Lauren Estes-Velez

Special to the Enquirer

A recent proclamation from the Falkville City Council honors two local sports teams exceeding expectations in their divisions this year.

The Falkville girls 12U softball teams and Falkville boys varsity track teams were both honored Tuesday night.

Council member and 12U softball coach Alton Hill said he has been involved with Park and Recreation softball for the past seven years, and his team has recently earned its fourth championship under his coaching.

For 2018 the girls posted an undefeated season and reign as 12U Morgan County champs.

“I’ve been coaching three of the girls since they were 5 years old. We’ve had some players that have come and gone over the years, but three of those have been with me since the beginning,” Hill said. “I must say, the early years were just fun – they played in the dirt more than they played ball.” Hill said the early years also had a heavy focus on pigtails and hairbows. “Their mothers would always be helping them look cute; I was trying to teach them to play ball.”

By the second year, things were different. “I knew we had some pretty good athletes when we won our first championship,” Hill said. “Then we had another win when they were 7. The program grew, and at age 10 we went undefeated and won another championship, along with a state championship.”

Hill said his team has had three consistent, successful players who made all the difference.

“We have the best pitcher, catcher and shortstop in the county, and they are the original three girls,” Hill said. “We’ve stuck together every year and built a team around those girls. I’ve had some very good assistant coaches through the years and very good parents of the kids who have played.”

Their team motto – “We don’t expect perfection, but we demand effort” – has paved the way for their successful seasons.

“Our 12U team plays ‘lights out’ ball and consistently,” Hill said. “These girls have learned the game so well that I think they coach me as well as I coach them.

“I think our kids give the effort that they do because of our team motto.”

More changes will come for the team in the near future.

“We are combining a 14U travel ball team with the girls who are moving up to middle school, and the girls currently in middle school are playing weekends now,” Hill said. “I can’t say enough about our high school coach Megan Grey. She is building a better softball program at Falkville by helping with our youth league program as she puts on clinics and works with our younger kids.”

“The town of Falkville is recognizing our team with a proclamation to thank these kids for all their hard work and dedication to sports,” Hill added. “I personally want to thank every child I have coached and every parent through the years. It’s been fun.”

Falkville Park and Recreation 12U Softball Team players are Ellie Cate Hill, Allie Smith, Abbey Grace Tomlin, Jade Milam, Hanah Tillman, Emma Kyker, Ella Kyker, Hope McClanahan, Melody Sims, Nevaeh Young and Casey Chasteen. Johnny Henderson coaches along with Hill.

The proclamation states notes, “The performance of these girls, their coaches, support personnel and the support of the Falkville community in general is deserving of great recognition.”

“These young people,” the proclamation adds, “exemplify what can be accomplished through dedication, discipline and determination and have earned for themselves great honors and earned respect for the Falkville community.”

The proclamation ends by offering the council’s “much deserved congratulations and gratitude for a job well done and their commendation for furthering the legacy of achievement of young people in Falkville Schools and the Falkville community in general.”

The Town of Falkville also honored the Falkville boys track team after a year of success.

The team won the Morgan County Championship, 2A Section 4 Championship and the 2A State Championship.
All-State performances included:

• Marcus Klocek – 2nd place, 3200M run
• Jack Wills – 3rd place, 300M hurdles
• Isaac Russell, Trustin Pylate, Mikell Philyaw and Jack Wills – 3rd place, 4x400M relay
• Trustin Pylate, Mikell Philyaw, Marcus Klocek and Jose Meza – 2nd, 4x800M relay
• Noah Holmes – 2nd place, pole vault
• Devin Johnson – 3rd place, pole vault
• Caleb Vinson – 1st place, javelin
• Weston Free – 2nd place, javelin