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SCHOOLS
BACK TO SCHOOL GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY
Homewood High Was Built From Scratch 50 Years Ago
By Anne Ruisi
Homewood High’s colors are red, white and blue, but this year gold has been added to that palette as the school celebrates its 50th anniversary.
The road to opening the system’s first four-year high school was challenging, one that involved temporarily housing students at multiple locations and persuading Shades Valley High School seniors from Homewood to skip their final year there and go a completely new school, Michael Gross, Homewood High’s first principal, recalled.
It couldn’t have been done without the support of the students, parents, faculty and community, he said.
Parents were the initial driving force to break away from the Jefferson County School System and form the Homewood School System, Gross said.
“A lot of parents felt they were paying more than their fair share (for) education. Parents were paying a lot of money in taxes,” he said.
When he started teaching at Homewood Junior High in 1964-65, there were 40 students in a class and none of the classrooms had air conditioning, Gross said.
So a group of parents approached thenMayor Bob Waldrop, who was on board with the idea. Waldrop, Gross and noted educator Mamie Foster, who was from Homewood’s Rosedale community, met and strategized what it would take to form a school system.
At the time, in the late 1960s and early 1970s, Jefferson County schools were under a court order to racially integrate schools that had long been part of Jim Crow Alabama, so a federal court had to grant permission for a new school system to be formed. Ensuring integration was a moot point, Gross said.
“The key thing about it is Homewood had a black community, Rosedale. In 1968-69, Jefferson County had a court order to desegregate Homewood and they had no problem integrating. The kids played together, knew each other,” Gross said.
The city of Homewood set up a school board in 1970-71 and appointed the first school superintendent, Virgil Nunn, who came from the Fairfield School System.
“He was a very fine gentleman who knew what he was doing. He was a great leader for the school system,” Gross said, adding that one of Nunn’s first jobs was to hire a principal for the new high school. Nunn recruited Gross for the position.
One of his pressing goals was to ensure the junior high was accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools as a high school when the seniors were affiliated with it. Then accreditation had to be obtained for the new high school. These are crucial designations demanded by colleges considering student applications. Accreditation was achieved under Gross’ leadership.
By the time the school system was formed, high school students from Shades Valley High were transferring to the new system grade by grade, with grades 8-11 already at the old Homewood Junior High School.
Homewood yearbook photo
The Vietnam War was raging at the time and students had strong feelings of patriotism ... Over 90 percent voted for the now-familiar Homewood Patriot, a Revolutionary War soldier, and the school colors of red, white and blue.
Moving to a New Home
The new $5.2 million high school – $36.8 million in today’s money – was being built on Lakeshore Road, and it was Gross’ job to persuade students who would have been seniors at Shades Valley High in the 1971-72 school year to transfer to Homewood.
“They weren’t happy. I told them, you seniors are the leaders of the school,” and they came, Gross said.
A problem facing school officials in the first semester was that the old junior high already was crammed to the gills with students and there was no room for the senior class. Some shuffling was needed.
The junior high was a couple of blocks north of Dawson Memorial Baptist Church and near Trinity United Methodist Church, and both offered to let the school system use its Sunday school rooms as temporary classrooms, Gross said. So, for the fall 1971 semester, the seniors went to Dawson and eighth graders used the classrooms at Trinity.
In December, the new high school was nearing completion, and “everyone was so excited about forming the new high school. Everyone pulled together. That made my job easier,” Gross said.
Cooperation was the key not only to forming the new school system and building the new high school, but in furnishing it, Gross said. The plan was to move into the school right after the Christmas holiday, but the furniture wasn’t delivered until the week before Christmas, the same week final exams were being held.
“I offered to let them take exams or help set up the furniture,” Gross said of the senior class. “Almost 100 percent helped.”
About 300 seniors pitched in to set up desks, chairs and other school furniture, and the high school opened just two days later than other systems following the break.
The first day in the new facility began with
The city of Homewood set up a school board in 1970-71 and appointed the first school superintendent, Virgil Nunn, who came from the Fairfield School System. One of Nunn’s first jobs was to hire a principal for the new high school. Nunn recruited Michael Gross, shown above in a photo from 1972, for the position.
See HOMEWOOD, page 20
Reunion, Alumni Performance Set for Patriot Band Celebration
As their school celebrates its Golden Anniversary, the Homewood Patriot Marching Band and its auxiliaries also are celebrating their 50th anniversary and marking the milestone with a reunion, an alumni pregame performance with the Homewood Patriots Marching Band and other activities Sept. 23-24.
The event will kick off Sept. 23 at 6:25 p.m., when the 50th Reunion Alumni Band members will march into Waldrop Stadium for their pre-game performance on the field, according to information on the reunion website, www.homewoodband.org. The Homewood Patriots will play Pinson Valley at 7 p.m.
The 450-member Homewood Patriot Band, the Star Spangled Girls, the Patriot Guard, the drumline and the drum majors will be celebrated at the pregame performance, said Terrence Cobb, an assistant director of bands.
On Sept. 24, tours of the Homewood High fine arts wing will be available, followed by lunch and a video slideshow on the band over the past 50 years.
For more information, contact director of bands Chris Cooper at: ccooper@ homewood.k12.al.us.
OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL
SCHOOLS Mountain Brook School Board’s Brad Sklar Attends Last Meeting
In his 12 years on the Mountain Brook Board of Education, Brad Sklar said, three school system achievements particularly stand out in his mind: the INCubatoredu student entrepreneurship program, the recognition of Mountain Brook as the most technology-proficient school system in the country and the current building program to modernize and update its school buildings.
“It’s so gratifying to know what the school system has accomplished for the over 4,000 students I’ve seen graduate in the last 12 years as well as the ones currently matriculating through the system,” Sklar, who attended his last board meeting earlier in the summer, said in a story on the school system’s website. “I am greatly optimistic for the future because of the former and upcoming graduates of Mountain Brook Schools. Thank you for allowing me to serve.”
As a school board member, Sklar helped guide the school system through a variety of experiences, including recessions, technology enhancements, facility improvements and the pandemic, while keeping education first.
“In my 13 years as the superintendent, Brad has been right there and has been a key in maintaining the success of Mountain Brook Schools,” Dr. Dicky Barlow said in the story. “In addition to his service to the community, he has become a great friend. I know he will enjoy the extra bit of time and continue to find ways to help others in the community.”
Mountain Brook City Councilman Billy Pritchard said Sklar’s “friendship and exercise of his wise and measured sense of good judgment has been invaluable over the last 12 years.”
Sklar’s fellow board members also praised their departing colleague.
“Brad has pushed us to think outside the box, never settling for average or status quo,” board member Nicky Barnes said.
Sklar presided over one last board meeting in May in Barnes’ absence, the article said. He thanked Mountain Brook Schools’ faculty and staff for their hard work and the relationships he’s made during his time on the board. He thanked school and city leaders for their guidance and the community for its continued support.
BOARD MEMBER NICKY BARNES
Courtesy
Brad Sklar served 12 years on the Mountain Brook Board of Education.
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From page 18 all 1,200 students in the auditorium, where teachers led them to their new homerooms and then took them on a tour of the school, which was separated into “pods” according to grade level, clustered around a large library.
“Everything ran smoothly,” he said.
The new high school also had a huge gym and a swimming pool, which years later was filled in and the space used for additional classrooms.
Not long after the high school opened, Gross recalls hearing a “ping ping” sound coming from outside and “here come Birmingham, Homewood, the county and state police. There was a gun battle in the parking lot,” as police engaged with bank robbers who had fled over Red Mountain after hitting a bank in Birmingham, Gross said.
The robbers had abandoned their car in the school parking lot, and it was assumed at the time that they’d fled into the woods behind the school. There also was a fear that the criminals might kidnap a student when school was dismissed. Police organized a safe evacuation, but the bank robbers were never caught, Gross said.
Mascot, Band, Football Established
In that first year, the new high school needed a mascot, and Gross wanted the students to vote on it. The Vietnam War was raging at the time and students had strong feelings of patriotism, he said. Over 90
percent voted for the now-familiar Homewood Patriot, a Revolutionary War soldier, and the school colors of red, white and blue.
It was then that Homewood’s marching band was kitted out in a Revolutionary War-style uniform, which members wore for the first of their many appearances at the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in 1978.
That trip was the first time many of the students had flown on a plane or gone to New York, and it was snowing when they got there – another first for some of the students. Before they left, school officials emphasized how crucial it was that band members be disciplined, obey the rules and follow their lead on the trip.
The students listened. That first night, the group went to Radio City Music Hall to see the Rockettes perform. At intermission, band director Pat Morrow went to the lobby for popcorn and a soft drink, and “150 kids got up and followed him,” Gross said.
Also formed in 1972 were the color guard, drumline and the Star Spangled Girls, a precision dance team recruited by retired Homewood teacher Cindy Wade. Prospective members had to audition and Wade, a physical education teacher, was their instructor.
“It’s been a great tradition,” Wade said of the dance team.
Homewood High also made its mark in football in its early years coached by Alvin Bresler, who led the program to its first state championship in 1974.
That the football players and other teams at Homewood High had proper equipment to play in the beginning was due to the generosity of Fred Sington, the former University of Alabama football star and Birmingham civic leader.
“I had a school with no (sports) equipment,” Gross recalled, as it wasn’t budgeted in its construction. “Fred Sington came and said, ‘Order what you want and pay when you can.’ He was that civic minded.”
The principal pledged the school would pay the debt within five years, but thanks to fundraising efforts, such as through the school’s sports boosters, it was paid in three.
Early on, Homewood High had an Air Force Junior ROTC program, which led to military careers for some participants. While not every student planned to enlist in the military after graduation, many showed their support for an American POW shot down over North Vietnam by wearing bracelets with his name, Capt. Edwin Hawley.
“They wrote letters to him, but I doubt he ever got the letters,” Gross said.
Hawley was released early in 1973 and came to visit the school that March.
All these aspects of the new school and the support and cooperation of the community set the stage for success, but the teaching excellence of the faculty crowned efforts to set the high academic standing that Homewood High enjoys to this day, Gross said.“I had a school with no (sports) equipment,” Gross recalled, as it wasn’t budgeted in its construction. “Fred Sington came and said, ‘Order what you want and pay when you can.’ He was that civic minded.”
Homewood yearbook photo
Homewood High also made its mark in football in its early years coached by Alvin Bresler, who led the program to its first state championship in 1974. Homewood players run onto the field of the brand new Robert G. Waldrop Stadium in 1974. Prior to that the school had played their home games at Samford University or Berry High School.
Gross Goes to Vestavia
Gross became Homewood schools’ superintendent in 1978 and remained at the helm in Homewood until 1985, when he got a job offer to lead Vestavia Hills High School. He retired from the high school post in 1999, but stayed with the school system until 2002 in the position of interim superintendent until a permanent one was hired.
“I was fortunate to be at two very fine school systems,” he said.
Like Homewood, Vestavia was carved out of the Jefferson County system when the school system was founded in 1970. When Gross went there, he didn’t want to make a lot of changes at first but wanted to learn how the school system worked.
“I wanted to make sure the teachers had the tools to teach. It begins and ends with the kids,” Gross said. “My job was to let them (the teachers) be free to teach, and I had the support of the faculty, community and the board.”
During his tenure, Vestavia continued its strong academic program while its high school math and debate teams went on to win at national competitions.
More national recognition came to Vestavia High when it was named to Redbook magazine’s Top 10 high schools in the country. Also, Vestavia and Homewood schools were designated Blue Ribbon Schools by the U.S. Department of Education while Gross was superintendent. It’s an honor that recognizes overall academic excellence or progress in closing achievement gaps among student subgroups, according to the Department of Education’s website.
The honors reflect the goal of preparing students for life after high school, Gross said. At the high school, for example, students headed for college were writing term papers and taking advanced sciences, such as physics and anatomy.
At Vestavia and Homewood high schools, art classes were popular; noted Alabama potter Tena Payne is a Homewood High graduate. The fine arts thrived at both high schools and were “second to none,” Gross said.
In Homewood, Wade recalled, there was dance instruction, orchestra, a choir and a drama department.
“Many parents paid for private music lessons – took them to the ballet. They believed in the arts. The parents had pride and joy in seeing their kids (perform),” Wade said.
After-school activities are an important component of high school life.
“The idea is to keep the kids involved in positive activities,” Gross said.
For example, then and now, he said, students in Vestavia and Homewood clubs have participated in fundraising walks and other activities for charity. They also formed Interact, service-oriented clubs affiliated with Rotary.
“The kids in Homewood and Vestavia had the opportunity for a well-rounded education,” Gross said.
Breaking Away
Hoover, Mountain Brook Also Formed School Systems
Homewood and Vestavia Hills weren’t the only school systems to break away from the Jefferson County School System in the second half of the 20th century. Hoover and Mountain Brook also decided to go their own way.
Hoover
The Hoover School System was formed when it broke away from the Jefferson County School System in 1987. The first school year for Hoover City Schools was 1988-1989.
Hoover City Schools started with five elementary schools that were originally under the Jefferson County School System, including Bluff Park, Shades Mountain, Rocky Ridge, Gwin and Green Valley elementary schools, Simmons Middle School and Berry High School.
Since then, the school system has expanded, with two high schools, three middle schools, an intermediate school, 10 elementary schools and an international baccalaureate program.
Mountain Brook
The Mountain Brook School System got its start in June 1959, when the City Council decided to form a school system independent of Jefferson County schools, according to the Mountain Brook schools’ website. The council also appointed the city’s first Board of Education.
The city acquired three schools in the city limits, Crestline and Mountain Brook elementary (pictured) schools and Mountain Brook Junior High, which had been in Jefferson County schools.
As the population in the southern part of the city continued to grow, a third elementary school was built; Brookwood Forest was completed in 1965, the school system’s website said. At the same time, construction of a high school was begun, and the doors opened to its first students in 1966, with the first class of seniors graduating in 1968. Cherokee Bend Elementary opened in 1969.
Making a Difference Vestavia Hill’s Broome Receives Special AHSAA Award
By RuBin E. GRant
Debra Broome was completely caught off guard when she received the news that she was the Class 7A recipient of the 2022 Making a Difference Award given by the Alabama High School Athletic Association and the Alabama High School Athletic Directors & Coaches Association.
“I was shocked, totally surprised,” said Broome, a longtime coach at Vestavia Hills High School.
One recipient from each of the AHSAA’s seven classifications was selected from about 40 nominations submitted by AHSAA member schools and other support organizations or individuals. The recipients were chosen because they have made an impact as exemplary role models.
Each honoree was recognized July 22 during the 2022 AHSAA Summer Conference Championship Coaches’ Awards Banquet at the Montgomery Renaissance Hotel and Convention Center.
Broome said any recognition she receives is a credit “to the people I’ve worked with.”
Then she added, “This means a lot to me. Once the word got out, I got lots of emails, texts and phone calls, some from old players who said I did make a difference in their lives.”
Broome has served as a physical education teacher and coach for 35 years – with all but one year in the Vestavia Hills City School System. A graduate of Grand Canyon University in Phoenix, Arizona, she has spent most of her teaching time in elementary or middle school physical education. In her year working in the Jefferson County School system, she also assisted the special education teacher in her daily duties.
Courtesy
Debra Broome has served as a physical education teacher and coach for 35 years – with all but one year in the Vestavia Hills City School System.
Go-To Woman
As a coach, Broome has been someone Vestavia Hills High School could turn to no matter the sport. She has coached at one time or another recreational softball and basketball; middle school basketball and volleyball; and high school volleyball, basketball, softball, golf, bowling and girls flag football. She currently serves as girls golf coach, girls bowling coach and girls flag football coach. She served as assistant basketball coach for former Lady Rebels head coach Fran Braasch for many years.
Her nominator described Broome by saying, “Coach Broome fits the description of what a difference maker should be. On a daily basis she makes sure that all her players are taken care of, and she has the day-to-day logistics organized to a tee.
“You never have to worry about anything when Coach Broome is the coach because she is so professional, organized, caring and ALWAYS goes above and beyond for everyone,” the nomination continued.
“She is a true team player and blessing to us at Vestavia Hills High School. Her loving and caring disposition around everyone is why she makes a difference every day. She brings the best out in us all.”
This summer, Broome assisted with the just-completed World Games. She checked in athletes, helped the Hoover Met get ready to host softball, worked at the bowling event and even served as VIP driver.
“I got to meet a lot of international people,” Broome said. “It was really fabulous, a great experience.”
The Making a Difference Award was established in 2011 by the AHSAA and AHSADCA to recognize individuals who go beyond their normal duties as a coach, teacher or administrator to make a positive impact in their schools and communities. This year’s recipients include one baseball coach, one volleyball coach, one soccer coach, one track coach, one head football coach, another former head football coach who serves as head girls basketball coach, and one coach who serves as head track, girls basketball and softball coach.
“The recipients in this 2022 Making a Difference class are prime examples of men and women who take their positions as role models for their students, faculty and community very seriously and have shown exceptional leadership and determination in the challenges each has faced,” said AHSAA Executive Director Alvin Briggs. “Each of these individuals have spent their entire teaching, coaching and administrative careers making a major positive impact in their communities and schools across the state and are excellent examples for what this award stands for.
“This award is the most important honor a professional educator in our state can receive. Qualities considered for this prestigious award include the recipient’s character, integrity, determination and service, all of which have enabled them to have a life-changing impact on the community or school which they serve.”
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From page 24 ished team camp and it was a good experience. We had workouts from 6 a.m. to 8 a.m. and there were zero complaints. The girls showed up and worked hard.”
The Bucs also have been playing in the Power League, an idea created by Camper for teams from the Birmingham area to scrimmage against each other. Among 12 teams in the league are defending Class 7A champion Spain Park and defending Class 6A champion Mountain Brook.
“It’s been a very strong league this year,” Wood said. “It’s been a good challenge.”
Putting Together a Team
Wood has nine seniors on her team – Peyton David, Adair Byars, Reagan James, Lauren Ware, Elise Hart, Bella Muenster, Maggie Harris, Reese Hawkins and Alan Alanah Pooler.
David is a libero; Byars and James are outside hitters/right-side hitters; Ware, Hart and Guenster are defensive specialists; Harris is a setter; and Hawks and Pooler are middle blockers.
“Most of them had a taste of playing last year, but I don’t know if you can say any of them are returning starters,” Wood said.
Juniors Grace Johnston, rightside/middle blocker; Kendyl Mitchell, outside hitter/right-side; and Kenzie Richards, middle blocker, round out the roster with sophomore Sydney Durban, defensive specialist.
“We have several underclassmen who could make the team, but we have only 15 jerseys,” Wood said.
Wood believes the Bucs’ biggest challenge will be finding a court leader, the way Rya McKinnon, a high school All-American, was last year. She is now at Howard University.
“They were used to Rya being the go-to player but now some of them are realizing they have to be the go-to player and step up,” Wood said. “That’s not a surprise, but I think it opens doors for different people.”
Hoover will compete in Class 7A, Area 5 along with Oak Mountain, Thompson and Tuscaloosa County.
“My expectations are for us to be competitive,” Wood said. “Our girls will be well prepared, and they enjoy each other, which has been refreshing to see.”
Journal file photo by Jordan Wald
Peyton David, a libero, is one of nine seniors on the team.
Oliveiras Medal in Recent Wrestling Championships
Yasmine Oliveira competed in the USMC/USAW Junior Women’s Freestyle Nationals at Fargo, North Dakota, placing fourth with a 6-2 record and earning All-American status.
Spain Park’s Kyle Oliveira won double silver at the Cadet United World Wrestling Pan-American Championships June 24-26 in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and his sister Yasmine Oliveira became an All-American last week.
Kyle, who is entering his junior year at Spain Park, competed for the Brazilian National Team at 92kg (202 pounds) in Greco-Roman style and at 110 kg (243 pounds) in freestyle.
He won two Greco-Roman matches before losing to Sawyer Bartelt from Coral Gables, Florida, in the gold medal match.
In freestyle, Oliveira lost his opening round match, but after a bye in the second round, he won two matches to reach the gold medal match before losing to Koy Hopke from Amery, Wisconsin.
Yasmine, who graduated from Spain Park in May, wrestled for Brazil in the U20 United World Wrestling Pan-American Junior Championships July 8-10 in Oaxtepec, Mexico, but did not medal.
A week and a half later, she competed in the USMC/USAW Junior Women’s Freestyle Nationals at Fargo, North Dakota, placing fourth with a 6-2 record and earning All-American status.
She is headed to King University, where she also will be wrestling.
Vestavia Hills’ Huber, Hoover’s Keplinger Retire
By RuBin E. GRant
Brett Huber has gone to Florida – and not on a beach vacation or fishing trip.
He has moved there to live and work.
Huber retired as Vestavia Hills’ head track coach at the end of the school year after spending 23 years in Vestavia, including 21 as head coach. He had been teaching and coaching overall for 29 years, but for family and financial reasons decided it was time to move on.
He has two children in college, another who just graduated high school, and two more at home.
“We looked at our schedules for the next three years and how much money we were making and decided it was a good time to end my teaching and coaching career,” Huber said.
Huber, 53, has settled in Jacksonville, opening a Backyard Adventures franchise there. The company specializes in recreational and limited commercial playground equipment, such as swing sets and trampolines.
“I know the guy who owns it and they have several stores, and the Lord connected the dots for me to do this,” Huber said.
In his final track meet at Vestavia Hills, Huber guided the Rebels’ boys and girls to Class 7A runner-up finishes in the Alabama High School Athletic Association Outdoor Track and Field Championships in May.
During his time with the Rebels, Huber won four state championships, including titles in cross-country, and indoor and outdoor track and field, and he finished with 12 runner-up trophies.
“God blessed me with great coaches and athletes and families over the years,” Huber said. “I am very appreciative. It was really special.
“What I’ll miss the most is all the people. I wore many hats. I drove the school bus for track and I taught K-5 PE as well as coached track.”
Assistant coach Richard Anderson has been elevated to the head coaching job to replace Huber. Anderson was head coach at Helena for four years before joining the Rebels last year as an assistant.
“I wasn’t thinking about retiring when I brought him over,” Huber said. “He can do it all. He went through the hiring process and they thought he was the best candidate to be the new head coach.”
Time for Remodeling
Huber wasn’t the only ultra-successful Over-the-Mountain head coach to retire at the end of the school year. Hoover boys soccer coach Kris Keplinger also called it quits after 16 years at the helm.
“I wanted to do something different,” Keplinger said. “I had my years in and if I was going to do anything else, I didn’t want my window closing before I became a completely old man.
“I like to do remodeling and my last day of school was my first day working at a cabinet shop in Sylacauga. I am renovating my house and I asked the guy there if he would make my cabinets, but he said they were short-handed, so I told him I’d come work for him if he made my cabinets.”
Before going to Hoover, Keplinger coached at Shades Valley for a decade, winning three state championships (2001, 2004 and 2006). He led Hoover to the 2019 Class 7A state title after several close finishes.
“I felt like we’d had so many really good teams and just couldn’t ever seem to seal the deal,” Keplinger said. “That team had a lot of grit.”
During his career, Keplinger finished as the state runner-up two times, advanced to two other state final fours and seven other quarterfinal appearances. His teams won the area championship 16 times and he finished with an overall record of 444-124-42.
“I had a great coaching staff and great kids to work with,” Keplinger said. “It’s never a good time to step away because you have freshmen coming in and sophomores and juniors who you’ve built a relationship with. And you get to see the kids grow into young men. I will miss the relationships with the kids.”
Assistant Tyler Welch has been named as Keplinger’s replacement.
“He was a longtime assistant,” Keplinger said. “He played for me at Shades Valley. He’ll do a great job.”
From page 24 match for the Jaguars. She closed out the match against the South with two big points for a 15-11 win.
Breazeale recorded 14 kills and 10 digs to earn MVP honors, becoming the first Spain Park player to be named MVP in the AHSAA All-Star game.
“It was a lot of fun meeting new girls I hadn’t met before, and getting a chance to play with them was great,” Breazeale said. “It was exciting to be named MVP, but I couldn’t have done it without them. The coaches did a great job of making sure we stayed positive and played with energy.”
Vestavia Hills’ Savannah Gann contributed 10 kills to the North’s victory.
The North won the first two games 25-20 and 25-18, but the South won the next two games 25-21 and 25-23, setting the stage for Breazeale’s heroics.
Who, Me, MVP?
McDonald, an Oak Mountain senior, didn’t go into the North-South All-Star girls soccer expecting to be an MVP.
“I didn’t even know they named an MVP, one for each team,” McDonald said. “They called out the name of the girl from the South (Amiya Brown of Opelika) and then they said, ‘From the North, No. 20.’ I started asking who’s No. 20 because my regular jersey number is 17.”
But for the All-Star game, McDonald donned No. 20 and she indeed had been tabbed MVP. A defender, she attempted six shots on goal with one finding the back of the net and played a key role on defense as the North shut out the South 5-0 last Wednesday at Emory Folmar Soccer Complex.
Spain Park’s Madison Davis also scored a goal and Homewood’s Maddie Massie had two assists.
“It was a lot of fun,” said McDonald, who has committed to play in college at Alabama. “I only knew a couple of people before I went down there, so it was different getting to talk to all of them and play with them. We all worked well together, so it was easy for me to do well.
“Although we won 5-0 it was definitely a hard-fought game.”
Journal photo by Marvin Gentry
Keirson McDonald attempted six shots on goal with one finding the back of the net and played a key role on defense as the North shut out the South 5-0.
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VESTAVIA HILLS SOCCER CLUB REGISTRATION NOW OPEN! SPOTS ARE LIMITED! REGISTER TODAY!
GREAT LOCATIONS CLOSE TO HWY 280 & 31 LIBERTY PARK & HIGHWAY 31 IN VESTAVIA
2022 FALL RECREATIONAL SOCCER
TAKE YOUR FUN FACTOR TO THE NEXT LEVEL! AGES 3-19 • BOYS & GIRLS
