By Erik Harris, sports editor
PINSON – Pinson Valley senior William Tarpley, a two-sport athlete for the Tribe, was recognized at a signing ceremony on Tuesday morning at PVHS.
The left-handed pitcher is headed to Snead State Community College following his senior year under first-year head baseball coach John Glueshick, who spoke at the ceremony along with Mayor Joe Cochran, Athletics Director Sam Shade and multiple Pinson Valley baseball teammates.
“I have been involved with Pinson athletics for about 15 years in different fascist from softball, baseball, football, basketball, just trying to help these young people have the avenues they need to succeed… Will is a great example of that success,” said Cochran. “It has nothing to do with me, it has to do with his work ethic. Will is a great kid.”
Baseball will be his sport at the next level, but Tarpley has proven to be a valuable asset for the third-ranked Pinson Valley football team, which recently claimed a Class 6A, Region 6 championship and will travel to Shades Valley in the second round of the playoffs this Friday night. Shade, currently serving his first season as the school’s head football coach, says Tarpley is a college-level long snapper.
“I tried to get him on as a quarterback but in that process, Will became our long snapper on punts, short snapper on field goals, he can punt, he can kick, he can do a lot of things — very versatile athlete,” said Shade.
Glueshick, who is also new to the school and still getting to know Tarpley, says the lefty has asserted himself as a leader leading up to the 2021 baseball season.
“That’s the ultimate for a coach is to see one of his players go on and continue to play the game and get a free education while doing so, and I attribute that to his work ethic and his parents,” said Glueshick.
