EDITORS NOTE: This is the first of a two-part series looking back at the year 2018 in sports around the Greater Valley Area.

Jan. 30

The Chambers Academy boys basketball team make state semifinal

After posting a 3-13 record in the regular season, the Rebels of Chambers Academy found themselves in the state semifinal after racking up three consecutive postseason wins. Although Chambers Academy didn’t win this year’s state championship, the momentum from the postseason run carried into the beginning of this season. The Rebels are currently carrying a winning record.

Feb. 7

Troup County alum Tremayne Tolbert signs with West Alabama

After two years of playing with a junior college in California, Troup County grad Tremayne Tolbert signed with a  four-year university, West Alabama, to finish his college career.

Feb. 7

Six Lanett seniors sign college scholarships

Lanett High School seniors Anquaevious Pollard, Jawon Howell, Ty Truitt, Keavis Sands, Baraskious Dowdell and Emanuel Littles inked national letters of intent to play college athletics. Pollard, Truitt and Dowdell all signed to continue their football careers at Independence Community College in Independence, Kansas. Howell signed to North Alabama, where Littles would eventually sign to after de-committing to Florida Atlantic. Sands signed to Tennessee Valley Prep.

March 2

The Lanett boys basketball team captures third straight state title

The Panthers’ 41-38 win over St. Luke’s Episcopal put Lanett atop of the 2A world in the state of Alabama this past spring. Senior forward Emmanuel Littles capped off his career with a 13 point and 10 rebound performance in the championship game, and was named the state tournament MVP. Also on the team was senior forward Anquavious Pollard, who was named the 2A State Player of the Year for the second year in a row.

April 19

Rams’ Harry and Bledsoe sign to Faulkner, Southern Union

Trevor Harry and Josh Bledsoe signed letters of intent to continue their athletic careers in college. Harry signed to Faulkner University on a golf scholarship, while Bledsoe signed to Southern Union State Community College on a baseball.

April 27

Rams’ Cooper signs with prep school

Valley High School senior Kevonte’ Cooper signed his letter of intent to continue his career at Gulf Coast Prep Sports Academy in Mobile. The signing came five years after Cooper was cut from the middle school team in eighth grade.

May 3

Chambers Academy baseball team makes it to the state final

Head coach Dillon NesSmith led the Rebels to their first baseball championship appearance since 1999 in his first season at the helm. The team, led by pitcher Caydon Smoot and Gavin White,  lost to Eastwood Christian in the final series by the scores of 2-1 and 6-1.

May 5

Athletes win individual track and field state championships

Lanett’s Braylon Harrington won the 2A state title in 300-meter hurdles, while LaFayette’s Kendra James and Feliah Greer won the 2A state title in the high jump and shot put, respectively. James also finished second in 100-meters hurdles, and third in the 300-meter hurdles. The championship was Harrington’s third of the year, also winning on the boys basketball and football teams at Lanett.

May 9

Lanett track and field trio signs to compete in college

Lanett seniors Octavia Wright, Eric Darden and Harrington signed letters of intent to attend Highland Community College in Kansas.

May 13

Beulah and Valley softball teams make it to regional rounds

Both the Beulah and Valley softball teams appeared in the regional round this past Spring, while Chambers Academy and Springwood’s runs ended in the state tournaments.