Anniston, AL – Rebounding after last season’s loss, Anniston girls down Fort Payne to make it 10-0. The Coker’s Fort Payne boys find the 3-point goal at the end of second quarter time to fend off Anniston’s players.
By Joe Medley
The disappointment of being eliminated from the local tournament wasn’t a good thing for Anniston’s girls in the past and their first game of this season is a sign of the return to normal.
Tykeria Smith scored high 22 points in the game, and the Bulldogs defeated the visiting Fort Payne twice in the season on Tuesday, 49-30.
In its most recent win, Anniston hit double-digit wins during the first week of December. The Bulldogs are 1-0.
“We’re a bunch of guards and we’re just taking a look back at the mistakes we made last year and resolving the problem this season,” Smith said.
The first step is to improve health. Anniston was unable to replace Guard Serena Hardy to a season-ending knee injury just four games into this season in 2022/23.
Her injury forced her teammates into larger roles and it’s working this season.
“Some players have matured,” veteran Anniston coach Eddie Bullock said. “When she was injured she allowed other players to grow and that’s exactly what transpired.”
A’Kayla Perez added 14 points on Tuesday. She hit two 3-pointers. The Bulldogs were ahead of Fort Payne (4-3) 31-11 at the half.
Anniston’s 10-0 record is normal for the Bulldogs who took home the Class 4A state championship in the year 2020. They also made it to the state finals three times under Bullock. This is what made Talladega’s win 41-34 over them in the opening round of the Area 8 tournament at Handley quite shocking.
The Bulldogs ended up finishing 15-12, and were forced to suffer being eliminated from the tournament in their area at the beginning of their first appearance during Bullock’s 19-year tenure as coach.
“Last year we experienced more turnovers and weren’t playing as a group,” Smith said. “This time, however, we’re trying to put the pieces together.”
Bullock has a stern attitude on the sidelines and his trademark postgame smile is back at 10-0.
“We’re trying to be a lot of fun,” Bullock said. “I wouldn’t have thought of it however, we’re having fun.”
Boys
Fort Payne 42, ANNISTON 35:Fort Payne hit two 3-pointers during the first quarter and left one wondering whether the it was the first time Wildcats head coach Robi Coker was turning over the new chapter.
Then the Wildcats made five 3-pointers in the third quarter.
Fort Payne broke out to an early lead of 31-21 in the third quarter and clinched its second win over Anniston (4-2) in the current season. This is the Wildcats first under the coach who led Plainview through four State championships prior to his switch.
Coker says his move was beneficial for his health. Coker echoed the his former Texas Football head coach Darrell Royal.
“It’s fantastic,” the former Jacksonville State assistant told the news station. “You know that building is enjoyable. It’s a great way to stay on top of an (challenge). This is the way Darrell Royal said.
“No doubt.There’s plenty of energy and enthusiasm. It’s been enjoyable. I’ve gotten to know a lot of new people the group is trying hard to get into. The people who are in this group have made the investment. At night, the system sort of clicks just a little more. The score is 7-0 with an eight-game homestand in the near future.”
Anniston was defeated 41-30 by Fort Payne eight days ago but started off with 7-0 on Tuesday.
“Give Anniston credit,” Coker stated. “They struck us on the cheeks, at 7-0. This is actually the first time that this team has had to face difficulties. This is the first time that the group has ever had to be in a position like that right straight out of the gate. We sort of stayed steady and redressed the ship a little.”
After being down by 10 in the 3rd quarter, Anniston came back to within 36-34 at the end of the fourth quarter.
“We did well in periods, but we couldn’t play well enough in the final stretch defensively to win,” Anniston coach Torry Brown explained. “We sort of had some momentum offensively, just in a small amount and then we got into the press, and we were really good at chasing them but we weren’t able to make enough stops along the stretch.”
Delroy Francis was the top scorer in Anniston by scoring 10 points while Devin Coleman added seven.
Fort Payne went on to score seven threes in the second quarter, and Josh Scott led three Wildcats with double figures, scoring 13 points. He scored four threes in the second quarter.
“I really enjoy Anniston’s squad,” Coker said. “I have told Torry in the lead-up to the game that I’d like to have the two Calhoun County teams in the (Northeast Regional) final four. I think they as well as Jacksonville are among the top contenders to get there. Both have great teams and being able to get to this tournament and win victory was huge for me and my team.”
