Alexandrian AL The Alexandrian team Alexandria boys and girls go three-peats with victories against Ohatchee. First-year Ohatchee coaches have positives to report after playing four games over five days.
Scoreboards for Friday
BOYS
Alexandria 79, Ohatchee 23
Winterboro 59, Donoho 52
White Plains 60, Cleburne County 39
Wellborn 59, Jax Christian 54
Jacksonville 75. Faith Christian 39
Hokes Bluff 78, Saks 32
GIRLS
Alexandria 37, Ohatchee 33
White Plains 58, Cleburne County 43
Jacksonville Orlando 78, Faith Christian 28
Southside 53, Etowah 26
Jax Christian 51, Wellborn 46
Horseshoe Bend 57, Randolph County 34
Talladega 71, Lincoln 33
Sand Rock 87, Glencoe 34
By Joe Medley
The first week of basketball season for high schools is not the time to be overreactive it’s a good time to be on the lookout for indicators.
A 3-1 start for Alexandria’s youngsters indicates something. Performance from a variety of players indicates another thing. Perhaps, just maybe the enthusiasm shown by regulars for reserves on Friday could be the most positive indication of all.
Jaylen Henderson led a balanced scoring with 17 points. The Valley Cubs downed visiting Ohatchee by 79-23 at Larry R. Ginn Gymnasium.
Quendavion McDowell scored fourteen points. Cole Wheeler and Drake Davis each scored nine points, Christopher Aquirre eight and Caleb Fields six points.
The freshman Evan White got in on the action with two 3-pointers in the fourth quarter, and eighth-grader Monqrea’s Morris hit one. Eighth grader Royce Trantham also got a four-quarter bucket.
The trio of players accounted for all of Alexandria’s fourth quarter points. Every shot was greeted with cheers and hoots from the bench, which was completely standing.
Alexandria hit 10 3-pointers. This is the latest evidence of a healthy team getting off to a good start.
“I have been impressed with them to date,” Alexandria coach Will Ginn. “They’ve put in the work. They’ve put themselves into good condition to play the ball in the manner we’re planning to play.
“Some teams that you’re part of and you’re just banging your head against the wall. This team is flexible to coaching and instructing. If I make a suggestion they listen to me and strive to follow through. This is a huge deal.”
While Alexandria enjoyed a good time following its opening game with victories of 30 points against Weaver and 21 against Glencoe, Ohatchee (2-3) played its fourth game in just five days.
“It’s up against the probably best team we’ve ever seen,” first-year Ohatchee coach Kyle Wilson said. “We’ve been playing hard and the players are playing with a lot of energy. The night just wasn’t for us.”
Jake Roberson led the Indians with eight points. Luke Vinson and Galen Lower had four each.
“Our players are improving with each match,” Wilson said. “I do not think the score is indicative of the way we played. I think we were able to move the ball efficiently on offense. We played an extremely good squad in Alexandria. They’re really good offensively.”
Girls
ALEXANDRIA 37 OHATCHEE 33It took some time for the game to start. Alexandria (3-0) got its first point at 1:08 in the first quarter. Ohatchee (2-3) in the 6:34 mark in the second.
When the game started the two teams that were defensively focused engaged in a game of competitiveness.
Charlee Parris was leading Alexandria by scoring 13 points and Sumira Duncan scored nine points while they Valley Cubs led from their first basket on. They had leads of between 10-2 and 26,18.
“We didn’t shoot the ball very well,” Alexandria coach Craig Kiker stated. “I believed we played defense fairly well, but we did not score the ball effectively. We weren’t moving the ball very well in some instances and we were not able to finish.
“I thought we were very hard-working. We were just not scoring. If you don’t score and then they hit three triples in the fourth period It’s a close game.”
Tabi Daniels and Kiana Garber paced Ohatchee in scoring with 12 points each The Indians were able to rally each when Alexandria began to make strides. Davidson, Mollee Barnes and Makayla Brackett each scored three-pointers as Ohatchee gained momentum during the final quarter.
Every time the Indians were able to rally they were in possession that could have given them the lead.
“Our shooting percentage was not the highest but we’ve been getting better gradually,” first-year Ohatchee coach Aaron Jackson said. “We have to maintain that improvement.”
