# Buckhorn High School

Buckhorn High School is a public high school in New Market, Alabama, United States. Buckhorn received the Alabama Department of Education’s National Blue Ribbon in 2001.
Buckhorn is located at the site of the American Civil War Skirmish of Buckhorn Tavern, fought on October 12, 1863, between General Phillip D. Roddey's Alabama Cavalry Brigade and a Union cavalry brigade commanded by General Robert Mitchell.

## History

By tradition, the tavern took its name "Buckhorn" in 1858 when William L. Fanning killed a buck near the site and presented its antlers to the innkeeper. The antlers are now displayed at Buckhorn High School. The Madison County Board of Education bought land on November 19, 1956, from Annie Bruce Walker Short to construct a school.
On August 29, 1958, as a result of the consolidation of New Market and Riverton High School, Buckhorn High School opened with approximately 200 students. William Loyd Fanning presented the original horns to Buckhorn High School on December 12, 1958.
To accommodate the rapid growth of New Market and the school, additions have been made over a span of 20 years, including a new library/media center, 2 gymnasiums, the football stadium, a technology wing, new science classrooms and labs, a new dining hall, a music wing, and the front atrium.
The school was damaged on March 2, 2012, during the tornado outbreak of March 2–3, 2012. The tornado struck the school building, damaging the science wing and a portion of the roof, then destroyed the press box at the soccer field and damaged the JROTC building. There were no reported injuries to staff or students.
Buckhorn hosts a notable athletics rivalry with fellow Madison County school Hazel Green High School. This fierce rivalry has been dubbed the “Cotton Classic” due to the significance of agriculture in the community. A trophy was made to be handed out to the winner of each football game between the two schools. As of the 2024 season, Buckhorn leads the overall series 39-23-1, with the most recent game ending with Buckhorn winning 29-7.

## Extracurricular activities

Buckhorn High School offers a variety of extracurriculars, including a Performing Arts program with the Bands, Drama, and Choir, and sports with Dance, Cheerleading, Football, Basketball, Baseball, Wrestling, Swimming, Golf, Tennis, Bowling, Softball, Fishing, JROTC, Soccer, Archery, Cross Country, indoor and outdoor Track & Field, Women's Volleyball, and Winter Guard.

### Bands

The Buckhorn High School Marching Band has instilled a tradition of success, winning various awards and competitions, including Grand Champion Band at the inaugural Rocket City Marching Invitational in 2023. The Buckhorn Band Organization is the school's largest organization and comprises the Marching Band, Symphonic Band, Wind Ensemble, Jazz Band, Indoor Percussion Ensemble, and Winter Guards.

### Basketball

The Buckhorn Boys' Basketball team has recently won consecutive 6A state championships in 2023 and 2024, both against Mountain Brook High School; their first state titles since 1995. Bucks Basketball State Championships: (1960, 1991, 1995, 2023, 2024)
Lady Bucks Basketball State Championships: (1988, 1994, 2000)

### Cheerleading

The Buckhorn cheerleading team continues to display greatness on a state and national level, having recently won the 2019, 20, 21, 22, and 23 6A State Championships, the 2020, 21, 22, and 23 JV State Championships, and 2021 and 2024 Game Day National Championships.

### Softball

Lady Bucks Softball State Championships: (2004, 2017, 2019)

### Bowling

Buckhorn Bowling State Championships: (2018)

## Notable alumni

* Khari Blasingame, running back for the Philadelphia Eagles.
* Anton "Bubba" Keller, Madison County Sports Hall of Fame Member; winner of a gold medal, silver medal, and two bronze medals at the 1995 Special Olympics World Summer Games.
* Holly Helms, Female Vocalist of The Springs (band)
* Kyle Wright, baseball player, first-round selection in 2017 MLB Draft; 2021 World Series Champion. Currently Playing for the Kansas City Royals.
* Karen Miga, scientist, one of Time 100's most influential people in 2022, known for her work on the Telomere-to-Telomere Project.