Hamilton 12U All-Stars place second in state tournament; bring home sportsmanship trophy

DOTHAN — The Hamilton 12U All-Stars finished second in their division at the Alabama Recreation and Park Association State Soccer Tournament in Dothan held Nov. 16-17. The team also won the ARPA Sportsmanship Trophy for the tournament.
This was the first year the team traveled to the state tournament, and just the third year for the team itself.
Rudy Llanas is the head coach and Scott Hunt is an assistant coach. During the Hamilton City Council’s Monday, Nov. 18, meeting, the team was recognized, with Hunt providing a few details from the tournament for the council and those in attendance.
Hamilton Mayor Bob Page began his comments by asking the team to bring their large trophy up front.
“That’s fantastic,” Page said. “That’s a big trophy representing sportsmanship, and we are so delighted to have our soccer team with us tonight.”
Hunt thanked the council for having the team present for the meeting. He also thanked Hamilton Park and Recreation Department Director Tim Kerr and Athletic Director Carrie King.
“They both have been of tremendous assistance to us all year long,” he said, noting Kerr had actually encouraged the team’s participation in the tournament even before the season started.
“We were the smallest city,” Hunt said. “In fact, every other city was at least double our size. We took 11 young men and one young lady. We were also the only co-ed team in our division.”
Hunt noted six of the All-Stars are age 10 and under, while everyone else they played was at least 11 or 12 years old. He explained they played the eventual state champion, Athens, in their first game.
“They’re really good, but our kids kept fighting and did not get discouraged,” he said. “And we came back and won another game in an exciting match against Andalusia.”
Hunt praised team captain Anthony Martinez for his leadership on and off the field, along with the older kids. He said Thiago Quinonez had the winning penalty kick in one of the tournament games and helped the team win.
“All the kids played amazingly well,” he said. “We asked them to do a lot they’d never done before--play positions they’d never played before.
“12U soccer at the state level is a completely different game than at our park and rec. We had to play on much larger fields, with smaller goals and different rules.”
Hunt noted soccer is a very well-conditioned sport, stating the team consists of tremendous athletes.
Page remarked, “Parents, congratulations to all of you who have raised these fine children. We’re thrilled to see them accomplish what they’ve done at such a young age. Their future is just ahead of them.”
Speaking to the team, the mayor said he looks forward to seeing them all again at a future council meeting.
Kerr noted later, “We’re very proud of them. They represented Hamilton really well.”
The parks and rec director said the Hamilton 12U All-Stars record was 20-2. Regarding the sportsmanship trophy, Kerr said he wasn’t surprised.
“With the coaches we had and the team we had, that’s what I expected,” he said. “I wasn’t surprised by it. I knew they’d represent us well.”
Kerr said the youth on the soccer team also seemed to be very proud of winning the large trophy.
Regarding the tournament, he said Hamilton’s team played the eventual winner “as close as anybody did.”
“The officials were impressed with the coaches, the players and the parents,” Kerr said.
Park and Rec Athletic Director Carrie King also commented on the team and its accomplishments.
“What’s impressive about this group is half played on one team during regular season and half played on another team,” she noted.
“They played games against each other a few times, but never together. They practiced for a few weeks outside of their regular season team practice just to prepare for this tournament.
“Their communication on the field with one another during the state tournament was very good, too. This group will be a group of kids to look out for in the future. They encourage and support each other on the field to be so successful. I’m excited for next soccer season already.”