CullmanTimes.com, Cullman, Alabama

EXTREME MAKEOVER
GOOD HOPE — Mitch Witcher glanced around the open field located below the football stadium on Good Hope High’s campus, pointing to specific areas where future projects will take place.
The Good Hope baseball coach has it all planned out. That’s because he’s had plenty of time to think about it.
These potential projects? They’re ideas Witcher has for Good Hope’s new baseball field.
JUSTIN GRAVES: College football recruiting takes lots of effort from players, coaches
George Redding just flipped his calendar over to July, but that doesn’t mean he’s not thinking about football.
It’s definitely on the Fairview High coach’s mind.
Fall practice isn’t scheduled to begin until next month. According to the Alabama High School Athletic Association’s Web site, teams can strap on helmets and shoulder pads on Aug. 3.
LONG TIME COMING
Three days after the fact, they were still excited.
And for good reason, too.
By finishing 10 points ahead of Florence last Saturday in Jasper, Cullman Swim Team won its first Tennessee Valley Conference title since 2001.
BUILDING THE CULTURE
Yelling and screaming could be heard from across the road.
The source of the hoopla was approximately 200 yards away on West Point High’s practice football field. There, two groups of players were pushing tractor tires under the morning sun.
And these tires weren’t rolling.
MICHAEL CUMMINGS: Soccer will never be mainstream in United States
Did you hear? Apparently we’re good at soccer now. Must be true, seeing as our boys just beat the world’s top-ranked team in a real, live tournament.
And, oh yeah, soccer is going to be huge in America now. For real this time.
I’ll see you on the pitch this afternoon, right?
Well, probably not.
Braves suffer yet another shutout
ATLANTA — Who would’ve envisioned this: Tim Wakefield joining Roger Clemens in the Boston record book?
The 42-year-old knuckleballer pitched six scoreless innings to beat the Atlanta Braves 1-0 Saturday, a worthy performance for the game that tied him with Clemens for the most career starts by a Red Sox pitcher.
Trend is no repeat winners at NHMS
LOUDON, N.H. — Blame the tough racetrack, the Car of Tomorrow or simply circumstance. Whatever the reason, there have been no repeat winners in the last four years of NASCAR Sprint Cup racing at New Hampshire Motor Speedway.
If that trend holds, Greg Biffle, who won here in September, won’t be in Victory Lane on Sunday.
JUSTIN GRAVES: Most state DI programs don’t have anything on Clem’s Lions
When it comes to softball, Jayne Clem owns the Alabama Community College Conference.
It’s been that way for years.
Since 2003, Clem has led Wallace to five conference championships — including the last three.
But that’s just scratching the surface.
AMONG NATION’S BEST
HANCEVILLE — The success of Wallace State’s softball team on the field the last two years has resulted in individual awards for the Lions off the field.
After coming within one win of a second consecutive National Junior College Athletic Association championship this season, coach Jayne Clem’s team had three players named NJCAA First Team All-Americans.
LAMAR ERA HAS ALREADY BEGUN
WEST POINT — The A.J. Lamar era hasn’t started for West Point High’s football program — at least not yet.
That’s the official version.
Lamar has already been hired as a physical education teacher at West Point. His transfer from Vinemont was approved at the last Cullman County Board of Education meeting.
Texas evens series with LSU
OMAHA, Neb. — Freshman Taylor Jungmann limited LSU to five hits in his first complete game, and Russell Moldenhauer hit his record-tying fourth home run of the College World Series as Texas evened the best-of-three finals, 5-1 over LSU on Tuesday night.
Road to majors is long for six local baseball players
Coaches’ kids have unique relationships with fathers
Jeff Scott spent Saturday afternoon sitting in the gymnasium at Samford University.
Scott may be the girls basketball coach at Addison High, but this visit to Birmingham had nothing to do with his team.
It had nothing to do with basketball whatsoever.
The reason for this trip? Volleyball.
JUCO softball: Nine graduate in special ceremony
Wallace State conducted a special graduation ceremony Wednesday afternoon for nine sophomore softball players who were playing for a national title in Utah during the school’s original commencement date in May.
USSSA event expected to bring $3.3 million in revenue to city
The United States Specialty Sports Association (USSSA) baseball state championships are returning to Cullman, and city officials say the event will pump over $3 million into the local economy.
Prep basketball: Hayes picked to lead Cullman girls
While searching for a new girls basketball coach, Cullman High athletic director Jay Page said he was looking for somebody with the “total package.”
Page didn’t have to look far to find him.
The Times Prep Tennis Player of the Year
When Allison Howell took home a state title in late April, it’s safe to say few expected it. That is, except Howell's coach.
MICHAEL CUMMINGS: AU Club banquet showed AU got at least one hire right
You’ve got to hand it to Auburn. They hired the right person for the right job. Right person, right program, right time.
And now they’re reaping the benefits, even if everyone told her she couldn’t win in Auburn.
That’s right, she.
The Times Prep Boys Athlete of the Year
Trett Hardman is looking forward to a week before Independence Day.
What does Fairview High’s rising senior quarterback have planned on those dates?
Rest, relaxation and lots of fun.

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