Class 5A softball: Lawrence County tops Houston Academy for first title

2 weeks ago 10

Lawrence County players rush coach Josh Graham as he holds up the championship trophy following their victory over Houston Academy during the AHSAA Class 5A state softball state championship game at Choccolocco Park in Oxford, Ala., Wednesday, May 20, 2026. (Will McLelland | preps@al.com)

Lawrence County players react to their win over Houston Academy during the AHSAA Class 5A state softball state championship game at Choccolocco Park in Oxford, Ala., Wednesday, May 20, 2026. (Will McLelland | preps@al.com)

Lawrence County players react to their win over Houston Academy during the AHSAA Class 5A state softball state championship game at Choccolocco Park in Oxford, Ala., Wednesday, May 20, 2026. (Will McLelland | preps@al.com)

Lawrence County players and coaches pose for a photo after their win over Houston Academy during the AHSAA Class 5A state softball state championship game at Choccolocco Park in Oxford, Ala., Wednesday, May 20, 2026. (Will McLelland | preps@al.com)

Lawrence County fans react to their team securing a victory over Houston Academy during the AHSAA Class 5A state softball state championship game at Choccolocco Park in Oxford, Ala., Wednesday, May 20, 2026. (Will McLelland | preps@al.com)

Lawrence County fans react to their team nearly securing a victory over Houston Academy during the AHSAA Class 5A state softball state championship game at Choccolocco Park in Oxford, Ala., Wednesday, May 20, 2026. (Will McLelland | preps@al.com)

Houston Academy's Paige Welch dives for third base against Lawrence County's Lara Anne Norwood during the AHSAA Class 5A state softball state championship game at Choccolocco Park in Oxford, Ala., Wednesday, May 20, 2026. (Will McLelland | preps@al.com)

Houston Academy players cheer on their team after successful runs against Lawrence County during the AHSAA Class 5A state softball state championship game at Choccolocco Park in Oxford, Ala., Wednesday, May 20, 2026. (Will McLelland | preps@al.com)

Houston Academy coach Sharon Cherry directs her team against Lawrence County during the AHSAA Class 5A state softball state championship game at Choccolocco Park in Oxford, Ala., Wednesday, May 20, 2026. (Will McLelland | preps@al.com)

Houston Academy players cheer on their team against Lawrence County during the AHSAA Class 5A state softball state championship game at Choccolocco Park in Oxford, Ala., Wednesday, May 20, 2026. (Will McLelland | preps@al.com)

Houston Academy's Emily Maddox runs for first base against Lawrence County during the AHSAA Class 5A state softball state championship game at Choccolocco Park in Oxford, Ala., Wednesday, May 20, 2026. (Will McLelland | preps@al.com)

Lawrence County fans watch as they take on Houston Academy during the AHSAA Class 5A state softball state championship game at Choccolocco Park in Oxford, Ala., Wednesday, May 20, 2026. (Will McLelland | preps@al.com)

Houston Academy's Aniya Collins pitches against Lawrence County during the AHSAA Class 5A state softball state championship game at Choccolocco Park in Oxford, Ala., Wednesday, May 20, 2026. (Will McLelland | preps@al.com)

Lawrence County's Alivia Templeton runs for first base against Houston Academy during the AHSAA Class 5A state softball state championship game at Choccolocco Park in Oxford, Ala., Wednesday, May 20, 2026. (Will McLelland | preps@al.com)

Lawrence County's Bella Cross runs for first base against Houston Academy during the AHSAA Class 5A state softball state championship game at Choccolocco Park in Oxford, Ala., Wednesday, May 20, 2026. (Will McLelland | preps@al.com)

Houston Academy coach Sharon Cherry directs her team against Lawrence County during the AHSAA Class 5A state softball state championship game at Choccolocco Park in Oxford, Ala., Wednesday, May 20, 2026. (Will McLelland | preps@al.com)

Lawrence County's McKinley McCaghren pitches against Houston Academy during the AHSAA Class 5A state softball state championship game at Choccolocco Park in Oxford, Ala., Wednesday, May 20, 2026. (Will McLelland | preps@al.com)

Houston Academy's Blakely Smith throws against Lawrence County during the AHSAA Class 5A state softball state championship game at Choccolocco Park in Oxford, Ala., Wednesday, May 20, 2026. (Will McLelland | preps@al.com)

Lawrence County's Maddie Graham swings against Houston Academy during the AHSAA Class 5A state softball state championship game at Choccolocco Park in Oxford, Ala., Wednesday, May 20, 2026. (Will McLelland | preps@al.com)

Lawrence County's Alivia Terry runs for first base against Houston Academy during the AHSAA Class 5A state softball state championship game at Choccolocco Park in Oxford, Ala., Wednesday, May 20, 2026. (Will McLelland | preps@al.com)

Houston Academy's Emily Maddox rounds third base against Lawrence County's Lara Anne Norwood during the AHSAA Class 5A state softball state championship game at Choccolocco Park in Oxford, Ala., Wednesday, May 20, 2026. (Will McLelland | preps@al.com)

Houston Academy coach Sharon Cherry directs her team against Lawrence County during the AHSAA Class 5A state softball state championship game at Choccolocco Park in Oxford, Ala., Wednesday, May 20, 2026. (Will McLelland | preps@al.com)

Lawrence County coach Josh Graham seen during the AHSAA Class 5A state softball state championship game at Choccolocco Park in Oxford, Ala., Wednesday, May 20, 2026. (Will McLelland | preps@al.com)

Lawrence County coach Josh Graham directs hist team against Houston Academy during the AHSAA Class 5A state softball state championship game at Choccolocco Park in Oxford, Ala., Wednesday, May 20, 2026. (Will McLelland | preps@al.com)

Houston Academy's Paige Welch falls to the ground as Lawrence County's Brileigh Strange loses the ball during the AHSAA Class 5A state softball state championship game at Choccolocco Park in Oxford, Ala., Wednesday, May 20, 2026. (Will McLelland | preps@al.com)

Houston Academy's Aniya Collins swings against Lawrence County during the AHSAA Class 5A state softball state championship game at Choccolocco Park in Oxford, Ala., Wednesday, May 20, 2026. (Will McLelland | preps@al.com)

Houston Academy's Aniya Collins pitches against Lawrence County during the AHSAA Class 5A state softball state championship game at Choccolocco Park in Oxford, Ala., Wednesday, May 20, 2026. (Will McLelland | preps@al.com)

Houston Academy's Aniya Collins pitches against Lawrence County during the AHSAA Class 5A state softball state championship game at Choccolocco Park in Oxford, Ala., Wednesday, May 20, 2026. (Will McLelland | preps@al.com)

Houston Academy's Blakely Smith swings against Lawrence County during the AHSAA Class 5A state softball state championship game at Choccolocco Park in Oxford, Ala., Wednesday, May 20, 2026. (Will McLelland | preps@al.com)

Houston Academy's Aniya Collins pitches against Lawrence County during the AHSAA Class 5A state softball state championship game at Choccolocco Park in Oxford, Ala., Wednesday, May 20, 2026. (Will McLelland | preps@al.com)

Houston Academy players react to their loss against Lawrence County during the AHSAA Class 5A state softball state championship game at Choccolocco Park in Oxford, Ala., Wednesday, May 20, 2026. (Will McLelland | preps@al.com)

Lawrence County's Ellie Stark runs for third base against Houston Academy during the AHSAA Class 5A state softball state championship game at Choccolocco Park in Oxford, Ala., Wednesday, May 20, 2026. (Will McLelland | preps@al.com)

Lawrence County's Ava Templeton scores a run against Houston Academy during the AHSAA Class 5A state softball state championship game at Choccolocco Park in Oxford, Ala., Wednesday, May 20, 2026. (Will McLelland | preps@al.com)

Lawrence County's Bella Cross swings against Houston Academy during the AHSAA Class 5A state softball state championship game at Choccolocco Park in Oxford, Ala., Wednesday, May 20, 2026. (Will McLelland | preps@al.com)

Houston Academy's Paige Welch pitches against Lawrence County during the AHSAA Class 5A state softball state championship game at Choccolocco Park in Oxford, Ala., Wednesday, May 20, 2026. (Will McLelland | preps@al.com)

Lawrence County's Aaliyah Mitchell dives for home plate against Houston Academy's Paige Welch during the AHSAA Class 5A state softball state championship game at Choccolocco Park in Oxford, Ala., Wednesday, May 20, 2026. (Will McLelland | preps@al.com)

Houston Academy's Paige Welch catches against Lawrence County's Maddie Graham during the AHSAA Class 5A state softball state championship game at Choccolocco Park in Oxford, Ala., Wednesday, May 20, 2026. (Will McLelland | preps@al.com)

Houston Academy's Abby Smith runs for home plate against Lawrence County during the AHSAA Class 5A state softball state championship game at Choccolocco Park in Oxford, Ala., Wednesday, May 20, 2026. (Will McLelland | preps@al.com)

Lawrence County's Ellie Stark scores a run against Houston Academy during the AHSAA Class 5A state softball state championship game at Choccolocco Park in Oxford, Ala., Wednesday, May 20, 2026. (Will McLelland | preps@al.com)

Lawrence County fans cheer on their team against Houston Academy during the AHSAA Class 5A state softball state championship game at Choccolocco Park in Oxford, Ala., Wednesday, May 20, 2026. (Will McLelland | preps@al.com)

Fans watch as Lawrence County takes on Houston Academy during the AHSAA Class 5A state softball state championship game at Choccolocco Park in Oxford, Ala., Wednesday, May 20, 2026. (Will McLelland | preps@al.com)

Houston Academy's Aniston Harrison scores a run against Lawrence County during the AHSAA Class 5A state softball state championship game at Choccolocco Park in Oxford, Ala., Wednesday, May 20, 2026. (Will McLelland | preps@al.com)

Houston Academy's Emily Adams pitches against Lawrence County during the AHSAA Class 5A state softball state championship game at Choccolocco Park in Oxford, Ala., Wednesday, May 20, 2026. (Will McLelland | preps@al.com)

Houston Academy's Paige Welch pitches against Lawrence County during the AHSAA Class 5A state softball state championship game at Choccolocco Park in Oxford, Ala., Wednesday, May 20, 2026. (Will McLelland | preps@al.com)

Lawrence County's Alivia Templeton runs for home plate against Houston Academy during the AHSAA Class 5A state softball state championship game at Choccolocco Park in Oxford, Ala., Wednesday, May 20, 2026. (Will McLelland | preps@al.com)

Houston Academy's Shaylee Greathouse reacts to a positive play against Lawrence County during the AHSAA Class 5A state softball state championship game at Choccolocco Park in Oxford, Ala., Wednesday, May 20, 2026. (Will McLelland | preps@al.com)

Houston Academy players react to their loss against Lawrence County during the AHSAA Class 5A state softball state championship game at Choccolocco Park in Oxford, Ala., Wednesday, May 20, 2026. (Will McLelland | preps@al.com)

Lawrence County coach Josh Graham didn’t have to tell his team what to do during a lightning delay of more than 2 hours in the Class 5A softball championship.

Read Entire Article