Anniston (AL) – Anniston wins easily at Munford after back-to-back nail bits. Anniston girls also win easily
BOYS GAME
Anniston 57; Munford 20
GIRLS GAME
Anniston 62; Munford 11
Al Muskewitz
Anniston Bulldogs were tired of the grind that was their early-season schedule. They needed a game like this.
After two back-to-back nailbiters the previous night, Wednesday was a breeze for the Bulldogs, who defeated Munford 57-20 to win their fifth consecutive victory. Anniston’s girls had a similar success, defeating the Lady Lions in quarter one to win 62-11.
The boys won their fifth and sixth games in seven days, respectively. Coach Torry Brown gave them Thursday off because the gym was being prepared for the fall sports banquet. The stretch will conclude Friday with their first half against Talladega.
Brown stated, “The gym floor was covered so they knew (they would be off), but it’s not necessary for us to have a day off.” We need the day off because Friday will be Game 7 in 11 days.
It’s great when everyone can participate and can get involved. It’s hard to get everyone to play in really difficult games. So it was great to be able to go back to a game that everybody could play. It was the right moment.”
Saturday and Sunday were the only days that the Bulldogs did not play during this seven-day stretch. They defeated county rival White Plains (by three points) and area rival Handley (by two), in the two-day first week. The final game was played by their opponents.
Wednesday’s drama was over. The Bulldogs won with a 28-0 win that spanned the first and second quarters. They held the Lions without field goals from the time Javion white gave them a 4-2 lead in the first quarter to Alex Petty’s layup with 5:16 remaining in the third.
The score was now 44-8. Sylvester Smith, the leading scorer for the Lions (as he was preparing for the Alabama-Mississippi All-Star Football Game), and their regular point-guard (flu) were not available.
Jayden Lewis, guard, stated that “we needed something like this to get better in the craft and make sure that we do stuff that we work towards Talladega on Friday.” “I’m happy to be a part of this team. Everyone gave 100 percent. This is what we have been talking about most: everyone contributing in their own way to the team. That’s great.
Nineteen of the eleven Bulldogs who participated in the game scored. Jace Roberson, Hezekiah and Harris were some of those who received extended time due to the blowout. They excelled in these extra minutes.
Roberson, son of Bulldogs assistant coaches Robert Roberson hit three 3-pointers during the middle quarters. He was Anniston’s top scorer with 10, and Roberson. Harris was a solid complement to Javen Croft, scoring six points, four assists and four blocked shots.
Harris stated, “I believe I did all right.”
Croft was the Bulldogs’ most active big, scoring eight points, seven rebounds and five blocked shots, as well as three steals.
Brown stated that Hezekiah will be “really, really great,” He’s still learning because we only had time for one week in June and the football season. It’s because he hasn’t had enough practice, and we’re playing so much right now that he needs to master the basics. He’ll be a dominant player once he learns how to do it.
Brown has gained a lot from the short schedule that they have played. He stated that it was different now than in the season-opening defeat to Childersburg.
He said, “We are totally different because the kids now have a feeling for it, but me now have a feeling for this bunch.” “Before the first game, we thought we would be one thing, but we aren’t that way. So now that I know which button to push, we’re a lot more.”
Anniston’s girls were sharper than ever this season. They kept a young Lady Lions team scoreless for the first quarter, only three shots per quarter, and only one field goal within the first fourteen minutes.
They defeated White Plains in quarter three of Tuesday’s game.
Coach Eddie Bullock stated that although we didn’t get the movement we needed offensively, we were still quite sharp.” “Kayla Perry was hot today, I like that. We’ve got that, and we’re trying to get them ready to go for CeCe’s return. They did a great job for the most part.”
Perry made three 3-pointers in quarter 26-0 and led the Lady Bulldogs’ with 19 points. Layla Tyus had 13 and Tykeria Smith 13, respectively.
BOYS GAME
ANNISTON 57. MUNFORD 20,
ANNISTON (5-1 – Jacory Lane 3 2-4 9, Isaiah Allen1 0-1 2, Jace Roberson3 1-2 10, Jayden Lewis3 2-4 9, Isaiah Allen1 0-1 2, Jayden Lewis3 2-4 9, Jayden Lee 3 2-4 9, Jayden Greene 3 2-2 4, Jayden Lews 3 2-4 9, Jayden Smith3 2-2 4, Jayden Kelly3 2-4 9, Jayden Lewis3 4-6 9, Jayden Liew 3 0-0 6, Hezekiah Harris3 0-0 6 Totals 22 8-18 57.
MUNFORD- Demetrius Norwood0 1-2 1, Keyshawn Castelberry 1 0-02, Tanner Smith 1 0-0 0, Alex Petty 0,0-0 4, Cam Strickland 1 0-0 5, Cam Strickland 1 0-0 6, Lathan Stephens0 1-4 1, Austin Wynn0 0-00 0, Kelby Tucker 1 1 0-0 2, JavionWhite 5 0-0 10. Totals 9 2-6 20.
Anniston 17 17 17 5 – 56
Munford 4 1 11 4 4 – 20
Anniston 5 (Lewis Roberson 3, Bailey); Anniston 3 (Roberson 4, Harris 4). Anniston 29 (Croft 7 Francis 4, Harris 4); Munford 12(Stephens 4) Total fouls Anniston 8, Munford 14. Officials: Whiteside, Tillery, Avery.
GIRLS GAME
ANNISTON 62, MUNFORD 11.
ANNISTON – Layla Tyus 7 2-4 13, A’Kayla Perez 7 2-4 19, Jill Borgand 0 0-2 0 Saniyah Spinks 0 0-0 0 Jada Fomby 3 1-2 7. Jeneyzia Olson 1 0-02, Jenaya Watters 1 0-02, Jenaya Oliver 1 0-03, Jenaya Watters 1 0-02, Jenaya Watters 1 0-02, Z’kiyah Spinks1 0-02, Eleah McCoy 0 0 0, Kiara Thomas 0 0 0-00 0 0 0-00 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 to 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0-00 0 0 0 0 0-0 Totals 23 11-19 62.
MUNFORD- Jamya Sistrunk 1 0-0 0. Bre Hailes 1 10-0 2. Autumn Castleberry 1 0-0 0. Taylor Sutton 1 0-0 0. Taylor Sutton 1 0-0 0 Taylor Sutton 1 0-0 0 Ashtyn Bishop 1 0-0 2 Amari Carlisle 1 0-0 5. Totals 4 2-2 11.
Anniston 26 17 13 6-6 – 62
Munford 0 7 -2 2 – 11
Anniston 5, Perry 3, Oliver, McCoy; Munford 1, Carlisle Total fouls Anniston 9, Munford 12. Officials: Whiteside, Tillery, Avery.
