Oxford, AL – With injured Lewis, Allen sitting out, Oxford gets strong showings from Alexander, Truitt, but cannot overcome undefeated Columbia in the Davidson Classic. Southside girls are victorious in the Swafford Showcase.
Larry & Connie Davidson Classic
FRIDAY
At Oxford
Mattie T. Blount 84, White Plains 46
Central-Phenix City, 67, Oxford 48
Dothan the 58th, Gadsden City 56
SATURDAY
Huffman 46, Spain Park 45
Woodward Academy 75, Hoover 69 (girls)
Shades Valley 50, Dothan 34
Woodward Academy 55, Pinson Valley 51 (boys)
Central-Phenix City 62 Ramsay 53
Fairfield at 59. Auburn 43
Mountain Brook 98, Blount 53
Columbia (Ga.) 56. Oxford 40
Bobby Swafford Showcase
SATURDAY
At Heflin
Bremen (Ga.) 76, Donoho boys 35
Bremen (Ga.) 41. Cleburne County girls 33
Temple (Ga.) Temple (Ga.), White Plains girls 21
Temple (Ga.) Temple (Ga.), Cleburne County boys 47
Southside girls 56, Oxford 46
By Joe Medley
OXFORDFor those trying to figure out Oxford’s basketball team for boys thirteen games in the regular season pause.
The Yellow Jackets haven’t had their entire roster healthy and active.
While center Jayden Lewis (knee) and shooting guard T.J. Allen (back) resting, Oxford went 0-2 in the Larry & Connie Davidson Classic and lost to Central-Phenix city on Friday, and then undefeated Columbia (Ga.) 55-40, in Saturday’s final.
Oxford is 7 heading into the week that will begin with Tuesday’s Class 6-A Region 13 contest against unbeaten Fort Payne. Fort Payne coach Robi Coker observed Saturday’s game, which took place in Larry Davidson Court.
He was just two weeks shy of Christmas, and was still without the components.
“That’s an incredible thing,” Oxford coach Joel Van Meter told reporters. “You’re 13 games into the season but you haven’t been with your team for a while.”
The best thing for Oxford? Lewis Allen, the most prized player in this year’s Calhoun County tournament and Allen are likely to return in the near future.
The football team is a part of the group that wasn’t able to play basketball until the football team’s playoffs was over in November. 17 Lewis is suffering from a sore knee.
“I must wait for the trainers to tell me however we’re hoping it will be full practice on the next day,” Van Meter said. “They were a little bit more specific and were thinking, maybe, of Fort Payne, but we’re going to go slow, because -because of the kind of player he is and the type of explosive he employs is — we need to ensure that he’s fully healed.”
Allen has been fighting foot blisters as well as the back problem. He hasn’t yet played to full fitness this season and could be out for for a couple of weeks Van Meter told reporters.
Van Meter got hopeful words about Allen’s situation From Mountain Brook Coach Tyler Davis, whose team defeated Mattie Blount in the final game of their season. Blount just before Oxford’s game on Saturday.
“His younger son suffered from a lot of the same problem,” Van Meter said. “He had to stay out for seven weeks, and then healed and was much better.
“When we talk about getting T.J. back would be about six weeks. But he’s actually done a fantastic job at his rehab and everything else, therefore we’re hopeful. I’m not putting my hopes on anything, but we’re open.”
While wearing Lewis and Allen wearing black team sweatshirts on On Saturday Jaylen Alexander scored 15 points for his team of Yellow Jackets. The Yellow Jackets also scored twelve points off Chase Truitt, a senior with extended playing time due to Allen’s absence.
“I was extremely pleased by the manner Chase Truitt came in and played,” Van Meter said. “He was a fervent player and chased balls all over the flooring.
“It’s the best I’ve ever watched him play. It’s also the most purposeful thing I’ve ever watched the player play. I was awed by the result, absolutely.”
Oxford had a deficit of 30-18 at halftime. However, they opened the third quarter on an upswing to get within 35-30. Truitt scored two 3-pointers in the third quarter, while Marcus Perry, Jr. scored one.
Columbia (10-0) completed the quarter strongly and led 43-33.
“I believed we played well and responded,” Van Meter said. “At at the conclusion of the game, you’re required to play to be successful in the game. We had a few opportunities to play, but we didn’t succeed in making them.
“We’re playing against an elite team like they are, they’re likely to charge you if you don’t make the most of the chances. This is why you’re playing the games you play.”
Swafford Showcase
SOUTHSIDE 56 OXFORD 46In the Bobby Swafford Showcase at Heflin Southside’s girls led by up to 20 points, while the score climbed to 8-2.
Madison Shaw led the Panthers with 19 points and seven steals, which included four 3-pointers. Laylah Davis scored 13 points. Grace Anne Rose scored 13 points, grabbing 10 rebound.
The Oxford’s Xai Whitfield scored 24 points for the game. Whitfield scored a game-high 24 points. Tennessee State signee hit two three-pointers.
