Lady Lions Win State!

Sam Poe

The Haleyville Lady Lions competed in the 4A State Softball Tournament Thursday and Friday. The Lady Lions first faced Charles Henderson High School Thursday morning.  The Lady Lions defeated the Lady Trojans and then faced Cherokee County in Round 2. Haleyville defeated Cherokee County to advance to Day 2 of state play undefeated.  The Lady Lions then defeated Central of Florence Friday morning to send the Wildcats to the losers' bracket and to secure their own place in the state championship game. Because the Lady Lions were undefeated entering the championship game, they had to be defeated twice to finish in second place.  The Alabama Christian Eagles defeated the Lady Lions in Game 1 of the championship, but the Lady Lions pounced on the Eagles early in Game 2 to win the state title with a score of 8-0. 

The title was truly an act of team plays, but some players made a real impact on the outcome.  Three Lady Lions were named to the 4A All State Team.  Those ladies were Callie Pendley and Allie O'Rear.  Holly Ward was also named Most Valuable Player of the tournament for the second year in a row. O'Rear had her career best performance in the tourney and made several key plays in each game, including several outstanding hits and RBIs.  Ward was the sole pitcher throughout the tournament but was also a key hitter, including a stand up double and a home run in the final championship game. C. Pendley continued to show her talent with slap bunts and stolen bases. Tori Pendley also added a home run against Charles Henderson, along with several key plays at first base, and AnnaLaine Godsey laid down a bunt to advance runners to secure a victory. Perri Gilbert, Payten Townsend, Lacey Burleson, and Macy West added important hits when the Lady Lions needed them the most.  Sydney Kiser also did a great job behind plate, while adding big hits in the final championship game. 

Haleyville High School is the first public school to earn back to back state titles in 4A Fastpitch Softball.  They also ended their season with a 45-13 record, which is the most wins in a single season in HHS history. Congratulations, Lady Lions!

For photos of Haleyville vs. Charles Henderson, [CLICK HERE].

For photos of Haleyville vs. Cherokee County, [CLICK HERE].

For photos of Haleyville vs. Central of Florence, [CLICK HERE]. 

For photos of the First Championship Game vs. Alabama Christian, [CLICK HERE].

For photos of the 2013 Final Championship Game vs. Alabama Christian, [CLICK HERE].

Car vs Tree

Harold Bearden

Just after 4 a.m. Sunday, Terry Mann, 53 of Bear Creek lost control of his Pontiac Firebird in a curve on Goddard Road behind Harden Manufacturing in Bear Creek. Mann's car left the road and struck a tree virtually distroying the vehicle and knocking the bark off the tree. He was ejected from the vehicle upon impact with the tree and found a short distance away in the woods. Fog kept helicopters grounded and Terry was transported to Birmingham by ambulance. His condition is unknown, but he was talking to members of the Bear Creek Fire and Rescue when he was brought to the ambulance. 

3rd Annual Mark Forester Price of Freedom Race

Sam Poe

The third annual Mark Forester Price of Freedom Race is set for Saturday morning. Mark was a Haleyville native who was killed in action in Afghanistan in September 2010. His family and friends have set up the Mark Forester Foundation in memory of Mark and the price he paid for American freedom. The foundation donates a $2,000 scholarship to a senior at Haleyville High School each year. This year's recipient, Trey Williams, is pictured in the photo on the left. Also pictured is Thad Forester, Mark's brother.  The Price of Freedom race will include a 5K race as well as the annual birthday memorial walk. Each year the walk is increased by one mile, according to the age Mark would have been on his birthday of that year. The Forester family celebrated Mark's 32nd birthday May 15, 2013. There will also be multiple children's activities set up at the event, as well as the Welcome Home Heroes Traveling Tribute from California. For more information or for a schedule of events, please visit www.markaforester.com.  Thank you, Mark for your unwavering service to the United States of America. Your sacrifice will never be forgotten.

No Seat Belt - More Than Just a Ticket

Harold Bearden

Around noon Wednesday, Sergeant Jonathan Winters, Alabama ABC Board Enforcement Division, stopped a vehicle on Highway 195 when he noticed the driver was not wearing a seat belt or shoulder harness. After checking the cab of the pickup, SGT Winters found a small amount of marijuana and placed both the driver and a female passenger under arrest for possession of a controlled substance. The charge is a misdomeaner and after both signed a personal appearance bond, they were released.