Wins and rain

By By Todd Thompson, Hartselle Enquirer
Hartselle High School added a pair of state championship banners during 2009, while several other schools came up short in their quests for titles.
The top story of the year was the state title that Hartselle claimed in May with a win over Briarwood in the Class 5A baseball championships in Montgomery.
Not to be outdone, Hartselle added its first-ever state golf 1A-5A title in the same month.
The Tigers’ baseball team claimed the program’s seventh state title and the first since 2000.
Eight members of the Hartselle baseball team went on to sign college scholarships after the successful season.
Luke Bole had a remarkable season and capped the year by winning the Alabama Sports Writers’ Association’s Mr. Baseball award.
Hartselle golf recorded a 18-stroke victory in the state golf tournament with four talented players: Arin Eddy, Kaylon King, Heather Nail and Mary Roberts.
Youth sports also stepped to the forefront of the local sports scene with three Dixie softball teams reaching the World Series in Sumter, S.C.
Hartselle’s Darlings finished second after losing to Tennessee 15-14 in the championship game.
Hartselle’s Angels lost in the semifinals, while the Ponytails were knocked out of the World Series with a loss in a loser’s bracket game.
Additionally, a new soccer complex on Grover Road made the area a leader in the sport with a first-class playing facility.
The new complex features nine playing fields, a 2,400-square foot commons building and a paved parking lot.
By the end of the year, the facility was hosting several state tournaments.
Brewer’s girls’ basketball team reached the Class 5A state championship game before falling to LeFlore 68-60 at the Birmingham-Jefferson Civic Center.
The Lady Patriots finished the season with a 31-3 record.
Former Brewer standout Chris Humphries earned a playing spot at Auburn and saw considerable action on special teams. He helped close out the year with an opportunity to play in the Outback Bowl in Tampa, Fla.
The 2009 football season had plenty of drama with both Hartselle and Danville reaching the playoffs, while weather proved to be a burden to all teams as rain and wet conditions hampered play all season long.
Hartselle opened the season with eight straight wins and reached the quarterfinals before falling to McAdory on the road.
Six Hartselle players earned all-state honors after the 10-3 season.
Danville finished 7-4 and reached the Class 3A state playoffs for the first time since 2004.
The Hawks’ season ended with a first round loss in the playoffs to Madison Academy,
Hartselle and Danville both enjoyed tremendous seasons on the volleyball court during the fall season as well.
Both teams advanced to the Alabama High School Athletic Association’s Elite Eight tournament in Pelham.
The road to state championships ended in the semifinals for both schools.
Hartselle softball again reached the state tournament at Lagoon Park, but losses to eventual champion Mortimer Jordan and Spanish Fort ended the Lady Tigers’ season.