Jacksonville AL – Jacksonville defeats several Alexandria threats to win a potential preview of county tournament finals. White Plains beats Piedmont to win the best win of season. Anniston beats Talladega in night Tigers dedicate their court to coach.
FRIDAY’S BOYS GAME
Anniston 50, Talladega 41
Central Coosa 73, B.B. Central Coosa 73, B.B.
Gaylesville 58, Coosa Christian 52
Glencoe 60, Westbrook 57
Hokes Bluff 53, Fyffe 46
Jacksonville 68, Alexandria 57
Lincoln at Southside
Ohatchee 60; Wellborn 34
Pleasant Valley 52, Ragland 53
Randolph County at Ranburne
Sand Rock 60, Spring Garden 58
Sylacauga 54, Clay Central 50
White Plains 61; Piedmont 57
Faith Christian 60, Winterboro 64
By Brant Locklier
Alexandria is a tough opponent in Larry Ginn Gym. Add in the intense rivalry of your neighborhood neighbors and you have a dogfight.
Jacksonville, the 4A state champion, proved that again Friday night when it defeated Valley Cubs all night before winning a hard-fought 68 to57 victory.
This game served as a preview for the county tournament finals. The No. 1 seed is the Golden Eagles (15-4). Alexandria is the No. 1 seed. 3 would be their only meeting in the tournament.
Each of the Golden Eagles’ first three quarters began with two 8-0 runs, and one 9-1 run. They needed all of them. Valley Cubs (10-7), cut the lead back to keep within striking distance of the winning chances in the fourth quarter.
Jacksonville won the game with a victory.
In the first half, the Golden Eagles were without regulars Cam Johnson and Caden Johnson. They sat out as per coach’s decision. If they wanted to succeed, someone had to step in to fill the gap. Jaleik Long accepted this challenge.
After Devin Barksdale’s 3s and another Long bucket, the Golden Eagles quickly took an 8-0 lead. In the opening four minutes, Long scored seven of Jacksonville’s points. However, the Valley Cubs pounded the ball inside and cut the lead to one point after Q McDowell scored six.
John Broom made three 3s in Jacksonville’s next flurry to bring it back to 28-14. But the Valley Cubs came back and reduced the gap to five. Broom made a long 3, just before the half was over, to give the Golden Eagles an advantage of 33-25. The Golden Eagles made 10 3-pointers, while the Valley Cubs managed 14.
To start the second half, the Johnson twins returned to the court and gave Jacksonville a boost. They helped Jacksonville to take a 47-27 lead. Broom scored seven points in that explosion. The Valley Cubs were again down 51-40 at the end of three quarters after a 13-4 run.
With four minutes left in the fourth quarter, Alexandria pulled within six points of Alexandria at 58-52. In the final five minutes, the Golden Eagles displayed great patience and did an amazing job maintaining ball control and making free throws.
Tres Buzan, Jacksonville coach, said that he thought the team did a great job at that point. We have been working hard on this. We need to be able to win close games. There were many guys who loved to shoot and did an excellent job at the end.
“We had to play quite a few kids tonight, and we have many kids who can play. Alexandria was a great win. This was a great test. We are now preparing for the county tournament. We are happy with where we are right now.”
Broom was the top scorer with 25 points. Caden Johnson scored ten in the second period. Long was the last man standing with nine. Barksdale scored eight points and had seven assists. McDowell was the Valley Cubs’ leading scorer with 15 points. Evan Snow scored 14 points, while Drake Davis had 10.
JACKSONVILLE 68; ALEXANDRIA 57
JACKSONVILLE (15-4) – John Broom 8-12 4-4 10, Jaleik Lang 4-9 0-0 9, Devin Barksdale 3-7 2-8 8, Jaquan Ervin 3-7 0-0 7, Ethan Duke 0-1 0-0 2, Kydric Fischer 0-1,0-0 0, Dee Prothro 10-0 0-0 0, DaMonte sinclair 0-00-0 0. Totals 25-46 8-11 68.
ALEXANDRIA (10-7) – Quendavion McDowell 7-8 1-4 15, Evan Snow 3-10 4-5 14, Drake Davis 3-10 3-6 4, 10, T.K. Downie 4-4 0-0 8, Kory Cargal 2-8 2-4 6, Antonio Ross 2-7 0-2 4, Matthew McElroy 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 22-45 10-16.
Jacksonville 17 16 18 17 – 68
Alexandria 10 15 15 17 – 57
3-point goals: Jacksonville 10-26 (Broom 5-9, Cd. Johnson 0-2, Long 1-4, Barksdale 2-7, Cm. Johnson 1-2; Ervin 1-1; Fisher 0-1); Alexandria 2-7, Cm. Rebounds: Jacksonville 27 (Broom 6, Duke 6); Alexandria 24 (Ross 7). Technical fouls: Johnson. Total fouls: Jacksonville 18, Alexandria 13.
WHITE PAINS 61, PIEDMONT 56: Although the Wildcats have had a difficult year with a brutal schedule, this night was their greatest victory.
They ended the seven-game winning streak of the No. 1 team. After suffering a devastating loss, they were ranked 5 in the Calhoun County Tournament.
Randall replied, “I would affirm so.” “On the road. Last night, we lost a heartbreaker (to Pell city); we missed a three with three seconds remaining to tie it. It was there. It was amazing to lose one so hard and then come back on the road the next night, to show that kinda toughness.
There were heroes in every corner for the Wildcats. Luke Bussey and Post Carter Johnson scored 15 points each. Carter scored six points in the first quarter, while Bussey, who was a former Piedmont player hit three 3s in halftime.
Z.J. Z.J. The Wildcats held Ish Bethel (the Bulldogs’ other major threat) scoreless.
Randall stated that Dylan had seven points and it felt like 17. Randall said, “Every run they had, every basket he made was answered by him.” His seven might have been the most important seven of the game.
He was a great guard. Dylan guarded so well, I’m sure he set 50 screens and didn’t miss a shot. He played amazing.”
Piedmont was held to 28 points by the Wildcats in the first three quarters. However, the Bulldogs scored 29 in the fourth quarter to win the game. Alex Odam scored 14 points, while Pinto made both of his 3-pointers.
Odam was the top scorer with 36 points. In the second half, he scored 26 points.
Randall stated, “He’s absolutely one of my best players,” He’s a true unicorn. “He’s a unicorn.
WHITE PLAINS, 61, PIEDMONT 56
WHITE PLAINS (8-10) – Dylan Barksdale 22-2-7, Paul Laube 12-2 4, Z.J. Rosario 4-7 14, Silas Hines 1 4-6 6, Cameron Ray 2 2-2 7, Paul Laube 1 2-2 4, Z.J. Totals 21 14-20 61.
PIEDMONT (11-3) – Alex Odam 15 3-3 36, Rollie Pinto 4 1-1 11, Ish Bethel 0 0-5 0, Colton Proctor 0 0-0 0, Luke Rhinehart 0 0-0 0, Trevor Pike 1 0-0 3, Chance Murphy 0 1-2 1, Rhett Alford 0 1-2 1, Cole Wilson 1 2-2 5. Totals 21 8-15 57.
White Plains 13-15 11 21 – 61-6
Piedmont 8 9 12 29 – 56
3-point goals: White Plains 5, (Barksdale Rosario, Bussey 3, 3); Piedmont 7, (Odam 3, Pinto 2, Pike and Wilson). Total fouls: White Plains 15, Piedmont 15. Officials: Wood, Calkins, Batey.
OHATCHEE 60. WELLBORN 34 Jesse Baswell, Kelbe Crook and Jake Roberson each had 12 points each to lead the Indians.
WELLBORN (0-13). – Xavier Parker 0 0-0 0. Avery Odom 3 2-2 5, C.J. Hubbard 2 1-2 5, Chris Williams 1 0-0 3, Immanual Singleton 0 0-0 0, Raymond Williams 0 4-5 4, Ethan Tidwell 0 0-0 0, Jackson Long 3 0-0 7, Devon Tatum 0 1-2 1, Trey Downs 3 0-2 6. Totals 12 8-16 34.
OHATCHEE (6-10) – Jake Roberts 4 3-4 12, Alston Carrol 2 0-2 4, Colby Hester1 3-10 5, Jake Roberson4 3-4 11, Nate Dover1 0-0 2, Zurchin2 0-04, Luke Vinson2 0-04, Kelbe Crook4 4-6 12, Galen Lower1 0-0 2. Totals 23 13-26 60.
Wellborn 3-10 13 8 – 34
Ohatchee 15-20 15 10 – 60
3-point goals: Wellborn 2 – Long, Williams; Ohatchee 1. Total fouls: Wellborn 18, Ohatchee 17 Officials: Howell, McGraw, Royster.
WINTERBORO 64. FAITH CHRISTIAN sixty: While the Lions have been tearing through their opponents with sharp shooting from both within and outside of the 3-point arcs, they were ice-cold in Winter-boro where they went 7-of-41 at 3-point range. The big three, Thomas Curlee and Yoshi Arevalo, were combined 5-for-31. Curlee was the Lions’ leading scorer with 21 points and 18 rebounds
FAITH CHRISTIAN (13-5) – Thomas Curlee 9-27 2-5 21, Yoshua Arevalo 3-16 5-7 13. Conner Richerzhagen 5-12 0-0 12, Tyler Bell 2-7 2-2 8, Eli Robinson 2-3 0-0 4, Parker Robertson 0-1 2-2 2, Carson Harris 0-3 0-0 0. Totals 21-69 11-16 60.
WINTERBORO – Brandon Hunter 6 0-0 13, Kaleb Merritt 8 3-6 23, Jamareo Clegg 1 0-0 2, Kaden Jones 2 0-3 6, Monterious Williams 6 5-6 18, Jemarion Clegg 0 0-0 0, Kylen Campbell 1 0-0 2, Kamareon Curry 0 0-0 0. Totals 24-59 8-15 64.
Faith Christian 19 7-13 21 – 60
Winterboro 14 15 13 22 – 64
3-point goals: Faith 7-41/Curlee 1-10/Arevalo 2-12/ Richerzhagen 2-9/Bill 2-6/Robertson 0-1, Harris 1-3); Winterboro 8-18/Hunter, Merritt 4, Jones 2 (2). Rebounds: Faith 39, Winterboro 33. Hughes. Foulled out: Je. Clegg. Total fouls: Faith 11, Winterboro 13. Officials: Batey, Railey, Winn.
RAGLAND 53: PLEASANT Valley 52: The Raiders regained the game with 23 points in quarter four and had two chances to win the game in the final minute, including Jesse Gannaway’s 30-footer that was rimmed out in the closing seconds.
Gannaway was the right man to have the ball at end. He was the Raiders leading scorer with 21 points and he hit five 3-pointers, two of which in the fourth quarter. Jaden Sparks kept Ragland’s main threat Jordan Turner to seven points. The Purple Devils were led by Tacorian Soles with 16 points.
RAGLAND – Brayden Collin 4 0-2 10, Jordan Turner 3-6 7, Tacorian Soles7 2-8 16, Taevon Wilkins3 4-6 11, Ezra Hill 3-0 9, Xavier Forman 0 0-0 0. Totals 20 7-19 53.
PLEASANT VALEY (3-8) – Jaden Sparks3 0-0 6, Jesse Gannaway8 0-0 21, Hunter Sparks0 0-0 0, Bryce Freeman2 1-2 5, Kolby battles6 1-5 13, Braxton Wilkins1 0-0 2, Caleb Green0 1-2 1, Kyle Smith2 0-1 4. Totals 22 3-10 52.
Ragland 14/11 14 14 14 – 53
Pleasant Valley 913 7 23 – 52
3-point goals: Ragland 6; Pleasant Valley 5; Williams 2, Hill 3, Hill 3); Ganaway 5 Technical fouls: H. Sparks. Total fouls: Ragland 12, Pleasant Valley 14. Officials: Lackey, Wood, Taylor.
GLENCOE 60. WESTBROOK 56. Garrett Morgan scored 21 with four 3-pointers and Andrew Greene had 19. The Yellow Jackets were 9-for-13 at the free throw line to beat the Warriors in the fourth quarter. Greene scored 10 points, including 4-for-4 at the line in the fourth quarter. Wade Segret was 5-for-6 at the line in the fourth quarter.
WESTBROOK (14-3) – Cameron White 0 3-4 3, Steven Barnes 1 0-0 3, Cooper Greer 5 1-4 12, John Gilchrist 0 0-3 0, Keaton Bean 2 0-0 5, Eli Edge 3 3-4 10, Nolan Terrell 6 0-2 15, Brody Carden 3 0-0 6, Cam Carden 1 0-0 2, Landon Armstrong 0 0-0 0, Cole Potter 0 0-0 0, Ben Morrison 0 0-0 0. Totals 21 7-17 56.
GLENCOE – Cooper Horton 0 1-2 1, Garrett Morgan 7 3-4 21, Aiden Cornutt 1 0-2 3, Wade Segrest 1 5-6 8, Braylen Smith 0 0-0 0, Jayden Patton 1 0-2 2, Nolan Fairley 2 0-0 6, Andrew Greene 7 5-6 19. Totals 19 14-22 50.
Westbrook 16-14 10 16 – 56
Glencoe 16 10 18 – 60%
3-point goals: Westbrook 7 – Barnes, Greer. Bean, Edge. Terrell 3; Glencoe 8 – Morgan 4, Cornutt. Segrest. Failey 2 Total fouls: Westbrook 20, Glencoe 13 Officials: Brown, Childs, Christoph.
ANNISTON50, TALLADEGA41: As a 10-year-old Chucky Miller stood on the dirt for Talladega’s unique Chuck Miller Arena, he didn’t know that fifty years later his name would be right there.
Talladega High School officials dedicated Friday night the area that bears his name to the coach, who had spent the majority of his 40-year, 785 win career with the Tigers.
Although he had already seen the renovated gym floor from the concourse once, he said that he was impressed by the view when he first saw it in person in ceremonies prior to the start of the boys’ game with Anniston.
Miller, who retired in 2020, said that it was “better than I thought” when he saw it from the top. “The court looked really good from the low level. It’s so shiny. It is so shiny.
“I can recall when they built the gym. My youngest son told me a while back that I can recall walking in here, and it was dirt. They cut the area for the stands and leveled it. They hadn’t started yet, so I walked through it.
“Fifty-years later, just as (Talladega boy’s) Coach Ryan Dawson and (Anniston’s) Coach Torry Brown said, this main gym is still around 50 years after it was built, and it looks great.”
Miller was also formally dedicated to the school by officials. They also presented Miller with a banner to commemorate his 2019 state championship. All former players were able to sign it.
Miller stated that the event was “better than we expected”. Miller said, “We had a large crowd, a lot former players that I hadn’t seen in a while. It was a wonderful evening. They did an excellent job with all of their introductions. It was amazing.”
