Calhoun County in AL – Wednesday Basketball: Anniston boys focus after losing at White Plains. Anniston jumps on Munford early, and cruises to an area win. Anniston girls roll. Piedmont girls fall in Georgia

BOYS GAMEAnniston, Munford 35

Piedmont 57. Bremen (Ga.), 43

GIRLS GAMES

Anniston 75, Munford 6.

Bremen (Ga.), 54, Piedmont 33

Al Muskewitz

One day made a big difference. Anniston’s basketball team looked completely different from the one that lost to White Plains on Wednesday night, when it beat Munford 58 to 35.

In their White Plains match, the Bulldogs scored 21 points in the first three quarters. After jumping out at 17-0, they scored 20 points in the first quarter. They were then able to take a 30-5 lead midway through the second quarter after Javen Croft’s dunk.

Jacorey Lane, a junior guard, stated that they put more effort into defense and played harder. Coach said that we needed to support each other and play together better. That was what we did. We played much better today.”

Javen Croft, a senior forward, said that “Last night we weren’t locked down like we were supposed” after scoring eight goals in the first thirty. We had something to prove after that last game. We all were mad about the last game, and we said that we wouldn’t let it happen again. So we went in prepared to go. All of us were connected. We all took ownership and had to be accountable.”

Torry Brown, Bulldogs coach, spoke about the external factors that influenced his team’s play Tuesday night. They dealt with these factors Wednesday, and didn’t wait for the second half to plug their press to prevent early foul trouble.

They shot it even better. They shot 4-of-24 from 3-point range in their win against White Plains, with three of their attempts coming in the fourth quarter. Three of them made it in the first 8 and a quarter minutes of Wednesday’s game. They were 5-of-20 at the line against Wildcats, but they hit five of seven against the Lions.

Brown stated that while last night, we didn’t press or start aggressively; tonight we began pressing and that generally makes the children more aggressive. That was my only opinion. We discussed refocusing our energy to where it is needed. Today was a great day for the kids. Although we were still a bit patchy in some areas, it’s all good.

Croft was the Bulldogs’ leading scorer with 11 points and 13 rebounds, as well as three blocked shots. Isaiah Smith scored 10 points, while three other players had at least seven.

The No. 1 seed in the Talladega County Tournament big schools bracket was the Lions. The 4th seed in Talladega County Tournament’s big schools bracket was the Lions. They picked up the pace in second half. B.J. Anderson scored 13 of the team’s 15 highest points in halftime.

MUNFORD- Demetrius norwood 1 0-02, Sylvester Smith 2 3-7 7, Keyshawn Castleberry 2-0-0 5, Alex Petty 0, 0-0 0, Lathan Stevens 0–0-0 0, B.J. Anderson 3 9-19 15, Austin Wynn 1 0-0 2, Sylvester Smith 2 3-6 7, Keyshawn Castleberry 2 0-0 5, Alex Petty 0 0-0 0, Lathan Stephens 0 0-0 0, B.J. Totals 11 12-29 35.

ANNISTON – Jacoreylane 3 1-2 8, Devin Coleman3 1-2 7, Jayden Lewis0 0-0 0, Isaiah Allen3 3-3 10, Jace Roberson3 0-1 8, Jace Roberson2 1-4 5, Jayden Lewis0 0-0 0, Isaiah Allen3 3-3 10, Jace Roberson3 0-1 8, Jace Roberson3 0-1 8, Javen Croft5 1-2 11, Malik Bailey1 1-2 4, Kenneth Price1 0-0 3, HezekiahH Harris0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Totals 22 8-16 68.

Munford 3 9-11 12 – 35

Anniston 20 10 16 –

3-point goals: Munford 1 (Castleberry); Anniston 6 (Lane, Allen, Roberson 2, Bailey, Price). Total fouls: Anniston 15, Munford 14. Officials: Caldwell, Tillery, Richardson.

GIRLS GAMES

ANNISTON 75 – MUNFORD 6. Akayla Perry scored 21 point, Tykeria Smith had 19, and Jayda Foomby 16, as the Lady Bulldogs defeated the Lady Lions.

Anniston scored seven of the first seven points. Amari Carlisle got Munford onto the board after a timeout. The Lady Bulldogs then ran 38 consecutive points to take a 47-4 lead at halftime. Smith scored 18 points during the run.

The Lady Dawgs continued their dominance in the second period, holding Munford scoreless for the last minute.

MUNFORD- Jamya Sistrunk 1 0-2 2, Alys Moley 0,0-0 0, Jariyah Gladden 1 0-0 02, Zakiyah Threatt 1 0-0 02, Faith Jacobs 1 0-4 2, Fantaza Calhoun 0-1 0, Laina Quarles 1 0-4 2, Lauryn Brewster 1 0-0 0. Totals 3 0-7 6.

ANNISTON- Layla Tyus3 1-2 7, Akayla Per 7 4-4 21, Jill Borgrud 0–0 2, Matasia Truss 0–0 2, Saniya Spinks0–0-0 0, Jada Foomby 8 0-2 16 Kayah Spinks0–0-0 0, Jenayzia Olson 0–0-0 0, Eleah McCoy 0–0-0 0, Tykeria Smith8 3-8 19, Kiara Tom 1 2-5 4, Tamika Foster0 0–1 Totals 30 11-23 75.

Munford 2 0 2 6

Anniston 2027 14 14 14 – 75

Anniston 4, Perry 3, McCoy. Total fouls: Munford 17, Anniston 13. Officials: Caldwell, Tillery, Richardson.

BREMEN 54, PIEDMONT33: The Lady Blue Devils were hot. They hit four 3-pointers within the first quarter, and never lost the lead.

PIEDMONT – Armoni Perry 0 0-0 0, Ava Pope 1 0-0 2, Josie Young 1 0-0 2, Rylie Anne Holbrooks 0 0-0 0, Jaycee Glover 0 0-0 0, Lele Ridley 7 1-4 16, Cayla Brothers 1 1-2 3, Melanie Studdard 0 0-0 0, Jenna Duke 0 0-0 0, Carson Young 3 1-2 7, Gracie Naugher 1 0-0 3, Morgan Studdard 0 0-0 0, Hannah Kate Barber 0 0-0 0. Totals 14 3-8 33.

BREMEN DanilynSheats 0 3-3 3, Jayda Smith 50-0 12, Mary House 8 1-1 20 Marley Derringer 30-0 6, Mattie John 0 3 0-0 6, Mattie Jones 0 3 0-0 6, Mattie Kelly 0 3 0-0 6, Mattie 0 3 0-0 6, Mattie 0 3 0-0 6, Mattie 0 3 0-0 6, Mattie 0 2 1-2 6, JaydaSmith 5 0, Terrell 0 Totals 21 6-12 54.

Piedmont 7 10 9 -33

Bremen 19-9 20 8 – 54

3-point goals: Piedmont 2, Ridley, Naugher; Bremen 6, Langley, Smith 2, House 3. Total fouls: Piedmont 7, Bremen 6.

Tournaments by County

The Cherokee County Tournament, which begins at the Gadsden-State-Cherokee Arena on Jan. 19, saw the installation of the top seeds for Spring Garden’s girls as well as Sand Rock’s boys.

Talladega’s girls and Sylacauga’s boys are the top seed in the Big Schools bracket at the Talladega County Tournament, which opens Monday. The top seeds in each of the Small Schools brackets were won by Childersburg’s girls and boys.

Both the big and small schools will compete to determine the bracket champions, with the winners meeting at their respective Super Championship on Jan. 21.

The Calhoun County Tournament will open Friday at Jacksonville State, with three games beginning at 4:30 p.m.