Campers smile alongside MHS Basketball Coaches & Players in their camp t-shirts.

Metter High School held their 13th Annual Tiger Youth Basketball camp from May 27-29.

The camp was held at the Metter Middle School gym and there were 60 campers in attendance.

Campers worked on individual skills in station work each day.

Dribbling, passing, shooting, defensive position, rebounding, free-throws and layups were the key stations taught by the MHS Tiger basketball players.

Players competed in a contest each day and that was “the highlight of camp” according to Coach Altman, the MHS Boys Basketball Coach.

These contests included free-throws, layups, 3 point and the game of knock-out.

Finishing up each day, the campers competed in 3on3 and 5on5 team play where the focus was on passing the basketball and moving without the basketball.

Being a good teammate by sharing the ball, positive encouragement and working together to become successful were other key skills taught to the campers.

“Championship Thursday” was the final day of camp and the highlight for many as it was the day awards were given out.

Contest winners, 3on3 and 5on5 Champions were awarded as follows:

Free-Throw Champions

•Kelvin Shaw, kindergarten

•Worth Powell, 1st grade

•Dyess Durrence, 2nd grade

•Harrison Dutton, 3rd grade

•Addie Stewart, 4th grade

•Brantley Lott, 5th grade

•Cavion Kennedy, 6th-8th grade

Lay-Up Champions

•Kelvin Shaw, kindergarten

•Drummond Porter, 1st grade

•Zayden Sikes-Sutton, 2nd grade

•Knox Blocker, 3rd grade

•Luke Stravriotis, 4th grade

•Brantley Lott, 5th grade

•Brayden Hightower, 6th- 8th grade

3PT Champions

•Kingston Nelson, kindergarten

•Grayson Daniel, 1st grade

•Levi Woods, 2nd grade

•June Brannen, 3rd grade

•Jhett McNamee, 4th grade

•Brantley Lott, 5th grade

•Joy Collins, 6th-8th grade

Knock-Out Champions

•Kelvin Shaw, kindergarten

•Drummond Porter, 1st grade

•Zayden Sikes-Sutton, 2nd grade

•Harrison Dutton, 3rd grade

•Addie Stewart, 4th grade

•Brantley Lott, 5th grade

•Joy Collins, 6th-8th grade

Coach Altman would like to thank all the campers for attending and working hard each day.

“This is one of our best camps to date and they continue to get better each year,” said Altman.

The MHS Basketball program would like to thank all the sponsors that helped make the camp possible.

Sponsorships help with the purchase of basketballs and the camp t-shirts that every child received for participating.

“Our community goes above and beyond to make this possible,” said Altman. “Everything is Better in Metter!”

The 2025 Tiger Sponsors are Adams Poultry, Awards South, BSN, Bubba Hunt Golf, Burlap & Lace Market and Coffee Bar, Candler Pharmacy, CarterFranklin, LLP., Caughey Hearn State Farm Insurance, Charlton Rogers, Curl’s Body Shop, Daniels Bishop Chevrolet and D&D Pinestraw,

Metter Bank Luke Lanier, Eason Grading Company, Firehouse Sub, H&R Block, H&H Timber Co, LLC., Hadden Insurance, Hulsey, Tootle, and Harrison, IHS Pharmacy & Gifts, Jay Bowen Memorial Fund and Jones, Boyd, and McCranie Insurance,

Metter Ford, Metter Graphics, Metter Home Center, Modern Finance, Olliff and Fordham CPAs, Pineland Telephone, Senior Benefit Solutions, Synovous Bank, The Assurance Group, The Roderick Group, The Eclectic Seamstress, Stephens Limousine Service, INC. and Will Parker.

The last sponsor for the event was MHS Basketball’s very own Rusch Goswick and his nonprofit organization, The Swish System, Inc.

As the owner of The Swish System, Goswick worked to make sure all 60 kids that attended camp were able to take home their very own basketball.

Grants/ Milan Rotary Club’s All- Star Weekend returns to help feed Hungry Kids

GRANTS, N.M. — Working to feed the hungry kids of Cibola County, the Grants/Milan Rotary Club has an eventful weekend planned.

NFL legend Ty Detmer is coming to Cibola County this weekend — not to play, but to give back. He’ll be joined by an all-star lineup of professional athletes, college coaches, and even a reality television champion for the 22nd Annual DYFL All-Star Weekend, a high-energy fundraiser hosted by the Grants/Milan Rotary Foundation.

The goal of the event is simple and urgent: to raise money for the Rotary’s backpack program, which provides food-filled backpacks to local students who might otherwise go hungry over the weekend.

Cibola is a county where more than 40 percent of students live below the poverty line, organizers say the need for food assistance is urgent.

Friday: Camps and Clinics

The weekend kicks off Friday, June 6, with a series of youth sports clinics and leadership sessions held at Grants High School and other local venues.

Activities begin with volleyball drills led by Jon Gonchar, head coach of the University of New Mexico women’s volleyball team. Older students — grades 8 through 12 — will take the court from 9 to 11 a.m., followed by a lunch break and a second session for younger players in grades 3 through 7 from 12 to 2 p.m.

Basketball fans will have the chance to train with WNBA player DeMya Wheatfall, who will run morning and afternoon camps for girls and boys in grades 3 through 12. Wheatfall, known for her collegiate career at Texas A&M and her professional play overseas, will be joined by Rickey Sullivan and Chance Patterson for the day’s clinics.

Meanwhile, in a nearby gym, Survivor 2024 winner Rachel LaMont will host a motivational workshop titled “The Will to WIN.” LaMont, who became a fan favorite for her resilience and leadership on the show, will speak to students in grades 8 through 12 about mental preparation and the power of perseverance.

Later in the day, former MLB All-Star Dee Gordon will take the field at the Grants High School baseball diamond. Gordon — known for his speed, agility, and standout seasons with the Miami Marlins and Seattle Mariners — will lead a baseball and softball session for high school athletes from 2 to 4 p.m.

Also on Friday afternoon, UNM tennis coach Rob Bareford will conduct a youth tennis camp for students in grades 4 through 8 at the high school tennis courts.

The day concludes with a business casual fundraising dinner at Coyote Del Malpais Golf Course from 5 to 7 p.m. The evening will feature a special guest speaker and a hole-in-one shootout to boost donations.

Saturday: Ty Detmer and Football

Saturday’s schedule shifts the spotlight to football — and to Ty Detmer himself.

Detmer, who won the Heisman Trophy in 1990 as quarterback at BYU and went on to play for several NFL teams including the Philadelphia Eagles and San Francisco 49ers, will lead a quarterback camp for students in grades 9 through 12 from 9 to 10 a.m. at Grants High School.

Following the camp, a combine-style workout will be held from 10 to 11:45 a.m. for all students in grades 4 through 12.

Joining Detmer on the field will be three other professional football players: Rodney Rice, a defensive back who played for Virginia Tech and signed with the Denver Broncos; Jeff Badet, a speedy wide receiver who has spent time with the Minnesota Vikings, Washington Commanders, and the XFL’s Vegas Vipers; Bene Benwikere, a former Carolina Panthers cornerback known for his standout rookie season and stints with multiple NFL teams.

An autograph session with all four athletes will follow immediately after the morning’s events at the Grants High School Football Field.

The weekend will wrap up with a golf tournament at Coyote Del Malpais beginning at 1 p.m. Saturday, with dinner at the clubhouse to follow.

Supporting Cibola’s Hungry Students

The DYFL All-Star Weekend has become a cherished annual tradition in Cibola County and has for years helped fund the Backpack Program.

All proceeds will support the Rotary’s weekend Backpack Program, which discreetly provides students with nutritious meals to take home on Fridays. For many local families, this program is the difference between hunger and hope.

The Grants/Milan Rotary Foundation is encouraging the public to participate in the festivities or contribute to the cause.

Competition: USL League One 
Date: June 7, 2025
Kickoff: 7 p.m. ET
Location: City Stadium, Richmond, Va.
Forecast: 82/66F, Cloudy
Promotion: Youth Sports Night
Broadcast TV: CBS 6.3. ESPN+ 

Inaugural Face Off: The Richmond Kickers (3-4-4, 13 pts) are scheduled to host USL League One opponent Texoma FC on Saturday, June 7, for a 7 p.m. kickoff as the club hosts Youth Sports Night presented by the YMCA. Hailing from Sherman, Texas, Texoma FC currently sits tenth in the USL League One standings with a 2-5-2 record. One of the newest clubs in the league, competing in their first season after being added as an expansion franchise, has strung together back-to-back wins leading up to Saturday’s match, taking down Union Omaha and Greenville Triumph SC. This will be the first time that these sides have shared the pitch, serving as a key matchup as both the Kickers and Texoma FC look to continue their climbs toward mid-season form. 

Saturday’s Close Contest: Saturday’s second-round Jagermeister Cup pairing between the Kickers and NCFC kept fans on the edge of their seats until the final whistle blew. The Kickers, led by strong performances from their back line and goalkeeper, Pablo Jara, held the USL Championship side off the scoreboard until the 82nd minute. Controlling most of the match, the Kickers responded to NCFC’s offensive pressure and set up their playmakers, Darwin Espinal and Richmond Kickers Player of the Match James Vaughan, to create multiple scoring opportunities. Jara put on a clinic in goal, shutting down multiple NCFC attacks and registering numerous one-on-one saves. The Kickers return to Jagermeister Cup action on June 28, 2025, to take on Lexington SC. 

Dominating Defense: Richmond defenders Beckett Howell, Klaidi Cela, Griffin Garnett, and Simon Fitch held down the Kickers’ last line of defense on Saturday; holding the high-powered USL Championship side to one goal. NCFC’s dynamic offense currently sits in the top six in goals and conversion rate amongst USL Championship teams. In Howell’s five appearances this season, he has won 15 duels and 8 tackles. Cela, who leads the squad with 42 clears, has registered 10 aerial duel wins, four blocks, and six interceptions in only six appearances. Garnett, in his total eight appearances, has tallied four blocks to go alongside 24 duel wins and seven interceptions. In his 11 starts this season, Simon Fitch has cleared 34 balls, intercepted 10 passes, and won 10 of his 13 tackles. As the Kickers approach the mid-season mark, a continued defensive surge will be vital towards boosting the club’s success. 

Next Home Match: Saturday’s match against Texoma FC will be Youth Sports Night at City Stadium! Then, the Kickers will host Spokane Velocity FC, who hold the top spot in the USL League One with a 6-1-2 record, on Saturday, June 21. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. at City Stadium as the club hosts Pride Night. Get tickets now at richmondkickers.com/tickets!

FLORENCE, Ala. (June 3, 2025) – The University of North Alabama Department of Athletics announced summer camp information for seven of its athletic programs on Tuesday, spanning from June until August.

All UNA camps are open to all, limited by number, age, grade level and gender.

Below is a comprehensive list of camps hosted by UNA programs this summer.

Baseball

 

Youth Camp Session 1

• June 23-26 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Ages 6-12
• Florence Sportsplex (1 Sportsplex Drive, Florence, AL)

 
 
Youth Camp Session 2

• July 14-17
• Ages 6-12
• Florence Sportsplex (1 Sportsplex Drive, Florence, AL)

 

To register and find more information, click here.

Men’s Basketball
 
Tony Pujol Basketball Camp Day 2

• July 15-18 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• Grades K-6th
• UNA Student Recreation Center (333 Covington Street, Florence, AL)

 
Tony Pujol Basketball Camp Day 3

• July 22-25 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• Grades K-6th
• UNA Student Recreation Center (333 Covington Street, Florence, AL)

 
 
To register and find more information, click here.

Women’s Basketball

 

Skills Camp

• June 4-6 from 1-4 p.m.
• K-8th Grade
• CB&S Bank Arena at Flowers Hall
• Camp includes a T-Shirt and a basketball. Concessions and parent seating will be available.

  
Elite Camp

• June 22 from 1-4 p.m.
• 9th-12th Grade
• CB&S Bank Arena at Flowers Hall
• Camp includes a T-Shirt. Parent seating will be available.

 
Little Lions Camp

• July 23-24  from 9-11 a.m.
• Ages 2-5
• CB&S Bank Arena at Flowers Hall
• Camp includes a T-Shirt and a basketball. Concessions and parent seating will be available.

 
Elite Camp

• August 3 from 1-4 p.m.
• 9th-12th Grade
• CB&S Bank Arena at Flowers Hall
• Camp includes a T-Shirt. Parent seating will be available.

 
 
To register and find more information, click here.

Football

 

Brent Dearmon Birmingham Elite Camp

• June 7 from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
• Rising 8th-12th Grade
• Buccaneer Stadium (Hoover High School in Hoover, AL)

  
Brent Dearmon QB Camp

• June 10 from 11 a.m. to 3:15 p.m.
• Rising 8th-12th Grade
• Cox Creek Sports Complex (2500 Chisholm Road, Florence, AL)
• Designed to instruct and elevate high school quarterbacks

 
Brent Dearmon Specialist Camp

• June 12 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• Rising 8th-12th Grade
• Cox Creek Sports Complex (2500 Chisholm Road, Florence, AL)
• Designed to instruct and elevate high school specialists

 
Brent Dearmon High School Elite Camp 1

• June 13 from 5-8:30 p.m.
• Rising 8th-12th Grade
• Braly Stadium (North Royal Avenue, Florence, AL)

 
Brent Dearmon Future Lions Youth Football Camp

• June 16-18 from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.
• Ages 6-12
• Cox Creek Sports Complex (2500 Chisholm Road, Florence, AL)

 
Brent Dearmon Mobile Elite Camp

• June 24 from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
• Rising 8th-12th Grade
• Ladd-Peebles Stadium (Mobile, AL)

 
Brent Dearmon Montgomery Elite Camp

• June 25 from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
• Rising 8th-12th Grade
• Wetumpka Sportsplex (Wetumpka, AL)

 
The Shoals Shootout 7-on-7

• July 17 from 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.

• High School Teams / Rising 8th-12th Grade

• Florence Sportsplex (1 Sportsplex Drive, Florence, AL)
• Each team guaranteed four pool play games and entry into single game elimination tournament

 
Brent Dearmon High School Elite Camp 2

• July 18 from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
• Rising 8th-12th Grade
• Braly Stadium (North Royal Avenue, Florence, AL)

 
To register and find more information, click here.

Soccer

 

Chris Walker Lion Soccer ID Camp

• July 27 from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
• 9th-12th Grade
• Cox Creek Sports Complex (2500 Chisholm Road, Florence, AL)

 
To register and find more information, click here.

Softball

 

Little Lions Camp

• June 2-4 (REGISTRATION CLOSED)

 
Elite Camp

• Eight available dates

  • June 10
  • June 24
  • July 8
  • July 15
  • July 22
  • August 2
  • August 9
  • August 23

• 7th-12th Grade
• Hilda B. Anderson Softball Stadium (2500 Chisholm Road, Florence, AL)

 
 
To register and find more information, click here.

Volleyball

 

College Prospect Camp

• June 14
• 9th-12th Grade
• CB&S Bank Arena at Flowers Hall

 
Positional Camp

• July 7
• 6th-12th Grade
• CB&S Bank Arena at Flowers Hall

 
Serving Clinic

• July 7
• 6th-12th Grade
• CB&S Bank Arena at Flowers Hall

 
All Skills Camp

• July 8
• 5th-12th Grade
• CB&S Bank Arena at Flowers Hall

 
Serving Clinic

• July 8
• 5th-12th Grade
• CB&S Bank Arena at Flowers Hall

 
To register and find more information, click here.

For more information on North Alabama Athletics, visit www.roarlions.com and follow UNA Athletics on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

West Liberty Thoman’s IGA 12U softball team defeated Bellefontaine by a score of 11-3 on Monday. Delaney Morris took the win in the circle to bring her season record to 4-0. Paisley Strapp had a double and 3 RBIs while Zoey Richardson added a 2-run double of her own on the night.

The Tigers improve to 5-0 and are back in action against Kenton Wednesday night at Dodge Park.

A school system in Connecticut that’s at the center of an ongoing legal fight over allowing transgender student athletes to participate in competitive girls’ sports is being investigated by the Trump administration, the U.S. Department of Education confirmed Tuesday, adding a new flashpoint in the national debate over trans girls’ participation in youth sports.

James Demetriades, the mayor of Cromwell, said the town’s school system could lose nearly $1 million in federal special education funding if the department determines it’s in violation of Title IX, the federal civil rights law that forbids discrimination based on sex in education programs or activities that receive federal assistance.

The mayor, a Democrat, said Monday the school district would be ineligible for the state’s athletic conference if it didn’t allow student athletes to compete on sex-segregated sports teams consistent with their gender identity.

He said the district is currently following “all applicable state and federal law as well as the rules for the Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic Conference,” the governing body for secondary school athletics in the state. In an interview on Tuesday, Demetriades said Cromwell currently has “no gender diverse” high school CIAC athletes.

“We don’t know why Cromwell was targeted for this action,” Demetriades said in a statement on Facebook. He said the investigation also includes restroom and locker room usage.

CIAC’s policy of allowing transgender girls to compete in girls high school sports was first challenged in 2020 by four runners who said they were unfairly forced to race against transgender sprinters from Cromwell and Bloomfield. CIAC argued its policy is designed to comply with a state law that requires all high school students be treated according to their gender identity. It has also said the policy is in accordance with Title IX.

While a federal appeals court in 2022 dismissed the plaintiffs’ challenge to CIAC’s policy, saying they lacked standing and had not been deprived of a “chance to be champions,” the suit was later revived in 2023 and is currently pending. It could be ready for a trial in 2026.

The head of the U.S. Education Department’s Office for Civil Rights, Craig Trainor, said in a statement that the investigation was looking at whether Cromwell’s policies were “depriving girls and young women of equal athletic opportunities.”

U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon added that, “This Administration will fight on every front to protect women’s and girls’ sports.”

A community of more than 14,000, Cromwell is about 20 minutes south of the capital, Hartford. A rally in support of transgender youth was planned Tuesday evening at Cromwell High School.

In 2019, during President Donald Trump’s first term, the Office for Civil Rights launched an investigation into the policy in Connecticut that allows transgender high school athletes to compete as the gender with which they identify. It determined the actions of the CIAC, Cromwell and several other communities in Connecticut resulted in “the loss of athletic benefits and opportunities for female student-athletes.”

Days after taking office for his second term, Trump signed an executive order titled “ Keeping Men Out of Women’s Sports,” which states that all funds from educational programs “that deprive women and girls of fair athletic opportunities, which results in the endangerment, humiliation, and silencing of women and girls and deprives them of privacy,” will be rescinded.

In his post, Demetriades asked state officials to help hold the town harmless from liability and intervene if Cromwell is sued by the Department of Justice.

In March, the Department of Education opened an investigation into Portland Public Schools, Oregon’s largest school district, over allowing a transgender athlete to compete on a high school girls’ track-and-field team.