Even though the Sand Rock Wildcats fell short in their bid to win the Class 2A state basketball championship last Tuesday, their run to the Final Four was still an impressive feat.

To honor their memorable season, The Herald will pay tribute to the team with a four-page special section in next week’s edition.

If you would like to purchase an advertisement, please call 927-5037.

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Three Cherokee County athletes have been selected as Bryant-Jordan Achievement Scholarship regional winners.

Spring Garden’s Zack Porter, Sand Rock’s Justin Mackey and Cherokee County’s Samuel Parker will be among 96 student-athletes to be honored for their achievements at a banquet on April 13 at 6:30 p.m. at the Sheraton Hotel in Birmingham. Twelve class winners and two overall state winners will be announced at the banquet.

The Bryant-Jordan Student-Athlete Program was created in 1986 by the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame in conjunction with the Alabama High School Athletic Association. It is supervised by the directors of the Bryant-Jordan Foundation.

The program has several objectives. It is designed to recognize and honor Alabama students who have, by ability and effort, achieved a level of excellence in the areas of academics and athletics.

The program is also designed to make aware to all segments of the student population that it is both important and rewarding for them to strive to be the best that they can be. The program also encourages and promotes the involvement and commitment of Alabama corporations and individuals in helping improve the academic levels of all students.

Ninety-six scholarships are awarded annually to deserving high school seniors from schools that are members of the Alabama High School Athletic Association. The program has grown from an $8,000 award program to $600,000.

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The Cherokee County tennis teams opened the 2009 season with a victory over Ramsay in Birmingham last Tuesday. The Warrior boys won 8-1 while the Lady Warriors claimed a 9-0 victory.

Scott Bates, Colin Perry, Zach Bishop, Granger Surrett, Chase Gossett and Matt Carter all claimed wins in singles play. The duos of Bates-D.J. Morgan, Perry-Surrett and Gossett-Bishop earned wins in doubles action.

In girls singles, Haley Highfield and Kellie Bates claimed wins in their respective matches. The duo of Amanda James and Jessica McCord earned the win in doubles action.

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Applications are now being evaluated for the Ten Star All-Star Summer Basketball Camp. The camp is by invitation only for boys and girls ages 10-19. There is also a summer camp for boys and girls ages 9-18.

Past participants include Michael Jordan, Tim Duncan, Vince Carter, Jerry Stackhouse, Grant Hill and Antawn Jamison. College basketball scholarships are possible for players selected to the All-American team.

Camp locations in the Southeast include Gainesville, Ga., Babson Park, Fla., Lebanon, Tenn., Commerce, Texas and Blacksburg, Va.

For a brochure, please call (704) 373-0873 or visit the website at www.tenstarcamp.com.