High school sports needs a review on its own, too, especially since so many student-athletes find success at the highest levels throughout their career.

In transparency here, our sports editor, Cole McNanna, is home hanging out with his newly welcomed first child. And he's the king of sports coverage in Baldwin County (subjectively dubbed). Here are five top storylines from the Baldwin County sports world from 2024. P.S. – I'm stealing his words here. For complete sports coverage, go to www.gulfcoastmedia.com/sports and follow on social media.

ORANGE BEACH SOFTBALL

For the fourth time in as many seasons, the Orange Beach Makos were crowned AHSAA State Softball Champions with a 2-1 win over the Brooks Lions in the Class 4A finals. With two titles its first two seasons on the Class 2A stage (2021 and 2022), Orange Beach has now gone back-to-back in Class 4A with Blue Map trophies in 2023 and 2024. The Makos finished the season on a 13-game win streak to earn an overall record of 46-1.

Now only one spot behind Pisgah (2001-05) for the Alabama High School Athletic Association record for most consecutive state championships, Orange Beach moves into a tie with Springville (2015-18) and Hatton (2010-13) for second place. And with only three seniors out of 19 roster spots, the Makos could be primed to attack that record.

GULF SHORES' BURKETT FIGHTS CANCER IN OFFSEASON

Gulf Shores offensive lineman Tyler Burkett returned to the practice field this fall after undergoing cancer treatment. Not long after the Dolphins were crowned Class 5A state champions on Dec. 7, 2023, Burkett got word that a biopsy from a bump in his neck was positive for Hodgkin's Lymphoma. After starting treatment in February, he returned to the locker room to begin preparations for his senior season.

He said it was football that helped make chemotherapy more manageable and that making it back to practice was his biggest goal.

"I would just sit there and watch the state championship game like every day," Burkett said. "Because they said, 'We don't know if you'll ever play again,' and I was like I can't do that. I'd rather just do chemo when I'm done with high school and try to push it off. … That's how much I love football."

But with the support of his friends and family, he underwent treatment and had his chemo port removed in August. He has been welcomed back with open arms, including a surprise party thrown by his teammates.

SPANISH FORT VOLLEYBALL

For the first time in Alabama High School Athletic Association history, a new state championship trophy was awarded when the Spanish Fort Toros swept Pelham in the Class 6A volleyball finals. Instead of the all-wooden trophies in the shape of Alabama that have traditionally been presented to state champions, the center of this trophy was clear plexiglass. With "Blue Maps" awarded to the state champions and "Red Maps" taken home by state runners-up, Spanish Fort became the first school to earn a "Clear Map."

The win marked Spanish Fort's first state title since going back-to-back in 2018 and 2019. With another Blue Map trophy from 2015, as well as Red Map trophies as state runners-up in 2016 and 2022, Hall of Fame head coach Gretchen Boykin has helped add to the Toros' trophy room since taking the helm in 2014.

ST. MICHAEL'S HISTORIC PLAYOFF RUN

The St. Michael Cardinals' longest season ever ended it's a fourth-round appearance against No. 1 Jackson in the Class 4A state semifinals. Program records were rewritten in 2024 as St. Michael used a team-best seven-game win streak to reach the state semifinals for the first time following the squad's first three postseason victories.

The Cardinals scored at least 20 points in all but one game this year to help set a single-season scoring record at 538 total points. With seven efforts of at least 40 points, including a single-game record at 63 points, St. Michael improved to 23-0 all-time when scoring 40 or more points.

Ranked in the last 11-consecutive state polls, the Cardinals climbed to their highest ranking in the final edition at No. 5 in Class 4A with 111 total poll points.

FAIRHOPE'S RILEY LEONARD SHINES AT NOTRE DAME

Former Fairhope High School standout Riley Leonard continues to succeed in the national spotlight as he led Notre Dame to its first-ever College Football Playoff win with a victory over Indiana last week in the first year of the highly anticipated 12-team bracket.

Leonard threw for 1,870 yards and 20 touchdowns during his senior year as a Pirate while also rushing for nearly 500 yards. After graduating, he began his college career at Duke, where in his sophomore season he led the Blue Devils to an 8-4 record and a Military Bowl victory over UCF, earning MVP honors.

For his senior season, Leonard transferred to Notre Dame. Against Indiana, he completed 23 of 32 passes for 201 yards, two total touchdowns and one interception in the Irish's 27-17 win. Leonard also set a school record for single season rushing touchdowns by a quarterback, scoring his 15th touchdown of the season in Friday's victory.