Hoover Classic 2021

Coverage Community Teams converge on Hoover
Story by: Griffin Pritchard | Publisher
Photos by: CA Scoreboard Staff

CENTRAL ALABAMA SCOREBOARD OFFICE – With the regular softball season dwindling down to single-digit dates between now and the Area Tournaments scheduled to start in May, teams are looking for one last opportunity to face the state’s best.

The annual Hoover Classic seems to provide that cross-section of competition.

“Our reasoning for entering the tournament was to see high-level competition from all classes before the postseason,” said Lauren Stewart, coach of the Spanish Fort Toros. “Our hitters and pitching staff need to be challenged and it is very important we put our players in high-pressure situations at this time of the year. It’s always great to do that against the best from other classes to prepare you for your own postseason opponents.”

This tournament has state-tournament level competition scattered against the pools: No. 1 (7A and nationally ranked) Hewitt-Trussville, No.7 (2A) Orange Beach, No. 1 (5A) Faith Academy, No. 6 (2A) Hatton), No. 4 (7A) Bob Jones, No. 6 (7A) Thompson, No. 7 (7A) Hartselle, No. 2 (7A) Fairhope, No. 2 (6A) Helena, No. 2 (2A) Sumiton and No. 5 (7A) Austin..

Schools from the CAScoreboard Coverage Community alone are Top 10 mainstays: No. 9 (7A) Central-Phenix City,  No. 3 (6A) Spanish Fort, No. 2 Tallassee, No. 3 Elmore County and No. 5 Hayden (all are 5A).

“Iron sharpens iron,” said John Simmons, coach of the Hayden High Wildcats. “I want this tournament to polish us so we can put our best product on the field in the postseason.”

This is coming from a softball squad that battled No. 8 (5A) Corner and No. 2 (4A) down the homestretch. But – competition is tight across the board. Elmore County will see Tallassee next week and then again (more than likely) in the regional tournament.

“We play two of the top five teams in 7A in addition to two other ranked teams in this tournament,” said Mark Segrest, coach of the Elmore County Panthers. “It’s going to be tough, but I’m really hoping playing this type of competition benefits us for the stretch run.”

FRIDAY RESULTS
Central-Phenix City
Vs. No. 2 (6A) Helena L 11-5
Vs. No. 5 (7A) Austin L 4-2
Vs. No. 5 (5A) Hayden W 5-1

Spanish Fort:
Vs Beech L 6-1
Vs No. 1 (7A) Hewitt-Trussville L 3-2
Vs. Fort Payne L 9-2

Elmore County:
Vs No. 5 (7A) Austin L 5-3
Vs No. 2 (7A) Fairhope W 10-3
Vs No. 6 (2A) Hatton W 6-2

Tallassee:
Vs. Northside L 7-4
Vs. No. 1 (5A) Faith T 2-2

Hayden:
Vs. No. 1 (7A) Hewitt-Trussville L 8-2
Vs. No. 9 (7A) Central-PC L 5-1

Saturday Results:
Spanish Fort:
Vs. Helena L 7-0
Vs. Northside L 5-4

Elmore County:
Vs. Oxford W 9-1
Vs. Lawrence Co. L 3-0

Tallassee:
Vs. Lawrence Co. T 4-4
Vs. Hoover L 6-4

Hayden:
Vs. Austin L 7-6
Vs. Hatton L 7-3
Vs. Oxford W 2-1