Opelika sports teams continue to work out while school is out. Several players have participated in camps at different colleges. The baseball team went to team camp at Jax State and several football players have participated in camps at colleges across the south.
Several athletes have been offered scholarships at these camps. Mathew Christrian was offered a scholarship by Jacksonville State to play baseball, and Qandesky Whitlow received a football offer from South Carolina after participating in their camp – Coach Steve Spurrier liked what he saw from the big defensive end. Whitlow committed and will be a Gamecock. Whitlow was being recruited by Kentucky, Ole Miss, Georgia and other non SEC schools.
Jacob Bentley (sophomore transfer) along with Zo Bridges participated in the camp as well.
Drew Kyser, senior center, has offers from UAB, Georgia State and Cincy. Jared Gentry has offers from Cincy, Memphis and Southern Miss. Several athletes from other sports are being recruited, including cross country athletes, baseball players and track athletes.
The baseball team finished 3-1 at the Jax State team camp. Coach Billy Jones was proud of his team for competing and playing good baseball. The team held a youth camp last week which helped the youth of Opelika improve baseball skills.
The boys basketball team has been in LaGrange for two days playing games. Coach John Wadsworth said he is pleased with his young team. “I am proud of this group of young men. They are not selfish and understand the importance of ‘team.’ We have a chance to be a good team if we keep working,” said Wadsworth.
The girls team will travel to Kendrick High in Georgia to play games. Coach Booth graduated seven players from last year’s Area championship team. Booth will have her team ready when basketball season starts; she has five straight winning seasons.
The cross country team continues to prepare for its season. The team runs through neighborhoods around Opelika to prepare for the long season.
OCS LOOKING AT LIVE STREAMING GAMES
The Opelika School System is exploring the possibility of live streaming sporting events that include Opelika. The group that streams these events are approved by the NFHS and AHSAA. Details are still being worked out and no official decision has been made.
If approved by Dr. Mark Neighbors, fans will be able to watch OHS football games on the internet with live audio from Opelika radio broadcast.
The NFHS School Broadcast Program, powered by Playon! Sports, has the approval of the National Federation High School Network and the AHSAA. This approval allows each high school that is a member of the AHSAA rights to show these events.
If approved, fans will be able to go the http://www.thedawgnetwork.com/ click a link to watch the game. Users have four options to choose from.
A. Purchase a 24 hour pass for $9.95,
B. Purchase a monthly pass for 30 days of full access for $14.95
C. Purchase a six-month pass, 180 days, of full access for $59.95
D. Purchase a 12-month pass, 365 days, full access for $119.95
If approved, we will live stream other sporting events which could include track, volleyball, wrestling, basketball, softball, baseball, soccer and OMS sports.
The school system would also be allowed to stream other events beside sports. These events will be offered for no charge. Stay tuned for more details!
DIXIE BASEBALL
Minor league: The Opelika Dixie Youth Minors (ages 9-10) All-Star team won the Sub-District Tourney by beating Auburn 11-0 in the championship game.
Leading the team on offense, Hunter Meadows got two hits, including a three run homer; Landon Lee and Julian Duke added two hits apiece. Paul Goodman, John Knitter, Brantley Davis, James Newman and Kydylan Ligon added hits for Opelika. Meadows and Knitter combined for the win on the mound.
Opelika will advance to the District.
Pee-Wee: Opelika has two All-Star teams for the Pee-wee League (coach’s pitch), 7-8-year-olds. The District Tournament is in Tallassee and will start this weekend. Opelika National will play Tallassee in game one, while Opelika American drew a bye and will play the winner of the National/Tallassee game.
Ozone: The Opelika Dixie Youth Ozone All-Star team will host the District Tournament starting June 21. Opelika will play Auburn Blue at 8 p.m. on field one at the main complex at West Ridge. Tallassee will play Auburn Orange to start tournament at 6 p.m. Smiths Station drew the bye. This is a double-elimination tournament. The winner advances to the State Tournament.
Dixie Boys (ages 13-14): The Opelika Dixie Boys League completed the regular season last week and will shift to All-Stars. The league has two All-Star teams, Junior Dixie Boys (13-year-olds) and Dixie Boys (14-year-olds).
These two teams will play in the Sub-District June 26-29. This is a round robin tournament for seeding purposes in the District tournament.
The Junior Dixie Boys will travel to East Montgomery league for the Sub while the Dixie Boys Sub will be at Duck Samford in Auburn.
The Junior Dixie Boys District will be in Phenix City starting July 3 while Opelika will host the District Tourney July 3.
The Opelika All-Star Teams are listed below
Junior Dixie Boys: Manager Jon Barber; Coach Stephen Farr; Players Hunter Ryder, Trent Fields, Tommy Howell, DJ Brown, Jackson Craft, Sacker Rivers, Austin Hodges, Micah Christian, Blake Landers, Jacob Gaither, Seung Hoon Oh, Will Levins and TeKeal Demunn.
Dixie Boys: Manager Britian Murphy; Coaches Brent Milner, Chris Johnson, Tommy Bartlett; Players Jared Bartlett, Andy Huling, Luke Davis, TJ Jones, Carter Milner, Paul Money, Matt Humphry, Jalen Miller, Trevor Williams, Dylan McCann, Dalton Jenkins, Nathan Johnson and Jacob Calaway.
Congratulations All-Star Teams!
D.Mark Mitchell is sports director for Qantum Radio, Alabama Dixie Boys State director and vice president of the A-O Sports Council.