Oxford, AL – Graves discovers the solution to the question of how Gadsden City withstands Alexander’s 33-point gem, snatches momentum for 6A’s win in Area 13 in Oxford. Whitfield’s big second-half performance boosts Oxford girls to victory.
Scoreboards for Friday
BOYS Gadsden City 59, Oxford 56
Pleasant Valley 38, Ranburne 28
Alexandria 60, Southside 37
Glencoe Hokes Bluff 65, Hokes Bluff 65
GIRLS
Oxford 49. Gadsden City 41
Southside 48, Alexandria 18
By Joe Medley
Raphael Graves pulled a Ralpheal Graves at Oxford on Friday.
The result provided Gadsden City more reason to trust their coach from the start and Oxford further reason to be skeptical after another loss that was close.
Javien McCants had 21 points, James McFadden 20 points, and the Titans defeated Jaylen Alexander’s 33-point masterpiece and a 12-point third-quarter gap to prevail the game 59-56.
The crowd was awash in the lower levels as well as all higher levels within the Oxford Sports Arena, and that included several areal coaches whose teams got the evening off due to weather-related cancellations or reschedulings, Oxford suffered its 10th loss of six or less points and dropped to 9-15 overall and 0-2 in class 6A and Area 13 play.
“We’ve to find out how we can win the game … ,” the veteran Oxford head coach Joel Van Meter said. “We’ve need to get much better. I’ve got to come up with another way to help them.
“It’s exactly what I’ve told my assistants. I’m trying to find some way to help us get over the hurdle.”
Gadsden City improved its record to 13-9 overall and 2-0 in the region and it was the first year under the guidance of Graves who guided his team at the end of Sacred Heart to four state championships, a second place finishing as well as six Final Fours prior to the Anniston-based school ceased athletics and was eventually shut down.
“It’s been a mix with ups and downs as well as my players learning to be a team as well as trust me and the coaches,” Graves said. “It’s been very difficult trying to convey that message to the players. It’s been a gruelling process.”
The game on Friday was Gadsden City’s 3rd game in Graves his native Calhoun County this season. The Titans fell to Dothan at the Larry & Connie Davidson Classic at Oxford but they beat Jacksonville as well as Oxford.
“I’m simply happy for our boys because they were determined to get it,” the Anniston grad and participant on Anniston’s state-title team stated. “You can see it in their faces. They’re still learning how to win and how to stay together.
“We’re going to continue adding days and weeks and see what comes to.”
Graves needed to come up with ways to beat Oxford in the first half, when Alexander delivered a performance that was enough to justify Van Meter’s decision to name Alexander as a “Power Five player.” Alexander’s 33 points included a three-pointer during the second half buzzer and he then swung an open halfcourt shot right prior to the third quarter buzzer.
“Luck,” Alexander said about his second buzzer-beater in the night.
The remainder portion of the performance wasn’t nothing other than luck.
“He’s an incredible athlete,” Van Meter said. “We attended an Kiwanis meeting and I just told them that you must go and see him play. You’re watching an Power 5 basketball player.’
“Two two years later, and you’re the age of a Power 5 basketball player.”
How did Graves discover a way to get Alexander’s flex out of the way? By utilizing ball pressure and removing the ball away from his hands as far as he could.
“Give Ralph all the credit anywhere in the world,” Van Meter said. “Tremendous job. Excellent job.
“One of his most valuable assets is if it’s his greatest asset, is that you can determine team’s weaknesses are. …
“What did he do with us was that he took the ball from ‘zero’s hands as best possible. Jaylen could still move a way, but he took the ball out of Jaylen’s hands and once he had the ball out of Jaylen’s hand the other player had to make a play. We didn’t get enough of this.”
Gadsden City’s resurgence began at the end of third quarter. It was only to be interrupted briefly by Alexander’s halfcourt shoot that would give Oxford an advantage of 45-38.
The crowd reacted with excitement to Alexander’s long-ball victory, Graves came out from the bench to meet the players with a huge cheer and high-fives. Oxford had taken the lead but Gadsden City had already won momentum.
“If he’s making halfcourt shots, you shouldn’t get angry,” Graves said. “It’s just a great night for the player.
“He took the shot and the rest of our boys, you could tell that their mood was similar to (down).
“There was anything you could do about this. You can just high-five it, and then move onto the next one.”
It was ironic that the Titans were leading when Alexander briefly walked out of the game after sustaining the appearance of a sprain. Alexander slowed down while dribbling his ball upcourt, fell and dropped the ball, leading to an Gadsden City layup, which brought them to within 48-46.
“I got caught on a moist area and then rolled my ankle,” Alexander said.
Alexander was unable to walk off the court. Alexander missed a mere one minute of play and returned to the court at 4:03 with Gadsden City leading 49-48.
In the final 4 minutes, there were the time to switch between Alexander’s achievements and Gadsden City’s in the aftermath of those times in which it might force the ball into another’s hands.
“Our offense slowed down in the opening half due to it was their area,” Graves said. “They were very good however, when we increased our defense’s pressure, we sort of put us into an offensive rhythm.
“I would like to thank the boys. We called them and they responded.”
Girls
OXFORD 49 GADSDEN CENTER 41 Another impressive individual performance for Oxford (9-11 1-1 zone) was impressive with a vengeance, as Xai Whitfield scored 28 points of her 37 during the crucial second half.
The Tennessee State signee scored 16 of Oxford’s 17-point total in the third quarter, following Oxford maintained an advantage of 33-32 at halftime.
“At halftime I thought I’m looking to win. I’d like to win in the region, therefore I’ve got to do something that will help to win for the players,” Whitfield said.
Whitfield’s impressive second half that included three of her 3-pointers followed by a short conversion together with Oxford coach Melissa Bennett, after the team returned from their lockers to prepare for the second half.
“I did not say anything to my girls” Bennett said. “When we returned I urged her to continue shooting outside.
“They would fall and then they’d start running across the perimeter, and then it started opening up on the inside. What she did in the second period was how we tried to play the game.”
