Tallassee returned to the playoffs after a three-year drought

2021 - The Year in Sports

By Michael Butler

The year in sports was just that - a full year. Unlike last year, athletes got to finish what they started. There were no Covid shutdowns.

There were still some restrictions early in the year that were lifted by 2021's end. Crowds were allowed but not always to full capacity.

One of the biggest attractions was the arrival of one of the nation's top basketball stars - JD Davison, now a freshman with the University of Alabama. Davison and the defending 2A state champs Calhoun beat Tallassee 70-55 at Stumberg Gym with limited tickets due to Covid stipulations.

Davision was held well below his 40-plus point-per-game average, scoring 19. But his thunderous dunk before the end of the first half was well worth the cost of admission for those lucky enough to get a ticket.

JD Davison soars above the rim at Tallassee's Stumberg Gym

Tallassee won the area title in boys hoops for the third time in four years reaching the regionals of the post-season. Senior Jamicah Humphery scored 53 in the sub-regional win over No. 3 Talladega and was named all-state.

Celebrating the Regional Title

The Tallassee girls softball team reached the state tournament with a regional championship in Tuscaloosa. The season before, the Tigers ended a coronavirus-shortened season as the state's number one team and no playoffs.

In Oxford in 2021, the girls were eliminated in a pair of one-run games. Three THS players were named all-state at season's end; Chloe Baynes, Lexi Love and Belle Haynes.

The Tallassee High School baseball team went through a transition. Adam Clayton stepped down after 13 seasons. Kyle Hammonds was hired as his replacement.

Tallassee's 13-year-old Babe Ruth all-stars won the Southwest Regional (*Final Out) and traveled to the World Series in Jamestown, N.Y. They were the fourth Tallassee team to reach a Babe Ruth World Series and first since 1995.

Front row (left to right): Brody Wisener, Konner Taunton, Avery Brantley, Jack Butler, Slade Carleton, Mason Henderson. Back row (left to right): Baylor Clayton, Xander Johnston, Luke Chandler, Hutson Lewis, Brody Smith, Donovan Aldridge.

The Tallassee Tiger Sharks were able to return to the water after being delayed practice time at the city's facility.

Coach John Mask with THS medalists; son Camden Mask and Macey Stewart

Camden Mask was the state champion in the boys 13-14/50-yard breaststroke and third in the 50-yard butterfly.

Mask was also a bronze medalist for the Tallassee High School swim team in the state championships in the 100 breaststroke. Teammate Macey Stewart won another pair of gold medals at the AHSAA state championships - her fourth and fifth overall.

Stewart placed first in the 100 freestyle and 100 backstroke. She broke the state record in the backstroke. Stewart is a sophomore. Mask is a freshman.

Woodrow Dean is no stranger to state championships either. The THS senior narrowly missed defending his state crown in cross country being nipped at the finish line by 33/100ths of a second. Dean, a state all-star pick, will attend Liberty University next year.

After a three-year dry spell, the Tallassee football team returned to familiar territory - the playoffs. The Tigers had ten consecutive post-season berths from 2008-17.

It was the 100th year of Tallassee High School football. The Tigers went 7-3 in 2021 and won a share of the region championship.

Year in News
Year in Photos