James Clemens softball coach A.J. Daugherty, center, with seniors Abbey Payne, left, and Sarah Swager, right. (Record Photo/Nick Sellers)

By Nick Sellers | Staff Writer

HUNTSVILLE – With football now in the rearview mirror for high schools across Alabama and basketball nearing the postseason, the attention will soon be focused on spring sports – namely, baseball and softball.

Bob Jones and James Clemens baseball and softball teams came out to Huntsville First Baptist Church the afternoon of Jan. 25 for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) of North Alabama unity day. Before meeting with other teams from across the northern portion of the state, players and coaches met with the media to offer their takes on the upcoming season.

“This is year three for our program, so we should be much improved,” Jets head coach Shane Medlen said.

James Clemens will look to get in the postseason this year with, for the first time, a full senior class. The football team earned a trip to the postseason and the basketball team closed the Area schedule with a first-place seed in the Area tournament, benefiting from having full enrollment after the previous two classes were given choices on whether to stay enrolled at Bob Jones or go to James Clemens.

The varsity baseball team, which finished 19-20 last year and missed the playoffs, has seven seniors on the roster for 2015, including Tucker Clark and Taylor Borst, who were on hand at the FCA media day to represent the team. Jets quarterback Heath Burchfield will return to the diamond, as will fellow football player Immanuel Wilder.

After having just one senior on last year’s roster, the Jets softball team will also look to take advantage of the level ground against Area opponents Bob Jones, Sparkman and Hazel Green.

“I think we’ll be a really competitive team, a much more confident team,” James Clemens softball head coach A.J. Daugherty. “For the first time, an experienced team. For the first time, we’ll have some veterans.”

Across the state, practice started for baseball and softball on Jan. 26.