While void of a state championship, there was plenty for sports fans to cheer about in Athens-Limestone in 2016. The full effects of some of the biggest sports stories — like the latest ASHAA region realignment or new coaching hires — are just now being felt.

Here is a look at some of the top stories from the first half of 2016:

All-State selections

Several local players were recognized by the Alabama Sports Writers Association as the best in their respective classification.

In basketball, Tanner freshman C.J. Yarbrough was a first-team selection while senior Markel Mull made second-team. On the girls side, Tanner junior Kirstin Brown and Athens sophomore Alexis Woods were first-team selections in their respective classifications.

Elkmont’s Rebekah Inman was a first-team selection in softball. Athens Bible School led the area with six selections on the All-State baseball team, including the only first-team player chosen in R.J. Farrell.

Realignment shake up

Alabama High School Athletic Association announced the 2016-18 reclassification list in early January that took effect in Aug. 2016 and quite a few local teams were affected.

Although the only local team to change classifications was Elkmont, which moved from Class 4A to 3A, several were both hurt and helped by region changes.

The full effect of those changes is yet to be felt with only football, basketball, swimming and cross-country having played or started their seasons for the 2016-17 season.

New era at Athens

Following the retirement of longtime Athens head football coach Allen Creasy, the school hired former UNA offensive coordinator Cody Gross in February to take over the program.

In his first season, Athens went 3-7, but went 3-2 over the second half of the season and finished with a 35-7 win over Huntsville.

Hodges shines at UAB

Former Ardmore golfer Lee Hodges established himself as one of the best golfers in C-USA with an outstanding sophomore season at UAB.

The sophomore led the Blazers in stroke average (72.78), tournaments at or under par (4) and rounds at or under par (15).

The former 4A state champion was named a first-team All-Conference selection and helped UAB finish third at NCAA Regionals to qualify for the NCAA Finals in Eugene, Oregon.

Tanner soccer in semis

Tanner’s first trip to the state soccer tournament ended in a 4-2 defeat to Altamont in the 1A-3A semifinals.

Playing against a team that has won two of the last six 1A-3A state titles, the Rattlers couldn’t keep pace despite an outstanding individual performance from Jose Moreno.

Moreno beat two Altamont defenders and scored with a cool finish into the left corner to tie the game in the first half and later provided an assist to keep Tanner in the game.

Moreno finished the season as one of the top scorers in the state with 40 goals.

Lewter wins Bryant-Jordan award

Austin Lewter was named the top scholar athlete in Alabama High School Athletic Association’s 2A classification. The Tanner senior was selected as Region 8 winner in April and won $2,500 in scholarships.

He was named the top lineman in Class 2A by the Alabama Sports Writers Association in 2016. A four-year starter at Tanner, Lewter is a two-time first-team All-State selection. He finished second in his class with a 3.94 GPA and received an academic scholarship to Birmingham Southern College, where he was a member of the football team his freshman year.

Giddy Potts fever

Former Athens basketball standout Nathanial “Giddy” Potts put his alma mater on the map when he helped Middle Tennessee State pull off one of the biggest upsets in NCAA Tournament history.

As a 15-seed, MTSU beat perennial power and second-seeded Michigan State in the first round.

After leading the team with 19 points against Michigan State, Potts became a familiar name in basketball households during the NCAA Tournament’s opening round.

He returns for his junior season as one of the top players in Conference USA.

Milestone victories

Athens Bible School head baseball coach Bill Murrell eclipsed the 800-win mark in April while Tanner head basketball coach Chris Whitt won his 500th game in February.

In his 43rd season, Murrell led ABS to a No. 2 ranking while his team set an AHSAA record for stolen bases.

Shortly after winning his 500th game at the helm, Whitt led his team to its third Final Four appearance in four years. The longtime Tanner coach has won 17 area championships and two state titles while at Tanner.

Limestone Sports HOF induct 10

The Limestone County Sports Hall of Fame inducted 10 new members at its June banquet. It is the third largest class in the organization’s 13-year history.

In previous years, six to eight members were inducted annually.

The 2016 Limestone County Sports HOF class is James Kennemer, Johnny Black, Walton “Pap” Powers, Will Legg, Charles Harris, Steve Parker, Dr. Bill Davis, Jeff Campbell, April Davis and Joe Green.