Oxford (AL) – Y The Yellow Jackets take some time to establish an identity while taking some hits; the girls team takes some revenge on Auburn at the flag football state championship
By Mark Everett Kelly
Sometimes, you have to emphasize the positive. While winning is important, it’s not enough to learn how to win. Understanding how hard work, execution, and experience can all contribute to your development.
This was the case against Hiram Saturday night at the inaugural Larry & Connie Davidson Classic. The Yellow Jackets were outmatched in size, speed and length by the Hornets, who lost 63 to 52.
Keyon Boyd, Hiram’s head coach, said that there are some games that you will win well and others you will lose badly. Sometimes you have to remind them to stay focused.
Hiram’s record improved to 8-1 in this season. The Hornets are unstoppable offensively as well as defensively, thanks to Chase Tyler’s 3-point shooting and Sekai Lockhart’s dominance underfoot.
“My guys are rivals. Boyd stated that he has known this group since middle school and that they are competitors.
For most of the first period, Oxford held it close, trailing by only five points, 27-22. Matthew’s dominating inside play allowed the fifth-best tight end prospect in the country to score 11 of his 15 points. Hiram closed the first half on a 14-3 run, taking a lead of 41-25.
Faced with the possibility of being expelled from the gym, Hiram was outscored 14-12 by the Yellow Jackets in the third quarter.
Oxford’s most exciting moment was Jayden Lewis’s birth. He was a 6-foot-4 sophomore and weighed 200 lbs. He led the team with 20 points. Matthews was held to just one point defensively in the second half.
Joel Van Meter, Jackets coach, said that it shows what he has in him. “I don’t know what triggers it, but we have to do it every single day.
Van Meter, despite his inspired effort, recognizes that the Jackets cannot ignore any opportunity tonight if they want to build a winning season. Moral victories can only last a day.
“Nothing’s changed. We still lose games. We were able to see this team’s potential. He stated that Monday’s performance was proof of the team’s capability.
HIRAM (GA.), 63, OXFORD52.
Amir Taylor 20-0 4, Walter Matthew 6-5 16, Sekai Lockhart 5 0-2 11, Javores Bood 4 0-0 10, Aaron Wesley 3 0-0 3, Johnson 1 0-0 3. Totals 24 6-9 63.
OXFORD – Jaylen Alexander 5 3-5 15, Caleb Sanders 2 0-0 4, Dashaun Callaway 0 0-0 0, T.J. Allen 2 1-2 7, Jordan Kelley 0 0-0 0, Brock Reaves 2 0-0 6, Jayden Lewis 8 2-6 20, Marcus Perry 0 0-0 0, Cristian Gibson 0 0-0 0. Totals 19 6-13 52.
Hiram 1526 12 10 –
Oxford 10 14 13 13 – 52
3-point goals: Hiram 9 (Tyler 3, Lockhart 3, Boyd 2, Wesley); Oxford 8 (Alexander 2, Allen 2, Reaves 2, Lewis 2). Total fouls: Hiram 13, Oxford 13. Officials: Burroughs, Calkins, Merritt.
GIRLS GAME
OXFORD 60, AUBURN55: The Lady Jackets split eight games this season. If consistency was a problem they made a big step towards fixing it against the Lady Tigers.
They stood out against a well-coached team in every aspect of the game.
Melissa Bennett, Lady Jackets coach, stated that she thought it was the most complete game of the season.
Justice Woods and Xai Whitfield were both excellent in halfcourt and open court. They scored 23 and 12 points respectively. Shay Montgomery displayed strength on the block with his ability to complete baskets and her poise at the free throw line.
The defense held Sariah Danis to just 25 points, while the Lady Jackets held the Lady Tigers to only 12 points in the fourth quarter.
The most striking thing about Oxford’s ability at the last minute to win the game was his ability to make the right plays. With 1:20 left, the Lady Jackets led at 55-53, but a Daniels basket cut the lead to the Lady Jackets. Junior guard Whitfield beat defenders and converted a layup, increasing the lead to four.
Whitfield stated, “I feel that we are moving forward as a team and the future looks a little better.”
Big-time players make big plays in big games. Whitfield was thrilled to win.
Many of these players were on the Auburn basketball team when they played for Whitfield and the Lady Jackets in their state championship match.
It was, ostensibly, a Auburn home game at Jordan-Hare Stadium. Although the stakes were not as high on Saturday, many of these players faced off again in an Oxford home match.
With 25 points, Daniels led all scorers. He scored Auburn’s first touchdown. Brooke Hallman was the sophomore quarterback and threw four touchdown passes during that game. She had nine points.
Whitfield stated, “It feels good beating them.”
GIRLS GO
OXFORD 60, AUBURN55
AUBURN – Kaitlin Mitchell 0 0-0 0. Leah Toles 0 0-0 0. Kristianna Ware 0 0-0 0. Sariah Daniels 10 3-6 25 Brooke Hallman 4 0-0 9. Daley Allsobrook 0 0-0 3. Taite Pearson 2 0-0 6. Ky Woody 0 0-0 0. Antoinette Morison 1 4-5 6. Totals 19 11-16 55.
OXFORD – Xai Whifield 9 3-4 23 Justice Woods 4 4-6 12, Keziah Mickler 0 0-0 4, LaMya McGrue 0 3-6 3, JaMea Gaston 0 3-6 8, Kaylen Kenney 3 0-0 8, Shay Montgomery 0 3-6 3. Totals 20 16-25 60.
Auburn 12 14 17 12 12 -55
Oxford 16 16 15 13 13 – 60
3-point goals: Auburn 6, Hallman, Allsobrook and Pearson 2, 2; Oxford 4, Whitfield 2, Gaston 2. Total fouls: Auburn 20, Oxford 16. Officials: Calkins, Jarrett, Wood.
Kandieland Shootout
SPRINGGARDEN 58, NEWHOPE 50: Ace Austin scored 20 points, grabbed seven rebounds, and had seven assists to help lead the Spring Garden victory at Sylvania. Chloe Rule scored 14 points and grabbed nine rebounds; Kayley Kirk scored 13 points, while Libby Brown had nine rebounds and 11 points.
