OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL
Hoover Team Captures Southeast Regional Youth Flag Football Crown
The Hoover Panthers stepped up in class and then showed they were a step above. The Panthers were a perfect 6-0 as they won the championship of the 12U 2019 Southeast Regional Youth Flag Football Tournament held Nov. 23-24 at the Hoover Met.
“It was an honor for the kids to win it,” Hoover coach Steve Susce said. “They were all sixth graders and played in the seventh grade tournament, so we played up. “We were lucky enough to win, which is a tribute to the kids because they put in a lot of hard work.” The Panthers’ six-player roster included four boys from Hoover – Joe
“Toast” Cross, Sam “Gronk” Fox, Drew “Nix” Susce and Logan “Thor” Bradford – and two from Helena – Nate “Dimes” Ferguson and Tory “Stix” Ward. Another player, E.J. “Beast” Curry, was sidelined with an injury. The Panthers went 3-0 in pool play, defeating teams from Chattanooga, Georgia and Gardendale. Then, in the eight-team tournament play, Hoover again went 3-0, defeating the GVS Sports Colts from Memphis, Tennessee, 53-0 in the quarterfinals the Trussville Huskies 33-19 in the semifinals and the Music City Mustangs from Nashville 27-24 in the championship game. “They (Mustangs) won the 11-year-old national tournament last year, so to beat them was special,” Steve Susce said. “It was a great tournament.” Hoover’s Southeast title earned the Panthers an invitation to the national tournament in January in Orlando, Florida. “We hadn’t made up our minds about going because it’s right in the middle of basketball season and prebaseball,” Susce said.
Photo courtesy BUSA
Photo courtesy Steve Susce
From left, Tory Ward, Sam Fox, Joe Cross, Logan Bradford, Drew Susce and Nate Ferguson.
By Rubin E. Grant
Thursday, January 9, 2020 • 29
SPORTS
From left, coach Phil Black, Anna Claire Black, Evyn Williams, Erin Gilbert, Annie McBride, Libby Armstrong and Langston Lilly.
Soccer Team Takes 2nd in the Nation in 3v3 Live Tourney The Magic City Strikers girls soccer team finished second in the nation in their division recently, outplaying all but an Oklahoma City team in the 3v3 Live National Championship, held Nov. 30 - Dec.1 in Memphis, Tennessee. The Strikers is made up of six players from the Birmingham United Soccer Association who also are members of the Alabama FC Elite Clubs National League 06 Girls Team. The girls, coached by Phil Black, competed in the 3v3 Live Gold Division.
Photos by Susan Bruno Photography.
Photo courtesy Vestavia Hills Rotary Club
ROTARY RECOGNITION
The JV squad earned first place in the Large Junior Varsity division.
VHHS Cheer Wins Big at AHSAA State Finals
Vestavia Hills High School’s varsity and junior varsity cheerleading squads earned top marks at the AHSAA’s State Finals on Dec. 14 at Wallace State Community College. The JV squad earned first place in the Large Junior Varsity division. The Varsity was named the state runner-up for 7A Large Varsity Traditional Cheer, right. Both teams will advance to the National Championship Competition, which will take place in February in Orlando.
The Vestavia Hills Rotary Club honored Vestavia Hills teachers last month with its annual Teacher of the Year awards. “Our desire is to recognize ‘unsung heroes’ among the system’s teacher corps, those who give of themselves day after day without seeking public recognition,” said club president Steve Marmurek, far left, with club member Ted Strong, far right. This year’s recipients are, from left: Gina Panaia, East Elementary; Sarah Coe, Cahaba Heights Elementary; Megan Humphries, West Elementary; Kelly Bagby, Dolly Ridge Elementary; Kim Conn, Liberty Park Elementary; Amanda Jordan, VHHS; Kathie Knickrehm, Pizitz Middle; and Alicia Johnson, Liberty Park Middle.
Bluff Park WindoW Works Join us for an Open House! Sunday, Jan. 12 2:00-3:30 p.m.
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