Special to The Tribune
ST. CLAIR COUNTY — The 18th annual St. Clair County Sports Hall of Fame banquet will be held Saturday, May 14, 2022, at 6 p.m. at the Moody Civic Center. There are six new inductees in this year’s class.
The Class of 2022 includes Mike Bolton, Andy Eden, Rachel Countryman Ford, Hobart McLendon, Matthew Sanders, and Leon Taylor.
Hall of Fame President Gary Hanner said this year’s class of inductees is very deserving.
“They were leaders in the classroom, outstanding athletes, established citizens of the communities where they live, and excellent role models that we can all look up to,” Hanner said. “I am thrilled to welcome these six individuals into the SCCSHOF family.”
Mike Bolton
Mike Bolton graduated from Hewitt-Trussville High School in 1974 and graduated from the University of Alabama in 1980.
For the past 38 years, Bolton has been a sportswriter for the Birmingham News.
He is an eight-time Associated Press Sweepstakes Award winner for the Top Alabama Sports Story of the Year; and a two-time Herby Kirby Award winner for the Top Alabama Sports Story of the Year.
He has had an Outdoor column in the Sunday edition of the Birmingham News for almost four decades. He and his dad, legendary writer and columnist Clyde Bolton, were recently voted as members of the Top 50 legends of Alabama sportswriters.
Andy Eden
Andy Eden graduated from Pell City High School in 1985. He graduated from Auburn University in 1989 with a Business Administration in Finance and then graduated from JSU in 2001 with a teacher certification.
After nine years in the banking business, Eden’s teaching and coaching career started in 1997 at St. Clair County High School in Odenville. Then, in 2001, Eden made the move to Ragland High School, where he still is today.
As varsity boys basketball coach, Eden has led teams to seven area titles, 12 sub-regional appearances, five regional appearances, three regional finals, one regional championship, one Final Four appearance in 2013, and one St. Clair County championship. He was named St. Clair County Coach of the Year in 2013.
Rachel Countryman Ford
Rachel Countryman Ford graduated from Ashville High School in 2000. For three years, she excelled in volleyball, basketball, and softball, winning All-County honors, All-State honors, and various MVP honors.
During her senior year, she was also the Scholar-Athlete Army Reserve recipient, the Jim Nunnally Award winner, the Area Bryant-Jordan Scholar-Athlete winner, and earned a softball scholarship to JSU.
During her senior year at JSU, she set single-season records in home runs (22), RBIs (66), and runs scored (63).
She graduated Magna Cum Laude from JSU in 2005.
After graduating, she signed a professional softball contract to play with the PFX Tour, something she did for three years.
In 2009, Ford became the softball coach at White Plains High School and had led them to area and regional championships and several state tournament appearances.
Hobart McLendon
Hobart McLendon graduated from Ashville High School in 1984, where he played baseball, basketball, and football. He made All-County two years playing basketball.
While at Ashville High, McLendon was Student Council President, Mr. Ashville High School, Boy’s State recipient, Who’s Who Among American High School, and won the DAR Good Citizenship Award.
He attended Alice Lloyd College from 1984 to 85, where he played basketball and was a member of the Student Government Association.
He is an officer for the Boosters of Ashville and a founding member of The Ashville Spirit Club. He is currently vice-president at CrossMark Home Services.
Matthew Sanders
Matthew Sanders graduated from Ashville High School in 2000, where he was an All-State player during his junior and senior seasons in baseball and football. He led the state in punting his junior year with a 47.6 yards per punt and again his senior year with a 45.4 yards per punt.
During his senior season, he won the Bryant-Jordan Achievement Award and the Jim Nunnally Award.
He played football for the University of Alabama in 2000 and dressed every game.
He transferred to Wallace State, where he was a pitcher on the team that won the AJCC state championship and played in the JUCO World Series in Colorado.
Leon Taylor
Leon Taylor graduated from Springville High School in 1981, where he played football and basketball. He was named All-County in football for three seasons, but basketball was where he excelled.
In 1980, he was named All-County, All-Area, and All-State as he led the Tiger basketball team to the state title game.
In 1981, Taylor was named Honorable Mention to the McDonald’s All-American Team and named Team MVP as he averages 18 points and 12 rebounds per game. In addition, he was the Fans MVP and had the most rebounds, steals, and blocked shots.
Taylor played basketball for Wallace State in 1981, averaging 14 points and nine rebounds per game.
From 1984 to 86, Taylor played at Bethel University, averaging 15 points and 10 rebounds per game. He was named team captain and was named MVP of the Northern Kentucky Tournament.
In 2010, Taylor coached the Hayes High School girls’ basketball team. He coached the AAU Birmingham Raptor basketball team for the next two years.
Tickets to the banquet are $15 each, including a meal. To purchase tickets, call Gary Hanner at 205-368-1995, Neal Elders at 205-281-3365, or Brenda Riddle at 205-616-9830. Visit the Hall of Fame website at www.sccshof.com.