TITLE SWEEP
Hewitt-Trussville wins state in baseball, softball. 12
ABOUT US
Editor’s Note By
Summer is here, and particularly in July, we celebrate our country.
This July, our nation marks 250 years since a group of brave men signed their names to a document that changed the world forever. The Declaration of Independence is a piece that has stood the test of time. Plus, this will be the only time we have an excuse to master the word semiquincentennial in our lives.
Kyle Parmley
Sure, we’re not a perfect country. No nation is. But the freedoms we enjoy — the ability to speak our minds, worship as we choose and build a life on our own terms — are worth celebrating.
So this Fourth of July, fire up the grill, find a good spot for fireworks (check the events section of this paper for some options) and, if you’re like me, tune in to watch Joey Chestnut inhale an inordinate amount of hot dogs in 10 minutes.
Thanks for reading!
Please send me an email at kparmley@starnesmedia. com with any story ideas.
ON THE COVER: Four Hewitt-Trussville High School juniors earned recognition from the National Merit Scholars program. From left, Cade Williams, Lyla Hatley, Henry Haynes and Riley Morris Photo courtesy of Hewitt-Trussville High School.
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April Coffey
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Diane Poole
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Grow your nonprofit’s impact with an Agency Endowment Fund
The Community Foundation of Greater Birmingham pools financial contributions from individuals, families and businesses to support nonprofits and improve the quality of life in Central Alabama.
The Foundation also offers its donors exciting ways to make giving simple and increase the impact of their gifts.
For example, a nonprofit can create a permanent, income-generating asset by opening an Agency Endowment Fund with the Foundation. The Trussville Noon Rotary Club (TNRC) created its Agency Endowed Fund in 2005.
“The club invests money with the Foundation, which increases the value of the money through investments,” Club President David Perry says. “The income from the fund is used exclusively for the club’s college scholarships.”
TNRC strives to help qualified students finance their college educations and provides up to five college scholarships per year. Apart from the fund, TNRC also supports such causes as Lovelady Center, Children’s of Alabama and Trussville Public library.
Nonprofits who create a fund with the Foundation have their assets professionally managed as part of a larger, diversified portfolio, allowing for greater returns.
Perry said that TNRC would recommend the Foundation to other organizations. The club created its own Foundation Fund in the 1970s, but had
The Trussville Noon Rotary Club uses their Agency Endowment Fund to grow scholarships and expand their community giving.
“The decision to allow the Foundation to run this fund beginning in 2005 has resulted in a significant increase in returns over what the Club could produce.”
– Trussville Noon Rotary Club President David Perry
the Foundation take it over.
“The decision to allow the Foundation to run this fund beginning in 2005 has resulted in a significant increase in returns over what the Club could produce,” Perry says
In addition, the Foundation handles all administrative, legal and reporting responsibilities.
“It’s very easy to start a fund with the Foundation,” Perry says. “Fees are both reasonable and competitive.”
Business Happenings
NOW OPEN
The Conservatory at Crosswicks wedding and event venue opened at 160 Pinebluff Trail. The indoor-outdoor venue has a European-inspired design and is booking events for this year and next. 205-842-7695, theconservatoryatcrosswicks. com
COMING SOON
Straight Mountain Foods, a food truck and catering business, is set to open Redemption, a brick-andmortar restaurant, this summer at 8885 Gadsden Highway. The restaurant will be open seven days a week and offer meat-and-three plates during lunch, with a larger menu for dinner. straightmountaincatering.com
Planet Fitness will be moving into the former Big Lots location in the Walmart Shopping Center at 5903 Trussville Crossings Parkway, which has been empty since 2024. Trussville Mayor Ben Short said permits have been pulled for the new business, and
work is underway to transform the property. With more than 2,700 locations, Planet Fitness provides fitness equipment, classes and online workouts for members. No official opening date has been set for the new location. planetfitness.com
RELOCATIONS AND RENOVATIONS
Blum Clothing, which sells items like women’s clothing, accessories, shoes, locally made items and gifts, recently moved to a new location at 165 Morrow Ave. Started in 2025, the boutique was previously located at 410 Main St. in the former location of Southern Hem. Blum Clothing is open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and it also ships items. 256-589-7457, blumclothing.com
Do you have news to share about a business in Trussville or the greater Birmingham area? Let us know at starnesmedia.com/business-happenings
The Conservatory at Crosswicks
Planet Fitness
Trussville entrepreneur launches OneSource Landscape Supply
By DIANE POOLE
Tommy Trimm has been a successful business owner for many years and has owned several companies.
His current businesses include MTT (the main company; MTT originally stands for Melodie and Tommy Trimm), Trimm Design Build (a custom, full-service outdoor design and construction company), Ace Surfaces of Birmingham (permeable surfaces and artificial turf), OneSource Landscape Supply and Parcels Too (a shipping and business services company he purchased about four years ago).
Most of these businesses were founded with a similar purpose in mind.
“My goal with these businesses is to leave enough meat on the bone that somebody can take them and carry them another 20 or 30 years after I’m no longer involved.”
The concept for his latest business, OneSource Landscape Supply, grew out of practical need. Trimm wanted a reliable source for materials used by his other companies.
“I wanted to have more of a fixed location for me to be so I wouldn’t have to do what I’ve been doing for the last 40 years and be all over the place. I could slow down a little bit and be a little more part of the community.”
The name of his latest company has practical meaning.
“The name OneSource will eventually mean one source for anything you want to get done.”
The idea also came from practical use. He initially wanted to be able to get the resources he needed for his other businesses.
“If we don’t use it, we don’t carry it.”
But Trimm also wants the business to make a difference.
“It’s not vital that it be a huge financial success because just being able to use it for ourselves will sustain it. But I want it to be part of the community.”
What Trimm enjoys most about being a small business
Members of the Trussville Area Chamber of Commerce joined Tommy Trimm, family, friends and supporters for the recent ribbon cutting celebrating the opening of OneSource Landscape Supply.
owner is knowing how it helps those who work for him.
“I guess the thing I enjoy most is creating a place where other people can come to work and grow.”
Trimm’s personal philosophy is simple.
“Nobody’s really going to care about jobs you did years ago. The thing you leave behind is what continues after you’re gone.”
Trimm’s most recent venture, OneSource Landscape Supply, is located at 1861 Gadsden Highway in Trussville.
Photo by Diane Poole.
SCHOOLHOUSE
Ready for the world
Hewitt-Trussville High School held its 2026 graduation ceremony on May 19 at Husky Stadium. Photos by Shawn Bowles.
SCHOOLHOUSE
Fifth grader becomes a word multimillionaire
By DIANE POOLE
Everett Almquist is soft spoken and quietly works hard to achieve his goals. He learned to read at age three. This year, as a fifth grader at Magnolia Elementary, Everett set a goal of reading 16 million words during the school year.
Working to achieve his lofty goal, Everett shared that he read two to three hours every day — more on the weekends when he had more time—all while keeping up with his school work and piano lessons, playing a little golf and pickleball, and being a member of the soccer team, an activity which required practices twice a week and one to two games.
“Multiple times I stayed home and just read. I got three books in one day.”
Everett’s favorite books are comics, fiction and fantasy.
“I like books that are like 300 to 400 pages, and I like comics a lot, like Garfield and Snoopy. I like books by Gordon Korman, a fiction author, and also Harry Potter.”
He received encouragement throughout the year from his family and his teacher. As the school year drew to a close, Everett’s mom, Sarah, encouraged him during the final push toward his goal.
“I even suggested a couple times that maybe we didn’t need to worry about getting to 16 — because toward the end, time was getting tight. I said, ‘Buddy, you know, we have already reached about 14 million — 14 is awesome. Stop at 14.’ But Everett was determined to make it to at least 15.”
Everett’s former principal, Dr. Phyllis Faust, shared about his consistency and self-motivation over the years.
GET TO KNOW
“Since joining Magnolia in second grade, he has steadily increased his reading each year — from two million words in second grade to an incredible 15 million this year. That kind of growth doesn’t happen by accident. It reflects genuine discipline, curiosity and a love of learning that is remarkable for a student his age.”
“This is an extremely uncommon accomplishment for an elementary student,” Dr. Faust continued. “Reading 15 million words in a single school year requires not only advanced
reading ability but also exceptional dedication and time management. Everett’s long-term commitment to reading places him in a very rare category of young readers, and we are incredibly proud of what he has achieved.”
The books all had to be on an approved accelerated reading (AR) list to count toward his goal. Many of his fellow students also had goals.
“Some people were trying to get to a million. One of my friends, Ephraim, made it to four million, which was pretty impressive.”
Everett was excited to finally reach his goal on a day he was home from school.
“I finished my last book and my last quiz, and I got 100 on it. I checked my total word count. It was 15,003,000, so I just made it.”
To put it into perspective, the total fifth grade at Magnolia read about 33 million. Everett read almost half the total number of words of the entire fifth grade.
His mom also shared that his word count equates to 210 novels!
What would Everett say to other students who want to become better readers?
“Practice makes perfect. The more you read, the better you’re going to be at reading and the faster you can read.”
When asked about his next goal, Everett shared that there’s no AR in sixth grade. Will he just stop reading?
“No. I’ll keep reading more fun books — that’s what I call them. Ones that you can’t test on, but I just like to read them — comics.”
Parker Lybrand takes his HTHS spirit to the University of Alabama
By APRIL COFFEY
Parker Lybrand spent his years at Hewitt-Trussville High School immersed in nearly everything the school had to offer — from the tennis courts and the stage to the choir room and the science lab. Now a recent graduate, the self-described lover of the outdoors and all things guitar is heading to the University of Alabama, carrying with him a deep appreciation for the community he found at HTHS — and the faith his teachers placed in him along the way.
Q: What extracurricular activities do you participate in at Hewitt-Trussville High School or in the community?
A: Throughout my years spent at HTHS, I thoroughly enjoyed playing tennis on the school’s team, along with acting in both the school and ACTA’s [Arts Council of the Trussville Area] plays and musicals, which included main roles as well as supporting roles. I was a member of the school Chamber Choir, Tri-A Music Honor Society, Science Olympiad Team and Thespian Honor Society. I was also selected to represent HTHS as a school delegate for the Alabama Boys State as well as to attend the leadership conference for the Trussville Rotary Daybreak Club.
Q: What do you think you will miss most about HTHS?
Parker Lybrand is a 2026 graduate of Hewitt-Trussville High School with plans to attend the University of Alabama. Photo courtesy of Ashley Lybrand.
A: I’ll miss the spirit. Everyone seems to place a lot of faith in the school itself, along with the other students. In a way, it feels like a family, and I’ll certainly miss being a part of it.
Q: Where do you plan to attend college and what do you plan to major in? Why do you think this college and major are a good fit for you?
A: I plan to attend college at the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa. I haven’t quite decided upon a specific major just yet, but I’m positive that with time, I’ll know what I wish to
pursue. As for why I chose the University of Alabama, I just believe that it is a school that provides an enriching education along with an incredible experience in regards to meeting new, amazing people.
Q: Is there a particular class and teacher at HTHS that had a major impact on you? Please explain.
A: While I enjoyed all of the classes that I took, I enjoyed some more than others. There was one class that I found to be the most interesting and impactful, and that was Mrs. Greene’s AP Psychology class. In it, I was able to learn many things about the world and human nature as a whole — things I still think about even today. As for teachers, I would say that Mr. Peek, my chemistry teacher, has been the greatest teacher for me due to his incredible energy, teaching style and faith in his students.
Q: Who is your role model and why?
A: My role models are, without a doubt, both of my granddaddies. Both were very strong, kind and intelligent men who prioritized their families above all else. I believe that we should all collectively strive to be more like that, especially in this day and age.
Q: What is next for you? Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
A: In five years, I definitely hope to have graduated from college with a marketable, well-earned degree. I hope to be able to use that degree to progress through my career in order to provide for my family and live life to the fullest.
Everett Almquist, left, set a goal of reading 16 million words during the school year. Photo courtesy of Sarah Almquist.
Making the grade
Hewitt-Trussville High School juniors earn National Merit Scholar recognition
By DIANE POOLE
Four Hewitt-Trussville students have recently earned recognition through the National Merit Scholarship program, although the level of recognition won’t be known until next fall. National Merit Scholarship recognition is awarded to high school juniors who score in the top percentiles on the PSAT. These students are not only high academic achievers; they are also involved in leadership, arts, athletics, faith and service.
CADE WILLIAMS
“Let’s just go change something small every day and try to make an impact that way,” said Cade Williams, one of the Hewitt-Trussville High School students recently recognized for National Merit achievement.
Williams attended the Rotary Youth Leadership Awards in February and now wants to start an Interact Club at HTHS. He wants to give students open access to a service club where they can serve the community.
He takes piano lessons at the First Baptist Trussville Conservatory and is a member of the HTHS mountain bike team, which recently finished top in the state.
Williams’ favorite classes are the sciences.
“I really like sciences because I like to understand more about the world around me. I love all the teachers at our school … they’re all so good at what they do.”
Faith also plays a major role in what motivates Williams. He is an active member at First Baptist Trussville and leads two launch groups, which are like Bible study groups, of fourthand seventh-grade boys.
“We’re all called to make the most of what we have as we can and to just use that to help others and to serve God. I’m a Christian. I love God. He’s changed my life,” he said.
In his academic journey, probably the most influential person has been his mom.
“She is just making sure I’m staying on top of things … and that I’m always pushing myself,” Williams said.
Williams then shared, “My goal is to help lead a generation of better leaders because I feel like today we have such a leadership drought.”
Williams’ top two college choices right now are Auburn and Samford, and he leans toward a major in science — maybe the medical field.
RILEY MORRIS
“Psychology changed the way I see the world,” said Riley Morris of one of his favorite classes. “It was so interesting to learn what makes me be me and what goes on in my brain.”
A member of the band since sixth grade, music is a favorite for Morris. He was a member of the Hewitt-Trussville High School jazz band for the past three years. He received the 2026 Glenn Spiller SoloFest Award, one of the highest individual honors awarded to Alabama high school band students. He will focus on wind ensemble and marching as a drum major his senior year.
“I like to practice my saxophone about every day, especially during the school year to prepare for All-State,” Morris said.
His favorite summer reading book going into his sophomore year was “Lord of the Flies.”
Morris works part-time at Chick-fil-A, and this summer he will complete an internship at Laempe Reich in Trussville.
Morris credits his parents for their influence on his academic journey.
“My parents have always pushed me to be the best I can be.”
Morris is very involved in the community.
“We had a leadership retreat … with attendees nominated by our teachers. I also helped out at Independence Place, and I’ve helped with my church [Clearbranch Methodist], including mission trips. I’m going on one this summer in Mexico.”
One word that describes Morris’ high school experience is “change.”
“I have to be flexible and adaptable,” Morris said. “This is kind of a bridge between what I’m doing now and what I’ll be doing for the rest of my life.”
Morris plans to major in mechanical engineering at the University of Alabama.
HENRY HAYNES
“I want to be a supportive person,” said Henry Haynes of one of his goals.
“I want to help people achieve their dreams and to find out what they want to be in life and to help them grow.”
This past year, he ran track. He enjoys working out and weightlifting. His favorite classes are math, science and history. He also really enjoys his engineering classes.
Haynes has learned to balance academics and a social life.
“One of the easiest ways for me to balance academics with social life is maybe a month before finals, I would have friends come over and we’d study together. The other part is to be diligent in school. You can have fun while doing your homework in school.”
Haynes continued. “I like to set goals. It helps me. I can have a lot going on, but whenever I’m practicing or studying, it helps me kind of forget about what’s going on. It helps me achieve my goals and manage stress.”
Haynes says probably the most influential person in his academic journey is his brother McCord.
“He’s two years older than me, and he did great. He got a 35 on his ACT and took all the AP classes, and it’s helped to have someone a little bit ahead of me who set a high bar for me to achieve.”
Haynes’ favorite book is “The Screwtape Letters” by C.S. Lewis.
“I love all of C.S. Lewis’ books. I’m actually reading another one right now. ‘The Screwtape Letters’ was a very profound book, and it helped me think through a lot of my own life.”
Haynes is a member of Faith Community Fellowship, and he went on a mission trip a couple of years ago.
Haynes plans to attend Auburn or UAH and major in engineering.
LYLA HATLEY
“I’ve learned that I can do hard things.” That’s what Lyla Hatley has discovered about herself in high school.
“I am a lot more confident in my abilities. Before, I thought,
Riley Morris is one of four Hewitt-Trussville High School juniors to earn National Merit Scholar recognition. Photo courtesy of Virginia Morris.
Lyla Hatley is one of four Hewitt-Trussville High School juniors to earn National Merit Scholar recognition. Photo courtesy of Kelli Hatley.
‘I don’t know where I’m going with that,’ but I think I’ve proven to myself what I can do, and I think I’m a lot more confident.”
Hatley is a member of the HTHS tennis team, is part of the business leadership academy, is a member of FBLA, and is involved with Leadership HT and the Trussville Area Chamber of Commerce. She is a member of Mu Alpha Theta and the National Honor Society.
In addition to tennis, Hatley’s hobbies include arts and crafts and reading.
Hatley’s favorite subjects are math and chemistry, and her teachers have motivated her.
“Having great teachers who pushed me — and realizing what I could do — motivated me to work harder and set goals for myself.”
Her parents have greatly influenced her academic journey.
“My parents both went to college, and they are kind of interested in the same things I am. They both work in finance, and so we have kind of the same logistical brains.”
Hatley’s study habits include a lot of practice.
“I work hard outside of school, but it’s mostly working on practice assignments and getting homework done. I learn a lot through practice problems. I don’t do much note writing because it just doesn’t help me.”
Hatley continued. “I keep a planner of every single day — every important event coming up. I really just try to stay organized and make sure I know everything I need to do each day.”
Hatley is a member of Ridgecrest Baptist Church in Trussville.
Hatley plans to study at the University of Alabama and become a financial analyst.
Whether discussing leadership, engineering, service, faith, medicine or finance, or simply “changing something small every day,” the students shared a common theme: success is not only about scores but about using their talents with purpose.
Cade Williams is one of four Hewitt-Trussville High School juniors to earn National Merit Scholar recognition. Cade is shown on a mission trip to Atlanta in 2025. Photo courtesy of Beth Williams.
Henry Haynes serves with family at Men’s Firehouse Shelter. He is one of four HewittTrussville High School juniors to earn National Merit Scholar recognition.
Photo courtesy of Cailyn Haynes.
Huskies punctuate season with dominant state title
By KYLE PARMLEY
Hewitt-Trussville High School's baseball team claimed the Class 7A state championship May 22, beating Auburn 8-0 in the second game of the state championship series at Jacksonville State University to complete a sweep of the best-of-three series.
The Huskies had beaten Auburn 4-1 the day before to take command of the series.
The championship came roughly nine hours after the Hewitt-Trussville softball team won its own state title on the same campus, giving the school two state championships in a single day.
Senior Cale McIntosh started the second game and was dominant, going six 2/3 innings and allowing just four hits while striking out nine. He walked three and did not allow a run before reaching his pitch-count limit. Rylan Clark came on to record the final out and preserve the shutout. McIntosh also contributed at the plate, driving in a run.
Jace Riggan, who pitched a complete game in the first game and earned series MVP honors, moved to shortstop for the second game and led the offense with a 3-for-5 performance and two runs batted in. Koal Duckett went 2-for-3 with an RBI and scored twice, while Hudson Mitchell was 2-for-4 with an RBI. Blake Bales drove in a run with a sacrifice fly.
In the first game, Riggan threw all seven innings, striking out eight and allowing just one earned run on four hits. Mitchell provided the offensive punch with a double and three RBIs, and Wes Hardy went 2-for-3.
Over the two games, Hewitt-Trussville's pitchers held Auburn to one run on eight
combined hits across 14 innings.
Hewitt-Trussville head coach Jeff Mauldin pointed to a difficult stretch in area play as a turning point. The Huskies lost three straight games to Vestavia Hills early in area play before regrouping.
"These guys, they don't flinch. The first week of area play, seven weeks ago, we lost three straight games to Vestavia, and I would say most people were maybe counting us out at that time," Mauldin said. "I think these guys over the last six, seven
weeks have formed a brotherhood that they'll never forget."
McIntosh spoke to his mindset heading into Game 2, noting that his approach never changed despite the stakes.
"I just came into it, just said there's going to be a dude in the box, going to be a catcher behind the plate, an umpire behind him, and I just got to fill up the zone," McIntosh said.
The win put the perfect bow on the careers of a senior class that featured Clark, Duckett, Bales, Lane Bilodeau, McIntosh
and Taylor Alfano.
Throughout the playoffs, the Huskies swept James Clemens, beat Tuscaloosa County in three games and beat Thompson in three games before the sweep of Auburn.
Hewitt-Trussville's only previous state baseball championship came in 2016. Mauldin's career record now stands at 789-2361, ranking him sixth all-time in AHSAA coaching wins. He also won the 2003 state title at Clay-Chalkville.
Hewitt-Trussville High School’s baseball team celebrates winning the Class 7A state championship over Auburn on May 22 at Jacksonville State University. Photos by David Leong.
Huskies handle chaos, pull off state championship win
By KYLE PARMLEY
Three hours of sleep and a couple cupcakes were more than enough.
It took just four pitches the morning of May 22 for the Hewitt-Trussville High School softball team to finish off a dramatic Class 7A state tournament and win the state title.
A night-before downpour at Choccolocco Park in Oxford halted the decisive game with two outs in the seventh inning around 11 p.m. That forced a pivot to Jacksonville State University’s turf field the following morning, and the Huskies were officially state champs a little before 9 a.m.
The previous night was a chaotic one, as the sudden heavy wind and rain prevented the teams from finishing the game. Both teams left the field soaked and scrambling to figure out accommodations as the clock neared midnight.
But Harper Looney and the Huskies were unfazed by the abrupt change in circumstances. Looney made the overnight one-run lead hold up, finishing off the tournament with a strikeout.
“We got into bed at like 2 a.m., ate a couple cupcakes and then woke up at 5 a.m., got ready, got here and then finished it,” Looney said.
Looney needed only one out to seal the deal, completing a brilliant three days in which she was a workhorse. She earned state MVP honors by throwing 33 innings and 447 pitches and posting a 6-0 record. That type of performance will be remembered for a long time in the program’s history books.
Looney is not a high-volume strikeout pitcher, and her line reflects just one punchout in the final game. She put faith in her defense, and they held up their end of the bargain. Center fielder Corey Goguts made two diving catches reminiscent of the ones Andruw Jones made commonplace for the Atlanta Braves in the early 2000s.
Catcher Taylor McLaughlin did her part, too, hosing two would-be base stealers in the decisive game and helping nab another runner off third base.
The wet uniforms and equipment? There was not much time to wash or dry them, and the Huskies showed back up Friday morning with an odor they will forever associate with victory.
The Huskies claimed the Class 7A softball state title with a 2-1 victory over Thompson, finishing one of the more remarkable tournament runs in recent memory and capping a 49-10-1 season. It was the program’s fifth state championship and third in the last four years, adding to titles in 2019, 2021,
2023 and 2024.
The week began Wednesday with Hewitt splitting its first two games against Baker and Thompson before bouncing back to beat Central and survive the first day. The Huskies then caught fire, run-ruling Austin 14-4 and Vestavia Hills 14-4 before turning their attention back to Thompson for the championship.
In the first title game Thursday evening, Hewitt put on an offensive clinic, scoring in all five innings of an 11-0 run-rule victory. Erin Coleman and Kylie Hendrick each had two doubles and three runs batted in. Presley Hull was 2-for-4 with a double and three RBIs. Looney threw five shutout innings.
The second game was a different kind of contest altogether. Tied at 1-1 through four innings, Hewitt pushed across the go-ahead run in the fifth. Looney was dealing, protecting a 2-1 lead into the seventh, when a storm rolled in and stopped
everything. Thompson’s Krimson Calhoun reached on a walk with two outs, and then the rain made the decision for everyone.
Hewitt-Trussville head coach Taylor Burt said the performance was a reflection of everything she had asked from her team all season.
“I don’t even know that I have words, honestly,” she said. “For them to come out and do what they did in game one, and just pure heart, pure fire, pure grit — things that we’ve been asking from them all season long. And it doesn’t matter how you start it; it matters how you finish.”
For a program that has now claimed five state titles, the hunger never seems to fade. But Burt made clear this one was different.
“I know the first one [2019] is always special, but I think this one is hands down the craziest,” she said.
Hewitt-Trussville High School won the Class 7A state tournament, played May 20-22, at Choccolocco Park in Oxford and Jacksonville State University. Photos by Kyle Parmley.
All-South Metro Softball
Corey Goguts named Player of the Year
By KYLE PARMLEY
The Birmingham area continues to produce some of the best high school softball anywhere in Alabama, and the 2026 season was no exception. The All-South Metro Team aims to recognize the best players in the area for the season.
Corey Goguts capped off an exceptional career at Hewitt-Trussville, winning Player of the Year honors after another extraordinary year. Vestavia Hills eighth grader Kate Flanagan has burst onto the scene with a great season, while Harper Looney carried Hewitt to another state title, as the duo shares Pitcher of the Year honors.
Homewood’s Madison Letson broke a state record with 16 consecutive at-bats with a hit earlier in the season. She finished the year with an eye-popping .636 average and .688 on-base percentage.
Hewitt-Trussville coach Taylor Burt is Coach of the Year after leading the Huskies to yet another state championship.
► Player of the Year: Corey Goguts, Hewitt-Trussville
► Hitter of the Year: Madison Letson, Homewood
► Pitchers of the Year: Kate Flanagan, Vestavia Hills, and Harper Looney, Hewitt-Trussville
► Coach of the Year: Taylor Burt, Hewitt-Trussville
FIRST TEAM
► Pitcher: Kate Flanagan, Vestavia Hills; the eighth grader dominated area hitters, posting a 21-4 record with a 1.04 earned run average and 174 strikeouts in 141 innings.
► Pitcher: Harper Looney, Hewitt-Trussville; led the Huskies back to a state title, finishing 21-1 with a 2.32 ERA in 141 2/3 innings. She was a dominant 6-0 in the state tournament.
► Pitcher: Jaley Young, Spain Park; went 11-5 with 109 strikeouts and a 2.30 ERA for the Jaguars.
► Catcher: Chloe Wade, Spain Park; batted .396 with 42 runs batted in and eight home runs for the Jaguars.
► Infield: Erin Coleman, Hewitt-Trussville; one of the most productive hitters in the area, batting .407 with 72 RBIs and 72 hits for the Huskies.
► Infield: Addison Ferrell, Vestavia Hills; put together a strong sophomore year, batting .393 with 57 hits and 29 RBIs.
► Infield: Avery Chaney, Hoover; a steady presence at shortstop for the Bucs, batting .394 with 56 hits and 40 RBIs.
► Infield: Julia Willingham, Chelsea; drove in 32 runs and hit .363 with 18 doubles for the Hornets.
► Infield: Reagan Roberts, Spain Park; batted .338 with 52 hits, 29 RBIs and 36 stolen bases.
► Outfield: Reagan Rape, Mountain Brook; put together one of the area’s best offensive seasons, batting .576 with 57 hits, 39 RBIs and 32 stolen bases.
► Outfield: Presley Hull, Hewitt-Trussville; one of the area’s top hitters, batting .475 with 85 hits and 56 RBIs in 59 games.
► Outfield: Madison Letson, Homewood; the area’s Hitter of the Year batted .636 with 77 hits and 65 runs scored.
► Outfield: Emily Williams, John Carroll; finished with a .465 average, 42 RBIs and 11 doubles for the Cavaliers.
► Designated hitter: Corey Goguts, Hewitt-Trussville; the Player of the Year batted .618 with 29 home runs, 91 RBIs and 94 runs scored.
► Designated hitter: Mollie Hanson, Hoover; drove in 45 runs and hit .346 with five home runs for the Bucs.
► Designated hitter: Abby King, Spain Park; batted .389 with 13 home runs and 44 RBIs for the Jaguars.
► Utility: Claire Carver, Hoover; batted .423 with 47 hits, 26 RBIs and 27 stolen bases for the Bucs.
► Utility: Lorelei Beck, Chelsea; drove in 49 runs and hit .374 with eight home runs and 15 doubles for the Hornets.
► Utility: Marian Cummings, Oak Mountain; went 12-7 in the circle with a 2.02 ERA while batting .427 with 32 RBIs at the plate.
SECOND TEAM
► Pitcher: Anne Hope Howell, Homewood; went 16-6
with a 2.74 ERA and 137 strikeouts in 110 innings for the Patriots.
► Pitcher: Aaliyah Hayes, Hoover; the eighth grader went 10-8 with a 2.75 ERA and 152 strikeouts in 99 1/3 innings.
► Pitcher: Maxie Provost, Spain Park; went 14-5 with a 2.44 ERA for the Jaguars as a freshman.
► Catcher: AT Goldman, Mountain Brook; batted .333 with 20 RBIs and seven doubles for the Spartans.
► Infield: Rylie Redden, Oak Mountain; batted .427 with 41 hits and 19 RBIs for the Eagles.
► Infield: Cate Bruce, Hewitt-Trussville; contributed as a freshman, batting .364 with 43 hits for the Huskies.
► Infield: Molly Shea, Mountain Brook; batted .374 with 40 hits and 27 RBIs for the Spartans.
► Infield: Allie Stuman, Homewood; batted .366 with 34 hits and 22 RBIs for the Patriots.
► Infield: Kloeanne Smith, Homewood; batted .356 with 36 hits and 20 RBIs for the Patriots.
► Outfield: Ryanne Head, Vestavia Hills; batted .372 with 42 hits and 28 RBIs as a freshman for the Rebels.
► Outfield: Hannah Claire Miller, Hewitt-Trussville; batted .325 with 50 hits for the Huskies, including several clutch hits in the postseason.
► Outfield: Emily Stuman, Homewood; went 10-2 with a 2.20 ERA in the circle and batted .449 at the plate as an eighth grader.
► Outfield: Reagan Lawson, Hoover; batted .348 with 47 hits and 23 stolen bases for the Bucs.
► Designated hitter: Chloe Krackenberger, Hewitt-Trussville; batted .359 with 60 hits and 37 RBIs for the Huskies.
► Designated hitter: Klara Thompson, Spain Park; had 20 stolen bases and six home runs for the Jaguars.
► Designated hitter: Kindal Whistle, John Carroll; batted .477 with 31 hits, 28 RBIs and seven home runs for the Cavaliers.
► Utility: Morgan Minich, Mountain Brook; batted .400 with 30 hits and 32 RBIs for the Spartans.
► Utility: Sheridan Andrews, Oak Mountain; batted .418 with 38 hits and 16 RBIs for the Eagles.
► Utility: Lilly Ferguson, Vestavia Hills; pitched and played second base for the Rebels, racking up 53 hits and 41 RBIs.
HONORABLE MENTION
► Pitcher: Caroline Chaney, Hoover; Rachel Reed, Hewitt-Trussville; Maggie Bell, Hewitt-Trussville; Maddie Prevallet, Oak Mountain; Mackenzie Wedell, Mountain Brook; Charlotte Kearse, Mountain Brook.
► Catcher: Ashley Heinemann, Briarwood; Taylor McLaughlin, Hewitt-Trussville.
► Infield: Emily Renda, Hewitt-Trussville; Lucy Robinett, Homewood; Peighton Letson, Homewood; Teagan Huey, Spain Park; Addison Green, Oak Mountain; Hallie Kelly, Oak Mountain.
► Outfield: Sadie Wilson, Chelsea; Jordan Weiner, Spain Park; Cheyenne Conner, Hoover; Jakayla Byrd, Homewood.
► Designated hitter: Allie Whitaker, Spain Park; Marianna Murray, Mountain Brook.
► Utility: Sadie Sutton, Chelsea; Caroline Brown, Chelsea; Anna Kate Shea, Mountain Brook; Larsen Cummings, Briarwood.
Hewitt-Trussville’s Corey Goguts (25) is the Player of the Year after leading the state with 29 home runs to go along with 91 runs batted in. Photo by Kyle Parmley.
All-South Metro Baseball
Jace Riggan named Pitcher of the Year
By KYLE PARMLEY
Another season of high school baseball in the books, and like always, many new players rose to the top and are recognized on the All-South Metro Team. In 2026, Hewitt-Trussville captured its second state championship. Spain Park was one of the best teams in the state over the second half of the season and rode that momentum all the way to a Class 6A runner-up finish.
As for individuals, Hoover’s Will Adams earns Player of the Year honors after a dominant year both on the mound and at the plate for the Bucs. Homewood’s Levi Nickoli capped off a brilliant two-way career with an incredible season with the bat and on the bases to win Hitter of the Year. Hewitt-Trussville’s Jace Riggan takes Pitcher of the Year honors, although he certainly had huge two-way impacts for the state champs.
Jeff Mauldin of Hewitt-Trussville is Coach of the Year after leading his program to the state title. After 11 great years leading the Vestavia Hills program, Jamie Harris recently announced his retirement as well.
► Player of the Year: Will Adams, Hoover
► Hitter of the Year: Levi Nickoli, Homewood
► Pitcher of the Year: Jace Riggan, Hewitt-Trussville
► Coach of the Year: Jeff Mauldin, Hewitt-Trussville
► Career Achievement Award: Jamie Harris, Vestavia Hills
FIRST TEAM
► Pitcher: Jace Riggan, Hewitt-Trussville; went 8-3 with a 1.05 ERA and 80 strikeouts in 60 innings, while hitting for a .422 average with a .530 on-base percentage.
► Pitcher: Cale McIntosh, Hewitt-Trussville; went 8-0 with a 1.25 ERA, striking out 88 batters in 61 2/3 innings while hitting .328 with 24 runs batted in.
► Pitcher: Ben Roberts, Homewood; led the area with 10 wins, posting a 1.77 ERA with 47 strikeouts in 55 1/3 innings.
► Pitcher: Houston Hartsfield, Briarwood; went 8-1 with a 1.81 ERA, striking out 68 batters in 73 2/3 innings.
► Catcher: Evan Taylor, Spain Park; hit .356 with four home runs and 45 RBIs in 40 games for the Jags.
► First base: Gavin Smith, Vestavia Hills; hit .473 with a .652 OBP, five home runs and 29 RBIs.
► Second base: Hudson Mitchell, Hewitt-Trussville; finished with a .386 average, .491 OBP and 40 RBIs.
► Third base: Connor Greb, Spain Park; hit .393 with a .500 OBP, five home runs and 39 RBIs.
► Shortstop: Jaxson Wood, Hoover; hit .417 with seven home runs, 38 RBIs and 28 stolen bases.
► Infield: Luke Houser, Mountain Brook; hit .360 with seven home runs and 41 RBIs.
► Infield: Rhys Jones, Spain Park; hit .415 with a .517 OBP, finishing with 22 RBIs and 25 stolen bases.
► Outfield: Will Adams, Hoover; the Player of the Year got on base at a .643 clip, slugging 13 home runs with 52 RBIs.
► Outfield: Cohen Walker, Vestavia Hills; hit .429 with 18 stolen bases for the Rebels.
► Outfield: Joe Cross, Spain Park; hit .382 with 36 RBIs
and 23 stolen bases.
► Designated hitter: Paul Barnett, Mountain Brook; hit .368 with a .553 OBP, seven home runs and 35 stolen bases.
► Designated hitter: Jamison Barnes, Briarwood; hit .308 with five home runs and 30 RBIs.
► Utility: George Brockwell, Homewood; hit .390 with six home runs and 41 RBIs for the Patriots.
► Utility: Levi Nickoli, Homewood; the Hitter of the Year batted .398 with a .660 OBP and 63 stolen bases while also excelling on the mound.
SECOND TEAM
► Pitcher: Houston Holmes, Spain Park; went 8-1 with a 1.88 ERA, striking out 47 batters in 52 innings.
► Pitcher: Wilson Szymela, Vestavia Hills; posted a 1.89 ERA with 67 strikeouts in 63 innings.
► Pitcher: Hudson Franks, Spain Park; went 6-2 with an 0.89 ERA, striking out 42 batters in 39 2/3 innings.
► Pitcher: Bryant Diddell, Mountain Brook; led the area in strikeouts with 85 punchouts in 60 1/3 innings.
► Catcher: Cooper Mullins, Homewood; hit .295 with 36 RBIs in 41 games for the Patriots.
► First base: Luke Neill, Chelsea; hit .271 with seven home runs and 31 RBIs for the Hornets.
► Second base: Grayson Payne, Hoover; hit .306 with a .425 OBP in 39 games for the Bucs.
► Third base: Ben Heath, Oak Mountain; hit .279 with a .456 OBP and 19 RBIs.
► Shortstop: Charlie Taaffe, Vestavia Hills; hit .371 with a .551 OBP, two home runs and 30 RBIs.
► Infield: Sam Estes, Mountain Brook; hit .365 with seven home runs and 27 RBIs.
► Infield: Bryant Wisdom, Chelsea; hit .347 with four home runs and 21 RBIs as a freshman.
► Outfield: Cross Tonsmeire, Vestavia Hills; hit .398 with a .511 OBP, four home runs and 39 RBIs.
► Outfield: Cooper Sain, Homewood; hit .361 with a .478
HewittTrussville’s Jace Riggan is the All-South Metro Pitcher of the Year. He put together an 8-3 record with a 1.05 ERA, while hitting .422 as a strong twoway player.
by Shawn Bowles.
OBP, 33 RBIs and 22 stolen bases.
► Outfield: Glavine Tillman, John Carroll; hit .414 with two home runs and 21 RBIs in 35 games.
► Designated hitter: Drew Monte, Hoover; reached base at a .521 clip with 23 RBIs in 34 games.
► Designated hitter: Ivan Hand, Briarwood; hit .375 with six home runs and 39 RBIs while also going 7-3 on the mound.
► Utility: Garrett Barnes, John Carroll; hit .402 with 34 RBIs while also posting a 3-2 record on the mound.
► Utility: Charlie Williamon, Oak Mountain; hit .380 with three home runs and 23 RBIs while contributing on the mound.
HONORABLE MENTION
► Pitcher: Jude Davidson, Mountain Brook; Michael Baguley, Homewood; Cooper Anderson, Vestavia Hills; John Gregory, Mountain Brook; Cooper Morgan, Chelsea; Braden Bentley, John Carroll; Brody Smith, Spain Park; Rylan Clark, Hewitt-Trussville; Grant Hill, Chelsea; Silas Osbourn, Chelsea; Branson Hogan, Oak Mountain; Jacob Towe, John Carroll; Robbie Paulsen, Briarwood.
► Catcher: Sam Prier, Oak Mountain; Jacob Harris, Vestavia Hills; Jackson Cramer, John Carroll; Wes Hardy, Hewitt-Trussville.
► Infield: Xander Hughes, Oak Mountain; James Eady, Homewood; Luke Channell, Oak Mountain; Dallas Huggins, John Carroll; Avery Floyd, Chelsea; Max Crowder, Hoover; Luke Snowden, Vestavia Hills; Michael Johnson, Spain Park; Blake Bales, Hewitt-Trussville.
► Outfield: Charles Dedmon, Briarwood; Koal Duckett, Hewitt-Trussville; Jack Bland, Homewood; Jack Crosby, Mountain Brook; Aiden Craven, Chelsea; Will Siegel, Homewood; Sawyer Jackson, Hewitt-Trussville; Cam Graham, John Carroll.
► Designated hitter: Slade Bounds, Spain Park; Andrew Walker, Hewitt-Trussville; Noah Crosby, Mountain Brook; Tyler Hohne, John Carroll; Taylor Alfano, Hewitt-Trussville; Haines Bridges, Vestavia Hills; Josh Vincent, Oak Mountain.
Photo
Food truck serves Mediterranean fusion with a side of hospitality
By KELLI S. HEWETT
Ahmed Smadi has crammed a lot of life into his 27 years.
At barely 7, he teetered on a plastic milk crate to run the cash register at his family’s multifaceted convenience store and restaurants. By middle school he was hustling Monster Energy drinks from his locker and rolling his $1,000 profits into the stock market.
At 19, he opened the Thai-inspired Roll Up ice cream shop that thrived for nearly three years until the pandemic. He has also dabbled in modeling and earned a part in the 2024 independent film “Saffron Kingdom.”
Smadi’s latest entrepreneurial venture, Levant Mediterranean Fusion, is a red food truck in the parking lot of the Beechnut Street Shell gas station in Trussville, just off U.S. 11.
He speaks of the journey like someone who has been in business, well, since kindergarten.
“I’ve fallen on my face a couple times,” Smadi said. “I’ve opened businesses and closed already. I’ve lost money that some people will never make. I’ve learned that sometimes you gotta have patience, step back. A lot of people give up. But it’s a guaranteed no if you stop.”
In recent months, though, he has grown the business and hired two employees.
“Trussville has the most amazing love and respect,” Smadi said. “They’re all about small business.”
JORDANIAN FAMILY INFLUENCE
Smadi carefully crafted and curated the entire Levant menu, earning him high marks from online reviewers and a steady stream of regular customers.
“You can just taste the love,” Smadi said. “You can taste the feeling of someone really cared about making this. I tell people, ‘I hope you enjoyed that as much as I enjoyed making it.’”
There are favorites like chicken and yellow rice platters, gyros and Mediterranean street tacos — all with twists on exotic flavors and seasonings. The white sauce has a touch of New York street-cart culture. Inspiration also comes in the form of seasonings, from Spanish to Caribbean to Puerto Rican, down to Smadi’s family’s Jordanian roots.
“There was always a big fat meal waiting at home with a bunch of different flavors,” Smadi said. ”I didn’t realize how amazing they were until I tried to make them.”
The tahini at Levant even comes from Smadi’s mom, who makes it in Vestavia Hills and drives it over herself.
POST-COLLEGE JOB SEARCH
Smadi’s food truck business was born after he earned his business degree from UAB. Smadi bought the trailer from a restaurant in Snead, Alabama, then spent months cleaning, fixing, chasing licenses and doing almost everything to launch.
Ahmed Smadi opened Levant Mediterranean Fusion in August 2025 in the parking lot of the Beechnut Street Shell station in Trussville. Photo by Kelli S. Hewett.
His buddy agreed to let him set up shop with Levant in the Beechnut Street Shell parking lot, and Levant formally opened in August of 2025.
He named it for The Levant region in the Middle East, a vibrant, diverse area including Jordan, sometimes called the “cradle of civilization.”
BUSINESS FROM BIRTH
Smadi talks about entrepreneurship like math: law of averages, shots on goal, a million ways to make a million dollars.
“In a weird way, I never thought anything was really out of reach,” Smadi said. “Everything was a recipe. One plus one is two. If you see corruption with something, move on, find something else unless you’re ready to fight that battle.”
By 13, Smadi had developed a very grown-up concern.
“I’d be walking around the register, like, how can I get five gas stations? No one’s gonna marry me if I don’t have five gas stations,” he said with a laugh.
REVIVING HOSPITALITY
Equally important, Smadi says, is practicing hospitality, reading people’s moods and appetites and finding small ways to make them feel seen.
That easy, confident presence was refined over two decades of waiting on his dad’s customers, particularly those at the liquor store.
Now, Smadi works the window of his tiny food truck, where he treats each interaction like part of the meal: intentional, personal and hard to forget.
“You just start talking, conversating to people, you just
learn how to approach people,” Smadi said. “I enjoy that customer-cashier-employee relationship. I think it’s actually important.”
The menu at Levant reflects that upbringing but bends toward the people who pull off Main Street in work trucks and sedans.
For all the flavor talk, Smadi is just as intent on the experience for the people who frequent his truck — many of them working people grabbing a quick lunch between shifts.
“We’re kind of bringing back that good customer service
that people don’t get anymore,” Smadi said.
Customer Jake Stockton has been visiting Levant since it opened last summer and appreciates the hard work Smadi and the team put into their food and service.
“It’s absolutely amazing — best food I have, hands down,” Stockton said. “It’s got flavor in it. I don’t know anybody here that makes food like that.”
Smadi is proud of the five-star ratings and the regulars who honk and wave even when they don’t stop to eat.
“I would take every customer’s order, make every customer’s order, open, close, clean up, run to the city for licenses, run to the grocery store or Restaurant Depot,” Smadi said. “I was in a box 10, almost 12 hours a day. There’s a lot of thinking into that.”
What came out of that “hot metal box” of a food truck was more than the menu.
He talks now about efficiency, systems, scaling and letting go of that “do-it-yourself mentality” if he wants to grow beyond a single truck.
Smadi also talks about patience, a virtue he says he earned the hard way — through business failures, a real estate deal stuck in legal limbo and nights spent staring at the ceiling at three in the morning.
He encourages others to think about their dreams and dedicate the work to make them happen.
“If you showed up seven days a week, 365 days a year, something’s going to move one step closer,” Smadi continued. “You just have to do it.”
For more on Ahmed Smadi’s Levant Mediterranean Fusion food truck, visit levantbham.com.
A chicken platter from Levant Mediterranean Fusion, featuring seasoning influences from Smadi’s Jordanian family roots. Photo by Kelli S. Hewett.
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