There were plenty of memorable moments from the 2023-24 Gadsden area high school season but a few will standout as the year has wrapped.
Every team set out to bring home state titles and to bring a Blue Map Trophy back to leave their legacy but only a few did. In Etowah County, Southside girls bowling and Westbrook Christian boys golf were the only two to win. Elsewhere in the area Fyffe football, Spring Garden volleyball and girls basketball and Plainview volleyball brought home trophies.
Here are seven moments that will be memorable for years to come:
Westbrook Christian baseball brothers achieve dream
One of the more recent moments on the list was watching Westbrook Christian baseball senior Cam Carden play in the state title game alongside younger brother Brady Carden. The duo dreamed of the moment and even in the series loss they were able to celebrate each other's success at the highest level of competition in a season their family will never forget.
CARDEN BROTHERS:Westbrook Christian baseball's Brady and Cam Carden achieve dream in state title series
Logan Anderson takes advantage of second chance
Even at a program such as Fyffe, there's never a guarantee that you'll get another chance of writing your legacy in the state title game. Logan Anderson missed out on the 2022 state title game due to a major knee injury but returned in time to lead the Red Devils to a 14-1 season. He capped it off with a record breaking performance, running for 257 yards and four touchdowns in the state title game.
ANDERSON DOMINATES STATE TITLE GAME:Logan Anderson etches name in Fyffe history books, inches closer to passing brother
Coosa Christian football battles through tough season as state runnerup
This one could be remembered many ways but Coosa Christian rallied together and didn't let the four game forfeit that they were hit with near the midway point of the season affect them. On the field they lost twice all season as they finished as the Class 1A runner ups. To make it more special, coach Mark O'Bryant got to coach his son, Clete, in the state title game, while his daughter cheered on the sideline.
OBRAYNT'S MOMENT:Coosa Christian football Mark and Clete O'Bryant cherish being together for state title run
Southside's Gauge Nesmith becomes vocal leader after injury, returns for track
In the second game of the season Southside senior quarterback Gauge Nesmith went down with a season ending knee injury. He played in one more game, being able to take a knee on senior night but in between he became a vocal leader who turned into an extra coach as the Panthers brought home the region crown. He would also return for track season.
MAKING AN IMPACT:Even after an early season injury, Southside's Gauge Nesmith has been impacting the Panthers
TRACK:How Southside's Gauge Nesmith returned to track after ACL injury during football season
Sardis baseball rally a community
Sardis baseball has been building something special over the last few years and it's been on the back of the 2024 senior class. It was evident during the quarterfinal series with the support that the community showed. Even if the Lions never achieved their ultimate goal.
Cherokee County football honors late peewee coach
While Cherokee County football coach Jacob Kelley was responsible for the coaching done on the Warriors run to back-to-back state title game appearances, the foundation of those teams were laid years ago. Derrick Wheeler, many of the seniors peewee coach passed away years ago, but this year during his son's Haden senior year the Warriors decided to dedicate the year to him. They wore patches on the helmet and while they came up short of their ultimate goal, they honored the legacy Wheeler started.
WARRIORS HONOR DW:Cherokee County football made run to title game to honor fallen teammate's dad from peewee days
Gaston, Southside basketball in Elite Eight on same day
Etowah County basketball has struggled in recent years, with no team making the Final Four since 2009 and it's been 2005 since a boys team made it. While neither the Gaston boys or Southside girls made it to the Final Four, watching the support the county brought during the regional will be something the athletes will probably never forget. Making it more special for Gaston, head coach Michael Merriman was coaching his son but also saw the impact his rebuild has had on his alma mater.
MERRIMAN'S REBUILD:What getting Gaston boys basketball back to the Elite Eight meant for coach Michael Merriman
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