Calhoun County in AL – riday Basketball: Oxford and Carrollton played strong defense in Davidson Classic. Weaver snapped a losing streak. This article includes highlights of Friday night’s high school basketball game in Calhoun County.
BOYS GAMES Alexandria 63, Lincoln 55
Anniston 46, Talladega 44
Cedar Bluff 65, Jacksonville Christian 49
Cleburne County 44 (OT), Munford 42
Jacksonville 80, Cherokee County 49
Ohatchee 49; Wellborn 35
Piedmont 71, Albertville 65
Sand Rock 90, Fyffe80
Spring Garden 64, Gaylesville 22
Sylacauga 71, Clay Central 66
Weaver 64, Ashville 53
Westbrook Christian 47, Hokes Bluff 45
White Plains 65, Saks39
Winterboro 74, Talladega Co. Central 53
Larry & Connie Davidson Classic, Oxford
Northgate vs. Central-Phenix City
Carrollton (Ga.) 48, Oxford 42
GIRLS GAMES
Alexandria 58, Lincoln 30
Cherokee County 61. Jacksonville 21
Munford County, Cleburne
Jacksonville Christian 75, Cedar Bluff 55
Ohatchee 56, Wellborn 16
Sand Rock 54, Fyffe44
Spring Garden 101, Gaylesville 11
Talladega in Anniston
Weaver at Ashville
White Plains 60, Saks32
Winterboro 53, Talladega Co. Central 38
By Mark Everett Kelly
The Oxford Yellow Jackets began their 2022 basketball season with six away games. They hoped to find their mojo on Friday night by hosting Carrollton (Ga.), an out-of-state team.
Both teams are known for their defensive intensity. They combined to keep opponents below 60 points in seven of 13 games this season. The Trojans won 48-42 on Friday.
Don Bray, the Trojans’ head coach, said that defense is what we put our hats on.
It was not a match; it was a battle for defensive wills. Which team would win? Oxford’s defensive intensity caused nine turnovers in halftime, keeping Carrollton to just 36 percent shooting and 1-for-10 from beyond arc.
Each team scored 14 points despite eight combined turnovers during the first quarter. Each team scored nine points in the second quarter, scoring a combined 25 per cent from the field (9-of-36) to tie the game.
Bray stated, “You come across the Alabama line and it’s almost like a turf battle.” Both teams were hardworking and had a lot heart.
O’Brien Watkins was the top scorer at halftime with 12 points. In the second half, O’Brien Watkins won the game. With 25 points, the Carrollton junior was the top scorer. He scored eight of those points in the fourth quarter as the Trojans won a tie at 32-32. In the quarter, he was 6-for-6 at the free throw line.
Watkins stated, “I feel like if my teammates get involved, it opens the game up for me.”
Carrollton was able to thrive from the free-throw line during the final quarter (10-10-10), but the Yellow Jackets failed to make four of their nine attempts. This was the margin that won the game. This was the margin of victory. Oxford’s youth showed itself in the second-half, matching Carrollton’s first-half turnover total of nine.
Joel VanMeter, Oxford coach, stated that “We have to be a lot more offensively.” It’s not about scoring; we often turn the ball over and don’t make the right plays. But we’re still learning and young.
T.J. Allen was the leading scorer for Oxford with 13 points. Brock Reaves, who was leading the Jackets at the half with 10 points, didn’t score in the second period. Oxford’s second-half performance outside the arc (4-of-10) was a mask for its inability make shots within the arc (0-1 in the second). In the game, the Jackets went 8-of-20 in 3-point range.
CARROLLTON – O’Brien Watkins 25, Cameron Merritt 9, Austin Waters 4, Eli Pippins 5, Peyton Waters 5. Totals 13-30 15-20 48.
OXFORD – T.J. Allen 13, Brock Reaves 10, Jayden Lewis 6, Caleb Sanders 6, Jaylen Alexander 4, Marcus Perry 3. Totals 13-35 7-15 42.
Carrollton 14 9 9 16 – 48
Oxford 14 9 10 – 42
3-point goals: Carrollton 1-14, Oxford 8-20.
PIEDMONT 70, ALBERTVILLE 65 Alex Odam had 31 points to lead the Bulldogs. For his second triple-double, he had 10 assists as well as 10 steals.
Piedmont also had Ish Bethel (11), Rollie Pinto (16) and Cole Wilson (11). They were responsible for eight of the Bulldogs’ three-pointers in the first half.
Piedmont won the game after Fort Payne informed Albertville that it wouldn’t be playing the return game due to fears of retaliation for an earlier incident in which the teams were involved.
PIEDMONT – Alex Odam 11 9-13 31, Rollie Pinto 5 2-2 16, Ish Bethel 4 0-1 11, Colton Proctor 0 0-0 0, Rhett Alford 0 0-1 0, Luke Rhinehart 1 0-0 2, Trevor Pike 0 0-0 0, Cole Wilson 4 0-0 11. Totals 25 11-17 71.
ALBERTVILLE – Keandre Yancey 5 0-3 11, Emmanuel Hardaway 2 2-2 6, Sam Barclift 6 2-2 17, Hayden Peek 4 2-4 11, Hunter Smith 0 0-0 0, Tyler Snider 0 0-0 0, Jakob Duquette 0 0-0 0, Conner Lowrey 1 0-0 2, Cooper Colvin 2 0-1 5, Reed Kitchens 0 0-0 0, Tillman Plunkett 1 0-1 2, John Wesley Seay 3 3-3 11. Totals 24 9-16 65
Piedmont 18-20 17 16 – 771
Albertville 14 18 17 16 – 65
3-point goals: Piedmont 10, Bethel 3, Wilson 3, Wilson 3, Piedmont 8 (Yancey Barclift 3, Peek Colvin, Seay 2). Technical fouls: A. Odam and Piedmont coach Odam. Total fouls: Piedmont 19, Albertville 19. Officials: Moon, Armstrong, Scott.
Weaver 64, ASHVILLE53: Weaver is more likely to score when Tristan Brown or Armane Burton are scoring together. They’re almost certain to win if they add a third player.
Tristan Brown had 23 points, Armane Buir had 20, and Dawson Brooks had 14. These numbers helped the Bearcats end a nine-game losing streak.
WEAVER- Tristan Brown 10–0 23 Elijah Smith 1–0 0, Jeffrey Miles 3–0 7, Dawson Brooks 6–0 14, Williams 0–0 0, Armane Burton 9–2-2 20. Totals 28 2-3 64.
ASHVILLE- Walker Griffith3 0-0 7, Jrey Coleley0 0-2 0, Ryan Harris2 1-2 5, John Potter11 0-0 24, Dalton Rice–Thompson3 0-0 7, Parker Smith1 0-0 2, Nate Huckbay0 0-0 0, Dickinson2 1-2 6, Austin Dickey1 0-0 2. Totals 23 2-6 53.
Weaver 22 16 13 13 13 – 64
Ashville 15 14 10 14 – 53
3-point goals: Weaver 6 – Brown, 3 Miles Brooks 2, Brooks 2; Ashville 5 – Griffith Potter 2, Thompson, Dickinson Total fouls: Weaver 9, Ashville 6. Officials: Batey, Bearden, Ratliff.
JACKSONVILLE 81, CHEROKEE COUNTY 59: John Broom & Caden Johnson outscored Warriors by themselves. Cam Johnson added 18 more points to the mix. Broom made 10 of 18 field shots, en route to a game record 28 points, nine rebound and four blocked shots. Caden Johnson scored 23 points.
JACKSONVILLE- John Broom 10-28 6-6 28, Caden Johnson 9-15 5-23 23, Cam Johnson 8-14 1-31 18, Jaquan Johnson 8-14 1-3 18, Jaquan Johnson 9-15 5-5 23, Jaquan Ervin 2-2-4 0-0 6, Jaleik Lang 1-5 1-4 3, Ethan Duke 3-3 0-0 2, Dee Prothro 2-1 0-0 0, Kyrdric Fischer 0-3 0-0 0, Imoree Youth 0-2 0-0 0, DaMonte Sinclair Totals 31-65 13-18 80.
CHEROKEE COUNTY- Landon Caldwell 9-18 1-18 Jaden Wilson 4-6,3-6 11, Malachi Horton 2-4,6 7, Cade Hopper 2-10 2-6 7, Jackson Amos 1-3 0-02, Jackson Neyman 1-5,0-02, Jackson Neyman 1-5,0-02, Jackson Neyman 1-5 0-02, Jackson Neyman 1-5 0-02, Jackson Neyman 1-5 0-02, Jackson Neyman 1-5 0-02, Eli Martin 1-7 1-7 Totals 20-49 6-20 49.
Jacksonville 11 26 22 21 – 80
Cherokee County 16 9 18 -49
3-point goals: Jacksonville 5-16 (Broom 2-5, Cd. Johnson 0-2, Johnson 0-1, Fisher 0-1 Johnson 1-3; Ervin 2-2; Long 0-3, Fisher 1-1); Cherokee County 3-10. (Caldwell 1-1, Horton 1-1, Hopper 2-4 and Amos 0-4). Rebounds: Jacksonville 48 (Broom 9, Cm. Johnson 8, Dee Prothro 7, Cherokee County 31, Caldwell 8, Horton 6. Total fouls: Jacksonville 15, Cherokee County 11.
WHITE PAINS 65, SAKS39: Carter Johnson scored an impressive 18 points for the team. All nine White Plains players were able to score. Five of them each made at least one 3 pointer. Saks’s scoring leader was Anthony Bothwell, who scored 18 points and made four 3s.
WHITE PLAINS- Paul Laube 2 0-0 4, Josh Wheeler 3 0-1 11, Coleman Ray 1-2 4, Cam Almon 1-4 4, Daniel Williams 1 0-02, Daniel Williams 1 0-02, Collin Spivey 1 0-02, Daniel Williams 1 0-02, Daniel Williams 1 0-02, Daniel Williams 1 0-02, Daniel Williams 1 0-02, Daniel Williams 1 0-02, Collin Spivey 1 0-0 2, Daniel Williams 2 0-0 5, Luke Bussey 4-6 10, Carter Johnson 8 0-016 Totals 26 4-7 65.
SAKS- Jakari Ster 0–0-0 0, Christian Smith 4–6-7 14, Darrien Walker 1–1 3, Anthony Bothwell 6–5 18, Dee Elston 2–5 18, Keondre Johnson 2–0-1 4. Totals 13 8-14 39.
White Plains 19 21 13 – 65
Saks 3 11 10 15 – 39
3-point goals: White Plains 9, (Laube 2, Wheeler 3; Ray, Spivey and Bussey 2, 2); Saks 5, (Walker, Bothwell 4,). Total fouls: White Plains 14, Saks 10 Officials: Hall, Allen, Fletcher.
OHATCHEE 49. WELLBORN 35
OHATCHEE – Eli Teem 0 0-2 0. Jake Roberts 5 1-2 11. Jesse Baswell 0 2-3 2, Colby Hester 0 1-3 5, Jake Roberson 1 1-2 4. Ethan Blackburn 1 0-0 3. Nate Dover 1 0-0 2. Luke Vinson 2 0-0 4. Kelbe Crook 3 6-12 12. Galen Lower 0 2-2 2. Totals 16 15-30 49.
WELLBORN – Conner Woodard 0 0-0 0 Jesse Lewis 1 3-4 10, Carlos Hubbard 3 3-4 10, Jesse Parker 0 0-0 0 Jay’lon Gilbert 0 0-0 0 Ollie Boot 2 3-8 8, Raymond Williams 0 0-0 0 Ethan Tidwell 5 0-0 11 Jackson Long 0 1-2 1, Trey Downs 0 0-0 0. Totals 11 12-20 35.
Ohatchee 13-9 11 16 -49
Wellborn 7 9 6 – 35
3-point goals: Ohatchee 2 – Roberson, Blackburn; Wellborn 1 – Tidwell Technical fouls: Downs and Fouled out: Long and Odom. Total fouls: Ohatchee 18, Wellborn 25, Officials: Pratt, Mallicoat, Royster.
CLEBURNE CoUNTY 44, MUNFORD42 (OT): Dawson Haynes was 6-for-7 at the free throw line in overtime to win Cleburne County against the Lions.
After Munford had turned the ball over with just 20 seconds remaining, the game was tied. The Tigers decided it was time to make the final play. Haynes was awarded the ball. He missed a shot in their paint, but was fouled. Haynes made the decisive free throws. All nine of their points were scored by Haynes in overtime.
At the end of the fourth quarter, the Tigers were trailing by 12 but Jackson Miller scored nine of his 12 points to bring them back.
CLEBURNE CoUNTY – Jacob Cavendar 0 0-0 0. Dawson Haynes 3 8-14 17, Jackson Miller 4 3-4 12, RicoH uguley 0 0-0 02, Nathan Adams 2 1-2 5 Jake Littleton 0 0-0 0 Greyson Freeman 3 0-2 6 Totals 14 12-26 44
MUNFORD- Demetrius norwood 3 3-6 9 Keyshawn Castleberry 0-1 2 Tanner Smith 1 0-1 0, Alex Petty (0 2-4), Lathan Stephens (3 4-8 10, B.J. Anderson 2 7-6 6, Austin Wynn 2-7 6, Kelby Tucker 1-1 2, JavionWhite 5 1-3 11. Totals 14 12-33 42.
Cleburne County 3 9 19 9 9 – 44
Munford 11 611 7 7 7 – 42
3-point goals: Cleburne Co. 4 (Miller 3, Haynes). Foulled out by Miller. Total fouls: Cleburne Co. 25, Munford 21. Officials: Jackson, McClung, Daniel.
ANNISTON 46. TALLADEGA 44. This series is always a fight and Anniston won their third close game this week. In the eight days that have passed, the Bulldogs have now won six consecutive games.
Girls games
JACKSONVILLE CHRISTIAN 55, CEDAR BLUF 55:Kara Grace had 22 points and grabbed 16 boards. Erin Prater had 23 and seven steals. The Lady Thunder moved to 5-3 under Cindy Fair as acting coach. Fair is the team’s head coach while Katy Bryant goes on maternity leave. Bryant welcomed Kase to the world on Thursday. She is now back at home, resting comfortably. Her return to the team is not yet scheduled.
Fair said that Fair is doing “great right now” in her second stint as girls’ acting coach. “I don’t think she will be surprised if she comes back in,” Fair said.
CEDAR BLUFF- Kylie Vadon 4-8-8, Hayden Cannon 2-1 5, Caley Bruce 7-3-12 17, KijaGreen 00-0 0, Zaiviya Ky 6-5 15, Ciara Smith 10-0 0, Anslee Davies 10-0 2, Kindal Grace 3-8 6, Rylie Wallace 10-0 3. Totals 24 7-18 55.
JACKSONVILLE CHRISTIAN – Katie Beth Hudson 3 3-4 9, Addy Lee 0 4-5 4, Rebekah Carter 2 5-6 9, Erin Prater 8 0-2 23, Kara Grace 10 2-4 22, Kirsten Walker 2 1-2 6, Peyton Walker 1 1-1 3. Totals 26 16-24 75.
Cedar Bluff 15 10 19 11 – 55
JCA 10 17 21 – 75
3-point goals: Cedar Bluff 1 (Wallace); JCA 7 (Carter, Prater 5, K. Walker). Foulled out by Bruce. Total fouls: Cedar Bluff 21, JCA 17. Officials: Merritt, Hanson, Warren.
WHITE PLAINS 60. SAKS 32
WHITE PLAINS – Cooper Martin 4 0-0 12, Isabella Higgins 7 0-2 14, Abbie Dickeson 0 0-0 0, Anna Fouche 0 0-0 0, Hallie Williams 3 0-0 8, Addison Bradley 4 2-5 10, Chloee Cromer 1 0-0 2, Braeton Moran 1 0-1 2, Kylee Provencio 0 0-0 0, Cassidy Arnold 5 0-0 12. Totals 25 2-8 60.
SAKS – Alonna Crews 6 0-0 15, Sania Angel 4 0-0 8, Madison Turner 2 0-2 4, Alayah Christopher 0 0-0 0, Camrie Denham 1 2-2 5, Jada Foster 0 0-0 0. Totals 13 2-4 32.
White Plains 22 17 8 – 60%
Saks 5 8 8 11 – 32
3-point goals: White Plains 8 – Martin 4, Williams 2, Arnold 2; Saks 4 – Crews 3, Denham
Turner fouled out. Total fouls: White Plains 6, Saks 11. Officials: Hall, Fletcher, Jeron.
CHEROKEE COUNTY, JACKSONVILLE 61
JACKSONVILLE – Mya Swain 2-5 2-5 7, Alexis Phillips 2-8 1-2 5, Dee Prothro 1-3 3-5 5, Ontarriah Braxton 0-8 4-6 4, Halaina Lozano 0-5 0-0 0, Ashley Grant 0-0 0-0 0, Olivia Rowan 0-0 0-0 0, Rachel Sanders 0-2 0-0 0, Camryn Stone 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 5-31 10-18 21.
CHEROKEE – Mary Hayes Johnson 7-9 0-0 14 Elle Garmany 4-11 0-0 12 Nevaeh Gadurgis 4-6 0-2 8 Ellisan Givens 3-3 0-0 6 Raechel Russell 2-8 0-0 6 Libby Curry 1-2 0-0 3 Grayson Tucker 1-6 0-0 2 Deannia Starr 0-1 0-0 0 Hannah Moseley 0-1 0-0 0 Totals 26-53 0-2 61.
Jacksonville 9 6 4 2 – 21
Cherokee County 19 10 18 14-14 – 61
3-point goals: Jacksonville 1-11, Phillips 0-1, Braxton 0-2, Lozano 0-4, Sanders 0-1; Cherokee County 9-23, Johnson 0-2, Haygood 4-8. Raechel Russell 2-8 0-0 6, Raechel Johnson 0-2, Grayson Tucker 1-5 0-0 3, Libby Curry 1-2 0-0 6, Raechel Russ 2-8 0-0 6, Raechel Russ 2-8 0-0 6, Raechel 4-6 0-2 8. Raechel Russell 0-0 6-8 0-0 6. Rebounds: Jacksonville 28, Phillips 7, Swain 6, Cherokee County 33 (Johnson 5, Garmany 5 Gaidurgis 5, Tucker 5, Tucker 5) Total fouls: Jacksonville 6, Cherokee County 11.
OHATCHEE 57. WELLBORN 16.
OHATCHEE – Tabi Davidson 2 5-7 7, Whitney McFry 0 0-0 3, Mia Waters 0 0-0 0. Greenlee Orman 0 0-2 0 Priesly Davis 0 0-0 0 Kiana Garber 2 2-4 7 Jorda Crook 0 0-0 0 Lindsey Zurchin 0 0-0 9, Alyssa Davies 3 1-2 7. Totals 20 12-21 57.
WELLBORN- Braelyn Bean 1 0-0 0, Anna Odom 0-1 5, Taniya Taylor 1 0-02, Taniya Traylor 0-1 0, Calla Hayes 0-1 0, Immarieen Singleton 1 1-2 1, Brooklyn Singleton 1 2-2 2, Layla Amberson 1 0-0 0 Hanna Grubbs 1 0-0 0, Molly Junior 1 0-0 0. Totals 6 4-6 16.
Ohatchee 24 8 11 4 – 56
Wellborn 7 2 3 – 16
3-point goals: Ohatchee 5 (Davidson, Garber, Zurchin 3). Total fouls: Ohatchee 9, Wellborn 22, Officials: Mallicoat, Pratt, Royster.
SPRING GARDEN101, GAYLESVILLE 11. The Lady Panthers defeated another opponent and placed five scorers in double figures. Olivia Law was the offensive’s leading scorer with 19 points. Ace Austin scored 18 points, had eight assists and had six steals.
The Lady Panthers’ first-half score of 74 points was fourth in AHSAA history. In the second quarter, the starters were removed and the entire game was played with a running clock of six minutes.
Spring Garden 40 34 14 13 – 101
Gaylesville 2 6 1 2 – 11
