026 ahsaanow.com/2026/03/23/lar…

Jeff Smith discovered his Purpose As a Coach from his own Coaches 11th Installment in a 12-part series on the AHSAA HOF Class of 2026 ahsaanow.com/2026/03/22/jef…

Joseph Pettway Taught Excellence Through Perseverance and Commitment 10th Installment in a 12-part series on the HOF Class of 2026 ahsaanow.com/2026/03/21/jos…