Thomas Ashworth

Almaty, Anniston, Oxford

Sports Reporter at AL.com

Sports reporter for @aldotcom | Jax State alum | Past: @AnnistonStar, @ChanticleerJSU, @MDJOnline | Tips/story ideas? 📬: [email protected]

Articles

Semifinals set for AL.com fan softball player of the year voting

2 weeks ago | al.com | Thomas Ashworth

One upset highlighted the first round of voting for the AL.com softball fans player of the year. Saint James star Emily Needham knocked off No. 1-seeded Ambrey Taylor of Curry, pulling in 58% of the head-to-head voting. RELATED: Check out the full ASWA all-state softball teamAlso moving on were Gerritt Griggs (72% of voting), Ava Hodo (73%) and Gracie Dees (79%). The semifinals are now open, with the winners advancing to the championship round of the bracket for the trophy.
Pelham hires former in-state standout, UNA assistant to lead girls basketball program

3 weeks ago | al.com | Thomas Ashworth

A former star at Gadsden City with plenty of Division I experience will take over as Pelham’s girls basketball coach. Former Missouri guard and North Alabama assistant coach Haley Troup has been hired to lead the Panthers’ girls basketball program, it was announced Wednesday afternoon. She will replace Crosby Morrison, who was hired as the head coach at Vestavia Hills High School in May.
Hall of fame collegiate softball coach steps down after 30 seasons at UAH

3 weeks ago | al.com | Thomas Ashworth

One of the most accomplished coaches in the state of Alabama will step down after a historic career on the softball field. UAH head softball coach Les Stuedeman will retire after 30 seasons as the head softball coach of the Chargers, it was announced on Wednesday. The veteran coach built the Chargers’ softball program after taking the helm in 1996; associate head coach Melanie Carter will step in as head coach.
Class 6A head football coach in Huntsville stepping down

3 weeks ago | al.com | Thomas Ashworth

A Class 6A program in Huntsville will be looking for a new head football coach. Lee-Huntsville’s Irving McGuire will step down from his position to become an assistant principal at Sonnie Hereford Elementary, which is a Huntsville City Schools program. “While I’m sad to leave the sidelines, I’m equally excited about this new chapter,” he wrote in a social media post. “Administration allows me to continue leading and guiding young people, just in anew capacity.
Cast your votes for AL.com fan softball player of the year

3 weeks ago | al.com | Thomas Ashworth

It’s time for fans to vote for their best softball player from the 2025 high school season. Voting for the Round 1 matchups is now open and will conclude Friday. The players receiving the most votes advance to next week’s semifinals.
Popular NFL owner makes investment for flag football in Alabama

4 weeks ago | al.com | Thomas Ashworth

An NFL owner’s foundation has committed to investing in one of Alabama’s fastest-growing high school sports. The Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation has provided grants to 10 Alabama high schools to start a flag football program, the organization announced Friday. Arthur Blank has partnered with the Atlanta Falcons, which he serves as owner, to provide grants to the 10 Alabama high schools across the state.
Birmingham set to host American Athletic Conference basketball tournaments in 2026

4 weeks ago | al.com | Thomas Ashworth

More basketball will be coming to Alabama. The American Athletic Conference announced on Friday that its men’s and women’s basketball tournaments will be held at Legacy Arena at the Birmingham–Jefferson Convention Complex in Birmingham in 2026. The 2027 and 2028 championships will be held at the Yuengling Center in Tampa, Florida; they were held at Dickies Arena in Fort Worth, Texas, last year. This marks the first times Birmingham and Tampa will host the championships.
Former Jax State star, SMU commit withdrawing from NBA Draft to play for ACC program

4 weeks ago | al.com | Thomas Ashworth

Former Jacksonville State star and SMU commit Jaron Pierre Jr. has withdrawn from the NBA Draft and will play for the Mustangs this season, he confirmed to AL.com. Jon Rothstein of CBS Sports was the first to report the news of Pierre’s withdrawal from the draft. Pierre originally committed to the ACC program on April 14, along with declaring for the NBA Draft and going through the process; he went through the 2025 NBA G League Elite Camp.
Five nationally televised games highlights Jacksonville State football’s 2025 TV schedule

4 weeks ago | al.com | Thomas Ashworth

Jacksonville State will have five nationally televised games as part of its 2025 schedule under first-year coach Charles Kelly. Conference USA announced its broadcast schedule for the 2025 football season, which includes games on CBS Sports Network and ESPN2 for Jax State. Games on CBS Sports Network for Jax State includes Liberty (Sept. 6), Sam Houston (Oct. 9) and FIU (Nov. 22). ESPN2 matchups for the Gamecocks include Delaware (Oct. 15) and Middle Tennessee State (Oct. 29).
Deshler star Reece Davis commits to new Southeastern Conference program

1 month ago | al.com | Thomas Ashworth

One of the state’s top playmakers has picked a new Southeastern Conference program. Deshler girls basketball star Reece Davis has committed to Ole Miss, she announced on social media Tuesday afternoon. Previously committed to Auburn, she took a visit to Oxford, Mississippi, in April; Davis also picked up an offer from Texas Tech this week. “They’re like a family,” she told AL.com in April of her visit to Ole Miss.