HANNAH USERY - CLASS "B" STATE SOFTBALL CHAMP

Elkmont had two softball players win State Championships title last weekend. Brilee Miller and the Sidewinders won the 12U Class "A" tourney and Hannah Usery, who plays for the Madison Mayhem 14 U, won the Class "B" State Championship.

Madison Mayhem played last Saturday in Fultondale in pool play. They played The North Alabama Starz, losing 11-0. Next up was the DiamondZ, bounced back for a 6-5 win.  They were seeded second in  pool play.

Saturday evening, double elimination tournament bracket play started. They beat the RS Cleats, 6-2 and the Birmingham Mustangs 02, 6-5.   The Mayham squared off against the North Alabama Starz again and this time, took the win, 2-0. Undefeated in double elimination bracket play and staying in the winners' bracket, they faced the Shoals Rythm in the championship game.  Madison Mayham won, 5-3.

 

Hannah is taking this weekend off, followed by an Exposure tournament scheduled to be in Athens, Al July 8/10th. After that the team will head to Pigeon Forge to play in the SEAA World Series, July 17th/23rd.

Hannah has played with this team for 2.5 years. She's been with the team since Coach Tim Matthews put  the team together in the fall of 2014.  Last year, they placed fourth in the Class C State and fifth in C class World Series.  Later in the fall of 2015, the Mayham took second place in the USSA and NSA State tournaments. 

Hannah will be a sophomore this year at Elkmont High School and plays for the Elkmont Lady Devils.

NEED A TEAM FOR FALL TRAVEL SOFTBALL?

SPARKS '02.  This is for girls born in 2002.  Reminder: We will be holding tryouts this Saturday, July 26 from 9-11Wednesday, July 30 from 5:30-7:30 (pitchers and catchers only) and Saturday august 2 from 9-11. All tryouts will be at the Westco Fields at Palmer Park in Madison. Please be warmed up prior to start time. All serious athletes and dedicated families welcome. This team will focus on high intensity training, top level competition and advanced development. Any questions please contact. 
  huntsvillesparks02@yahoo.com.

SPARKS TOURNAMENT BRACKET RESULTS

Link to USFA tournament bracket

 More will be posted as info comes in. 

Saturday Morning:
Well.....our spring season is over. Lost 3-2 in ITB again....heartbreaking again but we are going to try and enjoy the last night here! The Sparks came in sixth in the World Series so that is something to be excited about.

Friday Night: Sparks win 5-1! Next game at 9:30 am.  Sparks are assured a sixth place finish but they are still looking to win a championship.

Friday Morning:
Sparks won 11-5! They beat MJ Elite; Next game at 8 pm tonight!

Thursday Night:
Sparks lost 5-4 in ITB. Just have to do this the hard way....win out of the loser's bracket! Back at it at 9:30 in the am!

Wednesday: 
Sparks win against Impact Gold 8-0! Keep it going girls!

THE SPARKS '03 AT THE WORLD SERIES

It isn't all dusty diamonds and uniforms.  The girls are taking time to enjoy themselves at Panama Beach between games.  They play later today in more pool play games. First game of day is scheduled for 3:30 eastern time. Tournament starts tomorrow.

Sparks win 4-3 against American Freedom from Texas. Bracket plays begins tomorrow for us!

WHAT IT TAKES TO PLAY AT THE NEXT LEVEL

One reason Elkmont High School softball is a perennial power is the number of Elkmont girls that play travel ball.  An extended season, large number of games and a high level of competition allows young athletes to fully develop their talent.  Regardless if it is sports, music or dance, it takes hours and years for people to be the best they can be.  These teams aren't about equal playing time, just having fun and nobody feeling bad; spring rec teams are for that.  Travel ball teams develop players to their fullest potential, winning is important and reaching the next level is the goal. Travel ball teams aren't for the faint of heart.  It is about winning and losing.  Some of Elkmont's finest are playing for some of these travel softball teams. These teams start young and the Sparks '03 is one of the 10 and under teams.  

As these girls get older, the game gets harder and the stakes are higher.

The Fusion is one of these teams. They recently were crowned the Tennessee State Champions








The best players at the high school level go through a bone-grinding sorting process.  If they want the exposure for college recruiting, they attend college camps and play almost all year round on one team or another.  These travel teams are not made of all local players or tri-county players but are made up of players from different states. Elkmont has one of these as well,  Brandi Bentley.  She is being looked at by several colleges and is making the college camp circuit.  Brandi is also playing on the Southern Force. It's a 16 and under team out of Illinois-Kentucky. The Southern Force has players from Illinois, Kentucky, Alabama and Tennessee.  Last weekend, they played in a national qualifier. Winning that tournament is sending them to Virginia to compete at nationals. This weekend, Brandi is playing in Kentucky at the state tournament.

Brandi has played so many games she isn't sure of the number but as she says, "We have seen a lot of college coaches and are playing against top competition."

It isn't for everyone but this is what it takes, regardless if it's softball or concert musician.  Extreme commitment by player and family, focused discipline and sacrifice toward the goal of being the best they can be.  There is no room to lose sight of that goal.  Family vacations are at the ball field.  A social life is put on hold. Many a talented athlete stumbles during the high school years as they

become distracted, quit working as hard and don't make the mark.   It takes a lot of work and a certain amount of luck as well as good genetics to make it to the next level. Next time you see a talented athlete who has succeeded, rejoice in what they have done, rather than grumble it isn't fair.  They earned it.

SPARKS AT THE 10U SOFTBALL WORLD SERIES

One reason Elkmont High School softball is never a easy team on the schedule is the number of Elkmont girls that play travel ball.  

One such team is the the Sparks '03. This  is a 10 and under softball travel ball team that plays the tournament circuit from March thru July. Elkmont's Brilee Miller is the only girl from Limestone County that was selected to play for this team.  The team is based out of Madison.  There are 3 players that are from Henagar, Scottsboro and Pisgah.  The rest are from the Madison area. The Sparks won their first tournament at Turf Wars in Fultondale and by April 12 had played in six tournaments and had played in 31 games.  They qualified to play in the 10U Softball World Series in Panama Beach, Florida.  

Brilee and the Sparks '3 play in pool play today before being seeded in the tournament on Wednesday.  Best of luck to Brilee.

Monday:
Day 1 -  Sparks beat Louisville Stunners 7-2!

Sparks lose 2nd game 4-2 against Texas Bombers! Man.....do they grow them big out there....lol

SOFTBALL FUNDRAISER PIZZA NIGHT

Fund raiser tonight at Pizza Inn, in Ardmore on Hwy 53. Please come out and support the Limestone SPARX 12-u softball team, they are raising money for World Series tournament in Gulf Shores! They have worked so hard this season, please come out and show them how proud you are of them!!! Love you girls!!!

Gig-Yvette Thompson Devine

 I just wanted to let you all know, tonight, from 5pm to 8pm, my softball team will be having a fundraiser for World Series. The money will go towards our entry fee. The fundraiser will be held @ Pizza Inn in Ardmore. Hope to see you there! Thanks! Stephanie Bates

The Limestone SPARX is a local team made up of players from Elkmont, Tanner, East Limestone and Ardmore.  Elkmont girls that are playing on the team are: Stephanie Bates, Grace Devine, Kayla Mcnatt, Natalie Bartlow, Alyssa Rogers, and Shelby Norman. They recently played in the state tournament and placed 5th out of the state.  Wishing them the best of luck at the World Series.

MIDDLE TENNESSEE CHAMPIONS

The 16 and under Rage softball team went undefeated in the USSSA Middle Tennessee Summer Classic's combined 16 and 18 under division, in Franklin, Tennessee last weekend.  This was a triple elimination tournament with twelve teams from Alabama, Tennessee, and Kentucky.  Saturday saw the Rage run through the bracket, scoring 31 runs while allowing their opponents 1 run.  They played 6 games to win the tournament.  The finishing team stats were 12 runs allowed while scoring 49.   Congrads, Chelsie Vinning and Bailee Gooch on a fantastic tournament.  When asked about the tournament, Bailee said, "We played great." 

THE RAGE - TRAVEL BALL TEAM

Another of the 16 and under travel softball teams is the Rage.  They play in some 18 and Under tournaments as well as the 16 and Under age tournaments.  The Rage is an example of how much time goes into playing for one of these teams. They have played the last 2 weekends (total of 17 games) in Franklin, Tennessee.  They finished second the first weekend.  Their next tournament is June 15.

We have two players from Elkmont on this team:  Bailee Gooch 

Chelsie Vining

FUSION - TRAVEL BALL TEAM

The Fusion is a 16 and under travel softball team.  Travel teams aren't restricted by player residence rules and are often made up of players from many places.  These teams travel and play in tournaments rather than the traditional local team schedule.  Teams can travel coast to coast and play if they desire.  The player can improve very quickly since the competition is better and the number of games is greatly increased.  It is not uncommon for a travel ball player to play in 90 games during the summer season.  It takes a lot of time and family commitment for a player to play travel ball.  Several of our Elkmont players will be playing with the Fusion this year.  They are Ruth Ann Bates, Gracen Clinard, Beckah Inman, and Bre Jeffreys

They played in their first tournament last week after one practice and were able to win third place.  Best of luck this season.

NORTH ALABAMA BLAZERS - TRAVEL BALL TEAM

 

The 16 u North Alabama Blazers are a Travel Softball team made up of girls 16 and under from all over northern Alabama. This talented group of girls work hard to be the best they can be. Coached by Cheston Powers and George Downs.

Brandi Bentley and Dakota McCurley of Elkmont are playing on this team.  

Brandi plays catcher and outfielder. 

 Dakota plays third base and shortstop.  

To follow the adventures of Brandi and Dakota, you can visit the North Alabama Blazers facebook page: Link