Caleb Suggs

Hartselle Enquirer

Hartselle boys basketball coach Faron Key was awarded the first ever Hartselle Enquirer Coach of the Year award this past week. The award was designed to go to the coach in Morgan County that demonstrated extreme success. Dewayne Peebles of Hartselle sporting goods donated the trophy.

Key entered his third season as head coach of the Tigers this year after taking over the program in 2014. When Key took over, the program was in a state of turmoil, as it hadn’t had a winning season in six years. After a rough start to the season, in which the Tigers dropped several heartbreakers to good teams including the defending state champions, the Tigers were at a 7-8 record just 10 days into the New Year. However, Hartselle hit a hot streak after that as they won 11 games in a row. During that stretch Hartselle defeated teams such as Columbia (twice), Cullman and Florence, as well as winning their first County title since 2008 and advancing to their first area finals since 2011. Hartselle’s season ended in heartbreaking fashion as they lost 51-50 to Muscle Shoals with the game winning shot bouncing out of the hoop as the final seconds ticked off. Still, in Key’s third year the Tigers were able to secure their first winning season since 2008, first County Championship since 2008, first trip to the area finals since 2011 and first trip to the sub regionals since 2011. The biggest difference was the culture change that Key brought. Hartselle was able to hold its own against some of the best teams in the state of Alabama and by the end of the season, the fan base had embraced the change as chants of “We’re a basketball school” filled the stands. Key was thrilled to receive the award but promise this is just the beginning of things to come. “I have to give thanks to my team for this award. I wouldn’t have gotten it without him.” Key said. “We’ve got a lot of work to do to get to a Final Four.”

Other finalists for the award were Brewer girl’s basketball coach Ron Smith, Danville softball coach Lori Bailey and West Morgan football coach John Ritter. In his second season, Smith guided the Lady Patriots to a 26-7 record with an area championship and a trip to the regionals at Jacksonville State, even after losing his star player late in the year.

Lori Bailey guided the Danville softball team to a 30-16 record his her first year. The Hawks also finished third in the county tournament, upset West Limestone to win the area championship and advanced to the regional tournament.

John Ritter helped the West Morgan football team achieve their first winning season and first trip to the playoffs since 2008. Ritter finished 7-4 in his second season after going 0-10 in his first season.