Florala and Straughn were in action for the varsity basketball doubleheader Tuesday, November. 28. They were able to split the game.
Girls
Straughn took a lead of two-digits and held off an attack from Florala for a win of 44-36 in the girls’ varsity match.
Abbi Boldin provided Abbi Boldin the Lady Wildcats a 3-2 lead and scored five points in the first period. Allyx Williamson scored four points. Ora Hall scored a three-pointer and provided Lady Tigers a Lady Tigers a 7-5 lead after just one.
Kyndra Anthony leveled the score 7-7 after two free throws at the beginning of the second half. Straughn was then on a 10-0 streak, which was fueled by four points by A. Williamson and Hall. Aubrey Pittman stretched the lead to 17-7 after an assist, but Anthony was able to get Florala back to within of striking distance with an uncontested basket and a free throw. Maddie Williamson finished the half with two buckets and a basket at the line to take an advantage of 21-10 at halftime.
Both teams had excellent offensive performance during the third quarter. Anthony was the leader by scoring eight points. Alyssa Thames and Boldin both scored in the hoops from long distance in the favor of the Lady Wildcats. Hall as well as A. Williamson both scored six points during the second half, while Pittman added another basket. Despite being outscored by just one in the third, A. Williamson and Hall both scored six points, while the Lady Tigers maintained their double-digit advantage and extended the lead to 34-24 by the end in the 3rd.
Boldin continued her hot shooting from outside the arc by scoring three more in the final quarter. Anthony scored six-of-nine points on the free throw line as did Ella Caraway banked a three to cut the Florala gap to just 6 at the 42-36. A. Williamson sank a couple of free throws, and added four in the frame to end this game Straughn. Hall, Pittman, and Nevaeh Marsh all made it to their way to the basket in the final quarter.
A. Williamson led the Lady Tigers with 18 points and was closely followed by Hall who scored 14 points. Pittman also scored six points to the victory.
Anthony was the leading scorer for his team Lady Wildcats with 22 points in the loss. Boldin also had the double-digit mark with 11.
Straughn won its first win and climbed to 1-2. Florala was able to improve to 2-2 for the season.
Boys
The Varsity boys’ game changed the script, as the Tigers were able to take an early lead before the Wildcats came back to claim the win by 46-42.
Kaden Wiggins Kaden Wiggins Straughn an 3-0 lead prior to Elijah McMeans, Noah Bryan as well as Landon Prescott all hit three-points and a 9-3 advantage for Florala. Joseph Driver and Taylor Sikes cut the gap to two at 9-7 before Cameron Adams made a three-point play to give the team a 10-9 lead after just one.
The Tigers increased their pace in the second half and they swung to an advantage of 20-13. Five players scored, and they were lead by Wiggins who scored three more and racked up four. Kolton Cauley Clark Jordan, Saxby and Adams each grabbed baskets. McMeans picked up four in the first half, while Dalton Jackson went three-of-four at the foul line. Bryan added a free-throw and helped bring the Wildcats to within five points, when the score at halftime was at 22-17.
Florala returned after the break and beat Straughn 14-7 during the 3rd period to change the game’s hands. After another basket by Adams increased the lead by 24-19 Prescott made a 3-pointer and Rayshon scored his first point to give the hosts a lead of 26-25. Driver was able to tie with 29-29. Jayden Bradberry scored an assist and gave the hosts a lead of 31-29 after three.
Parker Black drew the score to 31-31 by scoring an early basket during the 4th. Coleman scored five points, extending the lead back to five, at 39-32. Sikes made three of four at the line to bring the Tigers just four points behind at 43-39. The Wildcats persevered throughout the game and threw three more free throws.
McMeans and Coleman were tied for Coleman and McMeans tied for Florala team’s lead with 11 points during the victory. Prescott followed with eight points, whereas Bryan Jackson and Bryan Jackson each scored seven. Wiggins is the sole Straughn player to reach double figures, scoring 10 points. Adams and Sikes earned 7 and 6 points respectively in the loss.
Florala reached 3-2 on the year, while Straughn was 0-2.
Both teams return to the action this week. Straughn will play host to New Brockton for three games on Dec. 4. Florala will be playing at Pleasant Home on Tuesday, Dec. 5. Each set of games starts at 4:45 p.m.
The article Florala, Straughn split hardcourt battles was first published in The Andalusia Star-News.
