Anniston Bulldogs at Home

BOYS GAMEAnniston 64. Handley 61

Donoho 59; Tarrant 40

Jacksonville 76, Gadsden 54

Pleasant Valley 51, Wellborn44

Randolph County 57; Cleburne County fifty

Spring Garden 51, Weaver 46

GIRLS GAMES

Anniston 44, Handley41

Gadsden City, Jacksonville 27

Pleasant Valley 62, Wellborn 38

By Al Muskewitz

Torry Brown is happy to accept an area win in any way that he can, but even he knows just how close it was.

Brown’s Anniston basketball team won 64-61 over Handley Monday to open its area schedule. This game is a typical example of the series in recent times.

Brown stated that “it’s indicative how we play them each year.” Last year, we played back-and-forth. We played 3-4 times. Each one went into overtime, and each one ended at the buzzer. We’ll see the same thing when we play them.”

The Bulldogs (3-1), if they had been just a little sharper at the free throw line in the home opener, it wouldn’t have been nearly as close. They made 14 of 35 shots, while the Tigers missed just five of their 22 attempts.

The Bulldogs were 1-for-10 in the second half, and missed eight consecutively. Malik Bailey made two technical foul shots, giving the Bulldogs the momentum they needed to win their last push. These were his only points in the game.

Brown stated, “I thought that we were a very good foul shooting team.” “That’s 21 points that we missed.” We wouldn’t have been able to hit all of them, but we could have done enough to allow ourselves some separation. Tomorrow, we’ll shoot some more (before we play White Plains), that’s certain.

Devin Coleman scored two in the final 15 seconds, despite the Bulldogs being cold. With 14.2 seconds remaining, they were up 62-59. The second was a second-shot attempt by Handley that made it 64-61.

Coleman stated, “I like pressure so it wasn’t nothing.” Coleman said, “I was nervous, I’m going to be honest, but they had to win the game.”

It wasn’t over, even with the make. Everybody in the gym waited with bated breath for Devontae Higgins to take one last shot.

Although the Bulldogs wanted the play to return towards midcourt to stop the 3, the Tigers coach Larry Strain’s draft looked more like something he had drafted in his football huddle. Higgins snatched a long ball pass from quarterback Cannon Kyles while he was driving in front of Handley’s bench. He fired up a 3, but it fell short of the goal with 1.7 seconds remaining.

Anniston’s Javen Croft was very active during the game. He was the Bulldogs’ leading scorer with 13 points. He had at least six blocked shots, seven offensive rebounds and was involved in the scrum to stop Higgins taking the final shot.

He said, “I was trying in order to lock in.” “It was our area’s first game. I wanted to get off to a good start. It was our first home game and we wanted to show the crowd that we are serious about what we do. This time, we had to make a big statement.”

The Bulldogs won their third consecutive season opener after losing the season opener. Handley was relegated to 0-3.

ANNISTON 64 HANDLEY 61

HANDLEY (0-3), TamariousTreadwell 2 0-0 12, DevontaeHiggins 7 5-8 21, Jay Haynes 00-0 0, Terrance Tucker 30-0 6, Jordan West3 6-8 13, Daquavion Slaughter0 0-0 0 Nemo Askew0 2-2 2, Amajah Wilkins 00-0 0, Jeremiah Bell0 0-0 0. Totals 20 17-22 61.

ANNISTON (3-1 – Jacory Lane 3 0-2 6, Devin Coleman 3 0-1 7, Jayden Lee 3 1-4 7, Jayden Lewis 3-1 7, Isiah Alle 4 2-4 12, Jace Roberson 1 0-2 6, Jayden Lewis 3-1 7, Jayden Green 3 1-4 7, Jayden Lew 3 1-4 7, Jayden Kelly 3 0-1 7, Jayden Thomas 3 1-4 7, Jayden Jones 3 1-3 7, Jayden Smith 3 0-1 3, Jayden Billingsley 0, Jamarius Billingsley 2 2-4 Totals 22 14-35 64.

3-point goals: Handley 4 (Treadwell, Higgins 2, West); Anniston 6 (Lane 2, Brown, Allen 2, Francis). Treadwell, Tucker. Foulled out: Treadwell and Tucker. Total fouls Handley 25, Anniston 15. Officials: Guyton, Dupree, Caldwell.

JACKSONVILLE, GADSDEN CITY54: Caden Johnson was the leading scorer with 21 points. He also grabbed nine rebounds to help lead the Golden Eagles. Cam Johnson scored 16 points, Devin Barksdale had 15, John Broom had 13, and John Broom had 13. John Broom also contributed eight rebounds and four assists. The Johnsons shot a combined 13-of-19 from beyond the arc.

As a team, the Golden Eagles were 16-17 at the free throw line.

JACKSONVILLE, GADSDEN CITY 56

GADSDEN CITY — Steven Jones 9-10 1-3 21 Jakobi Sharp 5-13 3-3 12, Jordan Walker 2-6 2-3 5, Jordan Walker 1-7 1-2 3, Malik Deramus 1-5 0-02, Curry 1-5 0-02, Khalil Hughley 1-2 1-5 0, Elijah Dunn 1-5 0-02, Jackson Veasy 1-5 0-0 1, Nitin Nagarajan 1-5 0-0 0, RobbrellGreen 0-0,0-0 0, Lashun Harries 0-2 0-0 0. Totals 22-52- 7-16 54.

JACKSONVILLE- Caden Johnson 7-11 6-8 2-2 16 Devin Barksdale 4-12 4-4 13 John Broom 4-12 4-4 13 Jaliek Fisher 1-2 0-0 3 Dee Prothro 1 2-2 2 Ethan Duke 0-10-0 0, Jaquanervin 0-00-0 0, DeMonte Silclair 0-10-0 0, Imoree Youth 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 26-55 16-17 76.

3-point goals: Gadsden City 3-12, Sharp 1-4 and Bridges 0-1, Roberts-0-1, Hughley0-1, Hughley0-1, Hughley0-1, Hughley0-1, Hughley0-1, Hughley0-1, Hughly 0-2, Hughley0-1, Hughley0-1, Hughley0-1, Harris 0-1; Jacksonville 8-20 (Cd. Johnson 1-2, Johnson 0-1, Cm. Johnson 2-3, Cm. Rebounds: Gadsden City 25; Bridges 4; Jacksonville 41 (Cd. Johnson 9, Broom 8, Duke 7. Walker fouled out. Total fouls: Gadsden City 22, Jacksonville 17.

DONOHO 60, TARRANT40: Drew Williamson scored 35 points to help the Falcons achieve a preseason goal of winning the entire season series. Williamson scored 17 points in the first quarter, opening a 21-4 lead. The Falcons then scored all of their points in halftime. They will host Saks, their coach Korielle Beavers’ alma maternity, Tuesday.

DONOHO 59, TARRANT40

TARRANT – Demarcus Reynolds 1-2-4, Andre Raines 4-0-9, Jay’len Simmons 6-2-16, Latrell Robertson 1-1-3, Tristan Goodwin 0-0-0, Antwaun Underwood 0-0-0, John Scott 2-0-4, Zack Roseman 0-0-0, Geoffrey Wilson 1-0-2, Kendrick Stewart 1-0-2. Totals 16-5-40.

DONOHO Jordan Cameron 1-4-6. IsiahSmith 1-2-5. Rich Goad 2-5. Drew Williamson 13-5.35. Drew Williamson 13-5.35. Sean Keel 0-0-0. Cash Worley 3–6. Sam Johnson 1-0-2. Totals 21-12-59.

3-point goals: Tarrant 3, Simmons 2, Simmons 2; Donoho 5, Williamson 4, Smith Foulled out: Goad. Total fouls Tarrant 19, Donoho 21, 21 Officials: Wright, Askew, Brown.

PLEASANT VALEY 51, WELLBORN 43: The Raiders had to overcome more obstacles, including the loss of a fourth player, and third starter, to injury. This was a team that was already young, but it overcame it thanks to a great start. Kolby Battles was the Raiders’ top scorer with 13 points.

PV’s aggressive court pressure in the first quarter kept the Panthers from scoring a field goal and helped to create a 19-2 advantage. In the second half, Wellborn brought it back. Jackson Long (9), and Ethan Tidwell (15), scored all of their points in the second period.

WELLBORN 44, PLEASANT VALLEY 51

WELLBORN- Avery Odom 2-6 7, Carlos Hubbard2 0-1 5, Jesse Lewis2 0-1 4, Ollieboot2 0-14, Ethan Tidwell5 2-2 15, Jackson Long2 4-6 9. Totals 15 9-17 44.

PLEASANT VALLEY – Jaden Sparks 1 0-0 2, Jesse Gannaway 3 3-4 10, Hunter Sparks 4 2-2 10, Caleb Stallings 1 0-0 2, Jayden Veazey 0 0-0 0, Bryce Freeman 5 0-0 10, Kolby Battles 6 1-4 13, Shane Cramer 0 0-0 0, Braxton Williams 1 2-5 4. Totals 21 8-15 51.

3-point goals: Wellborn 5 (Hubbard, Tidwell 3, Long); PV 1 (Gannaway). Technical fouls: Boot Total fouls: Wellborn 15, P 18. Officials: Kelley, Jarrett, Wise.

SPRING GARDEN 51. WEAVER 46. Although the Bearcats had a slow start, they fought back in halftime to win.

JonMarq Rogers scored all of his 10 points in the first quarter, and Jake Welsh had nine out of his 20, as Spring Garden took a lead of 20-8. Weaver was led by Tristan Brown, who scored 19 points in the first half and 11 in the third quarter.

SPRING GARDEN 51, WEEVER 46

WEAVER – Tristan Brown 7-5 19, Jeffrey Miles 30-0 6, Dawson Brooks 6 5 13 Jackson Williams 2 1 4 Zack Garman 1 1 0-0 2, Armane Buford 0 0-0 0, Austin Snider 0 0-0 2. Totals 20 4-6 46.

SPRING GARDEN – John Welsh 4 1-4 9 Jon Marq Rogers 0 0-0 10, Connor Bates 0 0-0 8, Chapel Pope 0 0-0 0 Cole Bailey 0 0-2 0 Cole Bailey 0 0-2 0 Jake Welsh 8 4-5 20. Totals 21 7-14 51.

3-point goals: Weaver 2 (Brown, Brooks); Spring Garden 2 (Rogers 2); Technical fouls: Burton. Total fouls: Weaver 14, Spring Garden 8. Officials: Howell, Mallicoat, Pratt.

Girls

ANNISTON 44. HANDLEY 41. Eddie Bullock coaches a new Anniston team, but two things remain constant in his program: rebounding and defense.

In the second half, the Lady Bulldogs outperformed the Lady Tigers in both the physical and mental aspects to win the game.

They trailed six at the half, but they grabbed every rebound in quarter three, except for one missed free throw with 3.2 seconds remaining. Four of the offensive boards were converted into second-chance points, to tie the game at 27, with 3:43 left. A’Kayla Perry’s 3-pointer gave them the lead in the final minute.

Bullock stated that his team’s second-half rebounding and defense was “great; we needed it.” “We missed a few free shots, but I tried telling them to keep fighting. Keep fighting. Basketball is a game that involves many runs. We won the last run because it was possible to win.

With 1:03 remaining, the Lady Bulldogs extended their lead to seven, but Handley refused to yield. With 18.9 seconds to go, Takeriauna Mosley’s three-pointer gave the Lady Tigers a two-point lead.

Perry made a free throw with 7.4 seconds remaining to make it three-point games and set the stage of the final exchange. With two seconds remaining, Mosley attempted a 3-pointer but missed the mark. Tykeria Smith rebounded and ended the game.

Smith, a junior, was thrust into the main scoring role and led all scorers with 17 point. She scored 13 points in the second period, and the Lady Bulldogs were able to do everything she did down the stretch.

Bullock stated, “This means a lot.” Bullock said, “We have a lot of young players, my starting point guard hurt, and it is just tough. It’s okay to accept what you have and to learn from what we did in the past. Although we are young, that doesn’t mean we have to stop playing.

We don’t have as much shooter and post presence as we used to. We are scrappy and try to make the best of what we have. We can only do what we can.

ANNISTON 44; HANDLEY 41

HANDLEY (2-3), – Jadazalyn Fuler 1 0-02, Kia Brown 2 1-2 5, Takeriauna Mosley 3 2-2 12, Takeira Tucker3 2-4 9, Ana Tucker2 0-0 5, Iyanna Norman1 0-02, Za’Nautika Smith3 0-2 6, Millie Greer0 0-2 0. Totals 16 5-12 41.

ANNISTON (3-4 – Layla Tyus 4 4-6 14 Matasia Truss 1 0-0 0, Jada Fomby 3 0-2 4, Janayah Witters 0 0-0 0, TykeriaSmith 3 11-18 17, Kiara Tom 1 2-4 4, Jenayzia Olson 1 0-0 3. Totals 12 17-31 44.

3-point goals: Handley 4, (Mosley 2, T. Tucker and A. Tucker); Anniston 3, (Perry 2, Oliver). Fouled out by Z. Smith. Total fouls: Anniston 14, Handley 21. Officials: Guyton, Dupree, Caldwell.

PLEASANT Valley 62, WELLBORN37: Macey ROPER had her third double-double, scoring 37 points and 15 rebounds, to lead the Lady Raiders (3-1). This season, she averages 26 points and 14 boards.

Colton Morris, PV coach, said that she is a “blue-collar kid” and a “fierce competitor.” She is the most hard-working kid I have ever coached. She is a master of one speed. The game is the same as practice. She’s open to keeping score if there is one.”

WELLBORN 37, PLEASANT VALEY 62

WELLBORN – Anna Odom 9-1 19, Mikayla Wilkins 2 2-2 6, Taniya Taylor 2 0-0 4, Bentley Bean 0-2 2, Destiny Benefield 0-2 2, Callahayes 2 0-0 4 Layla Amberson 1 0-0 0, Hannah Grubbs 1 0-0 2, Molly Junior 1 0-0 0. Totals 17 3-6 37.

PLEASANT VALEY (3-0). – Macey ROPER 11 15-23 37. Rebekah Gannaway 3 1-9 13, Kianna Hester3 5-6 13, Laney Robinson 0-0-0 0, Haylie Le 1 2-8 4, Ella Kate Parris 0-0-0 2, Ashlynn Saltster 0-1 1, Bailey Brown 0. Totals 18 24-48 62.

3-point goals: PV 2 (Hester 2). Junior is responsible for technical fouls. Foulled out: Amberson, Grubbs. Total fouls: Wellborn 29, PV 11. Officials: Jarrett, Dyar, Kelley.

GADSDEN CITY 59, JACKSONVILLE 27, Jaedyn sharp was just that. She shot 8-of-10 from beyond the arc and led three Lady Titans to double figures with 14 points. She also pulled in eight rebounds, a record for the team. With 19 points, Ashley Grant was the leader in Jacksonville.

GADSDEN CITY, JACKSONVILLE 59

GADSDEN CITY – Jaedyn Smart 3-5 8-10 14, Aniyah Williams 5-15 0-010, Mariah Ragland 2-2 2-2 6 Destiny Whiteside 3-6 0-0 6, Zy’aja Lindsey 3-7 0-06, Madison Tinker 0-2 2-32. Totals 20-47 15-22 59.

JACKSONVILLE – Ashley Grant 8-20 0-1 19, Ontarriah Braxton 2-5 0-0 4, Halaina Lozano 1-2 0-0 3, DeAsia Prothro 0-3 1-6 1, Alexis Phillips 0-1 0-0 0, Olivia Rowan 0-0 0-0 0, Miarah Hardy 0-0 0-0 0, Rachel Sanders 0-1 0-0 0, Camryn Stone 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 11-32 1-7 27.

3-point goals: Gadsden City (4-11; A. Tinker 1-2 and Williams 0-3, Ragland 2-2; Whiteside 0-1, Sheffield 1-2); Jacksonville (4-11) (Grant 3-7. Braxton 0-1, Lozano 1-2. Sanders 0-1). Gadsden City 35 (Sharp 8 Williams 7, A. Tinker 6, Jacksonville 22 (Prothro 9) Total fouls: Gadsden City 10, Jacksonville 16.

Cover photo by B.J. Franklin