GDW Analysis:
OXFORD: A wet weekend forced the Alabama High School Athletic Association (AHSAA) to delay the start of the softball championships from Choccolocco Park.
Matchups with Class 2A & Class 5A did not begin until 11:00 a.m.
The original starting time Monday was 9:00 a.m.
The delay was needed for the fields to get plenty of touch up work as eight games took to the complex an hour before lunch time.
Teams that are known to local programs through area competition are involved in Day 1 from the 2A and 5A divisions.
Sumiton Christian, the champion of 2A, Area 10 over Cold Springs, played West End in a first round Monday morning.
Scottsboro, the best in 5A, Area 14 this season, got Springville for Game 1 of its Elite 8 schedule.
For Tuesday, Locust Fork will be playing at 9:00 a.m. against Mars Hill. Locust Fork was the best in 3A, Area 12, seen by Gameday Weekly two weeks ago when they hosted the area that consisted of Vinemont, Hanceville and Holly Pond from Cullman County.
The 3A and 7A schools step into the spotlight on Tuesday.
Class 4A, featuring No. 2 power Curry and Hamilton, a team that sent Good Hope to the loser's bracket last week in the North Regional, will get on the field for first round play Wednesday.
Hartselle, a solid team in Class 6A, is in the field Thursday with Gardendale to battle the Lady Tigers in the first round.
Golf:
BIRMINGHAM: AHSAA made adjustments to the first day of the state golf tournament from Robert Trent Jones (RTJ) Oxmoor Valley.
Instead of twosomes, groups of four were paired up for both courses from the Ridge and Valley areas.
All participants were given the opportunity to ride in golf carts in trying to keep the event running in a timing manner.
West Point Lady Warrior golfers and Vinemont Lady Eagle Abby Lee were to play from the Valley Course.
The West Point Warriors were given the nod to perform from the Ridge Course as well as golfers who were representing the Cullman Bearcats.
The final group to tee off from the Valley Course Monday was at 12:19 p.m. The last group playing the Ridge Course reportedly got their opening round under way at 1:30 p.m.
Photo of Sumiton Christian softball celebrating after qualifying for the AHSAA Elite 8 last week in the North Regional from Florence Sportsplex.
Photo courtesy of Daily Mountain Eagle.
