ACA NEWS: Eagles football tackles 7-on-7 camp; Hill named boys basketball coach

ACA receiver Jaden McGilrath fights through a defender in a recent 7-on-7 camp. (Tim Gayle)

By TIM GAYLE

Alabama Christian Academy took the field for the first of four 7-on-7 tournaments on Wednesday, but the Eagles didn’t finish the three-hour workout with the same energy they showed earlier in the morning.

“I thought we did really well early,” ACA coach Michael Summers said. “But we were out of shape. 

The Eagles had only been practicing for a week since returning from a spring jamboree on May 16 and the 7-on-7 workouts with Verbena, Isabella and St. James offered the Eagles an opportunity to work on the passing game on both sides of the ball. 

“Offensively, that’s not really who we are,” Summers said. “We did better in it this year than we’ve probably ever done. But it works your secondary. It’s a good way for you to learn coverages and we’re pretty green back there.”

Offensively, running backs AC Walters and David Ortiz-Ramirez lined up as slot receivers (which Walters will at times this fall), giving quarterback Christian Snipes an opportunity to work on timing with his receivers. Summers praised his junior quarterback for his efforts on Wednesday. 

“I thought he played well today,” Summers said. “I thought AC and David played well at receiver today. Defensively, especially early on, we did better than I thought we would. We just ran out of gas.

“But we want to be able to throw the ball more than we did last year. With (Snipes) being able to work through a progression (of reads), he did a much better job with that today than he ever did last year. But you’re doing it without anybody in your face.”

The Eagles gave up a long touchdown pass on the final play of the day against St. James, drawing an outburst from Summers after several starters had taken themselves out of the contest and a promise from the head coach before the team takes the field for its second 7-on-7 tournament on July 10.

“I made a promise to them that we’ll be in much better shape for the next one,” Summers said.  

Hill new boys basketball coach

Alabama Christian Academy officials announced on Tuesday that assistant coach Trace Hill will be the Eagles’ boys basketball coach in 2024-25, replacing Jake Mitchell.

Mitchell, who turned around the ACA program with an 18-8 record last season, took a similar position at Fayette County High, but not before he endorsed the hiring of Hill. 

“I could not be any happier for Trace or for the young men that get to play for him,” Mitchell said. “Trace has a heart for serving God and others. He will elevate the basketball program at ACA and ACA as a whole. Trace’s hire is a win for everyone.”

Hill becomes the fourth coach in as many years for ACA after a two-year stint for Steven Thomas in 2020-22 and a year each from Jim Sanderson and Mitchell. 

ACA head of school Josh Roberts noted the coaching search to replace Mitchell evaluated nearly 30 candidates, including coaches with experience on championship teams, current collegiate head coaches “and a variety of excellent coaches associated with winning programs and strong cultures.” The search included multiple rounds of interviews concluding with a select group of finalists being vetted at ACA by panels including academy leadership, faculty and coaches.  

“I was personally and significantly impressed with Trace’s dedication to learning, hunger to win and passion for changing lives,” Roberts said in a message to boosters announcing the hire. “He was an excellent JV coach for our team last year and everything he leads gets stronger. He knows how to compete tenaciously and win with honor. I cannot wait for us all to cheer on a Coach Hill team together for a long, long time.”

Hill has a master’s degree in education and will be joining the upper school faculty with an emphasis in sixth grade social studies. He was promoted to his current position as the basketball coach after working with Mitchell as the assistant head coach last year while also serving as the head coach of the junior varsity squad. 

Hill was a standout guard at Hartselle High before joining the Faulkner men’s basketball team in 2018-19. He played for the Eagles for five seasons, averaging 14.8 points per game his senior year in 2022-23.  

“You will not find a better Christian young man to represent a basketball program or a school like ACA,” said Faulkner coach Scott Sanderson. “He will be involved in the lives of athletes from the moment that he meets them.”