The top sports story in 2009 is the exceptional play of Alabama linebacker Nico Johnson, who is a 2009 Andalusia High School graduate.

Johnson played in nine games in his freshman season at the University of Alabama. He has recorded 27 total tackles — 16 unassisted and 11 assisted. He made two tackles during the Southeastern Conference championship game where No. 1 Alabama defeated then-No. 2 Florida, 32-13.

2. SHS GETS TO 3RD ROUND — Straughn’s Tigers football program advanced to the Class 3A quarterfinal round in 2009. The Tigers lost to Cordova, 13-7.

3. AHS MAKES FINAL 4 — Andalusia’s boys and girls basketball teams made it to the semifinal round at the Final 4 in Birmingham. Both teams lost to Anniston. The boys fell, 79-68 and the girls lost, 60-41.

4. SHS 2ND IN SOFTBALL — Straughn’s girls softball team finished as runner-up at the Class 3A state tournament in May. The Lady Tigers ended their season with a 36-10 record and fell to West Morgan, 2-0.

5. OHS GETS TO 2ND ROUND — The Opp Bobcats advanced to the second round of the Class 4A state playoffs in football. It was quite a turnaround for a program that was 1-9 just three years ago.

6. LBWCC GOES TO WORLD SERIES — The Lurleen B. Wallace Community College Saints baseball team advanced to the Junior College World Series, and was ranked as high as No. 2 during the regular season.

7. AHS GETS TO 1ST ROUND — The Andalusia Bulldogs finished their season in the first round of the Class 4A state playoffs in football. The Bulldogs lost to rival Opp, 21-16.

8. AHS MAKES ELITE 8 — Andalusia’s volleyball team lost to Guntersville 3-0 at the Class 4A Elite Eight volleyball tournament.

9. PHS 3RD IN SOFTBALL — The Pleasant Home Lady Eagles softball team finished in third place at the Class 1A state tournament. They lost to Speake, 9-2, in the finals of the losers’ bracket.

10. AHS GETS TO REGIONALS — The Lady Bulldogs finished a successful season at the South Regional tournament in Gulf Shores in May. They ended their season with a 18-18 record.