Tigers looking for answers
- Updated: April 17, 2017
Lee not happy after forfeit by Talladega turns Cleburne County from area champs to runner-ups, changes playoff dynamic; pairings included
By Al Muskewitz
East Alabama Sports Today
Imagine leaving the ballpark Friday preparing to play one team in the following week’s high school baseball playoffs, then learning on Monday after the reporting deadline your team is playing some one else.
Cleburne County coach Vaughn Lee doesn’t have to imagine it. He’s living it.
And he’s not happy about it.
The Tigers (15-13) went into the weekend under the impression they were playing Boaz (10-20) at home in Friday’s opening round of the Class 5A playoffs as Area 10 champions. Then Monday morning they were informed they were area runners-up to Clay Central and headed to play fourth-ranked Etowah (23-5) on the road.
The reason? Talladega was accused of using “one or two” players who played in the junior varsity game (a 12-0 loss) prior to its 2-0 win over Clay Central Tuesday, in violation of AHSAA rules. It subsequently forfeited the win, negating Cleburne County’s 16-2 tiebreaker over the Vols after both teams finished 4-2 in area play and elevating the Vols to area champs.
Both teams were getting in the playoff field anyway, it was just a matter of the matchup with Area 13. Lee has questions, among them why it took so long to uncover the discrepancy.
“I am so (mad),” he said. “My principal and superintendent have spent a lot of the day trying to find out exactly how this transpired and why did it take from Tuesday to Monday to come out. Everything looks real suspicious.
“We still don’t have the answers I really wanted, but I’ve got to move on with our team, have a different opponent to get ready for and our kids have to move on. I preached moving on and moving on today and I have to practice that, too, but I’ve been in this 21 years and we have a 13-year consecutive streak of being in the playoffs and there’s never been a time during those 13 years or any of the 21—and we’ve been in some intense wars — I felt so desperate I felt like I had to turn another team in on some petty little something and crawl in the back door or where I needed to be.
“If my program gets to the point where I have to crawl in the back door to get in, I hope they would fire me. I’m not going to go there.”
Lee said he has a lot of respect for the Talladega coaches and hoped this situation didn’t bring them “any harm.” He said the Talladega coaches have not admitted any wrongdoing and the improper players, allegedly used courtesy or pinch-runners in the varsity game, were not in the Talladega official scorebook.
The only substitute listed in Talladega’s Gamechanger box score from the game is Chance Moore-Beavers. “K. (Keshawn) Lawler” and “M. (Brian) Hartley” are listed as courtesy runners in the fifth-inning play-by-play.
Clay Central played a doubleheader at Springville Monday and Vols coach Michael Anderson had been unable to return messages seeking comment.
“There are a lot of fishy circumstances with it, but I have to turn my kids’ attention now to playing and seeing what we can do to go win a series,” Lee said. “We’ll do our best to overcome it.”
AHSAA Baseball Playoffs
First-round pairings
(April 21-22 unless noted)
(Series involving Calhoun County teams in bold)
CLASS 1A
Area 6 RU: Winterboro (12-8) at Area 1 winner: Sweet Water (20-6), Fri., 4 and 6 p.m. (Sat., 1 p.m., if needed)
Area 3 RU: Red Level (8-15) at Area 8 winner: Sumiton Christian (22-5), Fri., 1 and 3:30 p.m. (Sat., 1 p.m., if needed)
Area 2 RU: Kinston at Area 5 winner: Maplesville (19-6), Fri., 4:30 and 7 p.m. (Sat., 11a.m., if needed)
Area 7 RU: Victory Christian (18-3) at Area 4 winner: Brantley (17-10), Fri., 4 and 6 p.m. (Sat., 11 a.m., if needed)
Area 4 RU: Highland Home (17-5) at Area 7 winner: Ragland (12-9), Fri., 5 and 7 p.m. (Sat., 11 a.m., if needed)
Area 5 RU: Isabella (5-9) at Area 2 winner: Houston County (16-13), Fri., 4:30 and 7 p.m. (Sat., 1 p.m., if needed)
Area 8 RU: Shades Mountain Christian (9-11) at Area 3 winner: Pleasant Home (10-5), Fri., 4 and 6 p.m. (Sat., 1 p.m., if needed)
Area 1 RU: Millry (21-11) at Area 6 winner: Wadley (10-5), Thurs., 2 and 4:30 p.m. (Fri., 2 p.m., if needed)
Area 14 RU: Gaylesville (14-8) at Area 9 winner: South Lamar (23-7), Fri., 4:30 and 7 p.m. (Sat., 1 p.m., if needed)
Area 11 RU: Southeastern (8-15) at Area 16 winner: Shoals Christian (10-17), Fri., 4:30 and 7 p.m. (Sat., 1 p.m., if needed)
Area 10 RU: Donoho (5-11) at Area 13 winner: Hackleburg (16-17), Fri., 4:30 and 7 p.m. (Sat., 2 p.m., if needed)
Area 15 RU: Athens Bible (14-10) at Area 12 winner: Marion County (17-9), Fri., 4 and 6:30 p.m. (Sat., noon, if needed)
Area 12 RU: Lynn (15-7) at Area 15 winner: Decatur Heritage (11-10), Fri., 1 and 3:30 p.m. (Sat., 11 a.m., if needed)
Area 13 RU: Vina (12-1) at Area 10 winner: Spring Garden (17-6), Fri., 4 and 6:30 p.m. (Sat., 1 p.m., if needed)
Area 16 RU: Cherokee (16-7) at Area 11 winner: Coosa Christian (24-4), Fri., 1 and 3:30 p.m. (Sat., noon, if needed)
Area 9 RU: Holy Spirit (11-5) at Area 14 winner: Cedar Bluff (14-12), Fri., 4:30 and 6:30 p.m. (Sat., 1 p.m., if needed)
CLASS 2A
Area 6 RU: Goshen (12-9) at Area 1 winner: J.U. Blacksher (13-8), Fri., 4 and 6 p.m. (Sat., 2 p.m., if needed)
Area 3 RU: Samson at Area 8 winner: Reeltown, Fri., 4 and 6 p.m. (Sat., noon, if needed)
Area 2 RU: Washington County at Area 5 winner: G.W. Long, Fri., 4 and 6 p.m. (Sat., 1 p.m., if needed)
Area 7 RU: Keith (6-4) at Area 4 winner: New Brockton (19-3), Fri., 4 and 6 p.m. (Sat., 1 p.m., if needed)
Area 4 RU: Elba (7-9) at Area 7 winner: Francis Marion (5-6), Fri., 4 and 6 p.m. (Sat., 1 p.m., if needed)
Area 5 RU: Ariton at Area 2 winner: Leroy (23-5), Fri., 4:30 and 7 p.m. (Sat., 1 p.m., if needed)
Area 8 RU: Horseshoe Bend (7-13) at Area 3 winner: Cottonwood (14-8), Fri., 4:30 and 7 p.m. (Sat., 1 p.m., if needed)
Area 1 RU: St. Luke’s Episcopal at Area 6 winner: Luverne, Fri., 4:30 & 7 p.m. (Sat., noon, if needed)
Area 14 RU: Lamar County (8-12) at Area 9 winner: Thorsby (15-6), Fri., 4:30 and 6:30 p.m. (Sat., 1 p.m., if needed)
Area 11 RU: Cleveland (12-13) at Area 16 winner: Hatton (14-16), Fri., 5 and 7:30 p.m. (Sat., 2 p.m., if needed)
Area 10 RU: Fayetteville (15-7) at Area 13 winner: Falkville (13-11), Fri., 5 and 7:30 p.m. (Sat., 5 p.m., if needed)
Area 15 RU: Fyffe (13-4) at Area 12 winner: Westbrook Christian (15-12), Fri., 5 and 7 p.m. (Sat., 1 p.m., if needed)
Area 12 RU: Sand Rock (9-12) at Area 15 winner: Section (13-11), Fri., 4:30 and 7 p.m. (Sat., 2 p.m., if needed)
Area 13 RU: Winston County (9-12) at Area 10 winner: Vincent (17-8), Fri., 4 and 6:30 p.m. (Sat., 1 p.m., if needed)
Area 16 RU: Mars Hill Bible (19-10) at Area 11 winner: West End (6-15), Fri., 12:30 and 3 p.m. (Sat., noon, if needed)
Area 9 RU: Billingsley (8-10) at Area 14 winner: Phil Campbell (23-7), Fri., 4 and 6 p.m. (Sat., 2 p.m., if needed)
CLASS 3A
Area 6 RU: B.B. Comer (8-15) at Area 1 winner: Mobile Christian (18-6), Fri., 4:30 and 6:30 p.m. (Sat., noon, if needed)
Area 3 RU: Slocomb at Area 8 winner: Fultondale (11-11), Fri., 2 and 4:30 p.m. (Sat., 1 p.m., if needed)
Area 2 RU : Excel (10-15) at Area 5 winner: Montgomery Academy (14-10), Fri., 4:30 and 6 p.m. (Sat., 11 a.m., if needed)
Area 7 RU: American Christian at Area 4 winner: Providence Christian, Dothan, Fri., 5 and 7 p.m. (Sat., 1 p.m., if needed)
Area 4 RU: Wicksburg (20-10) at Area 7 winner: Gordo (22-5), Fri., 4 and 6 p.m. (Sat., 1 p.m., if needed)
Area 5 RU: Montevallo (9-18) at Area 2 winner: T.R. Miller (26-2), Fri., 4:30 and 7 p.m. (Sat., 1 p.m., if needed)
Area 8 RU: Indian Springs (9-4) at Area 3 winner: Geneva (15-7), Fri., 3:30 and 6 p.m. (Sat., 10 a.m., if needed)
Area 1 RU: Bayside Academy at Area 6 winner: Randolph County, Fri., 4 and 6 p.m. (Sat., 1 p.m., if needed)
Area 14 RU: Plainview at Area 9 winner: Ohatchee, Fri., 4:30 and 7 p.m. (Sat., 1 p.m., if needed)
Area 11 RU: J.B. Pennington at Area 16 winner: Colbert Heights (13-6), Fri., 4:30 and 7 p.m. (Sat., 1 p.m., if needed)
Area 10 RU: Pleasant Valley (7-17) at Area 13 winner: Geraldine (13-12), Fri., 5 and 7:30 p.m. (Sat., 1 p.m., if needed)
Area 15 RU: Elkmont (14-15) at Area 12 winner: Oakman (23-5), Fri., 4 & 6 p.m. (Sat., noon, if needed)
Area 12 RU: Carbon Hill (15-9) at Area 15 winner: West Morgan (14-11), Fri., 4 and 6:30 p.m. (Sat., 1 p.m., if needed)
Area 13 RU: New Hope (7-15) at Area 10 winner: Piedmont (16-9), Fri., 5 and 7 p.m. (Sat., 2 p.m., if needed)
Area 16 RU: Lauderdale County (15-9) at Area 11 winner: Locust Fork (12-14), Fri., 4:30 and 6:30 p.m. (Sat., 2 p.m., if needed)
Area 9 RU: Walter Wellborn (8-10) at Area 14 winner: Pisgah (9-11), Fri., 4:30 and 7 p.m. (Sat., 11 a.m., if needed)
CLASS 4A
Area 6 RU: Hale County (7-17) at Area 1 winner: UMS-Wright (17-12), Fri., 4:30 and 7 p.m. (Sat., 1 p.m., if needed)
Area 3 RU: Dale County (14-12) at Area 8 winner: Handley (18-10), Fri., 4 and 6 p.m. (Sat., noon, if needed)
Area 2 RU: Escambia County (4-16) at Area 5 winner: Tallassee (19-13), Fri., 5 and 7:30 p.m. (Sat., 1 p.m., if needed)
Area 7 RU: Oak Grove (13-15) at Area 4 winner: Trinity Presbyterian (21-6), Fri., 1 and 3 p.m. (Sat., noon, if needed)
Area 4 RU: LAMP (14-1) at Area 7 winner: Sipsey Valley (19-12), Fri., 4:30 and 6:30 p.m. (Sat., 1 p.m., if needed)
Area 5 RU: Holtville at Area 2 winner: W.S. Neal (13-8), Fri., 4:30 and 7 p.m. (Sat., 2 p.m., if needed)
Area 8 RU: Munford (15-15) at Area 3 winner: Andalusia (16-10), Fri., 5 and 7 p.m. (Sat., noon, if needed)
Area 1 RU: Satsuma (17-15) at Area 6 winner: Bibb County (21-6), Fri., 4:30 and 6:30 p.m. (Sat., noon, if needed)
Area 14 RU: Randolph (18-8) at Area 9 winner: Oneonta (18-9), Fri., 4:30 and 7 p.m. (Sat., 1 p.m., if needed)
Area 11 RU: Haleyville (21-8) at Area 16 winner: Deshler (23-8), Fri., 5 and 7 p.m. (Sat., 1 p.m., if needed)
Area 10 RU: Dora (9-17) at Area 13 winner: Sardis (18-11), Fri., 4:30 and 7 p.m. (Sat., 1 p.m., if needed)
Area 15 RU: Priceville (11-19) at Area 12 winner: Hokes Bluff (19-12), Fri., 4:30 and 6:30 p.m. (Sat., 2 p.m., if needed)
Area 12 RU: Cherokee County (17-8) at Area 15 winner: Danville (19-11), Fri., 4:30 and 6:30 p.m. (Sat., 1 p.m., if needed)
Area 13 RU: DAR (13-9) at Area 10 winner: Cordova (13-14), Fri., 4:30 and 7 p.m. (Sat., 1 p.m., if needed)
Area 16 RU: Central-Florence (13-14) at Area 11 winner: Fayette County (16-14), Fri., 4 and 6:30 p.m. (Sat., noon, if needed)
Area 9 RU: Leeds (16-16) at Area 14 winner: Madison Academy (21-12), Fri., 4:30 and 6:45 p.m. (Sat., noon, if needed)
CLASS 5A
Area 6 RU: Marbury (10-13) at Area 1 winner: Faith Academy (21-5), Fri., 4 and 6:30 p.m. (Sat., noon, if needed)
Area 3 RU: Headland (19-0) at Area 8 winner: Briarwood Christian (24-3), Fri., 4 and 7 p.m. (Sat., 3 p.m., if needed)
Area 2 RU: Jackson (18-6) at Area 5 winner: Valley (15-14), Fri., 4:30 and 7 p.m. (Sat., noon, if needed)
Area 7 RU: Dallas County (13-4) at Area 4 winner: Charles Henderson (15-10), Fri., 4:30 and 7 p.m. (Sat., 1 p.m., if needed)
Area 4 RU: Brewbaker Tech at Area 7 winner: Demopolis, Fri., 4 and 6 p.m. (Sat., noon, if needed)
Area 5 RU: Beauregard (17-14) at Area 2 winner: Citronelle (18-10), Fri., 4 and 6:30 p.m. (Sat., 11 a.m., if needed)
Area 8 RU: Moody (18-17) at Area 3 winner: Rehobeth (22-9), Fri., 4:30 and 7 p.m. (Sat., 1 p.m., if needed)
Area 1 RU: St. Paul’s Episcopal at Area 6 winner: Calera, Fri., 5 and 7 p.m. (Sat., 1 p.m., if needed)
Area 14 RU: Arab (17-16) at Area 9 winner: Pleasant Grove (21-10), Fri., 5 and 7:30 p.m. (Sat., 2 p.m., if needed)
Area 11 RU: Mortimer Jordan (22-12) at Area 16 winner: Russellville (27-8), Fri., 5 and 7:30 p.m. (Sat., 1 p.m., if needed)
Area 10 RU: Cleburne County (15-13) at Area 13 winner: Etowah (23-5), Fri., 4:30 and 7 p.m. (Sat., 2 p.m., if needed)
Area 15 RU: Lee-Huntsville at Area 12 winner: Fairview, Fri., 5 and 7:30 p.m. (Sat., 1 p.m., if needed)
Area 12 RU: Curry (12-19) at Area 15 winner: Ardmore (16-12), Fri., 4:30 and 7 p.m. (Sat., 2 p.m., if needed)
Area 13 RU: Boaz (10-20) at Area 10 winner: Clay County Central, Fri., 4:30 and 7 p.m. (Sat., 1 p.m., if needed)
Area 16 RU: Brooks (16-11) at Area 11 winner: Springville (14-17), Fri., 5 and 7:30 p.m. (Sat., 1 p.m., if needed)
Area 9 RU: Wenonah (11-6) at Area 14 winner: Guntersville (18-8), Fri., 5 and 7 p.m. (Sat., 1 p.m., if needed)
CLASS 6A
Area 6 RU: Opelika (19-13) at Area 1 winner: Saraland (24-12), Fri., 5 and 7 p.m. (Sat., 1 p.m., if needed)
Area 3 RU: Russell County at Area 8 winner: Helena, Fri., 4:30 and 7 p.m. (Sat., noon, if needed)
Area 2 RU: Baldwin County (19-10) at Area 5 winner: Chilton County (14-13), Fri., 5 and 7:30 p.m. (Sat., 1 p.m., if needed)
Area 7 RU: Brookwood at Area 4 winner: Park Crossing, Paterson Field, Fri., 4 and 6:30 p.m. (Sat., 1 p.m., if needed)
Area 4 RU: Carver-Montgomery (16-10) at Area 7 winner: Hillcrest-Tuscaloosa (24-7), Fri., 4:30 and 7 p.m. (Sat., 2 p.m., if needed)
Area 5 RU: Stanhope Elmore (20-13) at Area 2 winner: Spanish Fort (27-9), Fri., 5 and 7 p.m. (Sat., 1 p.m., if needed)
Area 8 RU: Chelsea (22-11) at Area 3 winner: Northview (25-9), Fri., 5 and 7:30 p.m. (Sat., noon, if needed)
Area 1 RU: Blount (7-9) at Area 6 winner: Benjamin Russell (19-14), Thurs., 2 and 4 p.m. (Fri., 1 p.m., if needed)
Area 14 RU: Albertville (18-9) at Area 9 winner: Hueytown (26-5), Fri., 4:30 and 6:30 p.m. (Sat., noon, if needed)
Area 11 RU: Minor (8-11) at Area 16 winner: Athens (23-13), Fri., 5 and 7 p.m. (Sat., 1 p.m., if needed)
Area 10 RU: Shades Valley (13-13) at Area 13 winner: Southside-Gadsden (20-9), Fri., 5 and 7:30 p.m. (Sat., 1 p.m., if needed)
Area 15 RU: Hartselle at Area 12 winner: Gardendale, Fri., 4:30 and 7 p.m. (Sat., 2 p.m., if needed)
Area 12 RU: Pinson Valley (15-16) at Area 15 winner: Decatur (28-3), Fri., 4:30 and 6:30 p.m. (Sat., 2 p.m., if needed)
Area 13 RU: Oxford (28-11) at Area 10 winner: Homewood, Fri., 4:30 and 7 p.m. (Sat., 1 p.m., if needed)
Area 16 RU: Muscle Shoals at Area 11 winner: Walker (17-16), Fri., 5 and 7:30 p.m. (Sat., 2 p.m., if needed)
Area 9 RU: McAdory (15-9) at Area 14 winner: Cullman (27-6), Fri., 5 and 7 p.m. (Sat., 2 p.m., if needed)
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