By Scott Nickerson
Elmore/Autauga News
***These are not in order and are limited to the stories that the writer is aware of and/or observed in his role as a part-time sportswriter
1. Wetumpka’s Nate Rogers Signs Football Scholarship with UAB After Big Seasons in Football and Basketball – Nate Rogers cemented himself as the most dominant male athlete in the area with big performances on the football field and the basketball court. Playing quarterback for the Indians, Rogers never lost a game to SEHS. Rogers was named 2023 Elmore County Offensive Player of the Year by the Wetumpka Herald after rushing for 1630 yards and 21 touchdowns and passing for 1,343 yards and 8 touchdowns. He was equally impressive on the basketball court. He was named 2024 Elmore County Boys Player of the Year by the Wetumpka Herald after averaging 25 points per game as a senior and leading the Indians to the county tournament championship. Rogers signed a football scholarship with UAB.
2. PCA Girls Program Success – The girls’ sports programs at Prattville Christian Academy were impressive. The volleyball and softball team both made it to the State Tournament, and the Girls’ basketball team won the Autauga County Tournament and advanced to the Class 4A Final Four. Avery Rogers, who signed a scholarship with Faulkner for basketball and cross country, had one of the all-time best careers for female athletes in the area.
3. Prattville Girls Flag Football – In just their first season with a flag football team, the Prattville Lions advanced all the way to the Class 7A Final Four.
4. Wetumpka, Holtville, and PCA Baseball Advance to Third Round – This area saw some good baseball, with three different teams making it to the 3rd round of their AHSAA Class Playoffs. PCA (3A), Holtville (5A), and Wetumpka (6A), each won two playoff series and advanced to the quarterfinals.
5. Edgewood Academy Girls Win Title in Basketball and Volleyball – Edgewood seniors Lindsey Brown and Madison Martin capped off their high school careers with championships in basketball and volleyball in their senior season. Brown will play volleyball next year at the University of Alabama.
6. Wetumpka and SEHS Boys Soccer Battle to Thrilling Finishes – The Wetumpka boys’ soccer team faced off against the Stanhope Elmore boys’ soccer team twice this season, and both games were as competitive as any game in any sport this year. Wetumpka won the first matchup in overtime 2-1 with a goal just a minute before penalty kicks. In the follow-up, SEHS went ahead 4-1 and the Indians stormed back to win 5-4. Wetumpka Seniors Brody Worrell and Austin Holley both made 1st Team All-State, while Ashton Sipes and Rhett Pinkston made Honorable Mention All State. SEHS juniors Trent Wineburg and Jay Myers also made Honorable Mention All-State.
7. Prattville Girls Basketball Returns to the Final Four – The Prattville Lady Lions won the Class 7A Central Region for the second year in a row and earned a trip to the Class 7A Final Four in Birmingham. Next season, the Lady Lions will return KeLeigh Mullens, Class 7A 3rd Team All-State, and Jayla West-Young, Class 7A Honorable Mention All State.
8. Autaugaville Basketball Has Successful Season – The Autaugaville Eagles boys basketball team won the county tournament and advanced to the playoffs behind All County Player Deon Steele. On the girls’ side, Makasiah Burns scored 28 points per game, leading the county in scoring. Burns was also named Class 1A 3rd team All-State.
9. Edgewood Boys’ Program Success – The Wildcats continued their tradition of success, winning the AISA AA basketball title for the second consecutive season. On the diamond, the Edgewood boys finished as the AISA AA Runner-Up.
10. Marbury and Wetumpka Softball Teams Return to State Tournament – Marbury softball advanced to the Class 5A State Tournament for the second season in a row following a dramatic walk-off win over Tallassee. The Indians, Class 6A State Champions in 2023, advanced to the 2024 State Tournament for the second consecutive season as well after a dominating run for the Indians’ senior class, which won the most games in Wetumpka history.
11. SEHS Girls Soccer Beats Wetumpka for the First Time in 6 Years – Following a mid-season coaching change, Varsity Boys Head Coach Richie Beyer took over as the Girls Head Coach, leading the Lady Mustangs to several wins, to include the first over Wetumpka since 2018 (according to Max Preps). SEHS junior Ja’Niyah Cousins scored two goals for the Mustangs in the 2-1 victory. The Lady Indians still managed to win the area based on point differential, their second consecutive season as Class 6A Area 4 champions.
12. SEHS Boys’ Cross Country Wins Sections for First Time Ever – SEHS had 4 male runners place in the Top 10 of the sectionals championship, with twin brothers Tristen and Dominic Jones finishing in 1st and 2nd place in the 5000-meter run. On the girls’ side, sophomore Emily Peterson finished 1st overall in the sectionals, setting a SEHS school record with a time of 22:29.
13. Individual Wrestlers at Wetumpka and SEHS Win State Championships – Wetumpka had two wrestlers win state championships in their weight class. Christian Preston won the 220-pound state championship and Willie Cox won the 285-pound state championship. Meanwhile, Stanhope Elmore’s Conner Ross won the 170-pound state title.
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#SEHSSOCCER #SEHSCROSSCOUNTRY #SEHSWRESTLING
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