Pair of Valdese teams claim Foothills youth diamond titles
The Valdese 10U Gold youth baseball team won the Foothills Athletic Association postseason tournament title on June 4 at Shuey Park in Morganton.
Both the Valdese 10U Gold youth baseball team and Valdese 8U Teal youth softball team won 2026 Foothills Athletic Association postseason tournament titles.
The 10U Gold squad followed up its regular-season title by capping an undefeated season on June 4 at Shuey Park in Morganton as Kamdyn Ward pitched a perfect game in the championship contest.
Other Valdese title team members were Wyatt Caudill, Parker Craven, Nash Greene, Everett Jenkins, Xander Mayfield, Brayden McCloud, Cathan Preston, and Emmett Sheeran, and the team was coached by Jonathan Craven, Will Ward, Dalton McCloud, and Jordan Greene
The Valdese 8U Teal youth softball team won the Foothills Athletic Association postseason tournament title on June 2 at Baird Park in Hudson.
The 8U Teal team won its FAA tournament title on June 2 at Baird Park in Hudson, finishing with an overall record of 8-3 for the season.
The team consisted of players Lydia Angi, Mila DiPace, Lucy Doyle, Cassidy Helms, Isabella Mascroft, Ansleigh Mize, Paisley Moore, Taylyn Reed, Caroline Stewart, and Journee Ward. The team was coached by Jonathan Carter, Robert Mize, and Jeremy Stewart.
The Hildebran 8U baseball all-stars were runner-up in the Tarheel League District 1 tournament on Wednesday at Kiwanis Park in Hickory, clinching a state tournament spot in Williamston later this month.
Hildebran 8U baseball earns state berth
The Hildebran 8U baseball all-stars on Wednesday night wrapped up a second-place finish in the double-elimination Tarheel League District 1 tournament at Kiwanis Park in Hickory, granting the team an automatic berth to the state tournament in Williamston from July 23-26.
Hildebran players include Boone Huffman, Easton Hildebran, Leagan Hudson, Korbin Robinson, Sawyer Lowman, Roman Capps, Braxton Stamey, Eli Causby, Waylon Langley, Colton Duckworth, Braxton White, and Landon Williams. The team is coached by Blake Hudson, Ryan Stamey, Jared Huffman, and Ethan Hildebran.
The Hildebran 10U softball all-stars were runner-up in the Tarheel League District 1 tournament on Wednesday at Shelby City Park.
The Hildebran 10U all-star softball squad also finished second place in the District 1 tournament, which wrapped up Wednesday at Shelby City Park. Hildebran topped the Burke County all-stars by a 2-0 margin Monday to open the event.
The Hildebran roster included players Adaline Haynes, Aspen Hunt, Brinley Mason, Emma Watson, Faith McGinnis, Hayslee Milligan, Kayslee Poteat, Kynzley Rector, Lyza Helms, McKinley Benjamin, and Payton Hodges.
