Oxford (AL) – Oxford’s Perry is just an eighth-grader and he clinches the Yellow Jackets’ spot in the area tourney
By Joe Medley
Marcus Perry was a great shooter, thanks to his many sessions with his dad. As an eighth grader, the son of a Anniston High basketball legend has become an Oxford High legend.
Perry sank a corner ball 3-pointer at the buzzer, despite being delayed by junior T.J. Allen, to complete the Yellow Jackets’ 12-point victory over Gadsden City. This victory secured Oxford’s top seeding and made Oxford the host of the Class 6A, Area 13 tournament. Coach Joel Van Meter laughed as he described the game-winning play in an astonished chuckle.
Van Meter stated, “Deshaun Calloway makes (the inbounds play), hard drive, and makes the play that is supposed to be made and then an eighth grader puts one in the goal.” Perry scored three points with the winning bucket. Perry was 0-for-2 at the foul line, although the final game book did not track his shooting.
His moment arrived, a playcall that set him up and gave his wide-open eyes a wide look. Caleb Sanders ran from the corner looking for Jayden Lewis and then he came down the lane via a Jaylen Alex up screen. Lewis was already covered by Gadsden City so Sanders ran to Calloway who drove the lane to the top and passed Perry in the corner. Perry stated, “I’m an excellent shooter and I was thinking in my head that I should be confident and shoot it because I didn’t hit any shots throughout the game.” Perry’s father, Marcus Perry, who was a star on Anniston’s 2002 state championship team saw Perry and his son do everything together. [read more…]
