Three Dallas County Schools were recognized by the Alabama High School Activities Association for Sportsmanship School Recognition.

Keith High, Dallas County High and Southside High were the local schools from a list of 99 statewide that went through the entire 2018-19 school year with an ejection in any sport and had no more than one non-sportsmanship related fine.

Keith was also among nine statewide schools recognized for not getting an ejection for seven years.  Keith basketball coach and Athletic Director Clifton Reeves said it’s a testament to the Bears’ coaching staff.

“It’s a great honor to win the sportsmanship award because being a sportsman is something that we, as the coaching staff stress to all of our student athletes,” Reeves said.

“I’m very grateful and appreciate the hard work our staff put into the program and it finally paid off,” Southside basketball Lenard Jones said. “All credit goes to the parents who support our program. We have a great community fan base.”

The schools will be honored at the 12th annual AHSAA Sports luncheon at noon on July 19 at the Montgomery Renaissance Hotel and Convention Center.

“We are extremely pleased to recognize 99 high schools for this noted accomplishment,” AHSAA Executive Director Steve Savarese said in a release. “Our total fines were down 4.1% in 2018-19 over the previous year. We thank our schools for their commitment to teaching good sportsmanship and upholding the regulations and by-laws created by our member schools.”