By Staff
Pardon members of the T.R. Miller Tigers basketball team if they do not remember the last time the program hit the state rankings.
They were in the early days of their schooling when it last happened a decade ago, but that dry spell came to an end this past week when the Tigers checked in at number nine in the Class 3A poll.
"It's good for our program to be recognized. The players have worked hard to get there. Cracking the state rankings wasn't one of our goals when the season started, but it's a nice accomplishment," T.R. Miller coach Rob Atkinson said.
Sumter County (14-1) continues to lead the 3A boys poll followed by second-ranked Danville (14-1), third-ranked Hayneville-Central (10-5), fourth-ranked Ashville (15-1) and fifth-ranked Weaver (10-1).
The next five includes Litchfield (11-5) at number six, Leeds (11-7) at number seven, New Hope (13-2) at number eight, T.R. Miller (10-3) at number nine and Montgomery Academy (9-3) at number 10.
Cracking the state rankings is nothing new for the T.R. Miller Lady Tigers.
The Lady Tigers (15-1) continue to remain at number four behind top-ranked Barbour County (13-1), second-ranked Pisgah (14-2) and third-ranked and defending state champ Abbeville (9-3). Clarke County (10-2) rounds out the top five in fifth place.
The second half of the girls top 10 includes Luderdale County (11-7) at number six, Midfield (10-6) at number seven, Sumter County (10-3) at number eight, Sheffield (12-3) at number nine and Headland (9-3) at number 10.
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One area player who was inadvertently left off the Alabama Sports Writers Association Class 3A All-State Football Team story that recently ran was T.R. Miller senior wide receiver Jacob Salter.
Salter, an Honorable Mention selection, hauled in 21 balls for 600 yards with nine touchdowns, all highs marks for T.R. Miller receivers. Salter averaged 28.6 yards per catch.
Salter along with T.R. Miller quarterback Jordan Cauley and W.S. Neal lineman Jared Cooper were also Honorable Menion picks.
T.R. Miller lineman Tyler Chapman and linebacker Tyler Shehan along with W.S. Neal defensive back Mario Daniel were First team picks.
Tripp Owens, a junior member of the T.R. Miller golf team, spent his holiday break by taking first place in
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the age 16-18 division at the Dorsey Winter Classic. That event is sponored by the Greater Pensacola Junior Golf Association.
Owens, who is 16, fell one stroke shy of winning a share of last year's Class 3A individual state championship.
W.S. Neal Middle School will hold its athletic awards night January 20 at 6 p.m. at the school cafeteria.
The T.R. Miller Football Awards Night will be held January 27 at 6:30 p.m. at the First Baptist Church in
Brewton.
T.R. Miller football coach Jamie Riggs has tentatively scheduled Spring Practice for February 8-18.
The annual Red White Game will cap off the workouts on the final day.
The second part of my Area Sports Year in Review Series will run in Wednesday's issue and will look at the the events from July through December.