Jacksonville, AL – After exchanging haymakers with No. 6 White Plains in Calhoun County quarterfinals
TOURNAMENT CALHOUN COUNTY
(At Jacksonville State)
Wednesday’s Boys Games
Alexandria 66, White Plains 63
Anniston 53, Piedmont 66
Thursday’s Boys Games
Alexandria vs. Oxford, 4:30 p.m.
Jacksonville vs. Piedmont, 7:30 p.m.
Friday’s Game for Boys
Championship, 8 p.m.
Joe Medley
Although years have passed since WIll Ginn won his first Calhoun County tournament match as a head coach in that sport, he still remembers the Oxford-Ohatchee mismatch. His first win in a county tournament? His alma mater’s coach? He was on his college floor, and matched wits and wits with one the county’s most respected and longest-serving coaches. Ginn was able to smile after his No. 3 seed Alexandria team beat No. 6 White Plains won 66 to 63 in Wednesday’s semi-final at Pete Mathews Coliseum.
The Valley Cubs won a match against… Wait for it… No. In Thursday’s semifinal at 4:30 p.m., Oxford defeated the Valley Cubs. He said Ginn was a “young bucks” one year ago when he coached at Ohatchee. He moved to Alexandria where he is the Valley Cubs’ first varsity head coach.
This is a different approach to coaching the second-largest school in the county against the only 6A school. He tried it again with Ohatchee, now-3A. He said, “We were defeated pretty well by Oxford.” “We beat Oxford in the first game. “We had some young men, and they were tough.”
Ginn will be coaching 5A Alexandria on Thursday against Oxford, who are looking to add to its four county titles and five in six year. Oxford could be stopped by the Valley Cubs, which may prevent it from reaching its seventh consecutive finals appearance. Ginn’s Alexandria team had the challenge of surviving Chris Randall, long-time White Plains’ coach,’s latest offering. Luke Bussey, Josh Wheeler, and Josh Wheeler did their best to keep Wildcats in play even in a four quarter haymaker exchange. Ginn stated, “I knew Coach Randall would prepare them, and they have many talented men.” “The Bussey child can play. He can shoot it, and see the floor so clearly.” [ »
