Oxford, AL – Oxford hinders Spring Garden’s quest to be undefeated in the regular-season; White Plains’ Martin getting his stroke right PV’s Gannaway, Hester have career nights, and much more
GIRLS GAMES ON FRIDAY
Alexandria 59, Saks 32
Oxford 59, Spring Garden 53
Pleasant Valley 76, Coosa Christian 31
Ohatchee at 67 Ragland 39
Southside 55 Glencoe 47
Jacksonville Christian 61, Valley Head 56
Piedmont 51 Westbrook 36
Sand Rock 73, Cedar Bluff 53
White Plains 54, Faith Christian 18
By Al Muskewitz
Jamea Gaston didn’t have the best shot in the contest and when she let that three-pointer fly late in the fourth quarter of Friday’s game, she knew it was going to be a winner. The junior guard’s shot of 3 points with just 1:29 remaining was the most powerful shot in a final run that helped Oxford’s Oxford team to a thrilling 59:53 victory against Spring Garden, handing the Lady Panthers their first loss of the season in their final regular-season game of the season. Gaston scored the only basket during the game. “In the beginning, I was not hitting a lot of shots, and I thought that in the second half as it was a long game, I needed to make that 3,” Gaston said. “Once it was gone from my hand even though I’d been away I was sure that shot was bound to go into.”
The shot was made by Gaston from the exact place that where the Lady Jackets lost a made 3 by Mya McGrue just moments before in the game, when the coach Melissa Bennett was granted a timeout just prior to the shot. It could have provided Oxford an advantage of 54-48 with just 1:13 remaining. But it ended up falling on Gaston just 45 seconds afterward. “We were stranded beneath, which is why I called for the timeout,” Bennett said. “He granted me the timeout too late. We did hit 3 and I was blown it. When (Gaston) hit it and the coaches all were saying”You’ve got to make that shot. It was a big 3 , because at that point, it was a one-possession match. “Shooters are aware of it. It’s a lot like the guys that night evening. (Marcus) Perry had missed several times and he did hit the ball when it mattered. Jamea wasn’t hit, however she did hit the ball right in the middle when it was really important.”
Spring Garden (29-1) had one of two undefeated girls squads in the AHSAA and was working to secure the second consecutive season that was undefeated in the history of the program. Spring Garden’s Lady Panthers last led 48-46 with just 3:23 remaining before Oxford embarked on the 10-0 streak that handed the victory. Ace Austin hit a three-quarters court shot just before the end of the game for the final score. The shot was, naturally way too little, too late. It was a disaster for the Lady Panthers were 9-for-29 from the 3-point line. That’s just one of their initial 10. “”When you’re having a difficult to score points in the paint , you’re going to need to get some shots down,” Spring Garden coach Ricky Austin said. “If we didn’t hit the shots we did, it could have been a real mess but it was not enough to make an impact.”
The prospect of a championship season without a loss is over and the Lady Panthers are turning their attention to the next. “It isn’t important that we were with a score of 30-0 or 29, we’re going to get 7-0 next week and that’s what’s most important aspect,” Spring Garden coach Ricky Austin said. “It isn’t a matter of whether we finish with a score of 15-15 or 30-0, the main goal is 7-0. “Sometimes a loss can do good. It’s something that everyone says often in situations like this However, they beat us. The way they beat us was more than physically. I think they were determined to win particularly in the opening 2 minutes in the 3rd quarter. I think they did an excellent job of getting out and striking us on the cheek and we did not handle that very well.” The team was not able to handle it well. Read more…]
White Plains 54, FAITH CHRISTIAN 18: The key to basketball is that it gets scorching at the perfect moment which is why White Plains’ Cooper Martin has found her 3-point shooting as the Wildcats are about to begin their local tournament. Cooper Martin made four three-pointers twice this week. White Plains’ second victory this week is coming in the midst of Wildcats are eyeing Jacksonville in the Class 4A Area 10 tournament at Cherokee County. The winner is promoted into sub-regional play, while the loser’s season is over.
Jacksonville defeated their two regular-season matches. “We’ve had a chance,” White Plains coach Matt Ford said. “I believe we’re able to play with White Plains. It’s obvious that they will beat us but I’m looking ahead to seeing them play. “If we can leave the region it will be the first occasion in a long time that we’ve left the an area.” In the last game, the WIldcats were 8-for-54 when they played at home during their last game against Jacksonville However, that was only a couple of threes back for Martin. Martin scored four points in a win against Lincoln on Tuesday. She added four more on Friday, in a game against Faith. She had 17 points. This was in addition to her performance of 18 points against Lincoln.
It’s a completely different style for Cooper who took on the rim with more intensity as she entered her sophomore. Threes became a more prominent aspect of her game during the summer. “Last season, I was not shooting at all,” she said. “We’ve been shooting quite a bit in our the gym, so it started taking place.” White Plains also scored fifteen points off Isabella Higgins on Friday and kept Faith to just four single-digit quarters.
“Everybody was on their game this evening,” Ford said. “I was very pleased by the team’s attitude and work throughout. “Against Lincoln the other night we missed 21 free throws. I’m pretty sure that our percent was higher (10-for-17 Friday) and we also played better and these were the factors that made me feel the most content this evening.” – Joe Medley
OHATCHEE 70, RAGLAND 39: After her 61-point score the previous day, Jorda Crook scored 32 points to guide the Indians over their rivals Ragland.
Alyssa Davis scored the score to 11 for Ohatchee the team that is hosting Hokes Bluff in the Class 3A, Area 11 tournament Monday , at 7 p.m.
ALEXANDRIA 55, SAKS 36:Fresh following a stunning win in Jacksonville last Thursday. Alexandria was able to overcome a rough beginning to cruise over Saks.
Charlee Parris was the leader with 16 points, while Jordyn Walker scored 12 points.
Alexandria also was the first time that Jill Cockrell from COVID-19. She hit a 3-pointer.
Madison Turner led Saks with 17 points.
Piedmont 51 WESTBROOK CHRISTIAN 36Ava Pope scored three 3-pointers, scoring 21 points and assist Piedmont end an eight-game skid.
LeLe Ridley balanced Pope’s performance by scoring 20 points.
Piedmont (14-13) is scheduled to play as the home team to Wellborn on Tuesday, at 4.30 p.m. during the class 3A, Area 11 tournament.
JACKSONVILLE CHRISTIAN JACKSONVILLE CHRISTIAN 61 VALLEY Head 56Erin Prater hit six 3-pointers to score an all-time high of 22 points. In addition, she grabbed six rebounds.
Kara Grace pulled down 16 rebounding to score 12 points. Rebekah Carter scored 11 boards, eight points eight assists with four steals, and three steals
JCA ended the regular season 17-7 . JCA will take on Cedar Bluff Tuesday at 4 p.m. in the Class 1A, Area 12 tournament.
PLEASANT VALLEY , 76, COOSA CHRISTIAN 31: Rebekah Gannaway (32) and Kianna Hester (18) each had record-setting scoring nights. The Lady Raiders hit a season-high 14 3s in the closing stages of this season’s regular-season on a positive note. Gannaway and Hester each scored six 3s.
