‘Game Changer’ Plummer was a difference-maker for Hoover’s girls track team Page 26
SPORTS Thursday, June 3, 2021 ❖ OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL
OTM soccer players turn in noteworthy performances leading their teams to a state title Page 27
Striking Change
Indian Springs’ Nabors Excels After Switching Positions, Leads Boys Soccer Team to a State Championship
Hoover’s bid for the AHSAA Class 7A title ended with a one-run loss to Auburn in the deciding third game on May 20 at Riverwalk Stadium.
‘GRATIFYING’
Hoover Baseball Title Quest Falls Short, but Coach Moseley Still Proud of Team’s Accomplishments By Rubin E. Grant
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Hoover mounted a rally when Lucas Steele, above, led off the seventh inning with a triple and scored on Carter Short’s one-out single.
oover baseball coach Adam Moseley sounded more upbeat than disappointed a few days after the Bucs’ quest for the AHSAA Class 7A title ended with a one-run loss in the deciding third game. The Bucs had scored twice and had the bases loaded with two outs in the top of the seventh inning, but Auburn reliever Ryan Olson struck out ‘A long time Hoover’s Cade Carr to preserve the Tigers’ 7-6 from now, what victory and clinch the school’s fourth state title. Hoover was denied its first title since 2017 we’ll talk about after a remarkable run in the state playoffs. is the run they “It was an especially gratifying season,” Moseley said. “I tell people all the time that I wish made. I loved they could have spent one day in our dugout being around because this was an amazing and fun group to be around.” them.’ Coming into the season, Moseley expected to ADAM MOSELEY, have a team capable of making a run at the Class HOOVER BASEBALL 7A title, even though the Bucs lost 13 seniors, COACH including several who are now playing in college, off their 2020 team that had its season cut short because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Bucs stumbled to a 3-9 start to begin this season. “It was one of those things where we had so many inexperienced playSee HOOVER, page 26
Indian Springs boys soccer coach Rik Tozzi considers junior forward Jackson Nabors his surrogate son. That’s because Nabors has grown up with Tozzi’s son Nathan, a junior midfielder, and the two are like brothers. Tozzi also is good friends with Nabors’ parents, especially his dad, Jason Nabors. Their close relationship is why Tozzi went to the Nabors and convinced them that Jackson, who just happens to be 6-foot-8, should change positions on the Indian Springs soccer team this year. “For his entire life, Jackson had been a defender,” Tozzi said. “But I told them that Jackson was a striker. Just look at his athleticism, the way he runs, his fluid motions, his foot work and the way he controls the ball. I told them he should be playing up top.” Tozzi’s sales job worked. Jackson Nabors moved to forward this season and the results were better than even Tozzi imagined. Nabors scored 53 goals and had 23 assists, leading Indian Springs to a 24-2-1 record and the AHSAA Class 4A-5A state championship. He was especially dominant and impressive in Indian Springs’ two games in the state tournament May 6-7. He assisted on both of Indian Springs’ goals in a 2-0 semifinal victory over Montgomery Academy and scored both goals in a 2-0 victory over Russellville in the championship game, preventing the Tigers (19-1) from completing an undefeated season. Nabors was named the tournament MVP, but he credited his teammates. “I don’t even know what to say,” Nabors said See NABORS, page 27
Photo courtesy Rik Tozzi
Journal photos by Jordan Wald
By Rubin E. Grant
Nabors scored 53 goals and had 23 assists, leading Indian Springs to a 24-2-1 record and the AHSAA Class 4A-5A state championship.
