Throughout the year, Vestavia Voice will keep you up to date with the various sports teams at Vestavia Hills High School. For previous weekly updates, click here.

BASKETBALL

The Vestavia Hills women’s basketball team played in the state final for the first time since 2006 last week, reaching the state final. The Lady Rebels topped Auburn in the Class 7A semifinals. Click here for the history of this game.

On Saturday, Vestavia fell to Hoover in the state championship in close competition. Click here to see the history of this game.

BASEBALL

The Vestavia Hills baseball team suffered a 6-2 loss to Homewood last Tuesday. Four Homewood pitchers combined to keep the Vestavia range secret. Brian Condon started things off with 2 scoreless innings, followed by Tripp Gann, who pitched 2 innings. Rigdon Gibbons pitched a no-hitter inning and Charlie Teel got his third straight save with 2 scoreless innings. Taylor Patterson had 2 hits, including a home run and 2 RBIs. Jack Couch also drove a pair. For Vestavia, Jackson Harris and Pierce Hanna each hit in a run. Ethan McGriff pitched well in relief, allowing 2 runs on 3 hits in 3 2/3 innings.

Vestavia Hills got back on track Thursday with an 8-0 win over Hillcrest-Tuscaloosa. Will Cox went far for the Rebels, driving in a pair of races. Hudson Walburn and Harris each had a pair of hits, with Walburn recording 2 RBIs and Harris hitting a run as well. Christopher Johnston, John Paul Head and Grant Downey each collected an RBI. Barrett Harper got the start and was stellar, allowing 2 hits in 5 scoreless innings. Carson Ray pitched 2 scoreless innings in relief.

Vestavia Hills swept a doubleheader against Gardendale on Saturday, winning 10-0 and 4-3. In Game 1, Hanna hit a home run and drove in a pair of runs. Cox had 2 hits and 2 RBIs, while Thomas Watson, Jay Faulkner and Walburn also hit runs. Harris pitched the shutout, allowing just one hit in 6 innings of work, with 5 strikeouts.

Game two was much closer, with Watson’s hit carrying the Rebels to a 4-3 win. Walburn and Harris also made runs. Aiden Black and McGriff split mound time, with Black allowing 2 unearned runs over 5 innings and McGriff allowing a run on 2 hits over the past 2 innings.

SOFTBALL

Vestavia Hills softball was upset by Oak Mountain 13-8 in the Class 7A, Area 6 opener last Tuesday. Vestavia took a 7-0 lead before the Eagles responded with 10 runs in the third and fourth innings to take a lead they wouldn’t give up. Kristian Carr was the star of Oak Mountain, hitting two doubles and making 6 runs on the night. She also pitched 6 2/3 innings to take the win. Dubose had 3 points, while Zaleski, Katona, Alea Rye and Makenzie Price all had one point. For Vestavia, Miah Simmons had a pair of runs, while Ella Gallaspy went 3 for 4 with an RBI, 3 runs scored and 4 stolen bases. Caroline Redden was 2 for 4 with an RBI, while Libby Pippin, Reese Johnson and Kylie Reid also hit in a run.

Vestavia Hills entered the Wetumpka tournament over the weekend, starting things off with a pair of wins on Friday. The Rebels picked up a 14-0 win over Alabama Christian in Game 1. Gallaspy and Catherine Cassimus each hit in a pair of runs to lead the offense, while Tait Davidson had 2 RBIs and pitched 3 scoreless innings with 7 strikeouts. Kayla Franklin, Caroline Redden, MC Meeks, Reid and Elizabeth Yother all hit while running. Yother also pitched 2 innings, not allowing a hit. The Rebels ended the night with a 10-2 win over Spanish Fort. Pippin ripped 3 doubles, making a pair of runs. Simmons and Davidson each drove in 2 runs, while Simmons struck out 6 in 5 innings of work. Reid tripled and made his own run.

Vestavia qualified for the semi-finals of the tournament on Saturday. The Rebels started the day with a 4-2 victory over Montgomery Catholic, as Pippin and Reid homered, while Simmons and Davidson combined to pitch 6 innings into the circle. The Rebels then busted the bats in a 16-6 win over Calera. Redden had the big game, going 2-for-3 with 2 doubles, 3 RBIs and 3 runs scored. Simmons and Pippen each led 3s as well, with Franklin hitting in a pair. Meeks, Davidson and Reid also each drove a race. Vestavia then beat a tough Beulah team 4-0 as Davidson didn’t allow a hit in 5 innings of work. Franklin, Redden and Simmons each made a run in the game.

Fairhope, the defending state runner-up, beat Vestavia Hills 3-2 in the semifinals. Pippin threw a run and Simmons pitched well, allowing 3 unearned runs on 2 hits in 3 2/3 innings of work.

SOCCER

Vestavia Hills men’s soccer team secured a 3-1 win over Spain Park last Thursday, continuing their strong start to the season.

Both Vestavia teams beat John Carroll on Friday, with the girls winning 5-0 and the boys winning 2-1.

ATHLETICS

The Vestavia Hills Outdoor Track Team competed in the Husky March Classic last Saturday. Kennedy Moreland won the pole vault event, clearing 11 feet. John Stephens won the 200 meters with a time of 21.89 seconds, while Alex Leath won the 400 in 49.54 seconds. Bo Webb also won the 300 meter hurdles in 38.88 seconds.

Other Rebels podium finishes include Claire Spooner (third in the 800), Catey Rose Callahan (second in the discus), Angelica Vines (second in the javelin), Matthew Rainer (third in the 200), Webb (second in the 110 hurdles). The men’s 4×100 meters relay team finished second and the 4×400 meters team third.

“What else would you like to see mentioned?” For any suggestions, please email sportswriter Kyle Parmley at [email protected]